page revised:  October 11, 2011
© 2007-2009 Aquatic Park Neighbors
Francisco Reservoir
The information on this page may be dated.  For the most up to date information, please visit:
www.franciscoreservoir.org

Recent Developments
2006 - PUC states intention to declare the property surplus to prepare for sale.
RHIA and Russian Hill Neighbors (RHN) meet with PUC and are promised public input prior to sale.
April, 07, 2008 - PUC states intention to take public comment, zone and sell during fall.
January, 2008 - PUC doing initial analysis of development alternatives for sale and introduces possibility of
selling un-entitled.
February, 2008 – PUC planning REP for spring or summer.
October 20, 2008 - The week has been a busy week for activity on the reservoir with two positive
developments.  Not only did the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, Citizens' Advisory Committee
(SFPUC CAC) adopt previously proposed language regarding the PUC’s policy on “surplus property", but
Supervisor Alioto-Pier introduced a resolution to the Board of Supervisors which would reinforce the
General Plan’s designation of the property as “Public Recreation and Open Space.”.

Although encouraging, this is really just the beginning of the process. The introduced Resolution will now
be followed by a public hearing.  Further notification of the hearing date will be published as soon as it
becomes available as we will want to show our unity and strength in numbers. We will also schedule a
neighborhood meeting in advance of the hearing to discuss the issues and answer questions.
December 8, 2008 our testimony helped  the Land Use Committee to reach a decision to forward the
Open Space resolution to the Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation.  If the full Board
approves the resolution, the difficult process of evaluating the financial feasibility of designing, developing
and maintaining a park will commence in earnest. Continued resistance from the P.U.C. is probable.
December 2008 - Board of Supervisors passes a resolution reaffirming the reservoirs status as open
space
September 2009 - the creation of the Francisco Reservoir organization. For more information write Bruce
Keene at bruce_keene@hotmail.com or call him at (415) 928-4025 or click here.
December 13, 2010 - The PUC approached the Russian Hill Improvement Association (RHIA) for the
purpose of meeting a larger neighborhood membership to determine what the neighborhood would accept
as usage for the reservoir property.
January 2011. Russian Hill Improvement Association (RHIA) agreed to meet with Aquatic Park Neighbors
(APN) and Russian Hill Neighbors (RHN) for the purpose of determining what the neighborhood would
accept as usage for the property.
March 3, 2011 APN took a survey of its members about their preference for the use of the reservoir space.
 88% voted for open space with recreational activities.
 10% voted for development with 10 to 40 units
 2% returned the survey undecided
August 23, 2011 Renderings of possible Francisco Reservoir Community Gardens
 Proposal 1
  Proposal 2
  Proposal 3
  Proposal 4
  Proposal 5
  Proposal 6

The Property
Block 46, lot 1 extends from Larkin to Hyde and Bay to Francisco (the dirt road on top of the dam).
Block 47, lot 1 extends from Larkin to Hyde and Francisco to the rear of the Chestnut Street parcels
Francisco between Larkin and Hyde is separately owned by the Dept. Of  Public Works.
A one hundred foot strip of Block 47,
parcel extending northward from the rear of the Chestnut Street
parcels between Larkin and Hyde was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Park Commission in 1947 and
dedicated for park purposes.

History
1930 - City got parcels 0046-001 and 0047-001 through the purchase of Spring Valley Water Company.
1947 – Resolution 7103 - Russian Hill Improvement Association pays $20,000 for transfer of jurisdiction of
one hundred southernmost feet between Hyde and Larkin to Park Commission with dedication for park
purposes.
1954 - City Planning report recommends transfer of lower park area on Bay Street (Bay Street-Francisco
Park) be transferred to Rec. And Park.
1955 - Proposition C provides $58,000 for completion of a “View Park” for the one hundred feet dedicated
for the same and Halprin plans prepared.
May, 1958 - Water Dept. officially declares reservoir and Bay Street Francisco Park surplus.
July, 1958 - Don Fazackerly (PUC Pres.) and developer present plan for two - twenty story residential
towers, three levels of garage fronting Bay Street and requiring most of the reservoir site.
July, 1958 City Planning report comes out against apartment plan.
September, 1958 - Parks and Rec. votes unanimously to buy Bay Street- Francisco Park and the
reservoir property stating need for entire property for an area park.
September, 1958 - PUC declares property no longer surplus and proposes a compromise plan.
No further details available.