Task Force member Alessandro Baccari called his motion in favor of the historical society's plan to make a museum of the building in line with "the heartbeat of the city.''

The 8-0 vote cut out formal bids by two other developers, whom had hoped to inherit development rights to the structure. The late 1800s-vintage building stands in a location that city officials say is ripe for economic growth.

Wednesday's vote signifies an official recommendation to the Board of Supervisors, which has the final say in the process before the mayor signs an agreement.

Baccari says the historical society's proposal for the building, which is also known as the "Granite Lady,'' would enhance Market Street and "bring vitality to the area.'' The other proposals included a plan to convert the structure to low-income housing or an upscale time-share hotel. Task force members refused Wednesday to seriously consider a document submitted just before the meeting by Destination Club Partners, the time-share hotel developer.

Some perceived it as a last-ditch effort to put off a vote and allow for more consideration of the alternative developers plans. Theb task force members contended all bidders had had ample time beforehand to submit new information.

Jim Lazarus, a San Francisco lawyer and executive director of the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society, says that the city and the federal government have been looking at the Old Mint for decades. Now, he says, "We're on the verge (of doing something with it).''

According to Lazarus, the historical society's museum proposal offers the greatest amount of public access, one of the federal government's main priorities, in addition to stringent requirements for historic preservation. Lazarus says the now-vacant 77,000-sf building South of Market would be great as the site of the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society because the late 1800s structure is located near downtown and is itself historic.

He hopes to raise $12 million privately, obtain $10 million in state and federal grants and finance the rest of the cost for seismic upgrades and refurbishing through loans.

The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote on the task force's recommendation in about a month.

Instant Insights /

Old Mint Task Force Votes for Museum Proposal

Related Stories

Recommended For You