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Commission backs phased rehabilitation of Geneva Car Barn and Powerhouse, citing community support
Summary
The Historic Preservation Commission unanimously approved a phased certificate of appropriateness for the Geneva Car Barn & Powerhouse (landmark #180), endorsing phase‑1 work at the Powerhouse and site alterations at the office building; staff and community speakers emphasized reuse for community arts and job training, and staff noted LEED Gold expectations and a roughly $29 million estimate.
The Historic Preservation Commission on Nov. 18 approved a certificate of appropriateness for the Geneva Car Barn and Powerhouse complex at San Jose and Geneva Avenues, authorizing phased work that begins with repairs and adaptive reuse of the Powerhouse.
Planning Department staff described the office building and powerhouse as a designated city landmark (no. 180) and outlined a phased approach tied to funding allocations. Marcel Boudreaux and Tim Frey said phase 1 would focus on the powerhouse and associated site work at the office building (trash enclosure, transformer pad and minor site alterations) and that the work conforms to Article 10 and the Secretary of the Interior Standards when conditioned appropriately. Nicole Leverell, project director for Recreation and Parks, said the full project cost estimate based on final design documentation is roughly $29 million and that the department and partners would pursue a phased plan to speed activation and attract funders.
Leverell said the Powerhouse program would focus on arts‑related job training for underserved youth, community arts programming, a small café and event rental space, with the building expected to achieve at least LEED Gold. Community representatives, including Beth Rubinstein (Supervisor John Avalos’ office), Desiree Smith (San Francisco Heritage) and Dan Weaver (Friends of the Geneva Car Barn), spoke in support and described long‑standing community efforts to save and repurpose the complex.
Commissioners moved to approve the certificate of appropriateness with staff‑recommended conditions; the motion passed unanimously, 6–0.
What’s next: Phase 2 scope for the office building will return to the commission for a separate certificate of appropriateness review when funding and design details are available.
