Parkmerced's Modern Landscape Design

Landscape Changes Continue Un-Abated

2009-09-04T11:24:00.000-07:00

Parkmerced Investors and Stellar Management continue to work on landscape work, un-abated. New fern/palms adorn prior empty grass circles, boundary sides of the site have new "security" fencing. Additional signage pops up consistently overnight as lawn signage, or new "directional" signage. Entry features have been added at axis ends of the site. SFSU/CSU although facing major budget issues, consistently is working on landscape, and proposed rennovations for the fall term, while students struggle with increased housing and tuition. Meanwhile there is little information on the Historical Resources Analysis published by Page and Turnbull on parkmerced, and the AIA SF Arch in the city tour 2009 of Parkmerced sponsored by DOCOMOMO has been requested to be removed by Parkmerced Investors, Stellar Management and Craig Hartman of SOM. Sept. 2, 2009, noted in the SF Chronicle a $10,000.00 donation to Gavin Newsomes re-election campaign by Parkmerced Investors. Sept. 4th notes a possible revision to EIR/SF Planning Review by Gavin Newsome that highlights speeding up major EIR projects and review through the use of consultants. As the months progress, issues of "pay-to-play" development and the concerns of a total disregard for the need for new affordable rental housing is ignored by planning departments new EIR www.sfgov.org under Planning Dept. SF, Major Env. Analysis 2007.1275E. The stakes consistently increase, and few people in the economic concerns and issues, are aware of the total loss of this site. Although many photos have been taken consistently I have not been able to update the site based on these issues, but will continue to try and add images of the changes throughout the process, which dileate ongoing rennovations inappropriate to the site.

Notice of Preparation Environmental Impact Report

2009-05-25T22:22:00.000-07:00

May 20th 2009 Parkmerced Investors LLP filed a NOP with the city and county of SF for an Environmental Impact Report for Parkmerced.
The document is available for viewing at www.sfgov.org
under agencies / planning dept. / MEA Major Environmental Analysis /
# 2008.00021E Parkmerced NOP

Scoping Hearing Date was set for June 8th, 2009 Monday 6-8pm at the Stonestown YMCA Annex

Comments may be sent until 5:00pm on June 19th to the Planning Dept. Attn: Bill Wycko.

(Additional Photos of changes since 2008/November will be posted shortly)

Why people enjoy parkmerced...

2008-11-17T12:47:00.000-08:00

Enjoyable, fall day, sunny skies, open space, and wonderfull lighting of the buildings and landscaped areas. The enjoyment does not come from the construction, the rennovations, or the consistent efforts to "change" parkmerced. It comes from the basic premise that well designed spaces and communities engender communal and shared respect of the spaces. Its obvious when you walk the site, what areas are cared for, what areas are neglected, and what areas "belong" to people, renter's, seniors, students, and families.

Architectural Abomination(s)

2008-11-17T12:40:00.000-08:00

This photo represents the most recent attempts to ruin a modern development, in the recent front door change of a unit along crespi drive, noted and used currently by management as the "show-unit" for parkmerced. They have gone in removing all the interior doors, and replaced them with "home-depot" specials, along with tacky, half-window palladian lights on the front door, and large shiny brass hardware. The installation of such non-fitting design highlights the non-appreciation of the developer and rennovation team with the current physical design and simplicity of the existing doors and units. This typical effort to ruin parkmerced, prior to any adequate historical resources review, and state protection per the preservation laws deems the owners "un-worthy" of the ownership of such a parcel. I immediately sent an email to the owners representatives asking why such a door was installed, they are currently researching "why this occured" and have yet to formally respond to such a blatant negligent act of architectural abomination.

Parkmerced ad 1955 coutesty of www.outsidelands.org

2008-11-17T12:38:00.000-08:00

Air view of parkmerced

2008-11-17T12:36:00.000-08:00

air view of parkmerced, www.outsidelands.org

Block 11 images

2008-10-08T15:39:00.000-07:00

Was wandering the site again, and taking odd photos and found some interesting inner courtyards that had smaller curvelinear designs, assymetric layouts, and full mature plantings in the block shared areas. A tribute to the creativity of the designers who had variation at every location.

The impending planning issues and political machinations

2008-10-08T15:24:00.000-07:00

The Planning department has begun the discussion along with the supervisor on the western neighborhoods and possible developments and impacts. Please send your issues to the Supervisors, Planners, and elected officials, as this will be on the agenda soon enough. The Oct. 2nd planning dept. meeting discussed the upcoming issue of traffic impacts, though no mention of rental housing impacts or possible destruction of historical resouces has been mentioned. The SFGTV link on the www.sfgov.org website allows you to flip to the 19th ave. item, and comment. With the implementation of the eastern neighborhoods and a total disregard for the General Housing Element and imbalance of rental and "market" rate development in SF, there is a definitive need for new and creative development that is similar in scale and size to parkmerced. The developers and private interests along with the mayor's office will assuredly make this a "beauty paegant project" and Transit oriented development emphasizing "sustainability" and green. But the real effects, and focus on a highly green and sustainable original development and the loss of its character and integrity is what is at risk.

Landscape Block 38

2008-09-18T15:24:00.005-07:00

Landscape images block 43

2008-09-18T15:24:00.004-07:00

details, space, and remains....

2008-09-18T15:24:00.003-07:00

Wonderfull wood detailing on the entry areas often are missed by people who live here, I asked a student who was sitting on his porch if he new what the design motif was? No idea, I asked him if he knew thomas dolliver church, no idea...I asked if he liked the detail, yep... Another space on the side of units, open for intent and use, is there for the taking. A pair of chairs, a card-table, shade on a sunny day. Spaces like this small un-owned except for the community that misses its true nature as shared community ammenity. And of course I find more "stumps" older cut down areas, looking over the maintenance yard I see the "parkmerced ad rv" which I wonder deeply how many replanted trees this vehicle could have planted on site, and restored the image, and cut landscape. Why talk to people who dont appreciate, and whose lives revolve around dollars and cents....

re-painted views, and spaces excluded...

2008-09-18T15:24:00.002-07:00

A nicer image of a planter box on arballo, than a view of a painted stepped planter. The stairs go up, to a prior "sun-deck" space, since closed and fenced off, part of it is peeled back enough for some adventurous students or kids, to climb up and find a little smoking corner. The idea of this being re-used or utilized and refurbished by the owner seems out of the question due to liability. But the add of a proper rail, and use as a sun-deck, view spot, and even a shared community garden area for residents of arballo may provide rejuvenation for an underused unmaintained space.

All things "applied"......

2008-09-18T15:24:00.001-07:00

Parkmerced's ongoing "plastering" of the site, includes the shown trim, cornice, and corner board vertical shown on block 37 "private arballo" which was the high end area of parkmerced due to assigned parking on the smaller loop road. These units are larger, and have views or private patio spaces. The front yard on two units was "re-planted" with drought resistant plantings. (typically they collect garbage) and the trim leads across the header of the door on one photo and dies. All things applied, plastered, added, thought as to its effects, besides profit, not many other motives.

Quality additions, visual pastiche, and dollhouse blues...

2008-09-18T15:24:00.000-07:00

I watched intently as the owners did the additions, trim, and accessorizing of the units. I watched as tons of materials went into plastering pre-manufactured off-site window frames, and caulk tubes get used up kitschifying and dollhousing the buildings on site. (Originally I protested to the SF board of Appeals on this, they responded that it was only "minor" alterations when there were only 3 permits and over 30 units being "worked-on" as a "mock-up" for the rest of the neighborhoods. The trim, on these windows due to construction of base units on gonzalez, are ill fitted, and look terrible on closer inspection. They added cornices, corner bands, and shutters that appear "tacked-on" and are against the minimal, and modern intentions of the original colonial modernism of the site. Visually the bottom sills appear to break through the tacked on trim, demanding that they remain in the fore-front.

