[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6594952,"mediaKeyId","3045242-e9b3480fe4ceabaf36cf4896c4e686b9","parentId",3045242,"title","Commission approves concept plan to renovate Kezar Pavilion in Golden Gate Park","audioSeconds",2147,"startMs",2264000,"endMs",4411000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3045242-e9b3480fe4ceabaf36cf4896c4e686b9&start=2264&end=4411","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3045242-e9b3480fe4ceabaf36cf4896c4e686b9/thumbnail_2264000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6594952/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/Commission-approves-concept-plan-to-renovate-Kezar-Pavilion-in-Golden-Gate-Park","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6594952-af3a70f9d884fe6592d2c1f67c5eaaff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153301&Signature=atnl5xZWMeVf6Q0sQejr9Kb8og7XlNXQDOnmH~ONNadzUaMq6fEmlEIjjAaklKtc-SxdPvDoLPsF16XfnKA11vwPcJPIaUxgomaUGl9qfcWZdMUVYr2SCuB9JGGlLz2pxsEET6pUFRinzuHW6Sp3oa0AZLCVzy8DGwPUsWllvy8DDFiWd6BLHKWeFmXijNBkaeb~9bgv6yvDa~E5jATkXE6wMLJSBvRCJVFauEuSbyJN2iCo5GRxstgstJ4qS5Urfk67FkyRSAbDYYo401h1uVLThXslb0cyOMj4oeYZBjoSgT6t31bACnAo2-3dPrldAQ0p1rDHQIOLhTQWo~X6PQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of San Francisco","date","2025-04-17T00:00:00Z","article","The San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission on April 17 unanimously approved a conceptual design to renovate Kezar Pavilion in Golden Gate Park, a 1926 facility used for basketball, community programming and large events.

The design preserves the pavilion's historic exterior walls while demolishing and rebuilding the adjoining annex, adding elevators, modern mechanical systems, accessible entries, retractable bleachers and new multipurpose rooms. Staff told commissioners the project is funded primarily through the 2020 Earthquake Safety and Emergency Response (ESER) bond; the project team estimates about $70 million in funding is currently available and said additional public and private grants will complete the budget before full construction begins.

Why it matters: Kezar Pavilion is a contributing resource in the Golden Gate Park historic district and serves schools, youth sports and community programs. Renovation aims to keep the building usable after a major earthquake, to restore public access to balcony-level space and to add neighborhood-serving programming, including rooms suitable for children and seniors.

Project details provided to the commission say the renovation will keep the pavilion's exterior appearance intact while excavating and rebuilding underlying foundations, lowering the court level to align the annex and pavilion floors, and replacing the roof and gym floor to match the building's historic character. The plan converts the closed balconies into multipurpose rooms, installs elevators and accessible routes, and creates a new west plaza framed by seating and native plantings. Staff said retractable bleachers will permit dual-court configurations for basketball, volleyball and badminton.

During the presentation Alexis Ward, project manager with the department's Capital Division, described the project's public-safety role: staff said Kezar could be used as a shelter or emergency staging area under a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Emergency Management because of its large floor and restroom/showers. Ward told the commission that approval of the concept design constitutes the approval action under San Francisco Administrative Code Chapter 31.

Commissioner Hallasey asked about seating capacity; Ward replied, \"It's gonna be 1,400,\" explaining that modern code requirements, elevators and safer balcony access reduce capacity compared with historic figures. The updated capacity reflects the project's trade-off between preserving historic fabric and meeting modern accessibility and life-safety standards.

Public commenters and alumni groups urged swift action to preserve the pavilion. Cynthia (ProSAC chair) and several alumni representing Polytechnic High School stressed Kezar's historical and cultural importance. The department presented letters of support from community groups and said local stakeholders had asked that the exterior appearance be retained.

The commission voted to approve the concept design. Staff said the department will pursue a construction-manager/general-contractor delivery model; the next steps are contractor preconstruction input, design-development, construction documents and permitting. Construction is estimated to take 24 to 30 months once remaining funds are secured.

Votes at a glance: The commission approved the concept design by a unanimous vote; the transcript records the motion, second and a vote with no opposition.

