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Committee backs exploring marine science center at 7605 Collins Avenue, asks administration to seek partners and return in May
Summary
The committee recommended that the commission explore alternative uses for the city-owned 7605 Collins Avenue (the former Betsy Perez house), including converting it to a marine science education and conservation center, and asked staff to pursue operating partners and present budget options.
Committee members on April 15 recommended that the full commission consider alternative uses for 7605 Collins Avenue, the city-acquired property sometimes referred to as the Betsy Perez house, and urged staff to pursue partners for a potential marine science, conservation and education center.
Commissioner (first name indicated in transcript as Horace) said the site, east of Collins Avenue and adjacent to beach park space, is suited to a sea-turtle conservation center, marine lab and community education uses. Jason (CFO/finance staff, surname not specified in the record) reviewed the acquisition history: the city purchased the property for $6,530,000 and identified the building enterprise fund as the acquisition source; the commission previously authorized use of enterprise funds tied to a North Beach permitting center capital project but the commission had not finalized a single use for the site.
Staff told the committee that renovation and buildout costs would depend on the use and scope. The building fund had an initial appropriation for renovation (approximately $1 million previously discussed); staff estimated additional build-out and operating costs could be in the range of a half million to $1.5 million per year depending on staffing and operating model. Committee members proposed partnering with a university or accredited institution to reduce operating costs and provide programmatic capacity.
Public callers representing neighborhood associations and volunteer groups supported a conservation and education use, citing proximity to turtle nesting habitat, existing water-testing activities and community interest. A public commenter also urged an architectural feasibility review for adaptive reuse and historic-preservation considerations.
The committee unanimously recommended forwarding a resolution to the full commission directing the administration to explore alternative uses, examine funding/reimbursement of the building enterprise fund and seek operating partners; staff said the sponsor will bring a resolution back for the May commission meeting and suggested an R-7 or C-7 referral depending on the sponsor's direction.
Why this matters: the committee signaled interest in repurposing a $6.53 million city asset for community-oriented marine science and conservation programming in North Beach rather than a permitting center on a beachfront parcel.
Next steps: the sponsor will prepare a resolution and staff will return to the commission in May with options for financing, potential partners and capital/operating cost estimates.
