SAN FRANCISCO | Projects: Under Construction, Approved, and Proposed

[Dylan Leblanc]

Originally Posted by peanut gallery

The CCSF building is 215' tall. Is that not within the highrise category? Here's its thread.

Ah thanks! I thought is was just the four storey building at first. Here's the updated map (18 projects) - http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/maps/?cityID=114&z=13&status=1

[1977]

It looks like the Metreon/Target project is breaking ground next month.

All Permits Approved For Metreon Target, Construction To Begin Next Month
by Bay City News
December 28, 2010 3:40 PM

Plans for a new Target store at San Francisco's Metreon complex are moving forward.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom announced today that all permits have been approved for the city's first Target store, which is set to begin construction in January and open in 2012.

The store, which will be located in the Westfield Metreon Center at the intersection of Fourth and Mission streets, will give a boost to the local economy, Newsom said in a statement.

"The Metreon is the perfect place for a new, urban-centered Target that will bring jobs, smart development and an exciting and unique retail destination," he said.

The Metreon, which opened in 1999, already has a popular movie theater chain at the four-story building, but "has underperformed over time," said Fred Blackwell, executive director of the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency, in a report to the agency's commissioners in November.

"Many of Metreon's other attractions...have struggled, and the complex now has significant vacancies," Blackwell said.

The redevelopment agency commission unanimously approved the Metreon Target project at a Nov. 16 meeting, and with the announcement of the project's final approval today, construction can commence next month.

"With all the permits issued, Westfield and Target can move forward immediately toward repositioning the Metreon as a lively retail and entertainment center," Blackwell said.

The 85,000-square-foot Target store will be built on the second floor of the building, while the Metreon food court will expand from 110 to 470 seats, and a new dining terrace will be built overlooking Yerba Buena Gardens.

Westfield is self-financing the project by investing $30 million in the changes. The project is expected to generate 775 construction jobs and up to 300 permanent jobs once the changes are finished in mid-2012, according to the mayor's office.

Target, a Minneapolis, Minn.-based company, estimates the new store will generate $120,000 in annual payroll taxes, a minimum of $5.4 million in annual sales taxes, and about $1 million in increased parking revenue for nearby garages.

Dan McMenamin, Bay City News

source: http://sfappeal.com/news/2010/12/all-per...get-construction-to-begin-next-month.php




source:http://activerain.com/blogsview/1979450/...-to-the-metreon-in-san-francisco-in-2012

[CyberEric]

Sounds like SF won the bid to host the America's Cup.

[patriotizzy]

Originally Posted by CyberEric

Sounds like SF won the bid to host the America's Cup.

Yes, I heard that on the news yesterday night. They're supposed to be improving the piers, and not to mention all the money pumped into the city from the very rich tourists.

[Jerry of San Fran]

I took a picture of the SFPUC building today from the 27th floor of the Archstone Fox Plaza. It is now to the 4th/5th floor.

The building in the foreground is the Court House. I find the "dome" unattractive - reminds me of a sewer vault.

The beautiful beaux arts dome of city hall is seen on the left.

[IMG][/IMG]

[1977]

Thanks for the updated photo of the PUC building Jerry of San Fran...

By the way, here are some renderings and info about the Mercy Housing project at 200 6th St. (the 'furniture' building).

Architect: Kennerly Architecture & Planning
Client: Mercy Housing
Location: San Francisco, California
Scheduled Completion: 2014

San Francisco’s redevelopment agency continues to invest in modern architecture, last month tapping small firm Kennerly Architecture & Planning to replace a longtime eyesore in the South of Market area. Making a rare use of eminent domain, in 2009 the organization acquired a property at Sixth and Howard, a burnt-out brick building that has been abandoned since the 1980s and has since been famously festooned with sofas and chairs (a popular art installation called “Defenestration”). Replacing it will be a nine-story mixed-use project with 56 units of affordable family housing. In the concept drawing, a double-height retail space on the corner and a grand lobby with an open stair gives the building its street presence. “I grew up in New York City in an apartment building with a beautiful lobby, and it makes people feel like the building has an identity, that the building is proud of itself,” said Owen Kennerly, who worked for architect and affordable housing advocate Daniel Solomon before starting his own firm. Saida + Sullivan Design Partners collaborated with Kennerly on the project. In addition to a roof deck, most units along Sixth Street will have balconies off their living rooms. All corridors will be daylit; half will terminate in internal balconies, enabling double-height spaces on the side facing Howard. Laundry rooms will also be located at these junctions to take advantage of the natural light.

The exterior will feature modern versions of bay windows, which, combined with the balconies, will give it a “juicy richness in terms of shade and materiality,” said Kennerly. “It’s really important to us to have good architecture – all it takes is one ugly affordable housing building and people will say they don’t want those projects in their neighborhood,” said Olson Lee, the redevelopment agency’s deputy executive director. The agency is also pleased that the design — which breaks up the mass into two volumes, starting taller at the corner and steps down further along the block — followed guidelines for new development in a historic district (the area is expected to become the “Sixth Street Lodging House District”) and should pass muster when it is up for formal review.

