Hello, Friends. We are excited to share the latest progress on the Gene Friend Rec Center Project.
Demolition work is wrapping up and scheduled to be completed by sometime next week (see photos below). The project team has been working diligently to finalize the design for the below grade building foundation. In June, we will be doing some additional soils testing as a part of this effort.
This Wednesday, June 5, we will be presenting a contract amendment to the professional services contract for architecture and engineering to the Rec and Park Commission. This amendment covers work related to unforeseen conditions, plus an additional contingency amount because we have a couple of years of construction remaining.
Exciting Acquisitions Update! During this same hearing, my colleague Kerstin Kalchmayr will present on the City’s potential acquisition of the property directly adjacent to the Rec Center, 240 6th Street.
Rec and Park Capital Committee
Wednesday, June 5, 2 pm
City Hall Room 416.
Click here for a link to the meeting agenda and call-in information >>
The hearing includes an opportunity for public comment.
Comments can also be sent to the Commission liaison prior to the hearing at the following address: recpark.commission@sfgov.org.
As recommended by the Artist Review Panel, artist Cece Carpio's proposal, Barrio Fiesta, has been approved by the Visual Arts Commission for the Gene Friend Recreation Center Public Art Project - Integrated Wall Artwork for the new gymnasium.
Her proposal, Barrio Fiesta refers to a neighborhood celebration that brings communities together where everyone is welcome as guests and active participants. The proposed artwork design weaves historical, present-day, and futuristic figures to capture the vision and spirit of SOMA.
“San Francisco’s SOMA district was one of my first stomping grounds after migrating to the United States at twelve years old. My experience of SOMA through the decades is remarkably similar to a Barrio Fiesta, allowing me to explore all aspects of convergence” – Cece Carpio, Artist
The artwork weaves together portraits of both well-known community leaders with that of "everyday" heroes. The approved proposal is conceptual, so we anticipate that these portraits may shift as the artist further develops the artwork over the coming months. Ultimately, the artist intends to honor community leaders while ensuring that all people from the SOMA community see themselves in this artwork.
Cece plans to conduct interviews with community members to help inform the portraits represented in the final design. We are supporting the Arts Commission and core community stakeholder groups with this goal. Stay tuned for more information and feel free to reach out with any questions.
Thank you for your support of this project.
Melinda Sullivan, Project Manager, Melinda.Sullivan@sfgov.org.
For more information, visit the project webpage: https://sfrecpark.org/1143/Gene-Friend-Recreation-Center