Some detailed new designs have surfaced for the development of the six acre property bounded by Haight, Laguna, Buchanan, and Hermann Streets -- more commonly referred to as "55 Laguna."

Since 2006, plans have been in the works to convert the former UC Berkeley Extension campus into a mixed-use property with low-income/senior/LGBT housing, retail space, and a community garden. However, four buildings on the site were constructed between 1924 and 1935, and the overall site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in January of 2008. Thus any changes to the property must follow strict guidelines. Last week, an application was filed with the Historic Preservation Commission seeking feedback as to whether the most recent designs comply with historic preservation requirements. While the facade at the corner of Haight and Buchanan (with those odd decorative urns) will be left intact, the corner at Haight and Laguna, currently featuring the Love in the Lower Haight mural, will see significant change. Replacing the mural will be a multistory building and entrance to a publicly-accessible community garden. Six new buildings will be constructed inside the property's boundaries, with new interior pathways and landscaping. You can view all of the new renderings here. If the designs get the green light, next up for 55 Laguna will be reviews in July by the the full Historic Preservation Commission and the Planning Commission, and an as-yet-unscheduled review by the Board of Supervisors. So, lots more to be done before ground is broken on this one. We'll keep you posted.