News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 2, 2009

For more information, contact:
Gary Widman, 415-435-0360 - gwidman [at] mindspring.com
Whit Hall, 707-778-6975 - whithall [at] comcast.net
http://www.presidioassociation.org//savethepresidio.org//savepresidio.blogspot.com

Critics Laud Withdrawal of Presidio Art Museum Proposal

The Presidio Historical Association (PHA) today applauded Gap founder Don Fisher’s decision to withdraw his proposal to build a museum for his personal art collection on the Presidio of San Francisco’s historic Main Post.

Fisher’s proposal was endorsed in 2008 by the Presidio Trust, the federal agency managing real estate in the Presidio National Park. The proposal had generated criticism from history, environmental, military and neighborhood associations as well as San Francisco city agencies.

Presidio Historical Association President Gary Widman said, “Mr. Fisher’s decision to drop his proposal to build a massive museum on the Presidio’s most historically significant site is the right thing to do.”

“The City of San Francisco and the public will greatly benefit if the Fisher family selects a more visitor-friendly location that does not destroy this unique National Historic Landmark,” he said.

Widman also thanked the thousands of individuals who opposed the Presidio Trust’s attempt to turn the heart of the Presidio National Park into an urban mall.

“We appreciate all those who demonstrated their responsibility and courage by speaking out against the Presidio Trust’s misguided, inappropriate and -- we believe -- unlawful proposals.”

Widman noted that the Presidio’s Main Post, which dates back to 1776, is still at risk, since the Presidio Trust is proceeding with its efforts to approve construction of a massive luxury hotel and expanded multiplex movie theater in that historic area.”

A document released today by the Presidio Trust suggests that although the Fisher family has withdrawn its museum proposal, the Trust may continue to push for a new building in the museum’s proposed location. ###

Related quotes:

***David Bancroft, Co-Founder, SaveThePresidio, dbancroft [at] sideman.com, 415/706-8779

“The Fisher museum on the Main Post was a very wrongheaded idea. But the Fishers have made a graceful exit and deserve our complete support in obtaining an alternative site. The Trust should now call a "time out", and hold a colloquium with the community on what should be the vision for the Main Post, not just continue to push its plans to urbanize it with a new large hotel and a multiplex theater.”

***Becky Evans, Chair, Presidio Committee of the Sierra Club, rebecae [at] earthlink.net, 415/775-3309

“We are pleased that this phase of the long fight to protect the Presidio's Main Post is over. The historic and natural resources of the Presidio are unique; the public has stepped in to preserve them. Hopefully, Mr. Fisher will find a transit-rich site in San Francisco for his art collection.”

***Don Green, Chair of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Presidio Work Group, dsga22 [at] aol.com, 415-646-6085

“The Presidio Trust Directors and staff acted irresponsibly in July 2007 when they enthusiastically supported Fisher’s request to lease and build upon public land at the Presidio’s Main Post for his contemporary art collection museum. The Trust has spent nearly $2 million in public funds to promote this project without consulting the National Park Service which roundly rejected it in early 2008. We hope that Mr. Fisher promptly moves on the repeated requests by San Francisco’s Mayor and Board of Supervisors to locate his museum in San Francisco.

***Col. Whit Hall (ret.), 202nd Commandante of the Presidio of San Francisco (1979-1982), Past President of the Presidio Historical Association, whithall [at] comcast.net,707-778-6975

“There is a place for everything, but the Presidio is a unique place with over 200 years of America’s heritage. Mr. Fisher finally recognized that the Presidio is not the place for a contemporary art museum. Now we are hoping that the Presidio Trust will make the right decision also and rethink its plans to convert the heart of this historic landmark into an arts and civic center. Let’s respect our heritage with a great experience for the public in appreciating what a wonderful part of America the Golden Gate region is. Two thousand people said that they wanted an historic Presidio in their comments to the Presidio Trust.”

***Alan Silverman, President, Marina Community Association, alansilverman185 [at] comcast.net, 415/346-4164

“The Marina Community Association hopes that the Fisher family will consider other options that have been offered to them by the City of San Francisco. By building the contemporary art museum elsewhere in the City, they will be able to offer the public the chance to see the art collection and while maintaining the Presidio as a National Historic Landmark.”