FINE ARTS MUSEUMS OF SAN FRANCISCO
Special Meeting
Executive Committee
Board of Trustees
February 2, 1998
Call to Order
A special meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Fine Arts Museums
of San Francisco was held on Monday, February 2, 1998, in the 6th Floor Conference Room of
the Museums’ Administrative Offices at 233 Post Street, San Francisco. The purpose of the special
meeting was to consider and possibly adopt a resolution approving the draft 1998 Bond Program
Report to Rebuild the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park. This special meeting replaced the
regular
meeting of the Executive Committee previously scheduled for Thursday, February 12, 1998, at noon.
A quorum being present, the meeting was called to order at 12:10 p.m. by Mrs. Alfred S. Wilsey,
Chairman. President Goss presided; Mrs. Gough acted as Secretary.
Roll Call
Present:
Robert J. Bransten, Vice President/Collections
Richard P. Finn
Ms. Frankie Jacobs Gillette, Vice President/Civic Affairs
Mrs. Richard Goodyear
Richard W. Goss II, President
David M. Jamison, Vice President/Audience Development
William E. Steen, Vice President/Facilities
Mrs. Alfred S. Wilsey, Chairman
Excused:
Mrs. Ray Dolby, Vice President/Annual Support
Richard P. Essey
J. Alec Merriam
Steven MacGregor Read
Frank Montgomery Woods
Other Trustees in Attendance:
Mrs. Philip E. Bowles III
Charles Crocker
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Executive Committee - Special Meeting
February 2, 1998
Other Trustees in Attendance (continued):
Mrs. Jerrold L. Kingsley
Mrs. Leonard E. Kingsley
Leonard E. Kingsley
Mrs. Lewis K. Land
Mrs. Peter McBean
Jay D. McEvoy
William A. Stimson
Mrs. Charles F. Willis
Florence Sue Wong
Report of the Chairman - Mrs. Alfred S. Wilsey
A.
Report on Recent Development Regarding the de Young Museum
Mrs. Wilsey advised that planning is underway to place an $89.9 million bond
measure on the June 2, 1998 San Francisco ballot to rebuild the de Young Museum in
Golden Gate Park. The June 1998 ballot will also include an ordinance, which will
establish a public benefit authority charged with building a privately funded underground
parking facility in the Park and developing feasibility and implementation plans for removal
of surface parking, pedestrian zones, the creation of a Park shuttle system linked to
downtown San Francisco, improved public transportation to the Park, additional bicycle
and skating paths, and extensive landscaping improvements. The Keep the de Young in the
Park Coalition has joined in support of the bond measure and the privately financed garage,
and has dropped its citizens’ initiative to keep the de Young in the Park.
Civic leader, Warren Hellman, will lead the private fund-raising effort for the
garage, which is preliminarily projected to cost approximately $30 million. Mrs. Wilsey
explained that for each parking space in the proposed garage, one space will be
eliminated from Park surface streets. It was emphasized that passage of both the bond
measure and the ordinance to create the garage are essential to the future of the de Young
Museum in Golden Gate Park.
Mrs. Wilsey clarified that the $89.9 million general obligation bond measure will
require a two-thirds vote of approval by San Francisco voters, whereas the ordinance to
build a privately funded garage requires a simple majority vote to pass. A unified and
concerted effort by the Museums, the Keep the de Young in the Park Coalition, and other
groups is critical to ensure voter approval of the bond measure and the ordinance.
Appreciation was expressed to Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr., and Supervisor Michael Yaki,
who were instrumental in facilitating these important developments. Chairman Wilsey,
President Goss and Director Parker were also congratulated for their efforts with a round
of applause.
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Executive Committee - Special Meeting
February 2, 1998
B.
Consideration and Possible Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Draft
1998 Bond Program Report to Rebuild the de Young Museum in Golden
Gate Park
Mr. Parker was called upon to present the draft 1998 Bond Program Report.
He noted that the draft Report was reviewed by the City’s Capital Improvement Advisory
Committee on January 29th, the first step in the City review and approval process to place
the $89.9 million bond measure on the June 2, 1998 ballot. The Report will then require
the recommendation of the Finance Committee of the Board of Supervisors on February
4, 1998 preparatory to the Board of Supervisors’ approval on February 9, 1998. Ballot
measures must be authorized by the Board of Supervisors no later than February 18,
1998.
The 1998 Bond Program Report is very similar to the one approved by the Board
of Trustees in 1996 with the exception of three significant changes: 1) a redefined
footprint, 2) increased project costs, and 3) removal of the Museum parking garage on the
assumption that parking in the Concourse area will be provided.
With regard to the proposed footprint, Mr. Parker noted that the Museum would
be shifted slightly to the northeast to allow alignment of the main entry with the center
line of the Music Concourse, thereby returning the de Young to its original location.