Upkeep, and intentions

2008-08-29T13:02:00.000-07:00

Carefully look at the tower recently painted, lines of patching, a thin added final coat, a quick finish, an obvious need for a second layer. The effort is meaningfull, but the execution questionable, and the intent is what we worry about most. Is it for a quick re-sale? Is the work to just push onward with the "new"? The meadow area shown had a huge tree that toppled back in 2006 approx. during a storm. Tenants checked it out, and the following week the tree was removed. The grass replanted. The tree never replaced. What is the owner's intentions, if not to profiteer? If profit is taken out of the equation, why does the emphasis remain on removing trees, and not replacing the dead or removed stumps? We had a courtyard tree removed over a month ago, no effort on removing the stump, no reason why the tree needed to be removed, no replacement tree. Just the Lorax standing on a stump, demanding to know why that tree was removed? Perhaps the Parkmerced Investor's LLP should tour the site, and see what there efforts are improving and what items they should themselves question?......

sunlight plays a special part of the site design

2008-08-29T12:53:00.000-07:00

Sunlight does wonders for parkmerced, not only does the morning and afternoon become great places for people to walk, sit, play, but the sun provides great imagery, on the buildings, trees, and avenues. The mold and mildew is often held back by the sunlight able to get between buildings. The SFSU campus had legal issues related to densifying the campus, which promoted more mold growth. To build dense and tall in this neighborhood would promote health issues with mold growth. To provide low-scaled architecture that allows in the radial street design to bring sunlight in on the majority of faces of the buildings improves the sunlights work on the plants, and units. Kids play with their parents on a newly "rennovated" playground. We had pushed for involvement and joint effort on this, parkmerced management ignored us on this issue, selecting equipment that is small, and un-eventfull for children. Already parents question the selections, a lack of decent swings, merry-go-rounds, a sandbox, or other ammenties that would add to the bleak nature of the playscapes installed. The simple seating and areas built by the original design would be highly used if only the maintenance and improvements were co-sponsored and integrated with the original design. A group of students BBQ'd this last week adjacent to the 405 Serrano tower, a large gathering, an enjoyable afternoon, they brought in metal chairs, and did not use the simple low planter walls. Perhaps they were ignorant of the original design intent. Perhaps a simple installed BBQ area would improve the use? Well we do know towers are planned on both empty spaces per the Parkmerced "vision". This will eliminate any enjoyment in the sunny ends of days we witness here in these images.

Courtyards and views @ Parkmerced

2008-08-29T12:44:00.000-07:00

Some courtyard views like the one shown here in sunset, will be blocked by larger rise buildings proposed by the developers. The simple rectangular courts, with large trees, providing shade and open space for play and community use will be eliminated. The larger trees that were planted back at the golf-course development, or prior, will be gone. These trees already show wear, due to topping, and cutting of the inner portions of the trees, making them side or edge heavy. This speeds their destruction. Another courtyard has a wonderfull tree, the side planters barren due to improper irrigation, the courtyard dryer rack posts and lines eliminated, the only new implementation is the security wiring, or electrical lines for com-cast. Meanwhile a bike sits, with junk now accumulating. This is a space for use, for community, through lack of maintenance it becomes fodder for developers to redo areas. Only through community effort can spaces like this thrive. The progression from maintained to unmaintained to maintained leads through these three courts. The last one it has been noted that 2-3 new families or renter's have moved here adjacent to the saturday farmers market. Perhaps with effort and focused improvements that do not destroy, Parkmerced would be full again with SF citizens, families, seniors, students, and revitalize itself and the pocket books of the owners. But time is needed, and parkmerced does not seem to have time on its side.

Images of the landscape

2008-08-29T12:39:00.000-07:00

Some views of landscaped areas along serrano, crespi, and the western edge of the site off arballo. The courtyards, to be eliminated, the trees, eliminated, and the lowscaled open space engulfed on crespi with 225,000 s.f. of retail and transit. Some people living here now will not be here in the future. But what happens to the ideas of this complex. The importance of creating enough stock of rental housing to support methods of ownership beyond purchase and "for-sale" housing. The city to date has not implemented its share of rental affordable units. The SF general plan is consistently ignored and the city is negligent for its actions.

Painting a canvas (color theory 101)

2008-08-29T12:29:00.000-07:00

Images and color-theory for parkmerced. With the new painting of the towers, they do start looking more austere, and sharp in contrast. The whiter neutral colors help the towers to stand solidly as images of a modern complex. We throw in here an image of the landscape which shows why the nature pushes to the forefront with a neutral and light background. The plants have a natural darker tone. The two images of blocks repainted and "accessorized" show the poor selection of colors, the windows and entry features are now emphasized. Some tenants (un-educated in color theory) find the marketing tactics, and varied color schemes to be enjoyable. The added trim work crowds the prior flat and plain buildings, the over-emphasis on tacked on materials and board panels, water table trim and accessorized openings does not add to the charm, it over-amplifies it.. Thus the term "Kitsch" in german "over-done"... The new lights are a consistent add and have been popping up throughout again, along with new mailbox openings, it seems the owners want to try the craftsman style, with the light selections, and the nautical ones. Again taking accent to the extreme. I would have preferred they attempted a straightforward rennovation, in line with State Dept. of Interior Standards on rennovations, abiding by preservation rules, and trying to improve the look without the accessories. Recent articles on similar efforts on east coast properties owned by stellar management begin to question intent, and the eventual proposed "tear-down" of the lower units questions further "sustainablity" and intent for all the money being placed into the "rennovations" and newness of parkmerced.

SFSU Students must be back in town... Trash/Graffiti and...

2008-08-29T12:18:00.000-07:00

The empty parking areas, the quiet strolls will be ended soon. SFSU is back in session. Again the increase is quite notable, in the number of students moving into parkmerced. The trash bins overflow with waste, boxes, ikea catalogs, and general excess. SFSU was to embark on more of a concerted effort on sustainable and shared materials, or a resource system but this never materialized in time for the fall schedule. Furniture begins to litter areas, as move-ins typically dont "measure" their units, and are forced to "abandon" furniture, or make a new purchase and dump in adjoining areas. A couple young ladies, recent move-ins, decorate their entry way with chalk symbolizing their new found freedom, and accessorizing the entry to encourage others to drop in and party. We do hope they are open to all visitors, as this is a "neighborhood" and of course its always nice to invite your adjoining neighbors a shared BBQ or evening soiree is fine, and not just invite half the SFSU campus for keggers. Will have to wait and see how the Party situation on site, occurs this year, as it usually starts slow, but the residents do start complaining quickly when out-of-control parties start to rise in number. Students were not notified of the recent changes in the renter's packets, the increased rent costs for "rennovated" units, nor the issues of construction sites at the library. The UPS blocks also have recent implemented changes like locked laundry room doors, that were prior open allowing pass-through of blocks. Once again the SFSU campus housing group ignores community. It is obvious when you walk the blocks that they are not maintaining units. Some areas look visually distressed due to non-maintenance and some areas are a serious hazard. The university corporation could be easily sued due to the lack of proper housing maintenance on the UPS and UPN blocks. We have sent notice of these issues to J.Porth of the relations PR dept. to SFSU.

Landscape(s) Planting(s) and "upgrade(s)"

2008-08-29T12:04:00.000-07:00

I find the upgrade business to be very "entertaining". When you see the rush to plant, to make, to do, (sim. to a home depot fashion mall) the effort is seen to make changes and not review the selections. The front entry ways of the towers have been "improved" by entry glass canopies. The tops of which already are "dirty" and the lighting of which is questionable in quantity since this is a supposed "sustainable" change. The plantings selected are "birch" and "grasses" that tend to be allergy plants. The plants themselves already show the ability to accumulate "trash" and are low maintenance to help in reducing our energy use, and water use on site. The grass today on site in the middle of a hot morning was being watered (tends to burn the grass and waste water) so why we are "replanting" seems questinable when the installed water system "the cadillac" of water control systems was never installed correctly or operated efficiently on site. Than you have the images of the new tree planted where once a majestic cypress tree stood. The other image shows the size of the meadow cypress trees. The new one a stick, that will take years to reach full maturity. What is interesting is that typically in urban forrestry replacement trees, you pick a sim. style or type, and one that is significantly "started" and of a larger root ball, possible a quick growing tree to also help in retaining the canopy lost. Again not the case and the urgency as shown was to remove the prior tree and planter, (once again a question of integrity) as they have not replaced the conc. box planter/seat, and instead have moved onto other projects on site. The usual effort of parkmerced is to fix quick, and not "back-check" the prior effort to ensure it is doing well. In a similar vein the tower painting a quick one-coat install shows bleed through on painted towers. So my guess is that they will be coming back through for another coat soon. The generator's in the landscape I noted in a previous post, already have been "enlarged" for plantings around the units, and tall black stacks now protrude from the tops (exhaust). Its so nice to have a landscape design interrupted by such boxes. Regardless of the emergency use and improvement to the towers, these boxes could have been sunken underground, or placed within the tower basements through alternative methods that may cost more, but would not impact visually the landscape as much.

