Latest news with #RecandPark
San Francisco Chronicle
17-06-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Makeover of S.F. Chinatown park delayed as construction bids come in $10M too high
The long awaited makeover of the historic park at the heart of San Francisco's Chinatown has been set back six months due to construction bids coming in more than $10 million over budget, with anticipated tariffs on construction materials a major factor, officials said. The bidding process for Portsmouth Square, the city's oldest park, will now start over with a call to be sent out in September, when construction was intended to begin. Bids will be due in late October, with groundbreaking anticipated for March. 'The cost overage is due to global tariffs, ongoing supply chain challenges and widespread construction inflation,' said Tamara Aparton, spokesperson for the Recreation and Park Department, which owns and operates the square. Aparton said the renovation job is budgeted by the city engineer at a ceiling of $43 million, and the lowest of the three bids bid came in at $54.7 million. Rec and Park will try to bring the cost down by using cheaper construction materials and fencing, and cutting back on amenities that are not crucial to the experience in a heavily used 1.3-acre park known as 'Chinatown's living room.' The fundamental features of the design, which include a new children's playground and neighborhood clubhouse, a rotating art wall and gathering spaces under a trellis, will not change. The park will not have to be redesigned, which would have potentially delayed the project for years, on top of a decade of delays already incurred. By staying close to schedule, access to city and state bond funds will not be threatened. 'The good news is that it is still on track,' Aparton said. 'Construction is still expected to begin in March 2026, right after the Lunar New Year and just 5½ months later than originally planned.' Still to be determined is who will cover the $4 million to $5 million cost of removal for the pedestrian bridge that spans Kearny Street and connects the square to the Hilton Financial District hotel and the attached Chinese Culture Center. The demolition of the span, known as 'the bridge to nowhere,' is a major aspect to the park design, but funding for the removal has been in dispute for years. 'While the city works through the bid process for the project, we are separately continuing to negotiate the outstanding issues related to the allocation of demolition costs between the city and the Hilton,' said Jen Kwart, spokesperson for the city attorney of San Francisco. 'The bid process will continue to proceed independent of the negotiations regarding cost allocation.' Counting the cost of studies, permits, outreach, project management, infrastructure improvements, and other ancillary expenses, the overall project has been valued at $71 million. Construction is expected to take 26 months and be completed in the summer of 2028. Portsmouth Square is a vital community outdoor space used daily by Chinatown residents, many of whom live in small single-room occupancy apartments. Neighborhood activists were informed of the restart of the bidding process at a community meeting last week. 'They seem to be pretty certain that it will only delay the project by five months,' said Annie Cheung, president and CEO of Self-Help for the Elderly, which runs classes, workshops and training programs out of the Portsmouth Square Clubhouse. She's been involved in planning for the new park for at least 12 years, and is hopeful that this is the last of many false starts. 'The community has been waiting for a long time for the new park,' she said. 'Most of our Chinatown residents live in SROs, and Portsmouth Square is our only major park and open space. No more delay.'
CBS News
13-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
San Francisco officials celebrate opening of Sunset Dunes as controversy remains
On Saturday, San Francisco officials celebrated the opening of the newest city park on what used to be the Great Highway next to Ocean Beach. However, the controversy surrounding it remains as the city hurries to establish the park as quickly as possible. In November, voters approved Measure K, closing the Great Highway to traffic, but at the time there was no money or even a real plan for the park they wanted to replace it. Now, just five months later, they proclaimed it to be "opening day." "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to Sunset Dunes," announced Rec and Park General Manager, Phil Ginsburg. That's the new name of the park-- Sunset Dunes --chosen from suggestions sent in by the public. But that's not the only input the public had in turning what was, for about a century, a major vehicle corridor, into a place to walk and ride bicycles. "That's what I voted for," said Measure K supporter Lidia Eng. "I voted for a place that can be open. Because we just need more space for the kids to just roam around, play around, stuff like that." "No matter how you voted at the ballot five months ago, come on out and enjoy the park," said Ginsburg. "You know, the election happened. Now it's a park. And we want this park to work for this community." But it doesn't work for many living in the area. As a compromise, the highway had been closed on weekends for recreation since the pandemic. But neighbors complained that shutting down the road completely would make getting to their homes more difficult and divert weekday commute traffic onto their streets. Stephen Gorski, whose home overlooks the Great Highway, has been a vocal critic of the plan to close the road permanently. "The Park people basically put out a statement saying, 'I know everybody's had their differences about this, but now you have to come together and celebrate this with us.' I'm not in the mood to celebrate this," he said. There is still a lot of anger over the city-wide vote and, during Saturday's ceremony, a small car caravan circled the block promoting a recall attempt against the area's supervisor, Joel Engardio, who came out in support of Measure K. But Sasha Pixlee, who lives just a few blocks away, disagreed with the protestors in the caravan. "They complain that traffic's a problem and what are they doing?" he said. "I mean, I think it's just very selfish. Adding a little time to your commute versus this (park)? It seems a very easy tradeoff." But despite Saturday's large, festive turnout, the neighbors aren't giving up. They've filed a lawsuit over the way Measure K was put on the ballot and a court hearing is scheduled for June 3. Which may be why "opening day" was rushed into place by the city even though Sunset Dunes still has no funding and, except for one new piece of art, plans for the park are simply concepts. "And that's what's so silly," said Gorski. "They'll have a decision in less than two months. If the judge says Prop K was illegal, then it has to be reverted to the compromise. I think they're trying to think we're stupid, that they're going to say, 'Well, we spent all this money and put art and did everything' No!" But despite the objections, the voters have spoken. And as the city scrambles to create a park as quickly as possible, a judge will have to decide whether putting a halt to it is worth overturning an election.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
