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Commission approves adaptive reuse of Alexandria Theater for swim and learning center over objections from preservation advocates
Summary
Planning Commission approved conditional use authorizations to convert the vacant Alexandria Theater into a swim center, learning center and small business center, while some preservation advocates urged the commission to delay and preserve a cinema component.
The Planning Commission voted 4–1 to approve conditional use authorizations that allow renovation of the historic Alexandria Theater (Geary Boulevard) for a swim center, a learning center and a non‑retail professional business center.
Mary Woods of Planning staff summarized the proposal and said staff prepared an addendum to the 2011 mitigated negative declaration recommending approval. Architect Jonathan Pearlman described retaining the building’s historic fabric while building new interior program elements: two pools in the front portion of the auditorium, a learning center with classrooms, a forum lecture space and a new third‑floor business center. Pearlman said the project ‘‘will retain virtually all of the historical fabric of the building while providing new community uses.’’
Supporters — including neighborhood residents and representatives from the Richmond District YMCA and contractors — said the adaptive reuse would revitalize a building vacant since 2004 and provide community access to pools and classrooms. Opponents, including the San Francisco Neighborhood Theater Foundation, urged the commission to delay approval and redesign the interiors so the project better reveals and preserves the auditorium’s character and possibly retains a cinema component. The Foundation said the 2011 approvals contemplated a cinema and restaurant and that removing the cinema component curtailed public access to character‑defining interior features.
Commission debate focused on public access, business model questions about private membership vs. public availability of the swim center, and whether the interior changes meet historic preservation guidelines. Planning staff and project representatives said the addendum found the modified project would not cause new or more severe cultural‑resources impacts than identified previously and that other adaptive uses (swim centers) have operated successfully in comparable buildings. The motion to approve passed 4–1, with Commissioner Johnson voting against.
