Reclaiming the Shipyard: What’s Next for Hunters Point and Why It Matters

By Heidi Hardin, with research support from ChatGPT
Executive Director, Think Round, Inc.

In a major step forward for the long-awaited environmental cleanup at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard (HPNS), the U.S. Navy has awarded a $28.4 million contract to ECC Infrastructure LLC to demolish six radiologically impacted buildings on Parcel G. Demolition is expected to begin in early 2026 and conclude in 2027. This cleanup effort is part of a broader strategy to remediate and revitalize the former naval base, one of the most contaminated Superfund sites in the country.

The demolition project includes a 23% local hiring and small business participation requirement, opening important doors for Bayview-Hunters Point residents and community-based enterprises. ECC and its subcontractors will be introduced at the July 17, 2025 Business & Employment Subcommittee meeting of the Hunters Point Shipyard Citizens Advisory Committee (HPSCAC).

Think Round, Inc. has been closely following these developments. As a longtime partner in environmental education and community healing, we are exploring opportunities to support the cleanup through our work at the intersection of art, science, and social equity.

Our legacy includes over two decades of environmental education at HPNS, including the award-winning Children's Mural Program and our field trip program KEEP! (Kid’s Environmental Education Program, which taught third through fifth grade students about air, water, and soil health in the shadow of the Shipyard.

Left: Community artists lead mural-making workshops at local elementary schools as part of Think Round’s environmental education initiatives.

Right: Local students participate in environmental science field trips at the Shipyard through Think Round’s KEEP! program.

Our vision for the future—The Center for the Human Family—provides a transformative model for healing, promoting equity, and reusing contaminated sites nationwide.

Think Round imagines The Center for the Human Family as a model for the effective, beneficial, and practical reuse of Superfund sites at Hunters Point Shipyard and beyond.

We believe that community voices must shape the future of the Shipyard. As we continue to track Navy cleanup progress and deepen our collaborations, we welcome inquiries from residents, civic leaders, and agencies interested in educational and cultural partnerships.

Learn more about the cleanup at www.bracpmo.navy.mil/hpns, and visit www.thinkround.org to explore how Think Round is working to create a healthier, more equitable future for all.

As we share our history, we hold deep respect for the children and families who participated in our programs. While these images reflect joyful and transformative learning, we are cautious about how and when we share them. We remain committed to seeking consent, honoring lived experience, and ensuring our storytelling supports—not exploits—the communities we serve.