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Genentech Public Park Project. (Greg Mediati, Director of Parks and Recreation)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Parks and Recreation Commission receive an update on a planned public park project to be constructed and maintained by Genentech on their campus.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The 2020 Development Agreement between Genentech and the City includes a requirement for Genentech to provide approximately 0.8-acres of contiguous, publicly accessible open space. To fulfill this Development Agreement obligation, Genentech is proposing to replace an existing surface parking lot with a new 1.8-acre (approximately 470’ long by 170’ wide) public shoreline park off of Forbes Boulevard, just north of DNA Way.
Genentech staff approached Parks and Recreation staff in summer 2025 to kick off conceptual design of the park. At that time, opportunities and constraints within the proposed site were discussed, as were project goals, which included improving public access and amenities, creating a climate-resilient landscape, provision of more space of nature, and thoughtful design considerations. Furthermore, the project team and City staff discussed means to solicit meaningful public feedback to inform the design.
Genentech participated in the Concert in the Park on September 20, 2025 and the Thanksgiving 5K Fun Run on November 22, 2025 to gather feedback from community members. Based on input and meetings with City and BCDC staff, the public park is proposed to include the following amenities:
• An improved and widened Bay Trail to current standards, including sea level rise elevations
• A picnic area featuring a permanent shade structure
• Features providing expansive views of the Bay
• Improved shoreline and fishing access via a stepped stone interface
• Wind-screened terrace seating and an interactive sculptural feature
• Enhanced public access parking, maintaining dedicated public access spaces
A secondary driver for the project is addressing future climate change impacts. The park is designed for coastal flood protection and resilience against projected sea-level rise (SLR). The landscape strategy utilizes native plantings to foster healthy Bay ecology and create a resilient habitat. The site is organized into distinct ecological zones.
Key resilience features include:
• Design Flood Elevation (DFE): The project is designed to a 2070 resilience elevation of +14.3', accounting for MH-HW, storm surge, sea-level rise, and wave action
• Earthen Berm: Protection will be provided by an earthen berm constructed with engineered fill
The project design team will present the project plans before the Commission and seek feedback and consensus on the design.
CONCLUSION
Following the presentation from the Genentech design team, feedback and approval for the design is requested.