Changes that affect "integrity" of a possible landmark district....

2008-07-30T23:20:00.000-07:00

A)Trim again is being added, this time stapled around the windows, with additional shutters being plastered on the prior minimal facades. Prior the trim was manufactured off site on other block changes, this time its more of a hurry to get it in...

B) plantings changed for "showcase" units emphasize drought resistant plantings, and change the original plant types without review.

C) Did you order a crown? Like mall designs, the units on Arballo are being served a crown, as large moldings painted black are added to the tops of units, a quick search online determines that no permits were issued for this work, again the city is not paying attention to developments and change in character and alterations that affect a possible landmark candidate.

D) Revise, Revise, Revise, until no-one knows whats new or old, the planters out front of the towers were being worked on again today, in addition landscape installed less than a few years ago, is removed and other types will be planted. What a waste, as usual, no input, no review, no info. on the costs, and waste of this effort on the landscape changes. Jackhammers go during the day, more signs of un-habitability of these units with on-going construction, landscape work, and development daily.. Moving trucks appear more frequently, students move in, families move out...

generators in the landscape

2008-07-30T23:13:00.000-07:00

What to do with "upgrades", rennovations included on the towers elevator upgrades, now large mechanical boxes dot the landscape between the towers. Could they be placed underground out of site? Was this the best option or was there a better alternative? Safety improvements are needed, but what is the overall costs? The tree removed near the meadow was over 80+ years old, and may have been a historic landmarkable tree. The only thing it was disrupting was the pavement, now planter, pavement is removed, and a new box, and concrete pad take its place...Integrity comes into question when developers intentions dictate the future at the city level.

Images of the Landscape Design

2008-07-22T16:03:00.000-07:00

Some images of the landscape, walks through the site, random selection, versus what we see being "implemented".

SFSU Creative Arts Center vs. Parkmerced Community Recreation Area

2008-07-22T15:26:00.000-07:00

A few more images of the area, its sad condition emphasized through years of neglect already by the SFSU campus. Tenants were never compensated, or rent reduced due to the loss of used on this site, and obvious deterioration that has occured. SFSU's new creative arts center has a donor, and a new architect selected. What happens to our prior ammenity? What happenens to our open space. The SFSU purchase of this site should be highly questioned, and the permits protested until the community receives some form of compensation, and possibly our rent's reduced for the loss of use of the site, and its demise due to neglect. Parkmerced's original outlay of 191+ acres has been reduced by these "land-sales" to the SFSU Foundation. The overall effect on our neighborhood and loss of ammenities is why we keep seeing densification as the "trade-off" and not renewal of our facilities. Landmarking Parkmerced's original district boundaries, could place a hold on such land-bait-switch tactics that have subverted our prior control of these areas.

Parkmerced's Recreation Area (closed till creative arts center built)

2008-07-22T15:07:00.000-07:00

A sad sign of what occurred during the prior "land-sales" to the SFSU Foundation is the prior ammenity of the recreation site of parkmerced. These images of the recreation center, and fields shows what has occured since the purchase by the SFSU Foundation, and transfer to CSU, for the future "Creative Arts Center" of SFSU. When parkmerced was built numerous children and adults congregated at this site as a community center. Since post leona-helmsley, the maintenance was deferred and post owners let the site decay. The installation of the montessori school breathed new life into the building for a time but the eventual shift of the school, and quick sell-off to the SFSU Foundation brought on only additional neglect. The center is currently closed, and used by the university as a storage bin. The basketball courts used by students is in terrible neglect, with cracked pavement, and no nets. The landscape areas are not maintained or cleaned, and the handball courts only accessible by walking in around the site. The fencing on site locks off most access on weekdays, and weekends, and the tennis courts seem also to be neglected. There are tenants and students who use the site, and the SFSU Softball signage is the only seemingly maintained portion of the site. The Softball woman's team had to fight to get the space as it is, and thus SFSU due to "explained" lack of funding seems unable to maintain or keep up what they have purchased. Therefore the need for "donor" sites, where funds are generated to create new facilities at the expense of other neighborhoods space. The low walls in the parcel seem a part of parkmerced, though lost to weeks and chain link fencing installed and locked up by the university, this area served a greater purpose which was open space for the tenants of parkmerced. The original design can be seen in the layout of the facilities and community center which had an open tunnel allowing access to the areas. Kids biked here from the towers, to play. Now the university stores its "emergency supplies" and only the softball field is made useable for the team sports. No areas used by tenants has been maintained or allowed to continue its prior function. No proposal by the SFSU Masterplanners, or the EIR and further MOU between the city and CSU regent negotiators included community input towards the original masterplanned community, its ammenities or there loss of use to the university! This again is how developments, state entities, and neglect all lead towards change that is not beneficial to the communities they prior served. The signage which states "Gate to remain locked in the open position during school hours or during public functions" does nothing to allow tenants in. They are now exluded members of the community. The wasted space, dead grass, deferred maintenance and locked gates show the treatment of community by the university and its masterplanners. Before kids biked all the way into this site, and could leave them un-attended. The c.v.c code posted denotes no such kid transport systems are allowed. Campus rules now dictate use, and lack of care. The SFSU Library gets the cash first, and the prior joint facilities are locked and fenced off, to prohibit tenants from enjoying the ammenities that were part of the original design of parkmerced.

405 Serrano Drive Huge Tree #1006 Removed

2008-07-22T14:50:00.000-07:00

Another tree was removed over the last weekend, between the towers at 405 Serrano Drive also known as "the meadow", this was done with last minute with a quick notification being posted on tenants doorways after 6pm. The memo was dated July 18, 2008, and noted that the tree removal was to occur Monday July 21st. Well these photos were taken on the morning prior to notification, prior to the 21st. On the friday There was a series of A-frame street signs posted with a worded note of tree-work and not to park, but no info. or marking of the tree to be removed. The memo itself notes that "As beautiful as this tree is its roots are causing HAVOC to our walkways, causing hazards and concerns." What hazard is not stated besides the pavemennt repair. The area already had portions redone as is visible in the photos, and although the planter is cracked considerably the age of the tree is noticeably old based on size. The tree could easily be landmarked, along with a number of other trees on the site by the current owner. The extent that the tree rooting is affecting building service lines was undocumented. The pavement wood strips were already just recently replaced to prevent tripping. And the photos appear to denote that the un-levelness was not the major concern. This was a huge tree, one that served as possible migration and nesting locations for birds. The tree was not able to defend itself, and as usual the information sent out at such a late notice and so last minute, shows the true nature of the development and the rush to "fix" from the prior neglect of tree-maintenance on site. These tree's had been topped prior and the growth outside on edges tends to cause splitting and internal deterioration. Although the "topping" was a prior concern of maintenance. The notice I viewed in the leasing office stated from Arborwell that they had been reviewing this site for over 10 years... (Where is the Lorax when you need one...?) Further tree-cutting is scheduled, and yet no overall information on numbers to be cut, stage of disease, or condition has been given to tenants to date. The landscape is formed by the canopy and trees, and when you drive the area, whether brotherhood way, parkmerced, SFSU, or neighboring major streets, its obvious maintenance, and care has never been the priority. Perhaps it should be for all of our futures....