How it looks now...

Source for the article and photos: http://www.archpaper.com/e-board_rev.asp?News_ID=5071

[photoLith]

^
Id much rather see them restore that old building rather than tear it down and replace it with an out of context to its surroundings modern box.

[CyberEric]

Originally Posted by photolitherland

^
Id much rather see them restore that old building rather than tear it down and replace it with an out of context to its surroundings modern box.

I could not agree more. That new design is terrible.

[Gordo]

The old building is fire-damaged, condemned, and could crumble any day now. Restoring it is impossible (since it has been condemned for habitation or restoration), and besides, the area really needs more than a four-story building. The design isn't great, but anything will be better than the boarded up blight that's been there for more than a decade.

[NOPA]

God that building is ugly. Maybe it was once nice, but time to move on. There are plenty of historic buildings in this city.

The new design isn't great, but I am glad the project includes a singificant number of affordable housing. In a lot of cases, I prefer a denser building with generous affordable housing to a renovated 'historic' one since those usually just end up being luxury condoes.

[CyberEric]

Originally Posted by NOPA

God that building is ugly. Maybe it was once nice, but time to move on. There are plenty of historic buildings in this city.

The new design isn't great, but I am glad the project includes a singificant number of affordable housing. In a lot of cases, I prefer a denser building with generous affordable housing to a renovated 'historic' one since those usually just end up being luxury condoes.

Good point. I just hope there is another, better design out there, that one looks terrible and will look even worse in 20 years. We don't need more of what has happened in some areas of the Fillmore.

[Onn]

Is Jerry Going to Kill Off Redevelopment to Save Education?

By Jay Barmann in News on January 6, 2011 12:47 PM



No doubt, Jerry Brown's got big problems to work out in Sacramento to deal with the state's $28 billion dollar deficit. But word on the street is that he's contemplating ending redevelopment, the economic and property development engine that's played a huge role in revitalizing California cities over the last several decades. As the Mercury News reports, Governor Brown may be making an announcement as early as Monday that he'll be raiding redevelopment in order to cover shortfalls in education budgets statewide, something that is sure to be putting many real estate industry professionals and city employees on edge. About $5.5 billion in annual property tax revenue is currently diverted to redevelopment, and this promise of annual funding is used to issue bonds to fund construction projects.

What is redevelopment, you ask? Well, it's somewhat complicated and often controversial, but it's a way for cities to direct revenue into development projects in what they consider "blighted" areas. In San Francisco, for instance, the SF Redevelopment Agency used property tax funds to develop much of what we now know as Yerba Buena Center, and projects like the new Transbay center and the renovation of the Metreon rely in part on redevelopment funds. In Oakland, where Jerry was mayor not that long ago, redevelopment funds were integral in renovating the Fox Theater and building the entire Uptown complex that surrounds it.

...

http://sfist.com/2011/01/06/is_brown_thinking_of_killing_off_re.php

[RST500]

Originally Posted by CyberEric

Good point. I just hope there is another, better design out there, that one looks terrible and will look even worse in 20 years. We don't need more of what has happened in some areas of the Fillmore.

what happened in the Filmore? I assumed it was known for its ugly post war public housing.

[CyberEric]

Urban renewal. I was just exaggerating to prove a point that tearing down old buildings and building ugly, instantly dated ones in there place is not always a good idea.
If this building is condemned, and beyond fexable, it should be torn down, but the new building needs a better design.

[Dr Nevergold]

^^^Brown has unimaginable problems to deal with, but I don't think cutting redevelopment projects is the place to be looking. There is a lot to lose if that is lost.

[gtbassett]

I think Brown is correct to look to increase the poorly underfunded education system here in California, but if he completely strips redevelopment of all funds, it will cause too many problems. I would understand a cut back in California's current state, but Onn's piece made it sound like he's essentially going to dismantle redevelopment, which would be a huge mistake.

[NOPA]

Off topic but the LA times has a balance budgeter. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/budget/

Its actually pretty hard. I think I managed it without cutting any education, but it took about 20% cuts to everything else and some taxes that certainly wouldn't fly.

[fflint]

Brown may eliminate redevelopment agencies altogether in order to divert the funding to more essential state services. It sucks, but there are no good options available anymore. Kids need schooling more than we need a Target at the Metreon.

[POLA]

Originally Posted by NOPA

Off topic but the LA times has a balance budgeter. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/budget/

Its actually pretty hard. I think I managed it without cutting any education, but it took about 20% cuts to everything else and some taxes that certainly wouldn't fly.

My favorite part of that: Raise the gas tax a bit and BAM, budget problem solved.

[Onn]

Originally Posted by fflint

Brown may eliminate redevelopment agencies altogether in order to divert the funding to more essential state services. It sucks, but there are no good options available anymore. Kids need schooling more than we need a Target at the Metreon.

It's sad, but I have to agree. California probably already has its fair of empty space too. Just have to wait until things improve again.