WILL THE MUSEUM REOPEN?

The answer to that question is entwined in the evolution of Treasure Island - a process of reuse planning, the gradual transfer of the island from the Navy to the City of San Francisco, selection of a developer, planning, and eventual reconstruction and operation of facilities.  This process has been underway for over 13 years and is likely to continue for some time.  

To reopen, the Museum needs three things:  A location, rights to the collection, and an organization to run the Museum and raise some of the required funding.

Location:  The return of a Museum to the island, and preferably to Building One, has been part of the planning process at all stages.  But its eventual form depends on what happens during this ongoing process.

The redevelopment plan is being guided by the Treasure Island Development Authority (TIDA).  This Association has been working with TIDA and its Citizen Advisory Board (CAB) to raise the profile of the Museum, and to try to insure a prominent role for a reopened Treasure Island Museum.  In November 2002, we made a comprehensive presentation to the CAB.  (The slides from that presentation can be viewed online.)

At this date (December 2006), TIDA has negotiated a Development Plan and Term Sheet with the proposing development team, Treasure Island Community Development, LLC (TICD).  The term sheet is an interim milestone which provides specific guidance for the creation of a development agreement and specific plan.

We are encouraged that the Development Plan and Term Sheet (10/31/06) states (p. 45):

"TICD will provide, or cause the vertical developers to provide, appropriate space for the following community facilities: ... Treasure Island Museum in a portion of Building One." 

However the Community and Open Space Facilities matrix in the Community Facilities Plan (Exhibit Q) does not specify square footage for the Museum, as has been done for most other community facilities.

It is apparent to us that TIDA and the CAB are interested and supportive of reestablishing the Museum. However, there are significant hurdles in the future, such as finding a way to coexist with other possible uses for Building One, the need for an expensive seismic retrofit of the building, and determining a viable financial structure for the Museum.

This is a long process, involving a unique and valuable piece of real estate.  (One estimate shows Building One in use by 2012-2014).

To keep this vision alive, the Museum needs a voice to be present throughout this process.  The Association will continue to advocate, and to use our experience to help shape a realistic and viable reopened Museum.

The Collection is in storage on Treasure Island, in the custody of the U.S. Navy.  As of December 2005, TIDA is continuing a long negotiation with the Navy, attempting to retain the collection on the island and to obtain access to it.  Until an agreement is reached, there is no guarantee that the collection will remain on the island, or even in California.  In the meantime, the collection is unavailable to the public, historians and researchers.

This Association supports TIDA's efforts.  We consider this to be the best chance of retaining the collection and eventually reopening the Museum in Building One.

Operation of the Museum:  This Association supported the operation of the Treasure Island Museum beginning in 1976, when it was established as an official naval history museum.  In 1994, when the movement toward base closures eliminated Navy support for the Museum, the Association took over its management and raised the further funds and volunteers necessary to keep it open to the public.  We went from providing about 5% of staff salaries, supplies, and most other direct expenses, to 100%.

We have demonstrated the ability to operate a museum, including the ability to raise funds, manage a museum, and build and preserve a collection.  We are ready and able to participate again in a reopened Treasure Island Museum.  We will continue to work to preserve the historical footprint this collection represents and once again make the artifacts and archives available to the public.

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