Transcripts For SFGTV Recreation And Park Commission 111915 20151120

Would like to make a Public Comment, you can see and hear everything in that room. With that, we have a few other announcements. The first announcement is item 5i which is coit tower will be coming off the Consent Agenda and will be heard separately today. We ask that you turn off any sound producing devices and that you take any secondary conversations outside. If you would to speak on an item today, we ask that you complete a blue card. It is not required but we do call names for Public Comment in the order received by the blue card. Once were through with that, we will ask if theres any additional Public Comment. You will have two minutes to speak on every item on calendar today with the exception of 7 and 8. We will be hearing them together as one. Item 7 and 8 together. You will have three minutes total on a. If theres an item on calendar that falls under the jurisdiction of the commission that is on calendar, that falls under the jurisdiction of the commission, you may go ahead and comment under Public Comment which is touch four touch four. We will hear Public Comment for 15 minutes at the beginning of the meeting. We will continue that item to item 9. Just last, in order to allow equal time for all, we ask that you make well, neither the commission or staff will respond to any questions during Public Comment. Once it is done, the commission may ask staff to respond. With that, we are on item number two, the president s report. This will please everybody given the large number of people that want to testify. We will forego a president s report any Public Comment . Seeing none. Public comment is closed. Item three, general managers report. This may not please everyone. The general manager report. Just to remind people there is more going on in our Parks Department than the items on the agenda today. We do have a hort report short report. This is our thanksgiving edition of our holiday report. 3 we want to remember how fortunate we are to work with the park system that we have with people who care so passionately about our parks. Whether we are opening up the new playground or sharing the holidays with our friends and family. Here are a few. Our 14th annual turkey cookoff happens tomorrow evening from 7 00 p. M. Where staff and Community Members from Recreation Centers across the city square off each other in a thanksgiving cooking competition. The parks and recreation meets iron chef. All are welcome to attend and judge the competition which includes entries into best turkey, best side dish and best dessert. On saturday, the next day, at 11 00 a. M. , the larson playground takes flight. In partnership with supervisor katy tang we will celebrate the conclusion of the playground. As many of you know, larson park was known at the airplane park in recognition of the jet plane. The new larson playground features a play school play structure, swing, spinners and what is the star attraction, a replica of the old fa crusader jet. That is saturday at 11 00 a. M. Two days later on monday november 23rd at 10 30, we will break ground on the manziel streetscape in mclaren park. It provides an important eastwest corridor connecting the sunny side. The project will greatly improve connectivity, safety and the natural integration of the street to the park. The plan includes dedicating one of the medium for pedestrian and cyclist and other for a two lane roadway moving from a four lane to a two lane. Clear lane markings. We will be including planting and native landscape mediums to green up the road. If that werent enough. On thursday december 3rd from 4 00 to 8 00 p. M. The Holiday Season kick into high gear with our holiday Tree Lighting event. This free family Event Features sledding, a snow play area, rides and games curling and a visit from mr. Clause himself. We will be partnering with the San Francisco police founds to provide a happy holiday evening. Youre encouraged to bring unwrapped toy to donate to a kid in need. If that werent enough. The highly anticipated opening of the athletic fields happens on december 12th. Marring couple minimum nation of of a culmination of a private partnership with 21 athletic fields across the city and it helped to increase the amount of play by a staggering 90,000 hours. The project certainly had its share of challenges. It provides want to provide more opportunities. I am most thankful to the individual organizations who supported this project from the beginning so we get to celebrate on saturday december 12th. Lastly, it is time for our Quarterly Employee recognition. In the absence of our Human Resource director, katy will do the honors today. Good morning, happy thanksgiving to everybody. Were here this morning to honor nicole alvarez. The recipient of the departmen departments quarterly recognition award. She has been the director of the departments Young People Teen Musical Theater Company Program Since 2007. The young peoples teen Musical Theater Company produces three broadway style musicals each season using youth ages 13 to 19 that come from across the city. Her program deliver the highest quality of stage production experience and her students graduate from her program with performance skills that stay with them for a lifetime. This is the 30th anniversary of the company and this season, shows that they produced included the fantastics thoroughly milly and sold out show fiddler on the roof for her enthusiasm and excellence and impact on the lives of countless young performers in San Francisco over the last eight years, we are recognizing nicole. [applause]. Let me just sort of add a word. Ive had the great pleasure of getting to know you over the last five or seven years. Ive been to a number of your performances, your kids performances including most recently fiddler on the roof. Has pretty darn awesome. You were what the Recreation Department is about. You bring so much talent and passion and if you dont know about why pmtc, you should. It is just such an incredible San Francisco institution. We are so grateful that you invested your talents in us in your kids. Thank you very much. Thank you. [applause] i just wanted to take a minute to thank some of the amazing people that im fortunate to work with. My office mate, melissa, dave, robby and my amazing and supportive son and supervisor lana brown, my manager, San Francisco creation and Parks Department. Im honored everyday to work for a department that recognizes that recreation goes beyond an athletic field. For some of us, we play in a dance studio on stage. Its an honor to be a part of this department. Thank you so much. Before concluding we have a short video for this month in parks. Powerpoint. Computer presentation. [video] i love this neighborhood. I love this community. My name is tim, im the facility coordinator at the g. Fran recreation center. Sometimes you have many of the wealthiest People Living amongst many of the poor people. I always felt the need to offer an athletic opportunity to the youth in San Francisco. By playing ball, that meant they werent out on the streets. They werent running around looking for gangs to join. Police come to me and say that you guys doing such a great job, we have very little issues down here. I had a kid that came back here yesterday and he was one of those kids that lived across the street. He came by just to tell me how happy he was that he was able to have a place like this. They feel safe. It make you want to come work everyday. That concludes the general managers report. Happy holidays. [applause] is there anyone who would like to make Public Comment under the general managers report . Public comment is closed. Were on item four which is general Public Comment up to 15 minutes. This item will be continued to item nine. At this time members of the public may address the commission on items of the interest to the public that is within the subject matter and jurisdiction that do not appear on the agenda. We do have cards. I will read off the names. Linda, tom, Matthew Blaine and linda cutner. You will have two makes general Public Comment. Good morning commissioners and general manager. Im here today to represent the friends of camp nateer. I passed around a letter with a lot more detail what ill mention here today. Let me just sum up, we had an amazing on september 26th. I couldnt get here in october. Im happy to be here today to share this information with you. It was at the harding park lake merced boathouse. Its a wonderful venue. We had lots of families and all kinds of activities. We particularly want to thank the Recreation Division for bringing out the mobile reck. We had families getting on lake merced for the first time in the kayak program. Lot of activities with the San Francisco police department. And the Fire Department brought one of their big wigs so that the kids could learn more about fire safety and enjoy that too. Our natural was there as well as this was an opportunity for us to sale more apple tickets for the grand prize. Which was selected. Which is a three cabin or tent reservation for 2016. We would like to thank the department for your generous donations of a week at the commissioners cabin. We were able with all the prizes we had to auction off, to raise 8850. Through that effort. We had some other gifts and the total was 12,000. Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker please. If you havent spoken before, you will hear two bells. The first bell which means you have another 30 seconds. The second bell is your time is up. Good to know. Good morning commissioners and general manager ginsburg. Im Matthew Blaine. Were representing mountain bikers and other cyclist in San Francisco. Im here to provide a brief update back in march when we were expressing our frustration with cyclist access to our great park system. Im here today to say that things are moving forward. I like to thank general manager ginsburg for his support. We started to develop a relationship with the Natural Areas Program which manages so much in our park. This relationship includes two large trail work days. Weve put in over 200 hours of trail maintenance in some park and mclaren park. Next work day we scheduled for the end of january. In addition, were trying to assist the composite to get a work day. So that students can get back to the parks. Weve also produced several maps for rec and park. One of them we gotten feed back enough to publish. It talks the hills which includes several other land managers. We also excited to hear that the playground is in early preliminary design stage. Were excited to see what the designs shows up with. On user phase, weve been handing out bike bells. Weve got great reports raiding outside the city. Theyre so good in resolving trail conflict. Were happy several more trails have been designated for multiple use. Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker please. Good morning. Im cpa. My work has been published by the National Transportation safety board. Im here today to thank Phillip Ginsburg after stepping up to the plate because of Public Safety issues. He finally with his leadership had these palm trees, there used to be three and now there are two, trimmed and maintained to a point that theres Public Safety in this park. Before phil got involved, it took over a year. This is what our life was like. We had this canopy of ponds endless barrage of homeless, needles, syringes. There are about 40 pages of emails dating back with steve, back in 2012 to 2014 november. Youll see that london breed, the mayors office, captains of the northern station, all took action right away to get the police into the park. But, the trimming took a while to do. We were actually saying trim, put a fence around them, put some bushes, do something. We finally thank you and you took action. To give you an idea of how upset some of us were, there was recently you approved a building. Many of us want that building so badly. The reason is, you dont generally get 90 support from a 50 unit building to build in San Francisco. We got over 60 signatures because we wanted more eyes and ears around Jefferson Square park. When youre thinking of the park and all the fun goes on, think of the syringes and there are two schools. The chinese American International and sacred heart. Thank you very much. Thank you. Linda cutner. Ladies and gentlemen of the parks and Rec Commission. Its time in our annual visit. I think you got the email too. Here to talk about union square, its a time of year for people like me to entertain all the children that come by and everyone can catch the city eye. Sorry i was a little late getting upstairs, they had to do a photo app if front. Do i want to speak unions this year. I thought by now theyd finish the construction by the way. In true San Francisco style is true, they seem to be dragging by the bay too. Theres only one heart remove removeremoved from a podium, on the corner of garry and powell by the way. Theres nowhere else to talk in the park too. The entrance is blocked, the other side still has hearts instead of me. I think we need some more places to speak in the park this year i hope you consider what im saying by the way. With that statement this is true, i want to wish a happy holiday to all of you. [applause] is there any other Public Comment . This is general Public Comment. You can use either mic. Ive been a citizen whos come to many Public Meetings over the year, 20 or 30 years. When i tried to contact all of the commissioners here concerning issues on the agenda today, i found there are no email addresses or phone numbers in which to do that. Im concerned about that. You can call United States senator and get a message through. My request is that you all of you post your email and phone numbers on the website so the public can contact you directly and not only through the clerk of the commission. We need direct access to you and that is always been the way that public businesses has been conducted. I would appreciate that, thank you. Is there any other Public Comment . General Public Comment. Being none, general Public Comment is closed. We are on item 5, which is the consent calendar. As a reminder, 5i is off consent. We do have two members of public that would like to speak under the consent calendar. If you are here, could you please come up. Im max rosen. I am a San Francisco state student. This is my first public hearing. This is fun. Im here in support of the twin peeks project. I see its important because thousands of sight seers attend twin peeks everyday. With all the foot traffic in the area, erosion is quite prevalent. If you want to keep it in its form, you Must Immediately take action to protect it through the Habitat Conservation fund. The elimination of human created social trail will protect surrounding the wildlife. Making it easier to restore native species. Not only would we be benefiting the environment, but we will be benefiting people as well. Providing greater Pedestrian Safety to the completion of the trail connection to grand canyon park, will great a more enjoyable and safer experience for sight seers hikers, dog walkers and other San Francisco residents. Thank you. Im a member of [indiscernible] this place must improve more and more. Im against increase in this public place. Thank you very much. Thank you. Is there anyone else like to make Public Comment on the consent calendar . I want to ask when youre going to take item 5 5i off . Immediately following. Is there anyone else like to make Public Comment on item five . Public comment is closed. Commissioners, we do need a motion. So moved. All of those in favor, aye. So moved. Item 5i. Reminder this is a coit tower extension. I do need to read the following language into the record. The action on this lease is approval action under chapter 31 of the citys administrative code and that the lease amendment has been reviewed and granted categorical exemption. Notice of the categorical exemption will be posted on the Planning Department and the Recreation Departments website within the next five business days. Members of the public, will have a right to appeal the categorical exemption within 30 days of the posting. Under a litigant maybe limited to issues previously raised on the project or written correspondence delivered to the board of supervisors Planning Commission or other City Board Commission or department at or prior to such hearing or as part of the appeal hearing process are the ceqa decision. We have a staff presentation. Good morning commissioners. Cassandra costello. Im pleased to provide a proposed amendment to the coit tower lease agreement. As you remember, the new operator began last may after the restoration. Today i have a number of proposed amendments. I will start with the mural protection credit. The credit provides 100 a month for enhanced mural protection staffing. Coit tower has a staff meeting to protect the mural. I also pleased to say that this amendment is supported by the San Francisco arts commission. This amendment will also offer the ability to offer Online Ticket sales which will help alleviate the congestion in coit tower and increase sales at off times. It will also add allow the lessee to open one hour early and stay open one hour later for offering tours for purposes such as school groups. It would provide a credit against base rent for credit card fees and exempt the sale of postage stamps. Lastly, it would amend some terms around food and bench. It would authorize the sale of a food and beverage refreshment kiosk in coit tower. We have the proposed design which has been thoroughly vetted by the Planning Department and by the community. It would authorize the sale of food and beverages and also prepackaged specialty items from the museum shop with negotiated 10 of fee from Gross Revenue from the sale of food and beverages from the kiosk. It would provide a credit against base rent until the kiosk is up and running. Hyme happy to im happy t to answer any questions you might have. We do have Public Comment on that. Two minutes. My name is john with protect coit tower. We were founded four years ago to bring more attention to the tower. For the record, i will state my objection to categorical exemption ceqa exemption that was presented for the kiosk. It deserves further review. The letter you have before you my urging here is for the commission take time to review whats in the lease. Neither the staff presentation nor the Public Notice says all of the variety of changes that are proposed. Le absolutely support the mural protection credit, which cassandra highlighted, they have done a stellar job trying to protect the mural, i have full faith he will do that. Enline sales online sales will be new. We also support that. The fee is a question. The board of supervisors may question an 8 or 9 charge is the right way to do. Nothing has been stated. Three items in this proposed lease in the public or before you today. The lease would allow the vendor to sale food inside coit tower. Which is the Art Commission under the mural guidelines prohibit it. I understand its prepackaged. Two, the proposal allows the vendor broadly to keep coit tower after hours for private tours. We had private parties happy before which wouldnt happen. What kind of groups will be allowed to rent out coit tower that the public cant enjoy. Three, the lease proposes immediate gag rule. I dont understand any rationale for prohibiting to talking to the press. Thank you. Good morning i name it ian. I walk to coit tower almost everyday. I hear the desire of neighbors and visitors. I never in the 16 years ive been walking there, i never heard someone saying they can buy food at coit tower. Theres a beautiful and neglected water fountain nearby. The vast majority of stations, coin operated, look directly into foliage and cant see the city. This kiosk, i dont know where it came from or why this is a priority. There seem to be some real priorities asset of the city are better and more cherished place. People can get their food33 elsewhere. What they walk to the tower for is for peace and views and go up to the top of the tower to think about its history. They dont need to be generating more food and trash. It doesnt need to be taken up by more Square Footage devoted to selling food. I oppose the