San Francisco's Great Highway park gets its official name
The Brief SF officials announced the new name for the new park at the Great Highway on Wednesday. Last month a lawsuit was filed to block the park. The park is set to debut to the public on Saturday, April 12 with a community celebration. SAN FRANCISCO - Sunset Dunes it is. San Francisco's Recreation and Park Department announced the official new name for the park along the Great Highway on Wednesday. What we know The name was announced after a Rec and Park special meeting where commissioners chose between five finalists where the public had input on naming the new park. The naming contest garnered 3,900 responses, which were whittled down to 3,200 potential names. Officials said this response was overwhelming. The finalists were Playland Parkway, Sunset Dunes, Great Parkway, Fog line and Plover Parkway. The chosen name emerged after an hour of deliberation and public comment. The final vote came down to four who said yes, and two who said no to Sunset Dunes. "Sunset Dunes beautifully reflects both the natural beauty and the iconic spirit of San Francisco," said Rec and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg. "We are thrilled to officially welcome Sunset Dunes as a new, vibrant addition to our city's treasured parks, offering an unforgettable coastal experience for generations to come." The criteria for the name had to consider connection to nature, historical significance, community resonance, iconic placemaking and overall clarity, city officials said. "Sunset Dunes will provide stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, lush coastal ecosystems, and attractions and programming to keep visitors engaged," officials with Rec and Park said in a news release. The park will include areas for skateboarding, hammocks to relax on and other seating areas, public art installations, a bike pump track, fitness classes, and live music. The backstory The concept of the park has hit some roadblocks. Not everyone likes the idea of closing the Great Highway to traffic permanently, but Prop. K, which proposed this exact plan, won at the ballot box in November. The 2-mile stretch of Great Highway officially closed to traffic on March 14. Last month, a lawsuit was filed to block the park. Opponents of the newly-named Sunset Dunes argue plans were rushed through and did not follow the law. The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco Superior Court, said backers of the plans didn't do their due diligence on environmental concerns and said the state has final say on how roads are ultimately used, not cities. Residents and businesses in the area are concerned with how traffic will be impacted. One local hardware store owner we spoke with previously said the park's creation will jam up 19th Avenue, making it unsafe for children, the elderly and will impact businesses. Supervisor Joel Engardio, who oversees the area, has borne the brunt of the blame. Residents have begun an effort to have him recalled because the idea for the park was pitched by him. Signs both for and against the recall effort can be seen in the Sunset neighborhood. With the community divided over the park, some have gone to the extreme by vandalizing artwork for the new park. Last month we reported on two instances of vandalism, including a mural that was defaced and graffiti that was spray painted on the closed highway itself. What's next Sunset Dunes will be the largest pedestrian conversion project in California. The park officially debuts on Saturday, April 12, during a community celebration held on Noriega Street from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
SF Stern Grove's Trocadero Clubhouse repairs complete, ready for reservations
The Brief The venue is a San Francisco designated landmark built in 1892 The Trocadero Clubhouse underwent extensive repairs after a massive tree crashed into in 2 years ago You can book your wedding, birthday party or special event here starting April 1 SAN FRANCISCO - Repairs are complete at the Trocadero Clubhouse at Sigmund Stern Grove in San Francisco after a massive tree damaged the historic landmark in a storm nearly two years ago. City officials say they are now accepting reservations for events at the venue starting April 1. San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department this week announced that extensive repairs, at a cost of $2.5 million, have been completed and that the venue is available for weddings and other celebrations. The backstory The Trocadero was built in 1892. In 2022, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved the Trocadero's status as a San Francisco Designated Landmark. Its last major renovation was in 1986 due to extensive use and weathering, according to the SF Rec and Park website. You may recall in March 2023, an 85-foot eucalyptus tree toppled on the 133-year-old building during a particularly stormy winter in the Bay Area. The clubhouse's roof was partially crushed, triggering the building's indoor sprinkler system causing a deluge that led to water damage. The building had to be red-tagged because of both water and structural damage. At the time, it wasn't even clear if the historic site could even be saved. Funding for the repairs was made available through Rec and Park's general fund, officials said. A Federal Emergency Management Agency reimbursement is expected, officials said. The Trocadero's architecture dates back to the Victorian-era, specifically the ornate Stick-Eastlake style. According to officials, the building has the distinction of being the city's last intact example of a 19th-century roadhouse. If you can imagine, dancing and gambling at roulette tables are part of the Trocadero's storied history. The city used preservation contractors with Architectural Resources Group Conservation Services to restore the building to its original condition. Officials said the contractors saved as much original material as possible in order to replicate and match the original detailing. What they're saying "Trocadero Clubhouse in Stern Grove is more than just a historic building—it's been an important gathering place for Sunset District families for generations," said District 4 Supervisor Joel Engardio. "I want to thank Rec and Park and Public Works for ensuring that the Trocadero and its legacy can live on for future generations. This restoration is a reminder of the strength and resilience of our neighborhood." Looking ahead, the Trocadero Clubhouse is now ready to host weddings, birthday parties and other special events. "The clubhouse is a vital part of San Francisco's cultural heritage and ensuring we could restore it to its former glory was critical," said Rec and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg. "This project was a testament to our commitment to preserving spaces that honor our City's history and providing inviting spaces that unite communities." "The Trocadero Clubhouse has stood for more than a century and now is ready to serve future generations," added SF Public Works Director Carla Short. For more information on how to reserve the venue, you can follow this link. Andre Torrez is a digital content producer for KTVU. Email Andre at or call him at 510-874-0579.