Parkmerced's "Tree-cutting" vs. Arbor Day

2008-07-22T14:26:00.001-07:00

Parkmerced's recent forray into public relations, also includes some much needed attention, as the recent advertised "Arbor-Day" event which is being done in connection with the PRO group. The PRO tenant's group, is deeply concerned with the care and maintenance of the site as has raised this issue repeatedly with prior owners. Now a new owner comes along, and with it comes a "vision" for the future. Tree-maintenance and landscape review is now a part of this package. Arborwell has made a "tree-survey" on the site, and an Environmental Consultant has reviewed the natural habitats of some of the trees proposed for "removal". The difficult issue is in the report, the specifics, and the priorities. There are obvious dead tree's on site, and I have emphasized the need to remove the obvious dead tree's due to the known hazards witnessed in Stern Grove. There are the non-visible issues of tree-rot, and fungus growth, beetle infestation, and general age which we as individuals cannot discern so readily. Than there is the building lines, electrical, sewage, water, that in some cases have been compromised by tree-roots, in a similar vein the paths and paving. What determines whether a tree should be removed, replaced, or left to die of natural age? As a majority of the trees are at a 70-80 year growth on site, there is a difficult issue of how to preserve a modern landscape, while at the same time take into consideration the existing saftey and maintenance costs required. These images are of a tree-cutting that occured today on site Tuesday July 22, 2008 around 9-10am. The tree was not "labeled" as one to be removed. There was no permit posted on the tree, it was an obviously dead and distressed tree, yet, another one removed nearby seemed healthy and not in need of cutting? Other trees at the Juan Bautista Circle have been marked, some do not have the permit label. One tree was pointed out by the Arborwell foreman as "dangerous and in need of being removed" it was one of the smaller trees on the outer ring, part of the "right-of-way" on the circle. One tenant called the police, and Parkmerced supervisors were soon in the vicinity. Discussion with the officer, and the supervisors and tenant's took place with concern on method, saftey, permits not being posted, right-of-way hazards no being followed, and general concern for how this info was relayed. The Foreman from Arborwell had an 11x17 sheet with general blue dots noting trees to be removed today or in the near future. (Lots of them) Meanwhile the permit and the map did not particularly coincide or show precisely with numbering which trees per the permit were to be removed. In the world of paperwork and legal issues, its astounding that the map the foreman had did not specifically show the trees in the vicinity, and numbers to directly pin-point the tree to be removed. Again the lack of signage, or info. deems that the rules are followed haphazardly, and the need for oversight greater than ever. Tree #1285 was removed today from Juan Bautista Circle. The tree itself was not the problem, the lack of care, maintenance and proper process and notification in its removal was.

800 Brotherhood Way (Park or Development?)

2008-07-22T14:11:00.000-07:00

Drove by the 800 Brotherhood way site proposed for a 200 unit development on the south side of parkmerced. Thought I would again look from the access level and see what images these photos conjure up in you the viewers mind. The Benny Bufano statue was set there and the area dubbed the "peace-park" and has been used as such by the religious institutions on brotherhood for some time. The historic photos of the site show it as a dune-scape, and aireal historic photos show the steady demise of the property due to neglect. The city open-space provisions state clearly that open land and space should be acquired/preserved/maintained and protected. Yet the site here seems to be another target and victim of subversive development tactics. Steve Vettel a known land-use attorney noted in his statements to the Planning Commission that this site was never a "public-park". The photos seem to state differently. There is the statue, its use by neighboring groups along brotherhood, the park benches, the park-trash-bins, the rough access path that leads down brotherhood, and the demarcated edge on the perimeter that seperates the prior hill and parkmerced property edge, with the low lying green-space of the prior peace park outline. There is even tags from the city on maintenance, and checks on water lines in the park. Obviously there is a record of it being a "park" and the developer's tactics through prior Supervisor Tony Hall to switch the legal "wording" on brotherhood way to allow for this to become a "development" site is highly questionable actions. Than to top it all off the development was approved without an EIR per CEQA. No check on what birds may nest in this area, no check on where the parkmerced border is in relation to this site, and the prior use of the land that due to neglect ran it into the ground. What of the carcinogens located here due to it being a prior railroad line, and the run-off which goes direct to lakemerced? The city arts commission mandated protection for the statue so that it would be relocated and or protected. Well what happens to the trees, the landscape here? Why should we pay for park bonds when the open space we hold dear is sold off to the highest bidder through unscrupulous moves by development interests. The city should protect such land, and the open space for community use. The EIR should be mandated, the permits revoked. I have drafted legislation that looks at revoking the permits for this property as the joint effects of multiple developments was not checked per CEQA, and this PARK is part of those lasting effects that we as a neighborhood do not want.

SFSU CSU cuts trees along right-of-way without permits posted

2008-07-22T13:53:00.001-07:00

SFSU CSU again goes forward with development(s) and fails to notify surrounding communities of their ongoing devastation. A full mature grove of trees on the south side of the library along Holloway was cut down recently. There was no notification on the construction site fencing, and no posting of the pending work on the trees themselves. President Corrigan was noted standing along holloway with a police squad car observing early morning watch duties since the SFSU campus was seemingly un-aware of the work to be done. This street is a public right-of-way and as such trees within 15'-0" of the roadway would be required to be "permitted" prior to such work. Jason Porth PR man for the SFSU masterplan noted that CSU is not required to post signage or permits for such work. The police presence and President Corrigan's checking in shows what concern they have for tree-huggers who never appeared both from on the campus or from the neighborhood until it was too late. University officials should be held accountable for such work done without notification. If city and local developers are required to permit such tree-removal, than so should SFSU, and landmarking of trees on campus should also be a requirement by law so that development plans dont consistently over-ride tree-scape. No modern library regardless of the design, will replace the natural beauty lost to the chainsaws...

"Radiant City" + Sustainability = Parkmerced

2008-07-02T13:53:00.000-07:00

Interesting Film, "Radiant City" available at most video stores, which of course highlights why projects like Parkmerced deserve more "attention" and not destruction.

The last 50 years we have seen suburban sprawl and growth with no end. Average home sizes increased from 800sf in the 1950's to 2226sf in 2000 (US Census) The majority of new developments seem "soul-less" and without any sense of "community" being built.

The focus on developments and "life-style" living. Improving your personal being through larger space, ease of access to ammenities for commercial development, and the focus on getting you within 10-15 minutes drive to your ammenities.

Parkmerced once again, is a life-style, has large s.f. space, and ease of access to ammenities neighborhood areas, recreation and social spaces.

The new developments often end up enforcing more of the "pure-private" vs. the "pure-public"
Parkmerced's streets are public and open, the courtyards are shared and public social spaces.
Front and back of units see bothe sides, of the unit, and still allow a degree of privacy.

The emphasis in the film on the "mis-allocation" of resources can be emphasized in Parkmerced's "vision" where they propose tearing out what they just fixed... No info. has been made public on the real "condition" of the units.

The emphasis on "home-buying" and creation of 2-tiered neighborhoods (The "renter's vs. the "owners") has created more of this sense of Parkmerced as not a part of the community. This is not the fault of residents. This is the lack of scaled development of rental tenure housing.

The need for suburbs to change more radically than urban areas is very prevelant today. Density of suburbia should rank higher than re-densifying already dense neighborhoods like parkmerced.

Looking at neighborhoods as "first generation construction" and not just at Parkmerced is and should be the rule. Looking precisely at the existing infrastructure and immediate methods to densify at stops, and along transit should be the priority.
Rules must be changed in real estate, zoning, and codes to allow for the proper scaled densification along existing lines regardless of the prior property owners location and value...

Our overall value as humans dictates that the density and redevelopment of ALL areas should occur in some scale. The question is why is Parkmerced and low-middle income groups the focused target in such a rich-man's city? Why should we not look at the wealthier regions and prime real estate for this change 1st and foremost? The need for a human factor in the decisions and proper adequate and timely review is something not easily achieved.