granting of any exemptions that would enable this to be built on top of our beautiful park. Thank you. Let me ask the folks would refrain from expressing approval or disapproval of speakers. Is there anyone else who w. H. O. Would who would want to make Public Comment on this item, coit tower . Being none, Public Comment is closed. There were number of community meetings, some other commissioners joined me in talking with quite a few residents from the surrounding area. We looked originally the proposal was approved. Had a portable food service cart that was going to be in the garden area on the south portion of coit tower. After looking at it, we concurred with the community that that wasnt the best use of that space or the appropriate place for food service. We looked at two options at the request of many members of the community while we never please everybody. There was both east and west side. It was concluded that the west side probably made the most sense because we could cue people and sell tickets there rather than at the tower. And decrease congestion and combine those ticket and some food service there. The concern became, could it be done in a way that was consistent with the surrounding area. I want to congratulate the staff in coming forward after almost a year of working with many members of the community on this in order to make it happen. I share his concern about food being sold in the tower and i dont know want to change the approval process for this, i would love to talk with the concessionary how we try and get some assurance about not getting the food opened up inside. I would entertain a motion. So moved. All of those if favor. Aye. So moved, thank you. Were now on two six, the San Francisco zoo. Good morning, tonya peterson, director of the San Francisco zoo. We do have some slides. As we finish okay, our year to date attendance is 328,000 visitors. We are over budget by nearly 4000 visitors for the year. Our fiscal year starts and were almost half way through. With that, as i review the months, we were happy to and to honor our veterans. We offered a lunch for 450 vets and their families were able to dine a at the zoo. Weve been working with nonprofits to encourage to come to the zoo. If anybody associated with those groups, please contact me. We love to facilitate towards our veterans. Speaking of tours, visitors asked for more scheduled talks and walks. We have wild walks three times a day. Some are 7 a person and some 250. Those includes the larger animals. Those are available on our wzbsite and three times a day during the weekend. Our little cub who was born august 30th is now on exhibit. Hes adorable. We have started to introduce him to his father as you some of you, father and son relations can be tricky. We limit and we hope to show you the entire pride here soon. His mother is a nervous mother, we call her the helicopter mom. Hes already pushing her buttons. I currently you to come see him. Especially now. Hes just adorable. With that, i hope you can see thats an xray there. I think that might be of our dragon. I wanted to thank you and City Partners for this really cool xray device. It actually can go out now into the field at the zoo so the vets dont have to sedate an animal and bring them to the hospital. They take the pictures out on the field and bring the pictures back to the vet hospital. Really cool. Were also having at the pictures up at the windows of the vet hospital. So visitors can see the inside of a dragon too. I thank you all, you all assisted with that purchase and acquisition. Moving forward, this weekend, rudolph is not moving but four of the reindeer are. People are surprised that reindeer are real animals. We dont tape those antlers on. They will be housed near the childrens use and exploration zone. Come zit them. As unsee as you can see, the kids are pretending to be reindeer. During the winter break, we offer zoo camps for youth. Obviously the concentration is animal care. Lastly, were honored to host our zoo lights. This is during the evenings of the holidays. It starts this year december 4th on select weekends. If you curious about the weather, it will rain Opening Night every year so far, weve had rain Opening Night. I encourage you to come to the zoo and i thank you for your time. Thank you. Is there anyone who would like to make Public Comment . Public comment is closed. We are now on items 7 and 8. The palace of fine arts request for concept proposal scoring. The palace of fine arts request for proposal. Let me note that because were going to hear these items together, well extend the two minutes to three minutes for those people who want to make comment on both. Gorge commissioners. Mr. General manager, im pleased to be before you to present these two items. Before i kind of get into the nuts and bolts, i want to talk about how we got to where we are today starting with the community process. We begin with an Advisory Committee in 2012. We convened the Advisory Committee to focus on the palace of fine arts and to provide citywide to help determine the best uses for the unique and historic palace of fine arts. Through the Advisory Committee process, they helped us the goal and objectives that were incorporated into the request for concept proposal. Whic the committee was comprised of 21 representatives from a variety of organizations including the foundation which has been a terrific partner of the Department Since 2003. Local neighborhood and merchant organizations, San Francisco travel, the chamber of commerce, a variety of nonprofit organizations, neighboring park agencies, architects, as well as local district supervisors office. We had held a series of Public Meetings beginning in 2012 going to 2014. We solicited input and incorporated those as well into the rfcp. We held a meeting i last summer where we ask them to present their proposal to the public. Thanks to the San Francisco government television, it was posted on our website for those who couldnt make the meeting, they could view it online. At the Public Meetings, the department heard very loud and clear from members of the public and especially members from the performing Arts Community. Resounding input was that a feeders very important to maintain this in building. Therefore, the department is mandating in the rfp that the same number of seats and the same space will be retained as part of the process moving forward. Continuing on public input, we posted all the responses on the departments website for the public to view. We solicited Public Comment through the website. I want to note, there was a recent petition through change. Org. I want to note that among other things, the petition provided limited information on where the department is in the process and didnt indicate that the department retaining the Cultural Arts component of the building which is the feeder. Additionally, its worth noting that the next step of the process, the rfp, will require significant details on Public Access and theater use that will be carefully analyzed by a Selection Panel and the department. I want to talk a little bit about the goals and objectives that were in the rfcp. The first was plan dating mandating that the base improvements be made. Those consisted of 10 million. We need a financially viable tenant to enter into a Long Term Agreement with. To enhance the visitors experience to the palace of fine art and provide significant Public Access to the building. We also had this public entry way concept that we help it was developed by the ehdd and an assessment study. That would connect the palace grounds through the big doubledouble doors that may beck anticipated them to be used for. Retaining and restoring the operating the palace of fine arts with a strong recommendation in the rfcp is being mandated and moving forward in the process. Last november, we released the rfcp. We had robust mark in outreach campaign. We focused on use identified by the Advisory Committee and through the Public Outreach process. We contacted a number of local businesses and worked with the office of Small Business. We had some Proactive Press coverage in the San Francisco chronical, business time, radio as well as other outlets. We also reached out to all parties who shown interest this opportunity over the years. We posted the opportunity on a number of publicly accessible outleths including our website. We sent the opportunity to entities that have bid on other large City Properties and projects with other departments. We received seven responses. Im just going to go over the very high level uses that were proposed with each of the responses. For more detail for the general public and for you, you can see your packets or again, the information is all posted on our website. Beginning alphabetical order, we received response from arcadia San Francisco. They propose health clinic, spa, event rental space, commissary and teaching kitchen, a womens club, food and Beverage Service and a theater. The bay club at the palace of fine arts, proposed sports and finance, a feeder. Blade yum proposed a feared, martial arts and community events. And the center for global arts and culture proposed a grand atrium, exhibition proville pavilion, reversal studio, gift shop. The may beck center proposed historic plays, lodging, wellness fitness facility, a feeder and gathering areas. Palace of fine arts proposed a Ferry Building marketplace like concept, hands on studios and galleries, cooking schools, interactive and historic exhibits, lodging and hart displays. The last is sf map, they proposed exhibition hall with kiosk for local goods and artisans. Food and beverage, feeder and a museum focused on telling the San Francisco and bay area story. To evaluate the seven proposals we had six talented and professional panelist who offered viewpoints focused on finance, recreation, performing arts, local neighborhood and merchant issues, real estate, nonprofit, urban planning an architecture. The panel met a total of three times and analyzed each the proposals. I want to speak about the panelist. The first is jim maxwell. He was past president of the Chestnut Street merchant association. He lives