City Threatens to Demolish Historic Pedestrian Archways in Golden Gate Park

(San Francisco) -- Bypassing Superior Court Judge James Warren as he contemplates the legality of an 800-stall garage in Golden Gate Park, the Golden Gate Park Concourse Authority (GGPCA) and the Music Concourse Community Partnership (MCCP) plan to demolish and excavate the two remaining, century-old pedestrian tunnels located adjacent to the California Academy of Sciences, beginning Monday, June 14th.

A special permit issued today by the Department of Parking and Traffic will allow them to close public access and divert the #44 MUNI bus for the next nine months at an unknown expense to the City taxpayers. A similar permit was issued on April 23rd, retroactively and fraudulently authorizing the road closures for April 10 to May 10, during which mature trees were illegally cut down and the 108-year old northeast pedestrian tunnel was demolished.

The MCCP had previously promised the state Court of Appeals that no irreversible damage would befall the Music Concourse if the preliminary injunction issued by the Superior Court on March 12 was lifted. The MCCP represented to the court that a $5 million fund would be set aside to restore the Music Concourse if they lose in court. However, there has been no fund set aside, and much more than $5 million in damage has already taken place since the injunction was set aside on March 25.

Asked to provide a time line and plans for their construction, the MCCP has consistently refused to provide information about their operations or financial arrangements to pay for their construction. MCCP’s Richard Young insists they are not subject to the Sunshine Ordinance.

Members of the Alliance for Golden Gate Park and their legal defense committee, Save Golden Gate Park!, filed declarations this morning with the Superior Court to inform it of the current destructive activities threatening the historic jewel of Golden Gate Park, the Music Concourse. A ruling that could stop garage construction is expected any day.


In mid-December, 2003, Volker Law Offices filed a Verified Petition for Writ of Mandate and Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief, for the Alliance, SGGP!, and three board members, Christopher Duderstadt, Janice Rothstein and Stephen Willis. Almost two years ago, the City Attorney claimed that the three concourse projects, the deYoung Museum, the Academy of Sciences and the garage, were independent of one another, and don’t require a comprehensive Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Now, the City Attorney and MCCP argue that the predicted success of the New deYoung Museum depends on the garage which they failed to adequately review.

Save Golden Gate Park! seeks a comprehensive EIR and City compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

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