MEETING OF THE CIVIC DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE
OF THE SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION
Monday, April 18, 2016
2:00 p.m.
401 Van Ness Avenue, Room 125

Minutes
 

Committee Chair Cass Calder Smith called the meeting to order at 2:06 p.m.

1. Roll Call
   Commissioners Present
   Cass Calder Smith, Chair
   Dorka Keehn
   Abby Sadin Schnair
   Kimberlee Stryker

   ​Commissioners Absent
   Paul Woolford
   Kathrin Moore, ex officio

   Staff Present
   Jill Manton, Director of Public Art Trust and Special Initiatives
   Aleta Lee, Program Associate Public Art Trust and Special Initiatives

2. Public Comment
   There was no public comment.
    
3. Consent Calendar 
   There was no public comment, and the Consent Calendar was approved unanimously as follows.

   1.     Motion to approve Jerry Garcia Sidewalk Plaques on 4550 Mission Street and 5099 Mission Street. 

4. Gate Park Boat Playground Restroom Project: Conceptual Review
   Melina Markarian, Project Designer, Public Works, BDC
   Dan Mauer, Project Manager, Recreation and Park Department
   Jane Chan, Architect, Public Works, BDC
   Lizzy Hirsch, Landscape Architect, Public Works, BDC
     
   The design team presented a proposal to install a traditional, free standing restroom located near the Golden Gate Park Boat Playground on 45^th Ave. and Lincoln. They shared a map of existing free standings restrooms in Golden Gate Park, exhibiting the need to have one at the Boat Playground due to its remote location to restroom access. Providing vicinity views, existing conditions of the site, and a concept site plan, the design team suggested the restrooms be located across the dirt path from the playground and screened from the street with shrubs and trees.
     
   The Committee discussed the project, including building location and nearby seating. In response to location, the team noted that they would like the building to be far enough from the path that it doesn’t become a focal point or eye catching element in that corridor. As for seating, the design team replied that they would consider using the area of the bathroom facility design designated for a water fountain as a possible place for seats, since the playground already had a water fountain.
     
   The Committee propose that the next time the project come to Civic Design Review, that they would present for Phase 1, 2, & 3 as it replicates details of the Marina Green restrooms.
     
   Public Comment:
   Dyanna Quizon, of Supervisor Katy Tang’s Office, said that they’ve been working on project for past 3 years and have gotten a lot of support for this basic necessity this facility will provide for children. Supervisor Tang has made this a priority, making sure the budget allows for this facility to be implemented. She shared that this is a beloved playground in the community and to have this facility would be great.
     
   There was no further public comment.
     
5. Sewer System Improvement Program (SSIP): Informational Presentation 
   Karen Kubick, Program Director, SF PUC
   Shelby Campbell, Project Manager, SF PUC
   Erika Uribe, Design Manager, AECOM
     
   The design team presented a high level overview of the Sewer System Improvement Program. Initial Phase 1 projects of the Southeast Treatment Plant Upgrade include the 521/522 & Disinfection Upgrades, Headworks Facility, Power Feed & Primary Switchgear Upgrades, and Biosolids Digester Facilities. From the SSIP Phase 1 projects, $5.3 million will be allocated for the arts as part of the 2% Allocation for Arts program. The design team also presented campus design guidelines to improve user experience and provide identity and consistency throughout their facilities.
     
   The Committee stated that this presentation was a good introduction to the program, and it was helpful to have in design guidelines established early on in the planning process. The Committee mentioned that the design team should start considering an art master plan in conjunction with the rebuild of the power plant, as well as begin siting locations and programming artworks to be part of the campus.
     
   There was no public comment.
      
6. Treasure Island Ferry Shelter and Bus Shelters: Phase #3
   Bob Beck, Project Manager, TIDA
   Julian Pancoast, Project Manager, TICD
   Amy Eliot, Architect, Dilworth Eliot Studio, Inc.
   Blake Shelton, Landscape Architect, AECOM
     
   The design team presented their revisions in response to Phase 2 comments. The Ferry Shelter’s horizontal base piece has been lowered, resulting in the elimination of the backing of the external benches. This has allowed for better views in and out of the shelter. The design team further developed the roof details of the shelters with variegated wood planks and refined the media center panels by making it more minimal and changing its levels of brightness. Lastly, bus shelter materials have been updated to be more distinctive and not directly related with the ferry shelter.
     
   The Committee discussed the project including the possibility to float the media centers and having the glass fritted for bird safety. They also took notice that the seating within the shelter had been updated to a new design. They preferred the old design proposed in Phase 2, rather than the ones presented in this phase.
     
   There was no public comment, and the motion was unanimously approved as follows.
     
   Motion to approve Phase 3 of the Treasure Island Ferry Shelter project, excluding plaza seating, and contingent upon post-Phase 3 review and approval of the seating.
      
7. SFO Consolidated Administration Campus: Phase #1
   Rick Thall, Project Manager, SFO
   Jeff Till and Mark Cavagnero, Project Designers, Perkins + Will/ Mark Cavagnero Associates Joint Venture
   Sarah Rege, Architect, Perkins + Will/ Mark Cavagnero Associates Joint Venture
   Gary Strang, Landscape Architect, GLS Landscapes
     
   The design team discussed their progression since Conceptual Design, speaking upon the central staircase, increase in floor-to-floor height and daylight reflecting films to bring in more daylight to the building, and the increase of communal spaces, such as the pop-up gathering spaces for people informal convening. Phase 1 of the building will encompass building the entry lobby, while Phase 2 will build out for the café space and outdoor terrace. Additionally, Phase 2 will encompass work on the plaza and air train elevated pedestrian bridge.
     