The radiant city of the future could very well be based on the prior designs of Parkmerced. Should we eradicate the past just to promote the future of individual corporations who were the cause of the disaster we currently see?

I think we need to challenge the current methods more, or we will not escape the vicious development cycle that has ruined our state and communities...

Craig Hartman's key descriptive words (June 24th Presentation)

2008-07-02T07:42:00.000-07:00

Words give key character to the developments, and emphasis on certain lingo bodes again ill to the re-vision of parkmerced's beaux arts street layout and open character, and current population.

a) Paseo's (new form of street alley design)

b) hedge row's (another form of street)

c) parisianne street boulevards (another form of elitism in the re-design)

d) socially "vibrant" (meaning we dont currently have social activity, nor an urban "life-style")

e) create a "culture of cultivation" vs. one of "consumption"... (excuse me what the hell is the re-vision "eco-friendly" in its tear-down of the whole neighborhood? post rennovations?) Whose consuming who anyways, I think SOM and the developers are consuming Parkmerced with SFSU, not the other way around...

f) towers built first will "not impact" any existing housing.... (where are you from Craig the moon? construction at SFSU can be heard across the site daily)

g) "rich-tapestry" sorry we have one of those too its the landscape design, and its a tapestry worth more than the proposed 3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13 story buildings you plan on cramming into the site.

h) "uniqueness" is what we have already at parkmerced one of 4 nationally, and only 1 of the developments that has not been attacked and changed by developers to date.

Always pay close attention to the verbage in presentation's as it usually underlines the real considerations of "green-$-greed" and redevelopment for the profit of some, the loss of tenancy and livability to others.....

Back to the Parkmerced Landscape...(re-post)

2008-06-26T15:54:00.000-07:00

Back to the landscape, the simple forms, the reason why we live @ Pakrmerced, and why it should not have been allowed to be rennovated without due review and process of city agencies. Why was the development never reviewed prior? Are rental communities to be treated differently landmark wise than individual sites? Why should tenure/tenancy dictate whether someone has any say in the projects future? Why should renter's who contribute to the economy daily not be involved directly in the decisions of the areas planning, from simple small scale improvements to larger scaled change? Where are the "options" the mitigation measures? Why did the "vision" being proposed by developers not include any alternatives as suggested by tenants? Why is the same design scope being pushed forward as the "communities" input? Why has the LPAB held off on communicating and reviewing the submitted Bulletin No. 19 since Oct/Nov. of 2006, allowing all the seen changes that drastically change a neighborhoods character? (this cannot be considered a small scale change to date.) There are many questions, and few have to date been answered....perhaps some visitors will email your input for posting or an image of what you consider important in this discusison. Jack Gold Executive Director of SF Heritage visited the site and also questioned the reasoning for the "applied-trim" I mentioned the "guilding of property" per the CA Tenant's Manual... A prime case if there ever was one, of a developer running rampid with no control. Stating it is "deferred maintenance" of past owners as reason for large scale re-vamping of the site does not sit well with tenants who only have received verbal promises, with nothing in writing...

East Coast Neighbor has similar issues of urban pressure.

2008-06-26T12:32:00.000-07:00

Article from the NY Sun on preserving Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village.
http://www.nysun.com/arts/preserving-stuyvesant-town/76845/

Article on the "UP-scaling" of the property, and intentions....
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A06E2DA173FF93BA15752C0A9679C8B63

Article on the NYU influx into the rental community. (Similar to SFSU Masterplan and Columbia University impact on neighborhoods...) [Note: you cannot discriminate against students, but there are rules about impacts on neighborhoods, and the de-facto use of neighboring property as dormitories. The impacts on Universities on local rental and housing stock must be reviewed by city agencies. The SFSU MOU did not include HOUSING as a mitigation measure to be reviewed and looked at...]
http://www.thevillager.com/villager_27/stuyvesanttown.html

Park La Brea Real Estate item, on changes.

2008-06-26T12:29:00.000-07:00

http://www.latimes.com/classified/realestate/printedition/la-re-guide23may23,0,1036326.story?coll=la-class-realestate

The Curbed Article on Park La Brea Redevelopment

2008-06-26T12:24:00.001-07:00

http://la.curbed.com/archives/2008/02/rental_developm.php

Does this look familiar? The new transcribed with the old....

2008-06-26T12:11:00.000-07:00

The Images Shown are from the la.curbed.com website, and relate to the re-design and additions being recently proposed to this development in southern california. The owner has similar goals of "up-grading" peoples life-styles, the "hollywood" style entry re-design, and revised lineal plaza design, again tear-out the old landscape in favor of modern "renewal"... The rennovated pool building design is a modern scheme, (much better than their current CMU block building) however its placement, the integration of the original design with the proposed "new" additions bring into question "intent" and how preservation and modernity must be worked on cohesively and not without process. A remarkable image is the tower older windows, which we only have one left on 405 Serrano's north-west side. These windows functioned better for air, and opening than the current ones at parkmerced. Tenant's complaints are numerous and visible through the web-blogs, and info. The websites are www.parklabrea.com for leasing info. and the Tenant's organization is at www.plbra.org They have a "neighbors helping neighbors" program and a library program which both sound like great additions that could be made to Parkmerced's and PRO's outreach to tenants.

Park La Brea (our sister development to the south)

2008-06-26T12:07:00.000-07:00

Interestingly enough they too are undergoing the "new" and improved motto from ownership, and are being plastered with developments, improvements, and changes. The large open spaces set in the vicinity of the "la-brea tar-pits" is a part of th design and elements such as the sculptural dinosaur follies, and "disney-esque" post-modern color schemes that owners typically try to use to attract. The landscape again is the "pleasurable element" and its open space is the reason why people are attracted to the area.

Parkfairfax Historical Images

2008-06-26T12:01:00.000-07:00

Some historical images of another met-life project on the national register in Virginia.

www.parkfairfax.info Which has a conco, unit owner's association and is a well-liked and enjoyed complex, maintained and preserved.

Maybe its just the 4th of july...? or am I really "color-blind"

2008-06-25T19:40:00.000-07:00

Arballo is getting repainted as we go home for the day... The dark blue is starkly colored, the myriad of color schemes seem to be someone's "pick-of-the-day" instead of a well thought out palette... The end of the street I see another scheme that makes me think of the fourth of july...I start to hum...."This apartment complex aint your land, it sure as hell aint my land, from 19th avenue, to lake merced boulevard. From the northside of Holloway, down to the Brotherhood stream, this property was meant for developers and not for me..... (sung to the tune of "this land is your land") Another view of an apartment rental community going to the wayside and quickly.....

What to do? Get away?

2008-06-25T19:33:00.000-07:00

I step away from the tree carnage, look over towards the spot where I reviewed the curved wall and overlook from the west side of Chumasero's tower, I need air, a place to think, I drive down along brotherhood way, the engineered hilldside looking ominously bare from trees being removed and not replanted. The Block 37 corner around the maintenance building looks somewhat untouched, but painters are already at work. A dead tree stands in the Higuera Avenue area another at the corner of Arballo and Gonzalez, why cut a healthy tree when two dead ones are very visibly dead in front of the maintenance areas? Whose really pulling the decisions and day-to-day instructions in this madness? The Villas Parkmerced prior placed signs on the property, they stand like tombstones and are not removed. I wonder where to go to regain the peacefull quiet that was once the existence at parkmerced...

That tree we were seeing "trimmed" now removed

2008-06-25T19:28:00.000-07:00

Nice image of the "changes" consistently being "inflicted" on the community... The tree prior was being trimmed, now its been "removed" completely... It was not dead, it was not in danger of tipping but progress is progress right? The fencing was not there prior, the lot was placed by parkmerced to provide additional parking on this south side of Block 18 Chumasero Tower. A new emergency generator is placed on a concrete pad. They are being placed around the towers. Any thought of "burying them" or placing them within the tower basements was not even considered?

designed destruction in slow motion.....

