Fort Winfield Scott
Proposals are being reviewed that would select a developer team to oversee the rehabilitation of 20 buildings totaling nearly 300,000 square feet of space at Fort Scott in the western half of the Presidio. Visionaries seeking to tackle the significant environmental or social challenges of our time must have big ideas for the redevelopment of Fort Winfield Scott, a 30-acre campus within the Presidio of San Francisco, a national park at the Golden Gate.
Fort Winfield Scott, named for the prominent 19th century U.S. Army officer, was established as a post for the Coast Artillery Corps. Located within the Presidio Army post but functioning separately with its own commander until after World War II, it served as headquarters for the defense of the Bay Area’s coastline over the course of half a century, from the era of breech loaded, rifled guns to Nike missiles. Constructed between 1909 and 1912, the Fort Scott barracks represent the earliest example of Mission Revival architectural style at the Presidio.
In January, the Presidio Trust issued a Request for Concept Proposals (RFCP) seeking one or more organizations to reimagine Fort Winfield Scott as a “Campus for Change.” Fort Winfield Scott is one of the last large areas of the Presidio to be rehabilitated—the former US Army post has undergone a steady transformation from “post to park” over the past two decades.
Proponents must have the financial and management capacity to finance and oversee the rehabilitation of 20 buildings totaling nearly 300,000 square feet of space, and to make infrastructure improvements throughout the campus. Respondents may opt to include two additional buildings totaling 15,000 square feet of space. New construction of up to 20,000 square feet may be considered.
Costs for revitalizing the campus are estimated at $200 million. Because the buildings qualify as certified historic structures, the successful bid may be eligible for the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives program.
The Presidio Trust will post the proposals received on its website on July 2, 2018. Qualified proposals will be presented by respondents at the July 25, 2018 Presidio Trust public board of directors meeting.
~~ Mary Anne Miller
