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Committee backs transfer of Francisco Reservoir to Rec & Park, citing strong local fundraising
Summary
The committee recommended sending to the full Board a resolution approving jurisdictional transfer of the decommissioned Francisco Reservoir to Rec & Park, noting $9M+ in private pledges for development and a 12-year payment plan to the PUC for a $9.9 million purchase price.
The Budget and Finance Committee on July 16 voted to send to the full Board a jurisdictional-transfer resolution approving the transfer of Francisco Reservoir and surrounding land from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission to the Recreation and Park Department.
Supervisor Mark Farrell described a multi-year effort involving neighborhood groups, the PUC and Rec & Park to convert the dormant reservoir into a roughly 4.5-acre park with citywide access. Stacy Bradley, a Rec & Park planner, said the department negotiated a $9.9 million purchase price payable over 12 years to the PUC and reported that private and philanthropic pledges total approximately $9 million (with further pledges expected) to support construction and an endowment for maintenance.
Bradley outlined how Rec & Park’s acquisition policy prioritizes high-need or open-space-deficient areas, available funding for acquisition and sites that support varied recreation uses. She said the planned park would provide a mix of passive and active uses, including playgrounds, potential dog areas, and habitat improvements, and would fill service gaps identified by the department’s analysis.
The Budget and Legislative Analyst’s report estimated Recreation and Park Department payments to PUC would total about $10.67 million over 12 years. The analyst recommended amendment language asking Rec & Park to report to the Board by Dec. 31, 2014 on acquisition strategy and to review how District 6 outreach might be replicated citywide. Committee members asked about equity, fundraising capacity in other neighborhoods and prioritization; staff said the Reservoir is a citywide resource given its size and access.
A lengthy public comment period featured dozens of neighborhood and nonprofit speakers who described broad support and emphasized the park’s benefits for seniors, children and neighborhood quality of life. Supervisor moved to forward Item 2 with the analyst’s recommendations; the committee accepted the motion without objection. The full Board will consider the jurisdictional transfer and the department’s required reporting.