2008-06-25T19:12:00.000-07:00

Density and the obliteration of parkmerced is shown in slow motion, "opportunity sites" are noted within 1 year, these could be started immediately after the EIR process, they shovel large buildings in tight next to existing towers. "This allows the area to be densified and tenants switched over to these units without disturbing the neighborhood." How does one build a tower next to another and not "disturb" tenants? Phase2 and Phase3 show development and block removal through years 6-10 and 15-20 with eventual total densification of the site. The total density and effects are not noted for the 800 Brotherhood and 77 Cambon sites, nor the SFSU Masterplan and its effects of additional more students with ongoing expansion proposed into Parkmerced on the north side. Density is not shown for University Park North and University Park South, or Stonestown developments. Caltrans does not budge or show any interest in updating the 19th and brotherhood way intersection built in 1940. 19th Avenue will come to a standstill, and the housing shown will be "value-engineered" like german styled "platenbau" works as shown in the general imagery. Do we need to waste three times or more the environmental waste of tearing up this neighborhood for something as un-promising as this development? Why not trade the rights, Transfer Development Rights Downtown, or allow tenants to make a land-trust and buy back the development? There must be another site in the city that can utilize this kind of density. Without the infrastructure (not even mentioned) nor the community services required, fire, police, ambulance, and basic infrastructure this dream is a big pipeline, like the bay-view, meant for the "new" rich urbanites flocking to the city.. (See SF Chronicles Article on the SF Exodus of the middle class...) For me as an architect, bay-area native, and concerned citizen I dont believe this project is the "eco-green" scheme they are promoting, we need to re-educate the citizenry about parkmerced. Look back through this blog to the initial posts, and see the landscape worth saving.... Landmark Parkmerced it should be on the agenda of the Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board soon enough....

2008-06-25T19:08:00.000-07:00

The SF Better Streets Program, and the efforts of the planners is being shown today, with faint outlines of building density and height, grandiose suggestions of "paris, and european streets" are used as a reason to destroy the beaux arts plan, and create longer linear boulevards. The type of which is shown, with underground parking, and urban scaled density. Why is parkmerced not seen for the well designed landscape it already is? Do we need all of this urbanization to succeed in the future? I dont believe so....

Parkmerced "Vision" June 24 + 25th Meeting(s)

2008-06-25T18:59:00.000-07:00

Latest "presentation" material presented to the tenants. (a) image shows block formations, totally gridded plans, and lack of any curvelinear elements. (b) Image of exisiting parkmerced shown from an air view. (c) image of transportation changes proposed that brings muni directly through the site. Caltrans and effects due to massive development, and additional proposed developments at 77 Cambon, 800 Brotherhood, SFSU, and Stonestown not mentioned. Supervisor District 7 Sean Elsbernd has proposed traffic studies, however no impact study on the rental housing market of the area since the sell off to SFSU, and developers. (d) list of meetings and community groups and associations reads like a laundry list, the planning team wants to show it has "out-reached" and received "consensus" from the community, when the most affected people the tenants at parkmerced have voiced their concerns and noted without a historical resources survey properly conducted and vetted there should not be a total tear-down of this district.

Block 13 and Cambon Drive

2008-06-25T18:40:00.000-07:00

Its simple small scape and scale that does the property its due, although sparsely planted this patio with minor effort could "sing" and be a pleasant urban pad. The tree although poorly maintained, has at least the hedges and surrounding smaller trees, perhaps this one could be replanted with a larger matching type, not much would be lost. The view of the cambon shopping centers east end shows where the proposed Parkmerced Vision shows a routed muni line which serves the tower's garages. Negligence and lack of maintenance has turned the shopping center into a wasteland. Although still used by tenants, the lack of maintenance has driven businesses out repeatedly. The proposed 4-5 story development will bring urbanity right to the footsteps of these units. The design shown by the developer was internally focused, blocked off and not shared in design and scope. The prior design of the area, was much better shown as a shared space, set back, allowing an open area and benches and planters. Fixing this areas should be the priority not the trim and guilding of the area. Neighborhood retail space was sold off, and now is being offered back in terms of density. The new scheme shows 225,000 s.f. of retail space. The same amount as what's shown in the mid-market scheme downtown. This is a peril for the neighborhood. The consistent push for retail when we have stonestown, ocean ave, west portal, and westlake, not to mention SFSU's masterplan which shows commercial on Holloway and Buckingham, and Stonestown's proposal for more density on their site... What's the priority and zoning currently? (Parkmerced is not shown as commercial, but developers sense the "NEED" for capitalizing on our mis-fortunes.)

Block 13 (hesitate to think...)

2008-06-25T18:34:00.000-07:00

Walking back a few steps I look up again, and see above the high wall in this patio the "live-large" at parkmerced slogan plastered on large banners that make the property an "add-used-car-lot" rather than a residence. The emphasis on "large" against the tall wall, reminds me of what "density" will do to this neighborhood. Proposals for 3-4-6-8-13 story buildings all will block views, sunlight, and remove scale and character. I look back and the framed entrance gives a glimpse of what lies beyond, a pleasant courtyard, the next one again I am jarred back to the reality of the north side, where a former hedge has been cut up and chopped, the painting scheme way too dark, and the effects horribly evident. A simple white painted wall, with full hedge and planted bed behind would improve this space, the "rennovations" keep taking their toll on this property.

2008-06-25T18:26:00.000-07:00

Interesting how the light colored towers "disappear in the fog, and sky, (a tribute to the re-selection committee on colors) much closer to the white colors of the orihinal property. Next image is of a interior patio in a pie-block that is still in good condition minus the trellis's last photo tucks to the north courtyard which pulls you along to the stairs and opening the leads to the market/commercial area. The tower also disappears above the orange portion of the building behind in the fog, so there is no discerning the building in the background.

Block 13 (east end) Font and Cambon entry

2008-06-25T18:22:00.000-07:00

Image of this courtyard made me feel better again, with barrel planter patio, and sloped yard, curved paths, and lush green landscape design. One lower planter looked like it needed some care, but the space was intact and well looked after by the residents.

Reminder on plantings...

2008-06-25T18:14:00.000-07:00

The rennovations were are of course an improvement depending how you look at it... The bench purchased and placed prior to the entry rennovations is now shoveled aside (no comment on the costs here), and two birch trees planted (highly allergic trees) than grasses are placed lower than the prior shrubs, water and drought resistent, but weed-like and only providing limited maintenance... an attempt at modern planting that will soon be filled with garbage, and probably soon after mice... bushes provided a lower area that could be cleaned out behind.

Block 15 (150 Font) A view out, and down....

2008-06-25T18:10:00.000-07:00

West side of the 150 Font tower from the 12th story, with a wonderfull view out over the low-scale landscape and architecture. The view down font, right at the south side of the photo another tree was removed, and not replaced. The inside of the courtyard is 3-4x as lush as the outside landscape. I look down below and another playfully designed public space courtyard lies in disrepair. Simple geometry, short sitting walls, and a couple posts, from a prior trellis, or feature removed by vandals. Now fenced in and under-used, the bushes cut consistently provide little protection. If nutured this space would thrive regardless of the weather... Left alone it bemoans an earlier day of sunshine, kids at play, seniors sitting on a bench side seat, and enjoyment of a neighborhood.

Block 17 (playground renewal?)

2008-06-25T17:23:00.000-07:00

Playground view looking at font towers, run-down, poorly irrigated and drained, and plantings dead, chopped, or removed and not replaced. A good way to judge property and its maintenance, look at the landscape, and the playgrounds. When you want to attract families, and seniors, people of all types and generations, you gotta fix such areas first and foremost. The home "renewal" was the priority of management. To market it to "luxury" and urbanites. Well you would think this is the real cause for family exodus from this area... Without care, there is no renters...or future home-buyers... Gotta maintain, gotta fix, cant defer-maintenance.

Block 19 and around to 18 Chumasero Tower (what's that I hear?)