in the neighborhood and operates a Small Business in the neighborhood and is past president of the San Francisco Council District merchant association. The next is Paula Collins who came to us with deep real estate and banking experience. Shes chair of the trust board and past board member of the center of the arts. Gale hunter brought experience in recreation and professional sports. David wesell is principal and ceo of conservation services. He also sits on the board of San Francisco architecture heritage. He specific because of its an historic building, his feedback was very important. Dean macris brought expertise in urban planning and architecture. The results of their Analysis Shows the following scores. Each of the proposals were evaluated based on evaluation criteria that was set forth in the rfcp. They evaluate Public Access, financials, come pat the compatibility with the palace and desired requirements and the proposed use of plan as well as public input. As you can see by this chart, theres a scoring gap between two highest score respondents who both scored 84 points out of 1 had and third scoring came in 67 points. Theres another significant gap between the remaining four who all scored within one point of each other. The major contributor to the gap between the first two proposals of the financial material committed. The Evaluation Panel felt the financials were stronger in the first two proposals and scored them accordingly. The bottom four scoring proposals lost points in the evaluation process due to a variety of reasons. Including lack of detail as to how the space will be programmed, lack of a financially sustainable plan, unclear Public Access and lack of detail on proposed traffic, parking and noise mitigation plan. Although the department suspect only recommending that the top three respondents be invited to the next round of the process, based on the very clear scores, the Selection Panel saw a lot of talent and great ideas in the responses and issued the following statement. Ill read it into the record. The Selection Panel commends all the respondents on thoughtful proposals. Many included elements that can be combined into other proposals. Panel recommends that the finalist focus on opportunities to provide a sustainable and operating model which reflects San Franciscos diverse population. Moving forward, staff believes that the top scoring respondents offer a variety of uses a enhance the enjoyment of visitors to the park. Top three scoring respondents are the may beck foundation, palace of fine art of 46 arts, crafts and community and hospitality, the department feels that the top proposal have a financial engine that can ensure meaningful Public Access and be i believe to provide be able to provide affordable space to the public. I like to talk about the upcoming request for proposal. We have similar mandatory requirements. It must be ability to fund the necessary structurals and now were including the seismic of the building. After consulting with a nonprofit board who currently manages the feeder, we proposed at the Operations Committee to amend the language in the proposed draft rfp which was posted on our website. And its included. The language in the rfp now reads. The tenant must retain a performing arts theater capable of supporting cultural events, Performance Arts activities and live performances, including a functional backstage area suitable for professional performing artist. As part of future use and programming of the building. It must contain a comparable number of seats. Insulation of a Movie Theater would not satisfy the feeder use requirement. The primary objective of the rfp is to retain a feeder that will continue offering programming and performing arts. I want to note that well be analyzing the proposed rate structure to talk about in a little bit to ensure it will remain hope to many of the nonprofit fine arts group. We need a tenant that will provide valuable services and Public Access. Public access is also a criteria that will be heavily scrutinized in the rfp process. We need proposal that contain strategies and elements that mitigate noise and traffic impact. And financially Sustainable Business model that will carry during the duration of the proposed term. Continuing with the objectives. We need a use that will complement and connect existing amenities in recreation. This is resource near the palace of fine arts park in lagoon. I want to clarify, this opportunity is just for the building. Not for the surrounding grounds. Not for rotunda or the swans. Its strictly limited to the building and the interior of the building. The features do include the size and mass of the billing. Theres no allowance or building on top of the building or underneath the building or attaching things to the building. Were looking for use that will continue to engage the public over the duration of the term. Were also looking to provide security for the building and local Business Opportunities for local workers during the design, construction and operation phases of the project. Additionally, significant financial commitments must be made by the due date of the rfp to ensure that the respondents have the funding necessary to finance their proposal and that renovation is not delayed by uncertain fund fundraising. Evaluation criteria, Public Access and programming, i wanted to talk about exactly what were going to be looking at for that criteria, a cable summarizing proposed programming that identifies each proposed use with Square Footages. A lay out clearly showing the different proposed uses. Days and hours of operation for each proposed use. A Fee Structure for each proposed use and programs that increase access to low income members of the public. In terms of the theater, well be looking at size in feeding, days and hours of operation, who the operator is, the Program Schedule and what sort ever programming and Scholarship Program and what the rental rate structure would be. Wed be looking with the rfcp at compatibility, consistency with the departments objective, financial terms, Financial Capability and project feasibility. Public engagement moving forward, the project proposal summary will be posted on the departments website. Well accept comments like we did through the rfcp process on our website. We will host Public Meetings and possibly request that the respondents make a presentation to the community. Were also asking each respondent to put together an interactive display of their proposal that well have on display during the public hours. We do have two tenants operating now. Respondents must create a video of their display that we will post on our website. The anticipated schedule moving forward, the schedule is subject to change, the release of the rfp will go out early December Next month. Were proposing that the responses are due on may 20th. We would hope to have a selected respondent to you by late summer of next year. Start the negotiation of the negotiating agreement next winter. The Environmental Review stage is really part that could throw the schedule off. Thats mandated by the Planning Department. Depending on what type of use is selected, they will make that determination. I want to note that because its an historic building, it would require additional review. That is end of my presentation, i will be happy to answer any questions. We will go to Public Comment. You can come up in my order. Will travis, isabel lemon, leo chow, carlos, jan and julie. Good morning commissioners. Good morning. The palace itself will be the most important artifact at the San Francisco museum. It will long last the story on the map in World Class Museum complex taking full advantage ot century technologies. As anyone who read proposal knows, the San Francisco museum at the palace is 100 created for and accessible to the public. Downstairs at the palace, local and worldwide visitors will enjoy entertaining story galleries, like crown jewel, the story of San Francisco bay while experiencing the bay itself. Upstairs at the palace will continue on San Francisco and bay area residents. And the mission of enhancing the opportunities for education, creative thinking and experiencing local cultures and activities. Theyll find the Learning Center for innovative childhood education like cooking classes, rap, the adult life long learning program. Hands on, the sf map garage for kids and local produce, the community and neighborhood gallery. San franciscans and visitors from our beautiful bay and around the country and around the world, never wanted the eyeopening panama exhibition to end. At the San Francisco museum at the palace, it never will. I just want to say that there are a lot of Untold Stories and just an illustration in the early years of the 20th century, santa claus did land in Golden Gate Park in an airplane. Next speaker please. Thank you. Im will travis. I spent most of my 45 year professional career working to save San Francisco bay and to increase Public Access to it. In my career, i had the wasnt opportunity being the executive director of the bay conservation and Development Commission for 17 years. As a member of the sf map consortium team, i get to continue this. I wanted to call to your attention the educational component of our proposal. Understanding history is really important. Applying history to the future is absolutely critical. We have a opportunity in this venue to walk from what benard bay is giving us and use the hole of the bay area as our venue. In a manner consistent with the architectural history well be able to hope the open the mew semiup so you can see the bay and learn from the history what we have done to the bay, how weve abused the bay, how we saved the bay and how we apply what were learning as we deal with Climate Change in the future. I hope you give us this opportunity to use this exciting venue to do what i think it was intended for next speaker please. Good morning commissioners. Mr. Ginsburg. Im jan, executive director of the Maybeck Foundation which is dedicated preserving the legacy of Bernard Maybeck the iconic architect of the palace of fine arts. Over a decade, we have been honored to be a steward and champion of this treasure. Partnering with the recreation and Park Department to restore, protect and preserve the palace. We are not affiliated with any of the project teams. Our chief concern is ensuring the best possible outcome from the search of a new long term tenant. One that will provide the necessary, substantial investment into the exhibition building now and in the future. The recreation and Park Department has undertaken a long and thoughtful process over the past three years. I have been impressed with the openness of the process, the many opportunities for participation of Community Members and advisors, the clearly defined criteria that was established for the evaluation and the sensitivity of all involved in balancing the needs of the palace with the desires of its adz miring admiring public. Let us be clear the main consideration here is not what is best for the city and recreation and parks. Or the interest of any group or organization or the commercialization of public aenemity amenities. It is all about the long term viability of the historic excision building. I am confident that this process will yield a new tenant offering an exciting mix of uses that will provide Public Access for all, engage and nourish the mind and spirit and create a solid and enduring financial base. The very best gift we can give the palace that we celebrate its 100th year is to guarantee its future for the next 55 years. Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker. I name is isabel lemon. Thank you all for this opportunity to speak. We are one of the few great cities in the World Without its own History Museum. We need to tell our local story with the pride it honor felt by all san franciscans. The San Francisco museum at the palace is creating a San Francisco Interactive History Museum in all are welcome to come, learn, marvel at what the city has accomplished, hear story and share stories. We agree that the palace should be a Cultural Educational Center for everyone and that is what we will provide. The Palace Theater is a part of that. The palace of fine arts should be the peoples palace. A peoples place for all visitors can meet and share experiences, visit galleries, attend seminars and hear lectures from innovators and experts. A childrens place with a Learning Center for teachers and students where once again the excited squeals of children learning experimenting will be heard. This is a vision of the 4 San Francisco can museum at the palace. It will offer full access to everyone at all times. The Learning Center will provide interactive and experiences. As in most museums of the world, doctor would be there would be a restaurant to accommodate the need of our visitors. Were happy that our project is most acceptable to palaces of immediate neighbors. With regular hours, direct link and residence program, i think the neighbors like this. A visitor comes to me and says, where i learn about your beautiful city pip would be embarrassed to say theres no place at this time. Thank you for listening. Thank you. Before the next speaker start, im going to read off some more names. Robert cole, natasha, steven, ted, chris, adam, chris ferris. Good morning commission. My name is brad anderson. I live on scott street. I want to thank cassandra for all the work shes done. I want to emphasize the fact im thrilled will you keep the theater. It would be great to try to get some entertainment there. I havent much late as far as advertised for groups playing there. I do have a question, last night i printed from your website, costs on the project itself and theres two different costs. One is 13 million and one is 15 million. I heard today 20 million. I want to make sure. If the work was done in building itself and the 15 million, is if they do it in one building. If thats true, thats the first question. Second question i have, how do you build 5 million overnight . Inflation. Those are two questions. Explain those to me. That would be great. Well ask the staff to give you that information. Cassandra you want to answer that now . Let me ask her to come up and comment on that. Thank you brad. There was an addendum issued that clarified the financial information. I believe that didnt cover that soft cost. The addendum is posted on our website. It does include nap the rfp does have the accurate financial information. It is from 2012. Thats the explanation, brad. Thank you. Next speaker. Good morning, president buell, commissioners and general manager ginsburg. Im member of the sf Museum Palace campaign, also board member of sf heritage and design partner with the architectural and engineering firm. Ive been part of the San Francisco community now for nearly 70 years. We have grown to Global Design practice. We have nearly 280 people here in San Francisco, we have 1200 people worldwide in six different countries. Our expertise is in architecture, structure engineering, urban design providing solutions. Our work is founded on one principle, that is every structure should contribute to the community. The project that resonates most deeply with us are the ones where we can help breed new life to the treasure, Historic Structures in our own hometown here in San Francisco. Recent projects such as the theater, civic center, State Office Building and the u. S. Court of appeals and one day the palace of fine arts are all on our portfolio. My partner and i care deeply about the palace. We really want to see it be m meticulously and appropriately revitalized. Our team, sf map proposal is to reinvigorate the palace. In 60,000 square foot museum that will be dedicated to San Francisco, an exhibition hall 40,000 square feet. The palace with the recent reconstruction of doyle drive is now really marks the Northern Gateway into our city. I see and imagine new opportunities for the palace to be reconnected to the presidio and the city at large so it can be more readily enjoyed by everyone for generations to come. We see this as an opportunity for our city. The staff is engaged in a wonderful, open, very thoughtful process. More so than we have often seen. We ask for you to support the recommendation. Thank you. Thank you. Julie. Good morning commissioners and mr. Ginsburg. Thank you for this opportunity to speak. My name is julie, im the executive director of world arts west. Im also on the team of the palace of fine arts foundation. Our team submitted the concept proposal for the center for global arts and cultures. I urge you to invite us to participate in the next rfp round. Our mission, i hope that all saw our original proposal. Our mission is to connect bay area artist and audiences with global arts a cultures through the performing arts and Community Engagement in San Franciscos iconic palace of fine arts. Our center for global arts is the sole viable proposal that reserves and enhances the cultural essence of the palace of fine arts for its original and intended function of presenting world arts and cultures. To the broads and definition of community, one of San Franciscos most important valuable assets. Our project will enhance the citys reputation as a Major International art center. While enriching local residents quality of life. I can tell you that i worked on that sight for 13 years. I have been there on many occasions. There are permits issued for weddings and things happening in the rotunda. There have been activities happening all three of those events which has been an absolute train wreck. I have seen brides in tears. Its challenging to be there and witness that. I think it was a brilliant condition to say when you started this process, to it was scary. One person overseeing the outside is really important to make share that all of that investment goes off well and everyone has a great experience. I like to talk about our project team, its nice hear that the theater has been mandated to stay. Our proposal for center is about so much more than just a theater. The team thats been brought together is extraordinary. Robert cole is in the audience. Robert cole he was one the most important leaders in america. The fact that hes willing to give his time its amazing. Mark kaiser who was with robert for 12 years, who is now back in San Francisco. He moved across the country to build the center for global arts. It really represents every community. We will keep the theater and this is an Incredible Opportunity for the future. Please conclude us as the Fourth Respondent in the rfp. Thank you. Next speaker please. Good morning. Thank you for this opportunity. Im robert cole. Former director of cal performances in berkeley. Now speaking on behalf of the center for global arts and curl. I like to second her remarks and support her point of view. I think that i would like to ask all of you to reconsider your present position regarding the center for global arts and culture proposal and that you reconsider that and include our proposal as one of the finalist. Theres really knoll downside to making this decision for you. Theres a considerable upside potential in making that decision. Public support for our position is very clear i think. It has been made very clear in the last few weeks. People are interested in this issue and interested in what were proposing. To ignore this public support and the logic that we try to present to you, would be a mistake. This only becomes clear when that mistake is irreversible. Thats unfortunate. Just allow us to continue in this process as one of the competitors for preserving this historic and unique building. When i entered this building here, which is also unique and historic, every time i entered this building, im always struck by the vision of those who built those two buildings across the street. When you think of that, this is beginning the worst recession or depression in the history of this country. They built the two most magnificent buildings in this city. Third most magnificent i think is the palace of fine arts. Just beware, im sure youre aware, recently there was a renovation of the Veterans Building across the street. The renovation of Veterans Building was quite significant. What they added was a very beautiful new theater inside that building. To continue and enhance the performing arts usage of that building related to the opera house. It made perfect sense. Theres no commercial stuff going on in that building. Its still something for the performing arts and for the city etcetera. Support for our proposal has been widespread and significant here. Its spread beyond our borders. It happens with a colleague of mine who came from moscow to speak today. Natasha, she will speak if shes here. Thank you. Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Thank you. My name is natasha. Im an international producer. Im here today i thought it was extremely important for me to support the vision of the center for global arts and culture. Right now, i came straight from moscow where i am working on the project which is a collaboration. Its an International Production which is collaboration between both artist and the artist of Cirque Du Soleil in the United States. I was shocked to learn that the center for global arts and cultures, they were not included as a finalist. Im here just to say to you to please reconsider it. I support them with all my heart very passionately because its a unique opportunity for big scale events like for example, one theyre working now. Theres no other building, theres no other place in San Francisco in the whole california that would represent this opportunity. Ive been working with robert cole for many years and i know that if ever, anything of top level of the highest level in the performing arts was happening in the world it was happening in berkeley where he was head of the culture. I know if the palace of fine arts will be under this meant, management, it would guarantee the highest level of cultural life. Please give a condition to defend chance to defend itself. Next speaker please. Good morning commissioners. My name is carlos. Im a native Son International career and dance which because of the free programs in music and dance offered by the rec and Park Department. I am also in my tenth year as coartistic director of San Francisco ethnic Dance Festival, which is going to celebrate its 38th season next year. I urge you to conclude a proposal for a center of global arts and culture in your next round of evaluation. I have the privilege producing dance in the bay area when the San Francisco opera, palace of fine arts and the cathedral. My ongoing work with the ethnic Dance Festival has shown me that the theater, theres a great need for a modular, performance and exhibition spaces which could accommodate a theater spaces and environments for multimedia and art presentations. In the past year, the San Francisco Art Commission created the bay view opera house as well as the southwester western mission all owned by the city of San Francisco and funded by the Art Commission which is responsible for establishing San Francisco ethnic Dance Festival. Why is it that our city has not done something similar for the palace fine arts which is trual jewel of our citys historic tradition that needs to reestablish its original purpose for the arts. It is said they would need 20 million to bring the palace fibe Arts Building up to code. Hasnt that been accomplished over the years . It doesnt seem to be a genuine need. The palace of fine arts are ideal for the needs in the art. It will be updated, transformed and modified to accommodate different exhibits and events without major total disruption and years long closure. I know of no known profit that would have 20 million at its disposal before hand for any project. I feel there has been a symmetry of this grading process. It would assure our city of a jewel and source of great pride in the eyes of the world for a very long time. Thank you very much. Thank you. Im going to read some more names off. I have Nathan Maxwell khan, joseph cohen, linda chambers, james lee, johana, matt field, magic. Well start with that. If your names are being called and you are down in the overblow room, please come up. Good morning. My name is steve. I live in san jose. I come often to San Francisco because of its cultural and ethnic diversity. You maybe aware that in san jose, we struggle with keeping performing aarts a arts alive. However in San Francisco at the palace, you have a viable tenant and a viable Business Today that does that. More importantly, off proposal in front of you that expands on the cultural aspect of a venue. I hope you consider allowing the center for global arts to continue into the rfp process. Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker. Good morning commissioners. My name is james lee. The museum supports the efforts of San Francisco map consortium to secure long term lease at the palace of fine arts. The palace of fine arts physical structure will receive the much needed upgrades to make current seismic and engineering standards. The San Francisco map Consortium Vision is to promote San Franciscos history. For years, san franciscans have longed for the opportunity to tell the story of our city through the experiences and first responders, the stateoftheart union galleries, interactive sets. As a chair of the board of trustees and on behalf of over 500 strong members of San Franciscos first responders, i would like to thank the Advisory Panel and staff for choosing San Francisco map as one of the three finalist. I would also urge park and Rec Commission to support our efforts. I believe this is a winwin for San Francisco and all those who visit it. Thank you very much. Thank you. Next speaker please. My name is adam. Im here representing the cams Historical Society. Our executive director had to leave but im representing her in our organization. Honorable president buell, director ginsburg, members of the community here. Thank you all for your time and interest in commitment. Over the past year, the California Historical society has partnered with the Maybeck Foundation to lead efforts. To date the effort has involved more than 60 cultural organizations that created more than 200 events throughout the bay area. We look forward to working with this maybeck team to ensure that resource is protected, honors and interpreted for generations to come. Thank you for your deliberations and stewardship of the ctys cultural landscapes. I want to share three points made by the commissioners. First the palace of fine arts belong to the people of San Francisco. It is our heritage and it is our right to say what can an cannot be done. Tholes hotels are nonstarters. That the expire third, we recognize that theres a Strong Financial element to the future of the palace. The exhibit hall site along with the theater needs a tremendous amount of structure work. We understand that and are willing to step up to neighbor that make that happen as a community. When asked at the ballot to do what is right, we have time again to say yes. Whether the site makes money beyond the cost of its lease and upkeep is no concern to us. The palace should the be viewed as a piggy bank for the city. It is clear that the current proposals do not mesh at all with the will of san francisca franciscans. San franciscans know what they want. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Commissioners and general manager ginsburg. My name is ted, im a principal at Equity Community builders. One of the threetime selected to submit a proposal for the rehabilitation of the palace. I want to thank you all for giving us an opportunity to define our concept proposal and reserving the palace and meet the objectives outlined by the department i want city and in response to the department to rfcp, we submitted a concept proposal that we felt had the best chance of meeting these many goals. Specifically we provided the necessary economic driver in the form of a hotel to attract the significant amount of capital required. The concept provides unfettered Public Access to the full length of access accessible grounds. We felt was both appropriate for the building and San Francisco. We also believe our proposal had the best chance of mitigating traffic and parking impacts and providing significant rent to the city. As directed in the rfcp our concept is not dependent on the success of a Fundraising Campaign or public Financial Support to cover either the initial capital cost or ongoing operation. As many have pointed out, we did propose retention of the theater. The full length of the building will be needed for the proposed program. We get that and we are excited by the opportunity this presents. Anyone that knows can attest. I welcome all of you to visit our website, www. Ecbsf. Com. We built our firm and our reputation on working a broad range of nonprofits to develop the facility including those in the arts and performing sector. In particular, we completely the rehabilitation of the strand theater on mark street for act. That project is successful renovation of an historic theater completed last summer is in the midmarket area. We did the same for the east base centers for the performing arts in downtown richmond. In response to the new direction provided by rec and park, we begun reaching out to those active in the performance community. Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker. Im chris ferris. Small business other than here in San Francisco. I have the space between gallery and north beach. If you looking for public input, you should look at the petition because you got input from 20,000 people there. Theres a lot of comments. It looks to me like most of all, people feel that hotel or gym is not a good fit for the palace of fine arts. The over all idea, monetizing the parks is a poor one and destructive one. Since theyre paid for by the public, they should be open to all members of the public. Not privatized and accessible to people with money. Thank you for your time. Have a great morning and afternoon. Good morning, im matt fields. Representing the Maybeck Center team. Im joined by our team members the California Historical society. We are here to express how honored we are to be included in the process to find a new tenant of the palace of arts. All have deep connections to and respect for the building. Im a multigeneration san franciscan. Our team has deep experience working on sensitive Historic Resource and we look forward to providing a response to the rfp. If you have any questions about our team or proposal, were here to answer them. Thank you very much for your consideration. Thank you. I will read a few more names. Lucy, dominique, lorraine, manwell, richard fong, adam green, jeanette, shonna, if anyone else does want to make Public Comment, you can come up as soon as anyone has spoken. Thank you. Hi, my anymore it linda. Im a rare fourth generation native san franciscan, former member of the museum and Historical Society and Early Childhood educator. While i strongly support the cultural and educational effects of the project, i strongly opposed lodging Hotel Portion of the project that was sort of quietly slipped into the presentation. If were being honest here, theres no way to mitigate traffic and congestion and parking concerns with a hotel when you consider tour businesses and buses and taxis and weddings and conventions. Its not possible to mitigate that type of thing. I think that the petition clearly shows that the city of San Francisco would like to foreclosure othe explore other options that would not involve a hotel. We have the opportunity here to do the right thing for the history and the arts of the city. Lets not sell out to extreme commercialism and real estate greed thats crippling the city. Thank you. Good morning. We all know that the palace of fine arts is one of the oldest and most beloved historical inventory eyes in our venues in our city. It will be a crime for this to be disturbed, demolished or changed especially as dramatically as the concept of some sort of hotel. As a 23 year marine at resident, Business Owner and a preschool teacher, i feel very strongly that the palace must be preserved so the young people here and visitors from the world can continue to enjoy and learn in this historical setting. I have been fortunate enough to work at the palace, dance on the stage, be a member of a San Francisco based halal. Please help us preserve this San Francisco gem. Im requesting that you reconsider the proposal for the center of global arts and culture. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. My name is joseph cohen. Im a concerned citizen. Im speaking completely spontaneously now. I wanted to introduce myself to you. It will be an opportunity to speak to you. I want to congratulate you on what you did with the joe dimaggio playground. In the short time i met julie, she had when they were tryouts for the Dance Festival, she sat down with me and told me about her dilemma about money when it came to her submission. The 20 million that she doesnt have. Im struck by something that comes to my mind and my project, that is theres always plenty of money. Things dont have to be built in this built. A hotel doesnt have to be built to make money. Theres power in consensus. Consensus is here today and consensus is welling up for julies projects. I understand theyve done wonderful work also in making citizen approved projects. However, the Hotel Consideration does not answer the needs of the community. The the one in the neighborhood. Those people need everything devoted to their neighborhood. Not a commercial adventure. As you listen to me, i want you to know that im very concerned that my city, the city that i loved for 37 years since coming here from philadelphia, must keep its integrity in this case. Thank you very much. Next speaker. Good morning commissioners. It would be ironic on the 100th anniversary to take away this public space and privatize it as a hotel. I do understand and ive read the mission statement. I read the public input list. Theres nothing in any of those suggestions that says anything about hotel or private space. In an interview, youre asked is there a downside to public, private partnerships. You said no, i think in these fiscal times, theyre more important than ever. I think this is an example of the danger of Public Private partnership. Its interesting, if you want to raise some money, i understand quite a few of you are good fundraisers, at the beginning of the park, the exhibition, when the city was rising from the ashes, they were able to raise 4 million in two hours. I say in this time, you could do 4 billion in two hours. Theres plenty of money in this city and you keep putting the money as a number one issue to pry to privatize is shocking to the public and will not be tolerated. Also in a question answer on your website it was asked, is does the entire building have to be dedicated to public use. The department understands may need a use a pouring of the space for office use and other uses in conjunction with public use. Thats it. No hotels, no privatization, no lies about no money. This is not okay. I honor julie for continuing to come forward with her fight. I have an idea myself that would corporate the idea of the theater thats already existing and earth art space which would include Something Like the exploretor how we can return the earth to its healthy state and all the practices we can do to make that happen. I do understand that three of you are real estate agents. I hope the other three remind you that is not your job on this commission. [applause] one more thing, the weeping woman are there to mourn a World Without art. We are losing our artist and art spaces over and over. This must be stopped. Next speaker please. Let me say just for the record, to my knowledge, only one of us is in the active real estate business and just so that you have a history. Good morning commissioners. My name is lucy faulkner. Four aenerations of my family live in San Francisco. Full disclosure, im a documentary filmmaker who works in the maybeck, im also a house manager at the palace of fine arts and theaters around San Francisco. I find it absolutely astounding that a hotel is going to be in one of the most iconic places in San Francisco. It tears at my heart that its not going to be preserved for an arts and cultural place. I think you really should consider the global arts group. Their proposal. Im delighted that you keeping the theater. My grandfather was a watchman at the palace. After he retired as a contractor who built a lot of other places in San Francisco. Please consider global arts proposal and disregard the hotel. The people of San Francisco dont want that. We can attest to the petition that was circulating last week. Thank you very much. Thank you. Next speaker please. Good morning commissioners. General manager ginsburg. Any name is adam green. Im from the exploretor yum. Our focus is on Public Access that would engage visitors both local and those from out of town. In addition, ongoing excellence and special characteristics of the palace, by providing welcoming public spaces in the manner of a National Park lodge, by connecting the interior of the building to the golden gate area and by preserving the performing arts theater with community program, we do believe that the Maybeck Center will greatly enhance the building. Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker. Good afternoon commissioners and mr. Ginsburg. Its your lucky day. Im going to throw out my speech. Everybody here has said, no hotel. I want to tell you a little story though i support a San Francisco historical museum. Several years ago, jim who used to be on this board. I had a long discussion about the need for a historical San Francisco museum. As mr. Ginsburg, knows i am a world traveler and on a mission to see every museum in the world. I would like to end with a San Francisco museum. I have been collecting stuff for it. I have a spoon from the civic exhibition. Im not that old but getting there. I have all the stuff that i wanted to donate. By would urge you, something San Francisco historical museum, no hotel. Next speaker. Im a resident of district four which is parkside. I would support an public use for this site as long as it is public use and does not contain a lodging component. Thank you. Next speaker. Good morning. My name is lorraine kelly. Im a fourth generation san franciscan. I live in the house i grew up in. Im speaking on behalf of San Francisco map. Which is the perfect choice. It does not have a hotel in it. The palace of fine arts must remain a place for all citizens. Whether they are from concord, los angeles, pittsburgh, singapore, malaysia, wherever. Those people should be able to come and enjoy San Francisco, San Francisco history, and the palace of fine arts. As you see, there are tons of people down there because of whats happened in paris this weekend. This morning, there was no one. Absolutely no one, four maybe around the whole palace. Thats amazing. Not only do we need to keep our city safe but need to keep the palace of fine arts for all people. It should be a place where our heritage is on display and citizens are able to enjoy every single day the city is looking for revenue, im sure with the real estate prices the way they are, they are taking plenty revenue in. I just cant believe that revenue is the criteria that you are that is number one on the top list. Okay. I personally did some remodeling recently, i got four besides the supplemental tax on property tax, estate tax and four taxes besides my regular tax. Investing 20 million is a financially viable thing in San Francisco. Theyve invested tons of money every place. I suggest that you all look at this San Francisco map. Anyone wants a copy of it, im happy to give it to you. Please keep that in mind. Next speaker please. Good afternoon commissioners chair buell. Im kind of like i listened to quite a lot. I want to bring up something about what Bernard Maybeck had in mind when he had this great palace of fine arts design. Its to be able to experience the wonderful arts of being able to walk through fine arts. Leave all the ship behind and all this is recreation and Park Commission meeting when you walk through it, you can do it. I want to share experience at the memorial the day i decided im going to walk through, i was at the when i walked through, we walked through it and had little walk around, i enjoyed myself. Liked it. I was trying to explain the changes, i