Next steps: Staff will move to preconstruction contracting, refine cost estimates with contractor input, advance design development and return with further approvals and funding specifics before construction begins.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of San Francisco - Video Open Video Only in Windows Media Player - Apr 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission on April 17 unanimously approved a conceptual design to renovate Kezar Pavilion in Golden Gate Park, preserving the building's historic exterior while modernizing interiors for recreation, accessibility and emergency use.","taxTitle","San Francisco City, San Francisco County, California","taxId",5751,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6594938,"San Francisco Zoo outlines conservation shift, recounts recent animal rescues and says pandas plans are moving forward",439,1800000,2239000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3045242-e9b3480fe4ceabaf36cf4896c4e686b9&start=1800&end=2239","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3045242-e9b3480fe4ceabaf36cf4896c4e686b9/thumbnail_1800000.jpg","/articles/6594938/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/San-Francisco-Zoo-outlines-conservation-shift-recounts-recent-animal-rescues-and-says-pandas-plans-are-moving-forward","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6594938-9f7abf74fc5af9f09de3dc65f7188367/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153301&Signature=M-YgrEwU11E8ie3ZE76TKGaPg9lGi6HiPKBoHk~dnwGUcEeC47TPpL~GaJliPWKhMSza93MxrKwbPkQc7NIz4TuwaXxVjZtqMwaEorDPyN~PWlavppAx8HUp85wgH2MNscmfKV5IjKIwmI8J3JvkT8Me-jzgnKLw8J7tuT5c9KKve5mQWcmHrVseJJ96D5a2Idgyxl97js6Gx4eomJKlcv2DhFuOB-MjnLPGPZOq3pcSqaUlz9zlpk98OqveI6SRIxh2z7dO7oFpColYT9JlHiwNJq59ittWKXCAappHxhnGlnQ2rCQqlMVwsjgpVf5amkmFK0wah2joNDnYRNpj5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tanya Peterson, executive director of the San Francisco Zoo, told the Recreation and Park Commission on April 17 that the zoo is shifting its collection strategy to emphasize conservation by focusing on endangered and critically endangered species.

Peterson said the zoo now holds 17 species designated as endangered or critically endangered, up from eight species several years ago. She described partnerships with law-enforcement and conservation groups, including the zoo's joining an international \"confiscated\" network that works with federal authorities to recover illegally trafficked animals.

Peterson detailed two recent rescues: the zoo now cares for the critically endangered axolotl and received nine smuggled military macaw chicks that arrived in poor condition; staff provided round-the-clock care and said all nine chicks were now healthy enough to transfer to other accredited institutions. She described the axolotl as a species that 'never grows up' and highlighted the zoo's role housing species that are rare or extirpated nearby.

The zoo director said seasonal events, bilingual camps for Spanish- and Cantonese-speaking children and community outreach efforts continue; the zoo will observe Earth Day programming and run inclusive camps that grew out of pandemic-era efforts to serve essential-workers' families.

On exhibit plans, Peterson said staff are renovating the former lion-house to accommodate giant pandas and that, \"plans are going forward with the renovation of our old lion house to bring in pandas. They would be on exhibit a year from now.\" Peterson framed that timeline as contingent on the work and standard interinstitutional arrangements for endangered species.

No vote was required for the presentation. The commission's discussion focused on the zoo's conservation mission, community programming and accessibility.","San Francisco Zoo director Tanya Peterson told the Recreation and Park Commission the zoo is focusing its collection on endangered species, handling recent smuggling rescues (including nine military macaw chicks) and is planning renovations to host giant pandas about one year after the lion-house work is complete.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6594944,"Rec and Park warns of rising utility bills and budget gaps; PUC rate changes pose growing risk",2272,6704000,8976000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3045242-e9b3480fe4ceabaf36cf4896c4e686b9&start=6704&end=8976","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3045242-e9b3480fe4ceabaf36cf4896c4e686b9/thumbnail_6704000.jpg","/articles/6594944/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/Rec-and-Park-warns-of-rising-utility-bills-and-budget-gaps-PUC-rate-changes-pose-growing-risk","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6594944-ef5aa3dfe0b0ce883725cde0d781f4b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153301&Signature=UVOW61CyPYI-WiO770zvnE48ewKIBR-OE2f2d3kGTuW2FJC0n5GyUgbuDKxD0w3TeTTygLdk2AUGzZSm5n9DWElz7Kq4v1S5ScdfkS-1LizTg39KfpNo94uT7HpmYLnqZxAk78gfCEE2NjIjbveoP9xUNkQS9QGcziuzf69da4rUhXwV6zFY1mrAYYthrMF0XffsqgXQf~6WW6SPzlzLCl1w20PT51Gwfzr5K2lJe1zVAnmTf1G5o5d7fC5tdoWZKKuVKy7A4qYpCsiSaf1sh-TrrwudNDhP1qVB~u8meiRXtW~Rc~wxVb9WiC-skVjA12hc~bdLTvgRe1Xsieoa5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Department finance staff told the Recreation and Park Commission on April 17 that updated city financial forecasts and higher utility charges from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) have widened the department's expected budget shortfall for the next two fiscal years.