   The Committee discussed better integration of the pop-up structures, the need for a pedestrian walkway – as it seemed to compete with the street entryway, and further development of green areas and landscape in the design. The Committee also encouraged that the design team create more rigorous design guidelines for the buildings to have a more harmonious and cohesive set of buildings.
     
   There was no public comment, and the motion was unanimously approved as follows.
     
   Motion to approve Phase 1 of the San Francisco Airport Consolidated Administration Campus project, contingent upon further developing the following elements before Phase 2: pop-up structures, the elevated pedestrian walkway, competing entryways, green areas and landscape design.
      
8. Traffic Company and Forensic Service Division Project: Conceptual Review
   Charles Higueras, Project Manager, Public Works, BDC
   James Aquilar, Architect, HOK
   John Dennis, Landscape Architect, Public Works, BDC
     
   The design team discussed the project, speaking upon the goals of fitting two different users, the Traffic Company and Forensic Service, into a sustainable, functional, secure, and collaborative work space. They touched upon the existing conditions, neighborhood identity, and surrounding areas of the location. As a program driven building, they hope to focus on the circulation, destination, and programs of the users. Providing a site plan, the design team located points of user functionality, including a back staff parking lot, as well as a plaza, courtyards, and living roofs for respite.
     
   The Committee asked about the public art projects that would be associated with the project. $2 million will be allocated to the arts through the Percent for the Arts program; however, a challenge is that members of the public would not be allowed in the interior of the building without special permission. Thus, the artist and the design team would need to identify a way that the artwork may be either at the exterior of the building or able to be seen through glass. An idea also arose that the façade of the building be a location for art itself. The Committee praised the modernism and design for such a functional building, and also praised the integration of various green spaces throughout the building, interior and exterior.
     
   Public Comment:
   A member of the public, a local police officer, spoke that he thinks the building will add life to the area, and that his team appreciates how this project will create more space, parking, and revitalization to the neighborhood.
     
   The Captain of the Forensic Division spoke that he would like that the requirement for cleanliness and sterility be kept in mind while constructing this building. He also expressed that functionality and allowing the division to successfully perform their operations is important in driving this project.
     
   There was no further public comment.
     
9. Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center Renovation: Phase #3
   Paul De Freitas, Project Designer, Public Works
   Karen Mauney-Brodek, Project Manager, Recreation and Park Department
   Edmund Shum, Architect, Public Works
   Kathleen O’Day, Landscape Architect, Public Works
   Koa Pickering, Landscape Architect, Public Works
     
   The design team presented their changes based upon comments made during their Phase 2 review. The team noted that it was an extended process between Phase 2 and Phase 3 because they needed to find a different public artist, as well as negotiate how the specific art piece related to the picnic area. The three comments addressed include refining the ramp and stair design, resolving the relationship of public art to picnic tables, and using straight linear pattern on the aluminum sun shades. The ramp was reviewed informally with Commissioner Cass Calder Smith where ramp was eliminated and short gentle path inserted instead. The public art piece was developed to be truly integrated into the location, dependent on the sun to create specific patterns on the wood totem pieces. The design team thanked Justine Topfer of the SFAC staff for her involvement and helping to coordinated the art pieces.
     
   The Committee praised the project and had no further comment. There was no public comment and the motion was unanimously approved as follows.
     
   Motion to approve Phase 3 of the Glen Canyon Park Recreation Center project.
    

10. Visual Arts Committee Update 
    Commissioner Keehn presented the sculpture by Cliff Garten for the Bayview Entrance Way, which is based on the history of the Islais Creek. She also presented the glass artwork by Amanda Hughen and Jennifer Starkweather for the Union Square subway entrance, which is based on traffic patterns. Lastly, she presented the artwork designed by WOWHAUS for the Noe Valley Town Square Park, showing the original sculpture of owls. She shared that the owl design will be revised. 
     

11. New Business & Announcements
    Commissioner Keehn announced that in June she would present on the strategic plan for site locations of artwork in the Southwest terminal at the SFO airport. 
     
    There was no further new business or announcements, and no public comment.
     
12. Adjournment 
    There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m.
    posted 5/2/16, 1:05 p.m., akl
    revised 5/18/2016
    approved 6/6/16

Language Accessibility

Translated written materials and interpretation services are available to you at no cost. For assistance, please notify Director of Special Projects and Civic Design Review Program Manager Jill Manton, 415-252-2226, jill.manton@sfgov.org.

我們將為閣下提供免費的書面翻譯資料和口譯服務。如需協助，Director of Special Projects and Civic Design Review Program Manager Jill Manton, 415-252-2226, jill.manton@sfgov.org.

Materiales traducidos y servicios de interpretación están disponibles para usted de manera gratuita. Para asistencia, notifique a Director of Special Projects and Civic Design Review Program Manager Jill Manton, 415-252-2226, jill.manton@sfgov.org.

Ang mga materyales na nakasalin sa ibang wika at ang mga serbisyong tagapagsalin sa wika ay walang bayad. Para sa tulong, maaring i-contact si Director of Special Projects and Civic Design Review Program Manager Jill Manton, 415-252-2226, jill.manton@sfgov.org.