2008-06-25T17:19:00.000-07:00

Nicely meandering patio-scape of block 19, with un-watered plants at south edge. Rounding the corner I hear the buzzing of chain-saws again... Arborwell fast at work, chips flying into the meat grinder. The dark lush green tree you see behind (the darkest toned one) is being trimmed.. (I later went back and took a photo I will post later, on the tree's trimming, it was removed) Proof, or reasoning none given, just remove tree for "progress" and the "new"... sad day again at parkmerced...

Block 19 (the perch) looking back

2008-06-25T17:13:00.000-07:00

Entry portal, to Block 20 east end, (applied trim around windows with accenting keystone all part of the "rennovations") The next block also has been hit, with faux shutters and a "merdre brown" color, with black trim. The patio of another unit precariously sits on an edge and precipice. The lone chair looks out back across the empty lot below, and wonders what could have been in the original design. A few more rains and the patio and house here are in jeopardy...

Block 20 (east side)

2008-06-25T17:08:00.000-07:00

Planters are not worked on when maintenance butchers it consistently, why would tenants bother when the landscape is mindlessly maintained. So instead its only partially used, BBQ's sit dormant in the spring, and bushes that provided privacy, and planters that provided flowers sit empty. Some tenants board up walkways due partially to eroding hill-sides... (Block 19 west corner)

Block 20 (surpised again)

2008-06-25T17:03:00.000-07:00

Wandering along im surprised again, at a small courtyard set off from a garden space, more meditative, or a play zone, the small planters line both sides squares and angled triangles, (the second photo shows its current use as a dump) the wall that the refuse sits against is again an example of poor property management, the wall is a liability waiting to occur, and the lack of maintenance shows, the parking areas were reinforced, and the brick un-reinforced masonry units tied back, but this little wall like another at the meadow was missed, and is left to decay.

Block 20 (south side stroll)

2008-06-25T17:00:00.000-07:00

Tiered patios provide privacy, and open-ness, the hedges and curves softly give a sense of play and space, the plantings green and full, denote spaces to play, sit and enjoy the end of a day, and a social setting.

Block 21 towards 20 (south side of site)

2008-06-25T16:57:00.000-07:00

Planter with cypress, and along the path some low-scale spots to sit, rest, climb, talk, plant, and enjoy the interwoven landscape.

Brotherhood Way Site (800) approved without an EIR by the SF Board of Supervisors

2008-06-25T16:50:00.000-07:00

How can such a huge site, and a proposed 200 unit complex not require an EIR. The site sits on an engineered sloping site, with trees and plants that are a natural wind-block to the parkmerced homes on the hill. The flat plateau was in the historical air shots www.historicalaireals.com seemingly a small garden or nursery when the site was first planted, and a small walking path seems carved in. The later years show its mis-use and non-care as a future ammenity or possible extension of parkmerced. That the non-use, and negligence of prior owners was turned into an "instant" profit by a prior owner to create housing. (none of which is affordable) is highly troubling. An EIR should be mandated, write the supervisors, and city attorney's office on this one.... No site should be excused from an EIR, and no development approved in a vaccum per CEQA. State laws were flouted, Tony Hall flouted the law in flipping this north site to a "housing" site.. The right-of way and peace park will be at risk... So will a future ammenity and land-use that should have been belonging to Parkmerced as its open space design.

Block 21 (wandering up the path south side)

2008-06-25T16:47:00.000-07:00

The steeper slope of this block leads up a path, with steps, hills, and planters

2008-06-25T16:32:00.000-07:00

Image up towards the towers @ Chumasero, this view from the SW corner of Block 21 shows the large open space sold off (prior ammenity and future garden and open space for tenants) to developers [800 Brotherhood Way] Approved without an EIR, this plot, was in essence "stolen" and sold off by the former owner, to himself. The large landscape and features that could have connected the park, been another smaller development of parkmerced homes, or been a connection to the Benny Bufano peace park and statue below will be walled off by development. (Whats this I see? parkmerced landscape workers actually clearing brush, not the dead brush, just some green bushes along the edge of the property. The rest belongs to the prior owner)

Block 30 + 21 Along South Edge of Site

2008-06-25T16:28:00.000-07:00

The engineered hillside along Brotherhood Way, repeatedly stripped each winter of more trees, DPW consistently butchers the trees, never replanting the former dune, and creek area, this bodes ill for homes here, and for the road below. Consistent replanting and maintenance of this area is seldom done by parkmerced.

Gonzalez & Garces Drive (Urban Forrest)

2008-06-25T16:23:00.000-07:00

the tree here is immense, the forrest like feel is un-real in some areas. On a foggy day, I bumped into a neighbor here, and had a great discussion about what's "right" about parkmerced and our concerns for its proposed demise... He is a long-time resident also concerned about the tear-down, and what's in store for the neighborhood.

Block 23 (south) entry court

2008-06-25T16:17:00.000-07:00

Entry Portal of units differ, from designed entries, to self-landscaped styles, the tree at left is long-dead however due to not being at the site frontage, its left, and not replanted/replaced, painting scheme on the last image, shows total chaos of the paint schemes, and non-understanding of a simple pallette...

Block 23 (Interior Courtyards)

2008-06-25T16:13:00.000-07:00

another example of what can be fixed easily... a) plant the hedge b) add some trellis structures for hang-drying with lines, and clip-bags c) turn wasted areas of interior courtyards as "garden" spaces and planters for community gardening. These no-where middle areas should be shared and cared for block by block...

Examples of what's wrong with the "vision" and repair currently

2008-06-25T16:07:00.000-07:00

a) why paint and repair the buildings, when they cannot even prperly re-plant the landscape's original character?

b) a tree butchered once again, starting to grow back "slowly"

c) structural reinforcement in this garage area, shows the care level. Bolt it, leave it as is, with sticker attached. Another replaced beam in this garage had not been painted. Quick-fixes, big money for those contractors... Eventual pass-throughs? Parkmerced "vision" will tear-down all of these "fixes" so what's the "rush" to do them why not fix the landscape first? attract tenants with a long term will to stay?

Block 24 (interior courtyards) south end

2008-06-25T16:02:00.000-07:00

trees providing not only canopy, path, shade, rhythm, and framing of views through the landscape

Block 24 interior courtyards

2008-06-25T15:55:00.000-07:00

shaped trees as noted were prior dispersed through-out, now they have usually been removed, and not replaced, often made a more fancifull setting, trees in groves repeated through the site, and some areas as noted prior, are lushly planted, and could serve as a sunset magazine, or home and garden spread for care that some tenants take in their maintenance.

Block 24 Interior Courtyard

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looking southwest, this area will be entirely torn-down for a green gateway through the site.

SFSU "Dump-site" awaiting Creative Arts Center...

2008-06-21T08:38:00.000-07:00

SFSU masterplan proposes a "creative-arts" center over on Parkmerced's former ammenity and open space site Lot 42 off of font across from the dorms. The reality was that after the initial purchase by SFSU no maintenance has been performed on the site. The gators softball field was created and everything else left to rot including one gem of a community center used by many Parkmerced children as play space ping-pong and other meeting facilities for the community. The next use was a Montessori school, and than owners cleverly moved the school out/off the site so that it could be sold to SFSU. Since than basketball courts, tennis courts, handball courts, landscape, grass, trees and walkways are in complete deterioration. The building also stands to be demolished, and is used as a storage space by the university. The fine examples of caged storage bins, and whatever toxic and misc. materials stored show a total disregard or respect for the surrounding community and its landscape history.

SFSU proposed site for "Eco-Diggs"

2008-06-21T08:34:00.000-07:00

One block purchased by SFSU is currently being proposed for "eco-diggs" a promotional effort to be "sustainable" by SFSU that proposes tearing out areas of lawn and patio to build edible gardens. Although a great idea in concept, these blocks are fully mature and heavily planted. (3) units proposed are in this one block.. The better idea is to remove a "sport" field from the SFSU Masterplan, and plant a garden setting on site of the original university layout. Perhaps the whole area surrounding the admin. building, or the parking lots in the middle of campus?

