Director's Biography
Michael Cohen serves as the Director of the City of San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development. A proven organizational leader and manager, Cohen has extensive expertise in economic development and working with communities to promote investment, innovation and business growth. As Director, Michael oversees the Business Attraction and Retention, Joint Development, Small Business, Film, International Trade and Commerce, Workforce Development, and Neighborhood Development and Revitalization divisions.
Michael remains actively involved in many of the projects he managed during his four years as the City’s Director of Base Reuse and Real Estate Development—including the development of Naval Station Treasure Island, the Hunters Point Shipyard and Candlestick Point. Michael also serves as a Director of the Transbay Joint Powers Authority, the agency responsible for overseeing the development of a major new inter-modal transportation terminal and related developments in the heart of downtown that will serve as San Francisco’s “Grand Central Station.”
Previously, Michael was head of the Real Estate and Finance group of the San Francisco City Attorney's Office. In that capacity, he served as lead transaction counsel on a number of complex public-private development deals in San Francisco, including the conveyance and development of the first phase of the Hunters Point Shipyard; the renovation of Union Square Park, the new de Young Museum and underground parking garage in Golden Gate Park; the development of the Hotel Vitale on formerly surplus MUNI property along the City's waterfront; and the renovation of Harding Park Golf Course into a PGA Championship course. He also helped create and served as General Counsel to the Treasure Island Development Authority. Prior to joining the City Attorney's Office, Michael was a real estate lawyer for the international law firm of Morrison & Foerster.
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