Environmental JusticE

in Action

As part of an ambitious plan to restore a decaying shoreline along the San Francisco Bay, the first phase of the India Basin Park project will address decades of pollution and environmental degradation in an area marred by heavy industrial use. Bayview’s own Rubecon Builders has successfully remediated the future park site at 900 Innes, laying the foundation for a new park. This will support future restoration efforts and create a robust wildlife habitat along the shoreline.

Decades of dilapidation

For decades, shipbuilding thrived at India Basin. But the industry also left a legacy of environmental pollution in the soil and shoreline sediments. Dilapidated buildings were left to rot, and residents were cut off from accessing the bay waters.

The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) is overseeing the clean-up work and their findings can be found here.

From surviving to thriving

Specially trained crews will clean up contamination in the land, shoreline, and shallow sediments north of 900 Innes Ave. You can expect to see: Removal of debris and dilapidated structures, targeted excavation and removal of impacted soil and sediment, installation of a water barrier to protect the bay and optimize work, placement of new soil to support future park design, and abatement of hazardous building materials from the Shipwright’s Cottage. 

Bayview-based

In December 2020, the SF Recreation and Park Commission approved a construction contract with local firm Rubecon Builders to clean up the 900 Innes Ave site of the India Basin Park project. As certified San Francisco Local Business Enterprises (LBE) based in the Bayview, the general contractor and several subcontractors for this project will allow for jobs and resources created by this work to remain in the San Francisco community.

Funding

Funding for remediation comes from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), California Department of Finance, and Measure AA, which provides funding to restore wetlands and mitigate sea level rise in the San Francisco Bay. Last year, the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority approved $4.99 million in funding for SF Rec and Park to remediate and restore this critical shoreline habitat and remove dilapidated structures at 900 Innes Ave.