Master Plan
The library needs to almost double in size to meet programming needs. But there is no simple way to provide the additional space.
The same conditions that made finding a site for the library difficult in the 1940s and ‘50s – crowded conditions and high land costs – made relocating the library problematic today.
Expansion of the current building will not resolve the accessibility and supervision issues of the multilevel facility.
Expansion in any direction will negatively impact the park.
The City acquired a triangular parcel across Mason Street from the park via eminent domain in 2007 for the purpose of expanding the park.
But, before the park can be improved, issues regarding the library’s location and expansion must be resolved.
The Recreation and Parks Department and the Library began a joint master planning process in 2008.
The Library began investigations into potential improvement and expansion of the North Beach Branch in 2003, searching for alternative branch locations in 2004 and 2005. After the acquisition of the triangle, a joint planning process was initiated.
The process has included 2.5 years of investigation, study and planning and of community outreach and public meetings, including a major series of 3 well-attended community meetings held in 2008.
The resulting master plan recommends
· Closure of the portion of Mason Street between the triangle and the park
· Construction of a new 8500 s.f. library on the triangle parcel (including the east sidewalk and 18” of parking lane)
· Removal of the existing library
· Conversion of much of the 12,000 resulting converted open space to planted area, including 30 new trees
· Relocation of the children’s play area to a safer, central location
· Upgrade of all recreational amenities, including additional basketball half-courts
· The addition of seating, picnic tables, pergolas, a new terrace and adjacent planted areas.
The proposed master plan has been unanimously endorsed by the Library Commission and Recreation and Park Commission, pending the outcome of the EIR.
It has been reviewed by the Planning Department, ISCOTT and the MTA.
It is strongly supported by neighborhood organizations including the Chinatown Community Development Center, the Russian Hill Neighbors and the Parent Teacher Organizations of the local schools.
The Environmental Impact Report on the project, begun in 2008, and was released in August, 2010.
On September 1, 2010, the Historic Preservation Commission is expected to recommend the existing North Beach Branch Library for landmark status.
Appleton & Wolfard designed 8 branch libraries in the 1950s and ‘60’s. The library is cooperating with the Historical Preservation Commission on landmarking of 6 of the remaining 7 Appleton & Wolfard branches. The other Appleton & Wolfard libraries were built on more spacious locations and are surrounded by courtyards, patios and planted areas.
There is disagreement about the suitability of the North Beach branch as a landmark. Many noted architects and planners, including experts on architecture of this period, have written to the commission asking that North Beach not be landmarked.
The Commission is split on the issue. Andrew Wolfram, who first suggested the Commission consider the Appleton & Wolfard libraries, Charles Chase, president of the Commission, and Karl Hasz, a contractor familiar with the implications of renovation, are opposed to landmark status for the North Beach Branch.
The findings on the North Beach and Marina libraries adopted by the HPC states that the North Beach branch is valuable primarily because it has not been altered or upgraded. The report does not acknowledge the significant alterations that will be required to bring the building to current earthquake and accessibility standards, or to meet 21st Century programming and supervision requirements.
The Library Department has been a good steward of the City’s library building stock.
Sixty-four percent of San Francisco’s branch libraries are more than 50 years old.
Eight of the branches, almost a third, are over 90 years old.
Five of the branches have already been designated as landmarks. Two others have been considered.
One quarter of the branches were designed by Appleton & Wolfard.
Designating even 6 of the 7 Appleton & Wolfard libraries as landmarks will require HPC approval for any upgrades or alterations to nearly half of the City’s branch libraries.
Stay tuned for more information as we receive it!