Utilitarian, simple designs

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Private Arballo, planter boxes provide shaded entries, a place to sit, and privacy.

Where's the lorax when you need him...?

2008-06-16T12:01:00.000-07:00

Tree's have been felled, and removed consistently, with no replacement efforts to date. These tree's were not a "danger".. There are obvious tree's on site that are dead and should be a priority to be removed and replaced. With the consistent efforts on "rennovation" the canopy that existed prior seems to dwindle. Blocks that had foliage have none. Surveying done on site by management has "tagged" and categorized the condition of the landscape. Efforts were noted on site to Map and evaluate the gardens by "Green Leaf" a mapping consultant group. The tree survey is available per management at the leasing office. (Have not seen or been allowed to review it to date) This tree looks mighty healthy... You be the judge...

An example of "pruning and landscape maintenance"

2008-06-16T11:59:00.000-07:00

Why should tenants care, when management seems not to also?

Method to the madness?

2008-06-16T11:54:00.000-07:00

Prior painted all white to provide a back-drop to the landscape, the current painting scheme and efforts to change the units seems ackward and ill-thought out. The view here particularly raises the question as the vertical split and horizontal split visible on the block below makes a discordant feel to the prior integrated design. (consistent emphasis on the "new") This block also does not have the applied trim placed on the units, that again kitschify's the prior modern simple, utilitarian scheme. (Plants in this view had been manicured by maintenance a.k.a. low-maintenance haircut that is typically evident on parkmerced property)

Secret areas always to be found

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Some blocks have stepped down entries, that you only glimpse when walking around the blocks, the individual units in Block 10 have lowered green spaces that are wonderfull social interactive areas for tenants.

View Block 12 towards Juan Bautista Circle

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Was a nice lit afternoon beginning of spring when I took this photo, early on a holiday weekend, so no cars, and pleasant walking day at parkmerced.

Planter and screen elements

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Some units have low planters screens and low walls which again provide a variety not seen in many current developments.

Entry (Block 23)

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Another fine day and image of landscape integrated in the design.

Interior court entry (Block 4 )

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This block slopes gently down and provides a meandering path of choice through the landscape.

Private Garden (Well used)

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This example shows a private tenants garden that is full and well

maintained. If all units were like this it would be a showcase development for Home & Garden SF Chronicle, or Sunset Magazine. Perhaps a well thought out planting list from the prior design by Church, along with discounts through a local garden renewable center would promote the proper landscape rehabilitation to such a level. This would increase tenancy for the owner and value of the property.

Laundry rack-trellis

2008-06-16T11:38:00.000-07:00

Simple laundry rack trellis posts are visible in some inner courtyards, splay wires and hooks still visible were used as a very "sustainable" practice of drying your clothes on washlines. Current laundry facilities are poorly maintained and dryer vents not cleaned. Another reason to switch back to older practices and promote prior proper use of the designed elements. Children do still play and ride bikes in these areas but due to unmaintained storage areas and lurking scavengers people do not feel it is safe to use the drying racks. Perhaps maintenance and improved security would improve this situation to the environments benefit.

Interior courtyard through laundry

2008-06-16T11:35:00.000-07:00

Interior courts and axis ways open and reveal through the block design and open up into new areas, some planted and lush in green, some barren and empty due to neglect. Most low-scale plantings in interior courtyards were not maintained and currently are in poor condition. This block was an exception.

Mature tree-scape (Block 23)

2008-06-16T11:33:00.000-07:00

Tree with patios-tiered along an interior block. (Note dark colors detract now from the landscape, and white windows and doors punch more than the tree..)

Planter boxes along a path (Block 28)

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Example of a sloped green path, and planters along an interior courtyard space south of tower 26 (Block 28)

Planter boxes

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Low-curbed planters provide places for trees, shrubs, flowers, and sitting areas along pathways. Simple yet varied in use and design on site, there are a number of variations on this simple utilitarian element.

Pie Shapes allow variations

2008-06-16T11:24:00.000-07:00

Depending on the block design, slight variations are noted where staggering of entryways on pie-shaped blocks add privacy, and a sense of invite to the area. Units have inside and outside areas shared which invite community settings steps to interact and space from kitchen and living rooms that allow parents to keep an eye on the outdoor "rooms" (Block 44 pre-rennovation)

Block 22 Gardens

2008-06-16T11:20:00.000-07:00

Another example of curvelinear walls and planters at Block 22 off of Font, neighbors in this area have done a great job maintaining the plants and foliage here. Although the block was scheduled for rennovation work shortly after this photo.

View of mature tree-scape

2008-06-16T11:18:00.000-07:00

Trees along the south side of block 45 are almost 10-13 stories high. Maintenance trims out the middle of the trees and the overburdened perimeter with cones, tends to snap off. (A previous historical photo of this area is available on the SF Public Library's website and shows the area when originally planted and painted.

Walkable Non-Car-Centric Streets

2008-06-16T11:12:00.000-07:00

The street scape of parkmerced allows tenants and pedestrians a very walkable neighborhood. (Parking is plentifull when SFSU is not in session) and the sidewalks and landscaping along the avenues and circles provides a pleasant strollable space.

The "meadow"

2008-06-15T18:28:00.000-07:00

Initially prior to the towers the landscape model connected through to lake-merced, and a portion of SFSU. The current meadow is used by tenants as open space, and the adjacent small scaled play areas include paved simply designed pads, that were meant for social activities and amenities for tenants. A nearby paved area shown is used currently as the local farmer's market, and sometimes a Tai-Chi platform, BBQ spot for students, or chalk-art pad by children.

Parkmerced Towers

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Tower Units, currently being repainted closer to original paint scheme.

Parkmerced Block Types

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Square Block typology

Pie-Shaped Block typology

(images courtesy of S.O.M. Parkmerced Vision)

"In San Francisco, you can live better @ Parkmerced"

2008-06-15T18:14:00.000-07:00

Original Advertisement for "Parkmerced" emphasized the amenities, and an adjacent modern school built adjacent. (700 Font, recently sold to Developers by the SFUSD with limited public notification was not sent to all tenants in the Parkmerced neighborhood) This school was also a role-model design used for school design in the mid-west.

Juan Bautista Circle

2008-06-14T16:16:00.000-07:00

Juan Bautista Circle, considered the "heart" of parkmerced has served the community as both a small social gathering space, a excercise circle for both the elderly tenants, and young couples walking newborns. The full mature tree growth can be seen in its evolution on site @ www.historicaireals.com which showcases the change and growth of the landscape from its initial planting through today. The current development plans propose tearing out the circle area, adding 250,000 s.f. of adjacent retail and initially proposed bringing the lightrail through the center of Parkmerced. The owners were fined initially for cutting down trees located in the perimeter right of way, that belong to the city. The need to preserve and protect the existing tree canopy in the city of San Francisco brings into question the proposals to demolish a fully mature landscape design. There have been yearly "pruning" efforts that tend to leave long heavy burdened branches on trees that eventually snap off. The importance of tree maintenance and care have never been a consistent effort on the site through prior owners. The current owners have ignored dead trees on site, and consitently worked on reducing tree canopy, eliminating trees leaving stumps, and not engaging the residents organization on possible tree re-plantings on the private property site.

A wonderfull scaled sloping setting.

2008-06-14T16:10:00.000-07:00

This image shows the finesse taken by the landscape architect in the tree-plantings and site grading. The slow slope down from the east side of this block creates a "lull" of a space where children can play under a tree, or along the northern edge of the block the larger plantings block the sun during the summer months.

Interior Courtyard

2008-06-14T16:07:00.000-07:00

Example of low two-story garden units from the interior side of a block, curved pathways, and low-scaled planter boxes, stairs, terraces and walls delineate the spaces, while providing tenants with a small garden within an urban setting.

Pre-Rennovations

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It is important to note the plain un-guilded character of the design, simple curvelinear elements, hearty plantings and minimalist detailing that helps to make the landscape "punch" out and the buildings provide a neutral background.

Images of courtyards

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Garden units each contain variations on the original planted scheme.