The Presidio’s Draft Finding of Effect for the Main Post Undertaking has been released.
And while some were certain that the Presidio Trust Board of Directors had already made up their mind with regard to how the redevelopment of the Presidio’s Main Post would proceed, enter a few of the findings:
– Any of the proposed changes to the Presidio’s Main Post would have some adverse affect on the historic landmark district, but the plan to build a museum and lodge would have the most impact.
– The museum and lodge would hurt the park’s integrity by destructing or damaging property, including the removal of eight historic buildings, and by changing the area’s character.
– The proposed parking lots for the museum and the lodge would destroy archaeological resources.
– By itself, the lodge is fine, but when combined with the museum it constitutes too much new construction.
The report summary:
The Main Post is important as the only area of the Presidio that includes resources from all eras of the period of significance (1776-1945), in addition to the original resource – El Presidio – that resulted in the designation of the Presidio of San Francisco as [a National Historic Landmark]. Alteration of these qualities that chronicle the history of this area through resource demolition and the insertion of new construction will affect the [National Historic Landmark District (NHLD)] as a whole. The cumulative effects or changes to the historic landscape associated with multiple projects concentrated in the northeastern quarter of the Presidio, in addition to the projects described in the proposed action, would lessen the ability to experience the historic setting and character defining features that support the integrity of the NHLD. The cumulative effects of new construction combined with demolition and loss of archaeological resources would have an adverse effect on the NHLD.
∙ Review calls Presidio development plan hurtful [SFGate]
∙ The Presidio Was Packed With Opposition, But Does It Even Matter? [SocketSite]
∙ JustQuotes: Presidio Plans, Proposals, And Preservationist Protests [SocketSite]
I think this is very welcome news. There are MANY areas of this city that can accomodate the size of a building like the Fisher museum without sacrificing a historic space such as this within a park. Why not fix up one of the large waterfront port structures instead like the Exploratorium is proposing? Too bad Fisher didn’t put his collection in the Armory instead of the porn studio that is operating in there now.
Yup, and they said similar things about dropping a giant stainless steel salad bowl between the historic columns of Chicago’s Soldier’s Field, which was a National Historic Landmark at the time, but they gutted the stadium and plopped in the salad bowl anyways.
The result Soldier’s Field is no longer a National Historic Landmark and isn’t, IMHO, the memorial to the nation’s soldiers it once was.
But the NFL wanted a new field and Chicago wanted the revenue so now the nation has one less Historic Landmark.
I like both the museum and the lodge. Perhaps the plan can be adjusted. I don’t like the big asphalt lot. I don’t think this square should be treated like a historical relic, that can’t be changed. It needs to be used by citizens, and it needs to help the city.
Of course this is the outcome. This is San Francisco. See the post above^^^^. Nothing changes here including the homeless problem, crime rate, and filthy streets.
Oh please! There is a big difference between the Main Post which is a historic national monument started in 1776 and the intersection at Army and South Van Ness. Really, for those who feel the main parade should be restored does not therefore suggest that we are against change and modern architecture.
So what do you want? “This used to be the oldest fort on the west coast, but now it is the Gap fortune’s collection of Warhols”. Isn’t there anywhere else in the city Fisher could consider before a National Monument within a National Park?
This city needs a lot of change, but there are some buildings and places that are truly historic.
There are many places in the Presidio to located the proposed museum. It is flexible.
And theres is plenty of room to improve the mediocre architecture that was already proposed.
Everyone can get most of what they want on this issue.
Unless it turns into the typical polarized san fran debate of win / lose = nothing.
and now, can we please close the presidio to cars on Sundays?