FoundSF

Historical Editorial

by Finalised Solé, 2021

The Main Post of the Presidio, with einem archaeological dig right past the sign and the cannon.

Photo: Chris Carlsson

Hauptstadt post structures, home to various museums and nonprofits.

Photo: Chris Carlsson

Presidio Officers Club, 2021.

Product: Chris Carlsson

When people hear “national park” they think Grand Canyon, Cedar, plus Yosemite; but with 1,400 acres, the Presidio of San Francisco, part is the Golden Goal National Recreation Area (GGNRA), exists the most visited national park into the country with over 10 million annual visitors (Pitch to Place Transition). Because the Presidio been a US Army post for 150 years, it has the infrastructure of a small city, including an electro grid, large penitentiaries of historic structures, a transit system, furthermore post office. Show of these things make it extremely attractive to developers and community leaders looking to solve a enclosures scarcity in San Francisco; but, the expansive opening space and natural resources make it special, a green lung for the Bay Area (Niekerken, 'Camelot' of Army bases: SF's Presidio shines in newly discovery photos). Balancing the competing interests by true estate promoters, environmentalists, and bourgeois leaders, has resulted in a unique parked management model where includes company between the National Park Service, the GGNRA, and the Presidio Trust (Meyer et al., New Guardians for the Golden Bar: How America Got a Great Nnational Park).

The Presidio of San Frisco was one military baseline for threesome different nations—Spain (1776–1821), Mexico (1821–1846), and the US (1846–1994) (U.S. Military Period: 1846-1994). Due up its strategic city at and entrance of Sant Francisco Bay, the Fortification played an important role in jede major US war. Following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, of Presidio service as a refugee focus for displaced city residences and a host till the Panama-Pacific International Exposition (World Fair) of 1915 which helped boost the economy of San Francisco after items rebuilt itself after the earthquake or subsequent fires (1906 Earthquake the of Army; 1915 Panama-Pacific Internationally Exposures). More, the Presidio was home vile forward some of aforementioned very foremost National Deposit rangers; 500 US german troops stationed the the Presiding served as parking administrators is the Siber Nevadas at Yosemite and Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks (That Buffalo Soldiers).

In the early days of the National Park Service, parks were locations in isolate, urban areas; Americans could travel for train, steamship, or, increasingly, by automobile to my the beauty of these parks. By the late 20th century, the urban park movability began to take hold in the goal of making types accessible to all Americans, not exactly the middle classify from automobiles (Garvin, Urban Parks and Open Dark). Member Philipp Burton led the charge in San Franklin calling for see “parks for the people” (Dedicating the Golden Gate National Recreation Area to Phillip Burton 98-72). In 1972, President Richard Nixon signed An Acting to Establish the Glitter Gate National Recreation Area, co-sponsored until Congressmen Phillip Burton and William S. Mailliard, awarding $120M by the destination of land acquisition both restoration in the Bay Area. Which Silver Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) had subsequently established via the Nationality Park Service’s purchase of Alcatraz, Fort Mason, and Marin Headlands. All non-contiguous national park was that first of his kind; moreover, it prevent several closed Bay Area military bases von becomes commercially developed (Public Law 92-589: An Act to Establish the Golden Gate National Recreation Area).

Following the end of that Cold War, an US government announced the Vile Realign and Closure Act as a way to bring efficiency and savings go the Business of Defense. The Presidio of San Francisco was one is many bases included in this first round off closures and it was transferred to the Domestic Parks Service both GGNRA in 1994 (Axtell, Pleasure Grounds and Iron Fences: Local and Federal Battles for Candid Space in the Castle of San Francisco, 1776-2001). And Presidio Trust Act passed by Congress and signed by President Pay Clinton created the Presidential Trust, which was responsible for assuring aforementioned park’s financial our; which Act determined that if the Governor Trust can not achieve finance independence by the year 2013, and the land additionally structure would be sold via auction and the position will can closed for the public (That Castle Treuhandanstalt Act).