do liked it. It was all in the stage one of the bernard Maybeck Foundation. When i look at it, before i get to that point, there is the historic. I gave a real big whistle. I whistled out real loud. That train moved around. Thats the natural part. Thats the stage one. When i look at whos going to be able to continue stage two, i look and read over all your packets on the table, i looked it over and i said, hey, lets be consistent. Tear out all the theater and take it all out. Another says, to change strictly into arts and performance. We have existing structure, we have existing vendorring and we have the proposal by bernard Maybeck Foundation. I said in committee, i am in support of jan and the foundation from many reasons. Thank you. Next speaker. Good morning. I thought had a voice loud enough. In my profession, i didnt have speakers. This is a very rare opportunity. We have to leave a nice museum. A museum of history of San Francisco. Showing the historic highlights of our city. Not only to our citizens but 2000 of tourists will visit the palace of fine arts everyday. The figuring how the space for the proposed tenants from the palace, it is extremely important to take into consideration building a nice museum of history in the palace of fine arts. This location ladies and gentlemen is the most important historically for this type of gift to our grandchildren, to all our citizens, to our visit visitors. Show them the great historical moments of San Francisco. Thank you very much. Thank you. Next speaker please. If theres anyone in the south court and you like to speak, please come on up. Good afternoon my name is dominique. Im consumed that on the panel there are no artist. That the people on the panel judging the fate of the panelist mainlily mainly have the financial aspect in view. If theres a hotel, there will be money and building a hotel will give the most money. Maybe not to the most people but progress if its evaluated monetarily, you would choose a hotel. But the greatest of the city is measured in other ways with authors, musicians, poets, dancers and artist. They what make cities its unique character and not five star hotel. If San Francisco it shrinking in diversity and families and minorities and artists, it will shrink even more if a hotel is put in. I urge you to keep this hoteller the culture and in the for money. Please just dont think of money next speaker. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. Im an artist living in the north bay. I moved out to San Francisco in the late 80s to take advantage of the musical opportunities here. Since that time i played over the bay area for about eight years, i helped manage a legendary Recording Studio which is becoming a yoga studio because of our collective community would not support that particular aspect of the business. My concern and reason for me today is to ask that you reconsider the three finalist. Give the opportunity for the fourth proposal to step up and show you that the people do support this in a monetary fashion. You havent given them a chance to raise the money. There are people with deep pockets who love the grateful dead. Even if you take them into consideration, we could probably raise the money for that. Thats basically all i have to say. I really applaud your really 48 process that praut you to this point. Just asking more inclusivety so we can move forward in the process. Thank you very much. Next speaker. Thank you for letting me speak in favor of the proposal for the center for global arts and culture. Not privatizing the palace of fine arts. I had the pleasure of spending the last weekend at the palace of fine arts. I got to meet several performing artist from around the bay area who represent all different cultures. What i realized when i was there, i got to frequent people who were attending the auditio auditions, the community loves coming to the palace of fine arts to experience global arts, performing artist from around the world. Its truly a gem and im a terrible public speaker. Excuse me nervousness. I just wanted to encourage you to consider the center for global arts and culture as a fourth proposal and i cant remember if there was anything. It is a proposal that would continue to bring the community of San Francisco and the San Francisco bay area together in one place. Thats the only proposal that will do that, to bring the Community Together to celebrate our culture. Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker please. Im judith. I have lived near the San Francisco and palace of fine arts for over 35 years. Im here to support the center for global arts and culture as a fourth proposal. I frequently visit the palace with my family and visitors to San Francisco. Its a magical spot. Im concerned that two out of the three proposals selected proposals are private hotels. Im concerned with turning the palace of fine arts space thats colonell colonelly use currently used for the community into a private for prophet venture. The hotel doesnt do much for the community. Im concerned that San Francisco is losing its soul to making a buck. Insupport more accessible and affordable nonprofit spaces to experience the performing arts. I do appreciate that the theater for the performing arts will be retained and this is important. I am requesting that the Commission Consider a fourth proposal, the center for global arts and culture. This would support the spirit and purpose of the palace. That is to foster the performing arts especially dance, music and theater. The Arts Community has enough activity to utilize the facility everyday or night of the year. This center would benefit children, residents and visitors to experience world culture through the performing arts. I especially appreciate the ethnic Dance Festival. Implore you to please consider a fourth proposal, the center for global arts and culture. Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker please. Good afternoon commissioners. Im the dance artist. Im happy to be here to support as immigrant myself, came from china 32 years ago. Please dont let hotel happen. If you let organize the venue, i think we can do a lot beyond just Dance Festival for example we can have a venue. We can bus kids [indiscernible] please no hotel, thank you. Next speaker. My name is earnest, i been involved with the palace of fine arts. It seems these thing keep coming up. I am not in favor of any of these. I am opposed turning it into a hotel. With a hotel, you have to have windows, if you put windows in the palace, you deface it. You might turn it down and turn it into a walmart. A would be even better. My plan would have been to turn it over to the fine arts museum. Do not turn it into a hotel. For god sake. Jeanette. Im resident for over 50 years and native san franciscan. Born and raised in San Francisco as my mother and father were. I would like all of you to take into consideration that the neighborhood around the palace has a daily theme of tour buses, taxis, limos and many on foot including large school groups. We welcome tourists from all over the world and many times my family and i have had the pleasure of helping find their way in our beautiful area. Now, we like them and others to learn more about us and our city by having a grand San Francisco museum continue in 2015 what the pan pacific expo started if 1915. They left us as caretakers of the one remaining jewel. The palace of fine arts. Lets make a memorable place and a fully open to all place for the next 100 years. Thank you. Next speaker. Good afternoon. Peter with the cultural action network. I had something brief to say. My organization is looking at the clear cutting of culture in the city right new. We have published a closed studio map that accompany the recent open studios map. Were seeing massive exodus of our culture in the city now. Theres no other way to describe it than that. I can provide you with tons of information. Were losing 40 artist in two weeks out another location. We just lost 60 artist out of another location in the mission. These are all related. Theyre all under the same kind of pressure, market pressure, government pressures. My real question is if at all time boom economy, we cant be preserving these kind of public treasures. I would really ask when will that time come. As a business person, my answer is never. I really cant imagine if we cant do it now, if we cant find a we to make this work now, were throwing up our hands and saying were only going to give up those cultural treasure and give up public resources. I beg you to find a way to make this work as a public resource and really continue to maintain San Francisco as an internationally known place of culture and art and a place of openness and inclusiveness. Thats what were known for. Lets make that happen. Thank you. Thank you. Next speaker. Good afternoon commissioners. Mr. Ginsburg. My name is terry conway. I know i represent countless other who are drawn to this city because of its reputation as a vibrant art hub. I watched little by little artist have been pushed out of this wonderful city because of the constantly rising cost of living of doing business here. You now have a once in a lifetime opportunity to transform the beloved icon. There are other buildings in San Francisco where city History Museum can be located. The palace of fine arts is the only place where center of global arts and culture belongs. Dont let this opportunity slip away. Consider the proposal for the center for global arts and culture at the palace of fine arts alongside the other finalist. You will see the prom holds today and generations to come. Thank you. Good afternoon, my name is pat hendricks. I have just one question for you. This idea of a hotel, another hotel in San Francisco. When we have at least 10,000 air b adam b places for folks to live. We need another hotel . I dont think so. Thank you. Next speaker. Commissioner. I respect your office and where you stand and thank you for listening to us. I appreciate it. Ive been a 46 residen 46 San Francisco resident for 15 years. Im in process of starting a nonprofit. Take your time. I plan and i hope to work with the center for global