Many people know the property surrounded by Buchanan, Haight, Laguna and Hermann as the old UC Berkeley extension campus. Or the place with the cool graffiti. Or that random goldmine where you don't need a parking permit.
While all of those are true, this square block is about to be known for its makeover.
Let's check out what's in store for 55 Laguna.
Approved by the Planning Commission in 2008, appealed in the San Francisco Superior Court, and finally upheld in July 2010, the entire block is about to be altered for new housing and commercial needs.
Wood Partners, an Atlanta-based contractor, will be working on the project and has been engaged in negotiations for the past year.
socketsite/proposal for 55 laguna
While many things have been proposed for the site in the past, we learned from Socketsite (and a tip from a reader) that the scope has been recently updated to the following:
"The proposal is to rehabilitate Richardson Hall for use as senior services, senior housing (40 dwelling units), and retail and/or office space in new excavated space created behind the Hermann/Laguna Street retaining wall; to rehabilitate Woods Hall for use as housing (21 dwelling units); and, to rehabilitate Woods Hall Annex for use as a community center."
art along haight street wall
There are some other noteworthy features of the proposed space, much of which is still up for debate:
-440 total units of housing
-109 apartments for low-income LGBT seniors (sponsored by Openhouse)
-Open space in middle of campus
If you want to learn more about what's being proposed, Wood Partners & Openhouse/Mercy Housing California are holding a community meeting next Tuesday, May 22. Taking place at the Rainbow Room of the LGBT Community Center (1800 Market) at 6pm, you can get the most recent update, see the designs and provide feedback to the contractor.
socketsite/proposal for 55 laguna
art along haight street wall
If you want to learn more about what's being proposed, Wood Partners & Openhouse/Mercy Housing California are holding a community meeting next Tuesday, May 22. Taking place at the Rainbow Room of the LGBT Community Center (1800 Market) at 6pm, you can get the most recent update, see the designs and provide feedback to the contractor.