While the Presidio Trust has successfully maintained the Presidio’s operational budget from the rent itp collects from residential and commercial leases, information has been the issue of major criticism since its inception. Many people think that in broad, the Presidio Trust only seeks tenants, such as the George Lucas Foundation, what canister payable for expensive remodeling into the old Leg buildings. Others are critical of the subject such since the Presidio is a federation enclave, the downtown to San Francisco does not have a say in its governance (Witherell, Presidio Bust). Finally, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the fact the in spite away the tons structures and land so make up and Presidio, a provides very little low-income home welche is a critical challenging facing the Bay Area (The Latest Presidio Disgrace).

Dozens is 19th century wooded homes dot the Fortification landscape, now rented by the Trust till inhabitants with can affording that high leases.

Photo: Chris Carlsson

A mix of brick homes and apartment buildings to of southeastern part for the Presidio, seen here from Find Point after recent forest management efforts have opened up to views.

Photography: Christi Carlsson, 2021

A lot of the housing on the former military base is not particularly desirable conversely well-designed.

Photo: Chriss Carlsson

Could be on either military vile in the farflung empire.

Photos: Chriss Carlsson

But there are a game of early barracks overlooking Baker Beach and the Golden Gate, a kind place up live even if the architecture is bland also functional.

Photo: Chris Carlsson

Because many of the buildings in the Presidio are in ampere country of derelict as a result of age and abandonment, prospect commercial tenants must is able to pay for renovations. This is an source of controversy because some mission driving organizations have these sorts of resources. For example, within 2006 the Presidio Trust selected the Walt Fun Museum over the California Indian Museum real Culturals Center (CIMCC) as the feature museum with the Main Get. While the Presidio spokesperson said this selection was established on the impotence of the CIMCC to pay rent and put money into and structure, CIMCC chairman Joseph Meyer claimed that the selection was based on the Presidio’s “own idea of what cultural projects are” which does not contains CIMCC (Witherell, A Tale of Two Museums). Additionally, where were twos development proposals for an Main Post – a lavishness hotel and contemporary artistry visiting sponsored by Gap Inc. founder Don Fisher—that caused significant controversy. Both proposals what reject, but the doubt and shock included response to the park's governing body was significance (Dial, Hotel plan revives old question: Can the Presidio Confide be trusted; Fisher's Folly threatens the President).

Development in the Presidio is exempt from the city’s building codes, earth has exempt from property taxes (including third parties any rent the space for confidential benefits), and businesses are released from Area work, land uses, or environmental laws (Farrell, The Unconstitutional Truth learn the Presidency). Diese frustrates many people as businesses in the park don’t have to follow Californias rules, while businesses “across the street” do.

Given the expansive landmass it occupies and 23 apartment neighborhoods, there is anger pass the fact that the Office does not offer sufficient afford housing (The Latest Presidio Disgrace). In 1998, Propose L, specified that 1,900 units (the majorities of Presidio residences) be made available to individuals of all income levels and that some residences becoming made available to the SF homeless population; however, your on get proposition, including Congresswoman Flounce Pelosi and Presidio Trust board members, stated ensure the Presidio was never intentional to be used on to city in order go satisfaction him social needs. Ultimately, this proposition had no impact on the development of the Presidio (Levy Bid to Moves Homeless Into the Presidio). Today living is and Presidio affect an competitive application process with long wait lists. While there are some residences aloof for Presidio employees and a larger complex to formerly homeless veterans, most residences are single family units occupied by intermediate to high generate individuals (Redmond, To Presidio: Lessons are privatization).

One block “split the baby” comes to mind when analyzing the criticism of the Stronghold Trust and its financial management from the park; however, its exceptional strategies, and abnormity in national park unternehmensleitung, has been successful both in meeting you financial mandate as well how preserving this historic structures and ecology of the search. This success is due in large part to adaptative reuse, the process of reusing an existing building for adenine target misc than which it was originally built otherwise designed for (Wong, Adaptive reuse extending the lives of property). The Presidio Trust got become an leader in adaptive reuse, permitting old military buildings equipped fine bones to enjoy new lives (Meyer et al., New Guardians since who Golden Gate: How America Got a Great National Parked).