Antonio Guerra, director of administration and finance, summarized a March joint city report that increased the city's projected shortfall and described department-level impacts. Since the department's February budget submission, Rec and Park staff said additional pressures total about $4.9 million in fiscal 2025-26 and $3.1 million in fiscal 2026-27. Those figures assume the mayor proceeds with a paid-parking revenue plan the department included in its budget; the department said paid parking was budgeted as roughly $1.2 million in year one and $9.2 million in year two. Staff warned that if paid parking is not adopted, the shortfall increases substantially.

The largest new cost driver, staff said, is SFPUC billing for water, sewer and power. Guerra and other department staff reported that the department's annual utilities bill rose from about $12.2 million in the recent past to an estimated $15.6 million in the current fiscal year, and that SFPUC projections could push combined water, sewer and power costs toward $29.4 million by fiscal 2029-30 if current rate trajectories hold. Specific drivers cited by staff include recalculated stormwater surcharges (now estimated at about $7 million annually), new allocations for recycled-water billing (including Harding Park) and annual power and water rate increases in SFPUC projections.

Guerra and Commissioner comments: Antonio Guerra said the MOA and JFA budget discussions for Hunters Point had assumed SFPUC costs in earlier projections; the department now faces steeper year-over-year increases. Commissioner Mazzola and others pressed for clarity about how the SFPUC's rate-setting and debt service affect departmental bills; staff said the PUC's capital financing and bond strategy are factors in its rate forecasts and that the PUC has increased staff and debt levels in recent years.

Citywide context and risk: Staff argued that these utility costs are distinct from broader city budget pressures and could require program changes if not mitigated. The department noted the potential for service reductions that would be visible to the public if the combined pressure of revised forecasts and lower-than-expected paid-parking revenue materializes.

Commission response and next steps: Commissioners asked staff to continue pursuing city-level discussions about SFPUC rates and to brief the mayor's office on the department's exposure. Staff said the mayor's office has already asked Rec and Park to reduce a discretionary increase requested in the department's submission by $1.7 million for year one; staff said they continue to work with the mayor's office, the Board of Supervisors and other departments to identify offsets and to refine projections.

No vote was taken; this item was heard as a discussion-only update to the commission. Staff said they will return with further budget amendments and will report potential service impacts to the commission if revenue shortfalls are not resolved.","Department staff told the commission that updated city financial forecasts and higher San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) charges have widened a previously reported budget gap. The department said PUC-related work order and stormwater charges are the largest new risks and could force service cuts if not addressed.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6594948,"Commission approves transfer of Hunters Point Shipyard parks to Rec and Park; 11-month maintenance funding cleared",3991,2691000,6682000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3045242-e9b3480fe4ceabaf36cf4896c4e686b9&start=2691&end=6682","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3045242-e9b3480fe4ceabaf36cf4896c4e686b9/thumbnail_2691000.jpg","/articles/6594948/San-Francisco-City/San-Francisco-County/California/Commission-approves-transfer-of-Hunters-Point-Shipyard-parks-to-Rec-and-Park-11-month-maintenance-funding-cleared","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6594948-895c925608cddff60b53ad060ac6c9f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153301&Signature=nzEEzlKMohZlwHPbWsmGtO6306Rxrm~MPTQCTbRoovmjoRS7Pl-pzZoY01gONtcXqey8X2hSrIWMhs85WY5EThOFVURXP5lGnm03s98AmyeVuP3JoEWmTei6XLaqm9khPE1vmEPTa4nuFL5m-d45Ve6zjT2Rgn8l-pP5Wwznpg~BBJ8jW24sfJSw2vsqOKgz9ALeYjIK1iQkQAAd8M8OZ064hlSJKTbBm-oBClq96zJyv5m4uEq3WnMXTDx8t77vyhHlxoB2LJXvkV5GYKTTdt9WP2SdUB1OIt1iLRupusJc~MNDh5SqIw4wUnOBoh3dB35m7YuFHNn~gBhk9dZeKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Recreation and Park Commission on April 17 approved a set of actions to bring existing and future Hunters Point Shipyard parks into the city's park system, authorizing an 11-month maintenance memorandum of agreement and recommending longer-term transfers and agreements to the Board of Supervisors.

