Geneva Car Barn & Powerhouse Phase I Improvements

Background

Designed by Reid Brothers, the Geneva Car Barn Powerhouse is one of the last physical reminder of San Francisco’s first electric railway system. It was owned by private railways until 1944, when it was taken over by Muni who occupied it until 1989, when it was heavily damaged in the Loma Prieta earthquake. 

After sitting vacant for a decade, Muni announced plans to demolish the building. A group of community members came together to save the building, and this group became the Friends. Rec and Park acquired the building in 2004, at which point a Stabilization Project for the building was completed.

In 2010, the building was listed on the National Register. Also in 2010, Aidlin Darling Design (ADD) was chosen at the architect to design the adaptive reuse for the building. Since then, Rec and Park has been working with ADD, the State Historic Protection Office (SHPO), and the Community to develop a vision and plan for the revitalized structure.

Phasing and Scope of Work

Given the high cost of the full project, Rec and Park is pursuing a two-phased approach to developing the building:

• Phase 1 entailed improvement of the Powerhouse only and was completed in May of 2020!
• And Phase 2 entails the improvement of the Office Building as well as the completion of additional improvements to the Powerhouse

The Powerhouse is approx. 3,100 sq. feet with 35’ high ceilings. Arts programming will be provided by the Performing Arts Workshop, a non-profit performing arts programming provider that has been working with underserved youth in San Francisco for over 40 years. They will also provide performing arts programming for toddlers, adults, seniors and families, and partner with other neighborhood-based arts organizations to provide visual arts programming.

The Department is also partnering with the Community Arts Stabilization Trust, who will be providing capital funding to the Project and enabling the utilization of both new market and historic preservation tax credits.

The space will also serve as a community meeting place, and can be rented by arts groups for short-term events such as rehearsals, performances, and art exhibitions, as well as by individuals for events such as weddings and community.

Resources

Visit the Friends of the Geneva Car Barn & Powerhouse project page for more information. Click here to view a welcome video from our General Manager.

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