Monday, February 11, 2013

Congratulations to the Presidio Trust!

I’m delighted to learn that the Presidio Trust, which manages the National Historic Landmark Presidio of San Francisco (California – where hearts are left, etc.) has succeeded in becoming self-sufficient, no longer requiring federal subsidies (See http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Presidio-bridges-gap-to-be-self-sufficient-4266156.php?cmpid=emailarticle&cmpid=emailarticle).  Creating the Trust as the Presidio’s manager, and charging it with gaining self-sufficiency, was a congressional gamble that many in the traditional historic preservation community (notably many in the National Park Service) said would never work.  But it seems to have worked, in that the Trust is now making money through leasing and renting the Presidio’s historic buildings while – not without controversy – maintaining their character-defining features and creating a vibrant, diverse, historically evocative urban space.  There’s plenty of room for argument over individual leasing, rehabilitation, and other management decisions made by the Trust, but overall I think the Trust is to be congratulated on achieving the goal that Congress set for it, and preserving the Presidio as one of San Francisco’s truly distinctive landscapes.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

The Presidio Trust is fleecing San Francisco, draining millions out of the housing market with their no-rent control no oversight. 5-40% increases in monthly rent is the norm -- with no watchdog groups. There are no veterans in the the Presidio -- they can't afford it. And minorities and others....no handicapped, no disabled residents, etc. -- it's a complete Federal fleecing of San Francisco.

The John Stewart Company just says hey, let's raise the rent here 40%. How about this guy? He can shell out another 15% in rent.

No oversight. No minorities, veterans, disabled tenants.....not fair.