Deputy Director Yael Goran told the commission the package includes a short-term Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for $981,000 to allow Recreation and Park to begin maintenance and operations on June 1, 2025; a long-term Joint Facilities Agreement (JFA) governing obligations for completed and future parks; and a recommendation that the Board of Supervisors approve the no-cost transfer of park properties from the Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure (OCII) to Rec and Park. The JFA and some transfer steps will require subsequent board and state approvals.

Why it matters: Hunters Point Shipyard is a redevelopment area on San Francisco's eastern waterfront. The parks program includes roughly 26 acres of planned open space (19 acres in completed \"Hilltop\" parks and about 8 additional acres in future \"Hillside\" parks). Bringing these parks into Rec and Park's portfolio affects operations, maintenance budgets, public-trust responsibilities and programming for a neighborhood identified as an environmental-justice community.

Key terms and funding: Antonio Guerra, director of administration and finance, said the MOA funds reimbursement for the first 11 months of operations (fiscal 2025-26) while the longer-term JFA is negotiated. The MOA budget covers roughly 5.58 full-time-equivalent positions (listed in MOA as reimbursements for 6 positions), utilities estimated at about $206,000 and maintenance materials of about $100,000. OCII and the master developer will continue to manage three parks until final completion certificates are issued; staff expect Innis Court and Hillpoint certificates before July 1, 2025, and the Hillside certificate shortly afterward.

Long-term funding will come from Community Facilities District (CFD) No. 8 for Hunters Point Shipyard, a special assessment on property in the shipyard that will fund park maintenance and public art. Guerra said Rec and Park and the San Francisco Arts Commission expect the CFD to cover ongoing operations and maintenance once the JFA is in place.

Public trust and approvals: Goran explained that a subset of the park lands is subject to California's public trust doctrine and that Recreation and Park would assume trustee responsibilities for those areas after the board of supervisors and the California State Lands Commission approve the transfer. As trustee Rec and Park must ensure uses remain trust-consistent (recreation, open space and environmental preservation) and must report trust revenues and expenditures to the State Lands Commission. The Arts Commission has already acted to accept park public art into its Civic Arts Collection.

The commission voted to: (1) approve the short-term MOA for fiscal year 2025-26 and accept the budgeted reimbursements; (2) recommend that the Board of Supervisors amend the Park Code to apply Rec and Park rules to the completed Hunters Point parks during the MOA; (3) recommend the board approve the no-cost transfer of completed and future parks and the JFA; and (4) accept Rec and Park's role as trustee for public-trust lands and codify hours for the parks at 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Staff and OCII said the OCII commission will consider its approvals shortly and the board of supervisors will act next; the State Lands Commission must sign off on the trust transfer later in the approvals chain.

Public and commissioner comments focused on park programming needs, equitable access and whether the CFD assessments will cover long-term maintenance as the neighborhood's population grows. Mark Slutskin of OCII told commissioners the CFD assessment is billed annually to owners in the shipyard and is designed to fund ongoing maintenance.

The commission approved the package by unanimous vote and staff said they will return with the executed JFA and any administrative exhibits once negotiations on indemnity and insurance language are complete.","The Commission voted to accept short-term maintenance funding, recommend board approvals and authorize the department to assume long-term trustee and maintenance responsibilities for completed and future Hunters Point Shipyard parks, subject to Board of Supervisors and State Lands Commission approvals.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves concept plan to renovate Kezar Pavilion in Golden Gate Park

San Francisco Zoo outlines conservation shift, recounts recent animal rescues and says pandas plans are moving forward

Rec and Park warns of rising utility bills and budget gaps; PUC rate changes pose growing risk

Commission approves transfer of Hunters Point Shipyard parks to Rec and Park; 11-month maintenance funding cleared