Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy - Presidio Trust

TASK 2:ConceptualPlanThe Presidio Commons: A Park For AllAs a national landmark and national park, the Presidiobelongs to all. The transformed, revitalized and newparklands—connecting the Main Post to Crissy Field—are reimagined in this proposal as the “Presidio Commons”to reflect this spirit of inclusiveness. Few placeshave such rich raw material, such international recognitionand such opportunity to connect with the visitingpublic in a new and dynamic way.Goal 3:Response to Settingand GuidelinesThe Parks Conservancy’s proposal for the Commissarysite is compatible with the natural andcultural setting of Crissy Field, in compliancewith the Presidio Trust Management Plan andpositively responsive to the Mid-Crissy AreaDesign Guidelines. Open space and native landscapingof a variety of scales will stretch betweenthe PX and Crissy Field Center and accommodatea variety of uses, while connecting up thebluff to the new tunnel top parklands and thePresidio Commons: Conceptual Plan and Mid-Crissy Area Design GuidelinesREQUEST FORCONCEPTPROPOSAL SITEBOUNDARYDARCHAEOLOGICALSITEHBRIDGEWAYB(appx 42,000 sf)PARKINGACMASON ST.DIGITALPROJECTIONWALLPX COURTYARDEGREEN/LIVING WALLPICNICPAVILIONFGNEW TUNNEL TOPPARKLANDSCRISSY FIELDCENTERWALKWAY:CRISSY FIELD—MAIN POSTThe Presidio Exchange’s architectureand landscape link and unitea broad range of Presidio placesand programs: Crissy Field, theMain Post, Tennessee Hollow, thetunnel top parklands, the new VisitorCenter, the Heritage Center,trails, interpretive and historicaldisplays and the National Centerfor Service and Innovative Leadershipat Fort Scott.The Presidio Commons is imagined as a flexible,adaptable space that fires the imaginationand responds to a rapidly changing world. It isenvisioned as a site with dramatic and multi-usefacilities for a broad spectrum of partners and aparkland that invites the breadth of the public.It will advance stewardship of the Presidio, enticevisitors with sensational and thought-provokingprograms and connect the Presidio’s mission withthe wider world.Other acclaimed parks point the way. ThePresidio Commons is primed to take its placealongside Millennium Park in Chicago, theHigh Line in New York, Olympic Sculpture Parkin Seattle, Hoge Veluwe National Park in theNetherlands and the Sydney Harbor Trust parksin Australia. These epic successes of design,purpose and visitor appeal succeed becauseof their deep roots in local culture and place,the multi-dimensionality of their spaces andprogramming and their instantly recognizableiconic stature.The plan calls for renovating the formerCommissary building as the Presidio Exchange(PX), creating a welcoming park landscape atthe Commissary site, integrating with nearbypark sites (mid-Crissy Field and tunnel top parklands)and activating pedestrian linkages fromthe Main Post to Crissy Field. Together these parkimprovements comprise the Presidio Commons—a new park zone encompassing about 20 acres,connecting mid-Crissy Field to the Main Post.Main Post. Both the landscape and buildingdesign will address imminent sea level rise.Rehabilitated to a minimum of LEED Gold,the PX will open to views on the east, west andnorth sides, creating a strong visual connectionto Crissy Field and the Bay. Given the flexiblenature of the PX, it will adjust its programming toavoid peak visitation times, such as Fleet Week orother special events.The proposalresponds to the Mid-Crissy Area DesignGuidelines in variousways including:HIGHWAY 101A Providing a publicuse in the Commissarybuilding(Building 610) thatcomplements thepublic character ofCrissy Field.B ReorientingBuilding 610 toMason Street with awelcoming entrance.C Removing nonhistoricBuilding 653MAIN POSTto set building backfrom Mason Street.D Maintainingand enhancing theopen space on topof the Ohlonearchaeological sites.FUTUREPRESIDIOVISITORCENTERE Placing parkingat the southern edgeof the site.1/64" = 1'F Using on-sitestorm water retentionsystems to minimizerunoff and maximizegroundwaterrecharge.G Using predominantlynative plantspecies in new landscapingand restoringnative habitat.H Implementingvarious trafficcalming devicesalong Mason Street.1011