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JCC of S.F. wins city OK, plans more fund-raising

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Message: If you are having trouble reading this email, you may view this article online at: http://www.jweekly.com/14790/full/14790/jcc-of-s-f-wins-city-ok-plans-more-fund-raising/ JCC of S.F. wins city OK, plans more fund-raising Friday, January 5, 2001 | by ALEXANDRA J. WALL With the final hurdles passed, the main topic on the agenda of the Jewish Community Center of San Francisco is raising the additional funds needed for its new facility. On Dec. 11, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors heard the JCC's proposal for a new facility a second and final time before approving it. It was signed by Mayor Willie Brown a few days later. While a time period for appeals does remain, Nate Levine, executive director of the JCC, doesn't foresee that any will arise. The JCC, at 3200 California St. faced significant stumbling blocks. First, the Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board recommended designating the current building a landmark based on the fact that it is believed to have been built by noted San Francisco architect Arthur Brown Jr., who designed Coit Tower, City Hall and Temple Emanu-El. A group of preservationists led by architect Arnie Lerner came up with an adaptive reuse plan that would preserve the current building by incorporating an addition. The Planning Board overturned the landmark designation recommendation. But then a new challenge arose in the form of one tenant on the JCC's property, who would be displaced by the new building. He agreed to a settlement with the JCC, the terms of which were not made public. Then, at the last minute, a city planner came up with a proposal to keep the current building and build a new facility across the street on land owned by U.C. San Francisco. Since the UCSF administration had made it clear they were not considering this plan, it did not prove to be a considerable obstacle. In a series of hearings at City Hall this past fall, JCC members and staff turned out in force to plead the case to city officials for a new state-of-the-art facility. They argued convincingly not only that a new building enjoys the support of the majority of the Jewish community, but that the current JCC is operating at a loss, and if it cannot accept more people into its programs, it will eventually have to close its doors. Now the No. 1 item on the JCC's agenda is how to raise $8 million—the sum needed to reach the projected goal of $70 million. "We're now at $62 million pledged toward our capital campaign," said Levine. "We've been focused on leadership gifts and we have over 22 donors of over $1 million or more. But for us to get to our goal of $70 million, it's going to take a broad community effort." The architects are still making some last-minute adjustments to the design. The 130,000 square foot facility will include two kitchens,—one meat, one dairy—a 500-seat theater, a café, art, music and dance studios, a large gym that can accommodate a basketball game, volleyball and gymnastics all simultaneously, and a rooftop garden and playground. The underground level will house a six-lane swimming pool, and a parking structure will accomodate 181 cars. Meanwhile, the JCC has secured a temporary Presidio location where it can house all its current programs minus the fitness center, during the two years of construction. Part of the former Public Health Hospital Nurses' Quarters, the temporary location is at 15th Avenue and Lake Street. While some events will be moved to neighboring synagogues, "our core programs will be located there," Levine said. The JCC will move its summer camp first, and demolition is set to commence in September. "We have to plan for the move of thousands of people who come here," Levine said. "It seems like it's around the corner to us."

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