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Committee advances purchase of 2280 Market Street to house GLBT Historical Society
Summary
The Budget & Finance Committee voted to send to the full Board a resolution to acquire 2280 Market Street, a proposed permanent home for the GLBT Historical Society and museum, at an appraised purchase price of $11,600,000 and with earnings set aside for museum operations.
The Budget & Finance Committee on Oct. 23 voted to advance a resolution authorizing the city to acquire 2280 Market Street in the Castro to serve as a permanent home for the GLBT Historical Society and a national LGBTQ museum.
Supervisor Rafael Mandelmann, who led the proposal, said the city had preserved $12 million in the budget for acquisition and that state funding of $5.5 million earmarked by Senator Scott Wiener will supplement the effort. "San Francisco is arguably the queerest city in the world," Mandelmann said, urging the committee to approve the purchase so the museum can expand exhibits, archives and research space.
Director of Real Estate Andrico Penick described the transaction as a two-phase effort. Phase 1 seeks acquisition at an appraised price of $11,600,000, with roughly $20,000 in additional title costs; Penick said the building has stable triple-net tenants (Barry's Boot Camp/CVS and a Dignity Health urgent care lease) and projected net income of about $300,000'$400,000 per year after city ownership. Penick also said the second-floor space (about 10,000 square feet) could be leased or sublet to the GLBT Historical Society in phase 2, with Community Arts Stabilization Trust (CAST) acting as a steward.
Roberto Ordana, executive director of the GLBT Historical Society, and multiple board members and community advocates testified in favor of the purchase during the public comment period, stressing the need for more archive space and the project's potential to attract visitors and researchers. "This site will significantly expand our space and bring our museum exhibition and program space, archives, research center, and administrative offices all under one roof," Ordana said.
Committee materials show the city previously allocated $12 million and report a state contribution of $5.5 million; Penick said the city would fund the acquisition from that appropriation and would place net revenue from the property into a segregated account for the museum's capital and operating needs. The resolution before the committee also included code waivers to allow the city to manage the property more like a commercial owner during the interim period before a nonprofit operator is fully established.
The committee approved the motion to move the matter to the full Board with a positive recommendation. The item will return to the Board of Supervisors for final action; Penick said a phase 2 leasing and operations plan would come back in spring 2025.
Action: Moved to the full Board with a positive recommendation; committee vote recorded as Vice Chair Mandelmann: Aye; Member Melgar: Aye; Chair Chan: Aye (member noted excused).
