Plans to Renovate Sunset Rec. Center Moving Forward

By Jonathan Farrell

The Sunset Playground and Recreation Center at 28th Avenue and Lawton Street entered into its Phase 1 planning stage for renovation in February.

Twenty five people gathered at the 69-year-old facility on June 23 to hear the latest details about a capital improvement project that was initially estimated this past spring at just under $9 million. With up-to-date calculations, the estimated cost is now more than $13 million.

According to a recent status report prepared by Keith Kawamura, who serves as renovation project manager, less than $3 million has been approved for the project's budget so far.

Apparently, the design team for the project is still collecting data, preparing various assessments and coordinating further construction operations with the required city departments.

Built in 1940, the Sunset Playground and Recreation Center has two tennis courts, a basketball court, gymnasium and baseball field. The facility occupies a full city block between Lawton and Kirkham streets and 28th and 29th avenues. The area entails about four acres and has been in constant use serving the community since its establishment.

Community organizers, the SF Recreation and Park Department and Supervisor Carmen Chu are working to finalize a plan and secure funding. To bring the long-standing facility up to code, with current seismic safety, ADA accessibility and environmental standards, is vital to the neighborhood's many families and schools it serves.

Speaking on behalf of Chu's office, legislative aid Cammy Blackstone said the information provided to the community at the June 23 meeting was "sort of dry," as most of the presentation dealt with conceptual planning ideas.

"These ideas need to be reviewed by the Civic Design Commission on July 20," Blackstone said.

The Civic Design review process consists of three phases. Each project must be approved at all three phases of review to complete the Civic Design requirement. At the July 20 hearing, which will be held at City Hall, Room 400, at 3 p.m., the Civic Design Committee will either move to approve the project or take no action on the proposal based on information presented.

Kawamura and others involved hope to complete the entire renovation project by the summer of 2012. Yet, the step by step process may require more time.

To view the current idea drafts for renovations at the Sunset Playground and Recreation Center, go to the Web site at http://parks.sfgov.org.