From the Chronicle:
What [Don Fisher] wanted was a sleek, 100,000-square-foot, two-story building at the head of the Main Post. Now, the trust wants Fisher to move the [Contemporary Art Museum Presidio] to the west, away from some sensitive archaeological sites, break it into two buildings, and put about half of the new construction underground. The museum may be only one story high, no higher than adjacent historic buildings. It also seems likely that Fisher’s architects will attempt to design a museum that looks more like the brick bunkers nearby.
From (or for) you if you care to report back: Presidio Trust Public Board of Directors meeting and public comment; Tuesday, December 9, 6:30 pm; Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, 3301 Lyon Street.
∙ Presidio art museum to be redesigned, cut back [SFGate]
∙ JustQuotes: Presidio Plans, Proposals, And Preservationist Protests [SocketSite]
Why is it that the Fishers seem hell bent on building this thing in the Presidio when there are more appropriate sites downtown?
Just to name two: there is the Academy of Science temp location on Howard (now vacant), or all those parking lot’s the Hearst own surrounding the Chronicle Building….
There is a full city block in desperate need of redevelopement!
that’s like asking why the getty’s wanted to put their museum in a beautiful location as opposed to some urban century city local…
Why do the citizens of SF seem hell bent at examining this gift horse in the mouth – and asking for two additional veterinary opinions to boot.
Who needs an unparalleled the world over art collection – we’re provincial San Francisco!
Why do the citizens of SF seem hell bent at examining this gift horse in the mouth
Because this “gift horse” requires construction of a stable in that most precious of resources, green open space. This gift comes with strings the size of bridge hawsers.
BTW, where is the motel (“lodge”) going to go, and how many stories tall will it be?
When this controversy started about the new building, I posted a suggestion on here: put the bulk of the museum underground and use one of the existing buildings as the entry way. Glad to see that this option is being considered. Another idea: create an all-glass, “ghost” version of a traditional Presidio-style building as the entrance. (Think the Apple cube in NYC, but in the shape of one of the classic Presidio styles.) That would be both contextual and modern.
I’ll be at the meeting, and I’m curious to see what happens. I opposed the original design of CAMP, and I agree with what some other posters have said – there are much better options in SOMA to place this museum.
How about making it aprt of the Eastern neighborhood’s plan or the seawall plans?
The amount of new traffic from the museum and lodge will be quite small relative to the GG Bridge traffic that goes through the Presidio.
Once design issues are worked out, so that the new buildings don’t overwhelm the historic nature of the Main Post, I say build it!
DZinerSF –
My understanding is there is some bad blood between Fisher and some of the Supervisors over his parking initiatives, and they have made it clear they would approve a Fisher museum in SF, but would never approve a companion parking garage. Even in the absence of bad blood, this is consistent with their general philosophy.
I was opposed to the museum in its previous incarnation (on the main parade ground itself). Now that they have pushed it off to the side, and downsized, I’m a converted supporter. This was essentially the solution that John King, the Chronicle’s architecture writer, proposed as a “win win”. The local neighbors will still fight anything that causes increased traffic, of course. But those who wanted to preserve the architectural integrity of the Main Parade Ground should be mollified.
Bob – I’m with you on this – my original objection had to do with the size, scope, and location of CAMP. Now that they’ve scaled it down and moved it, I’m leaning towards supporting it.
I would like to hear what they’re going to do about traffic. I live just outside teh Lombard Gate, and I have friends who live in the Presidio. During commute hours the automobile traffic has gotten pretty bad.
I would support this if they agree that the only way to access it is via public transportation, walking or bike. There is too much traffic already in the presidio on weekends. This is a park to relax in.
Does anyone know why this is the ONLY place in the city that Fisher will consider putting his museum (tomb)?
All the people who ‘now support’ the proposition to move and shrink and essentially hide away the museum are nauseating.
If the museum is going to be in the Presidio, then it should be an eye catching – in your face kind of building. The incessant whining of ‘it’s too big’ and ‘out of context’ with the ‘historical character’ and ‘archaelogical sites’… .blah blah blah.
Some of the most exciting new museums constructed around the world are focal point structures — they don’t hide. That’s what a cultural institution worth it’s salt should be.
Talk about looking a gift horse in the mouth.
At this point the museum should definitely move into center of the city somewhere. If it’s going to be in the Presidio then it needs to make a statement. The surrounding architecture and green spaces will be able to stand on their own merits. I’m a staunch environmentalist — yet i totally support the building of a museum at the head of the parade grounds. Currently there is a (very ugly) and (not historical) bowling alley building — AND parking lots!! What’s so historical and amazing about that. A museum in a park allows people to actually get out and experience a ‘green space’ in a wholly new way. it’s a win-win situation. It’s not like the Presidio is some pristine nature reserve.
John King’s idea to move the museum and place it away from the forefront is the dumbest idea i’ve ever heard — but coming from King that’s to be expected. For some perspective, this is the same person who wrote an article claiming there was no central ‘meeting place’ in the city!! Hi John, most cities would love to have the Civic Center/city Hall as a non-meeting place. He’s a joke — and so are his ideas.
Fisher just move the museum into SOMA already!!
Moving the museum to a less prominent position is a reasonable response to concerns about the historic nature of the Main Post.
The original design was no architectural masterpiece, and won’t be missed. Much more significant to me is the contents of the collection– an important representation of modern/contemporary art– which will still be just as available in newly proposed museum.
And there is every chance that the new design for the museum will be better than the old one–we’ll have to see.
as a city, its bad policy to oppose parking structures, but do nothing to seriously improve public transportation options.
We might question the gift horse because private collections often look less significant twenty-five years later when we’ve had the chance to mull the art over a bit. The previous design changed the essential character of an existing landscape monument that is part of one of this city’s greatest assets, large public green space. Not that this gift horse is going to kill our people, but it was setting a park killing precedent.
If the collection is so special, the location and buildings won’t matter so much so long as they function well for seeing the art.
anon – do nothing to improve public transportation options? they aren spending 1.5 billion dollars building the central subway.
not to mention the recently completed BART to airport, Muni F lines and T lines, and the soon to come BRT on Van Ness and Geary.
and a beautiful new transbay terminal.
but, but, but flaneur – that’s not a $50 billion dollar subway system. Until that is built, there should be parking garages on every corner, because only a comprehensive subway system is ok for me to ride. Until it’s built of course, then it will be smelly and dirty.
People will complain about anything to justify what they like to do.
Oh come on. Why would we San Franciscans want a rich old geezer’s so called “good art.” It is our tradition to deny ANYTHING that may even remotely benefit us IF it involves giving a rich, powerful man what he wants.
We don’t need good art. We in S.F. are very happy with the cultural level of Spokane, thank you.
Let them put great art where it belongs….Los Angeles.
“Let them put great art where it belongs….Los Angeles”
Ouch! Although you are correct Chris, you have kicked open a hornets nest here by bringing up Los Angeles. I have decided long ago that real San Franciscans pretend that L.A. does not exist so that they can still believe we are the major urban center of the West Coast.
The L.A. area has so many art museums that having the addidtion of the Fisher collection down there would cause only a collective yawn. Pasadena’s Norton Simon has a better permenant collection than the entire Bay Area put together.