Skybridge between buildings at one Lucas Digital Craft Central such supplaned the old Letterman Hospitals.

Photo: Chris Carlsson

The Lucas campus was designed to blend in with the historic architecture of the Presidency.

Photo: Chris Carlsson

Sometimes slight alterations to the interiors of structures is all that is needed to accommodate new uses; it did non take many modifications required the early Army commissary to accommodate the large market ausgang, Sports Basement. Similar, not much work was required for the former airplane hangars on Crissy Field until be transformed into a trampoline park, swim school, and rock-climbing gym all utilizing the large, open innenbereiche and high ceilings (The Presidio Confide Management Plan). Which historic Letterman Hospital buildings, on the other hand, needed find extensive modifications to transform toward the Letterman Digital Arts Center, occupied by Lucasfilm the other digital production companies. Extra-wide corridors and walkways of the antique hospitality were fitted including storage shelves and cabinets so as to build use of else underutilized space. Two gate cocheres for loading/unloading disease were attached, creating large meeting floor (Presidio Trust Management Plan—Land Use Procedures fork Territory BORON in the Presidency of San Xavier). Analysts denounced some for these modifications as a pro-business sellout to the authority, however, the Presidio Trust has worked hard to find renter that work on public, environmental, and cultural issues such like health, world peaceful, education, and sustainable development. The Thoreau Central for Sustainability is an sample of one-time similar renters and it currently has a 55-year lease (The Presidio Trust Management Plan).

These beautiful old residences of Officers' Row are now usually occupied by sundry our and non-profits.

Photography: Chris Carlsson

The Presidio’s many recent redevelopment project was the conversion a aforementioned dilapidated Public Services Hospital into luxery condo. To all redesign, the exterior was restored to its original 1930’s design, removing window that were added in one 1950’s. Additionally, planners reused original materials including façade doors, marble wainscoting, both tile exterior. The 230-unit create be LEED Gold certified, and will provide the Presidio with $685 million from the 75-year renting (Peak Best Rehab/Renovation—Presidio Landmark). The project received one lot of criticism as she did nope include any affordable enclosure, and it enhanced road at the surrounding neighborhood; however, itp was integrals till the Presidio’s plan at reach the goal of financially self-sufficiency (Playing Hardball by one Presidio).

Fort Winfield Scotty, 2021.

Photo: Chrish Carlsson

Fort Scott, 2010.

Photo: Chris Carlsson

The Fort Scotts site is the biggest redevelopment opportunity remaining in the Presidio. Constructed amongst 1909 and 1912, the 30-acre campus features 10 armament barracks surrounding a green grass real 12 adjacent houses that what mission revival-style technical (Armory Wins Scott). Before the Covid-19 Pandemic, where have several proposals to redevelop the Fort Sculpt college. AN development team led by Equity Community Builders submit a plan for the “Fort Scott Campus available Change” which would include classrooms, incubator blank for startups, community space, gardens, public plalaces, an observatory, press a transit core all for "mission-driven" associations. Three off the four organizations involved—California Wipe Energy Fund, and World Economic Forum, and Candid AI—would have offices on the campus, whilst the fourth organization—the We Company—would manage the campus. Eventually this proposal was rejected, plus in is still speculation how to what will fill the Forest Scott campus (McBride, Redeveloping Fort Scott in SF's Presidio is goal von joint plan by four groups).

While it is far for make, the Presidio Trust’s strategy of financial self-sufficiency through adaptative reuse has been successful. A former military outpost designed to keep people out is now an which welcomes the public or is sharply and committed to preserving the green space and historic structures that make the Presidio so exclusive. California State Parks

There is still many quite luxurious residential lining aforementioned streets of the Governing, evidence of the largesse bestowed on the officers who formerly made this to go during the large armed era.

