South San Francisco is moving ahead with the $25 million sale of some of its roads to Genentech, as part of the life science giant’s plan to continue developing its 200-acre campus in the city.
The company has not put forward new development changes as part of its recent proposal to the city, but Sophie Martin, Real Estate Strategy director at Genentech, said the updates it is requesting, such as the purchase of the currently-public roads, will allow for more efficient development in the future.
“It allows both Genentech and the city to move forward expeditiously on projects that advance science and benefit patients with a shared understanding and expectations and provision of community benefits,” Martin said. “However, the master plan is intentionally very flexible in terms of how our site will build out over time.”
As part of the purchase, Genentech would take ownership of parts of DNA Way, Point San Bruno Boulevard and one block of Cabot Road, currently within the Genentech campus. In addition to the $25 million, staff estimated the city would save about $40,000 annually on maintenance costs. While some of the road sections would remain accessible to the public, others could be redeveloped after 2031. However, Martin said that full access to public areas, such as the Bay Trail and Wind Harp Park, would remain.
At the City Council meeting June 25, some members of the public voiced concern over handing public property over to a private entity — especially one that has a history of contesting its property tax assessments in the county. Yet Councilmember James Coleman said it’s unrealistic that the area would eventually be used for a public service, such as a senior center, housing or law enforcement.
“I don't see an advantageous public use in the future of that property,” Coleman said. “With the $25 million that is coming to the city, I want to ensure that this money goes to a good public amenity because we need to show the public we are putting these funds to good use.”
There are currently about 61 private roads in the city, many of which are located within other life science campuses on the east side of Highway 101, including Veterans Boulevard and Corporate Drive.
The City Council unanimously approved moving forward.
“There is no downside to this for the city of South San Francisco,” Vice Mayor Mark Addiego said. “We know how to accommodate and maximize business uses in South San Francisco, and some of our neighbors, especially to the north, don't know how to accomplish that. But that's what South San Francisco has done to become the type of entity where people want to do business.”
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