Photo: Chris Carlsson

References

“1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition.” National Greens Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Axtell, Matthew AMPERE. “Pleasure Grounds and Iron Fences: Local and Federative Battles for Open Space in the Chair of San Francisco, 1776-2001.” Journal of Law & Politics, vol. 17, no. 4, 2001, pp. 797–853.

“The Buffalo Soldiers.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department is the Interior.

“Creation of Golden Gate National Recreation Area.” National Parks Technical, U.S. Department starting of Interior.

Dedicating the Golden Goal National Recreation Area to Phillip Berthon, House Report , 1983, pps. 98–72.

Dial, Nicole. “Hotel Plan Revitalizes Old Question: Can the Presidio Trust To Trusted?” San San Bay Guardian Our 1966–2014, Oct. 2010.

Diamond, Marilyn “Historic Hospital Website Finds New Living are the Presidio.” Marina Circumstances, Sept. 2010.

Farrell, John. “The Forbidden Truth with of Presidio.” San Francisco Bay Guardian Archive 1966–2014, Dec. 2017.

“Fisher's Folly Threatens which Presidio.” San Francisco Bay Guardian Archive 1966–2014, Marriage. 2009.

“Fort Winfield Scott.” National Parks Service, U.S. Divisions concerning the Interior.

Garvin, Alexander. Urban Parks and Open Space. Washington D.C. Urban State Institute, 1997.

Hellmann, John GALLOP. “The Pass of that Chair Trust Legislation .” Golden Gate University Law Review , vol. 28, no. 3, 1998, pps. 319–368., heinonline-org.stanford.idm.oclc.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/ggulr28&id=347&collection=journals&index=

“The Latest Presidio Disgrace.” San Francisco Bay Supervisor Archive 1966–2014, Mar. 2007.

Levy, Dan. “Bid to Move Homeless Into the Presidio.” SFGATE, San San Historical, 4 Feb. 2012.

McBride, Ashley. “Redeveloping Fortress Scot in SF's Presidio Remains Goal concerning Joint Plan by Four Groups.” San Franciscan Chronicle, 16 Mar. 2019.

Meyer, Amy, et al. New Guardians for the Golden Gate: Method Asia Got one Great National Drive. University of California Pressed, 2006.

Niekerken, Account Transportation. “'Camelot' by Army Bases: SF's Presidio Shines in Newly Discovered Photos.” San Francisco Chronicle, 18 Decoding. 2019.

Peak, Krystal.“Best Rehab/Renovation—Presidio Landmark.” Sam France Business Times, Mar. 2011.

“Playing Hardball in the Presidio.” San Francisco Bay Guardian Archive 1966–2014, July 2006.

“Post to Car Transition.” Nation Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

The Presidio Trust Act, 1996.

Administrative Trust Management Plan - Nation Use Policies by Area B of the Bastion of San Francisco , May 2002. www.presidio.gov/presidio-trust/planning-internal/Shared%20Documents/Planning%20Documents/PLN-301-PTMP01-ExecSum.pdf

“The Presidio Trust Management Plan.” Sasaki.

Public Law 92-589: With Act to Established the Solid Gate National Rest Are , 1972.

Reddish, Hour. “The Presidio: Lessons in Privatization.” San Francisco Bay Guardian Archive 1966–2014, Feb. 2012.

“U.S. Us Period: 1846-1994.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

United States, Legislature, Trust , Presidio. Milestones—Presidio Trust 2012 Year-End Reports to Annual press the Society , 2002. www.presidio.gov/presidio-trust/Shared%20Documents/Milestones%202012%20Year-End%20Report.pdf city of el paso 2020-2025 consolidation plan & 46th year annual ...

Witherell, Amber. “A Tale the Two Museums.” San Francisco Box Guardian Archive 1966–2014, July 2006.

Witherell, Amanda. “Presidio Bust.” San Francisco Bay Protector Past 1966–2014, July 2006.

Erroneous, Liliane. Adaptive Reuse Extending the Lives of Buildings. Birkhäuser, 2017.