Most
importantly, the present Asian Art Museum footprint would be utilized to accommodate
future de Young Museum expansion. (The 1996 Bond Program Report returned this area
to green space.) The current footprint totals 188,992 square feet and includes the staff
parking lot and the west wing footprint occupied by the Asian Art Museum. The 1998
Bond Report does not enlarge this existing footprint even with the proposed future
expansion. With the west wing footprint, 118,000 square feet of expansion capability
becomes available in the future in addition to the 1998 bond proposal for a new de Young
Museum totaling 283,000 square feet. It was pointed out that the present facility area
including the west wing is 230,000 gross square feet with the de Young Museum
representing 140,000 square feet. Full capacity in the future would total 400,000 square
feet without an increase in the existing footprint.
The total project and construction cost to rebuild the de Young Museum on its
current site in Golden Gate Park is approximately $134.1 million and includes the
proposed public project budget of $89.9 million and $44.2 million in private
contributions. Mr. Parker explained that the $89.9 million bond measure addresses the
City’s obligation for the mandatory seismic and code enforcement work required for the
de Young Museum. Private funds of $44.2 million will be raised to pay all costs that
exceed the City’s mandatory seismic and code enforcement work and are expected to
fund many site and building enhancements, as well as furniture, fixtures and equipment,
display cases and interactive technologies.
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Executive Committee - Special Meeting
February 2, 1998
B.
Consideration and Possible Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Draft
1998 Bond Program Report to Rebuild the de Young Museum in Golden
Gate Park (continued)
In comparison, the 1996 proposal included $73.3 million in general obligation
bonds and $44.1 million in private contributions to fund an underground parking facility
for a total cost of $117.4 million. The increase in project cost is largely due to actual
construction inflation trends in the Bay Area; two years of additional time until
construction begins; increases in architectural, design and engineering fees for highly
complex projects; and increases in permits and plan check fees suggested by the
Department of Public Works. It was pointed out that the total project costs take into
consideration the fact that construction is not expected to commence until at least June
2002.
Mr. Parker then noted that the 1998 Bond Program Report recognizes that the
Museums will join and strongly support efforts by the Mayor, Board of Supervisors,
Recreation and Park Department, and community organizations to develop, fund and
implement changes to revitalize Golden Gate Park and ensure access to Park features.
The Report assumes that solutions will be found in the near future for providing visitor
parking underneath the Concourse area.
In response to a question raised by Trustee Jamison, Mr. Parker referenced page
14 of the Report, which addresses the potential issue of passage of the bond measure and
defeat of the ordinance to create a privately funded garage in the Park. He recommended,
however, that the last sentence on page 14 be amended to be less specific:
“If for any reason, these solutions cannot be found, funded and [or]
implemented in a timely manner, this may have a significant impact
on the Museum’s plans to rebuild[the Museum cannot proceed with
its plans to rebuild].”*
Additional modifications to the Report, which delete references to staff and volunteer
parking were also recommended. These changes appear on pages 3, 21, 22, and 31 and
include corresponding changes in square footage on pages 31 and 34 of the Report. It is
intended
that staff and volunteer parking needs be accommodated in the proposed Golden Gate
Park Concourse garage. The Executive Committee agreed to revise the draft 1998 Bond
Program Report as recommended.
*Additions in italics; deletions in [ ]
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Executive Committee - Special Meeting
February 2, 1998
B.
Consideration and Possible Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Draft
1998 Bond Program Report to Rebuild the de Young Museum in Golden
Gate Park (continued)
Discussion then ensued regarding a proposed rendering of the rebuilt de Young in
Golden Gate Park. The Executive Committee concurred that a rendering was an
important element in winning the bond election and emphasized the desirability of having
some latitude to explore design possibilities as the project develops. The Committee
further recognized that the polls have indicated that San Francisco voters prefer the de
Young as it has been in the Park and favor the tradition it has represented for the past 100
years.
Chair Wilsey then introduced the following resolution:
WHEREAS, The Board of Trustees at its meeting on January 15, 1998
authorized The Chairman and President of the Board of Trustees and the Director
of Museums to meet with public officials and community groups, to expend funds
and to take any other steps required to forge a new de Young solution that will lead
to a bond initiative in 1998 to rebuild the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees does
hereby approve the draft 1998 Bond Report to Rebuild the de Young Museum
in Golden Gate Park in preparation for a bond initiative to be placed on the June 1998
San Francisco ballot; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Chairman and President of the Board of
Trustees and the Director of Museums are authorized to continue to confer with city
officials and to make such changes to the draft 1998 Bond Report to Rebuild the
de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park as they deem necessary.
A motion was made and seconded to adopt the above resolution. There was no
further discussion among the Executive Committee or other Trustees present.
Public testimony was then received from four individuals (summarized):
1.
Mrs. J. H. Hume - Suggested that the California Academy of Sciences be
represented
in the discussions regarding Golden Gate Park. The parking needs of all Park
attractions should be addressed.
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Executive Committee - Special Meeting
February 2, 1998
B.
Consideration and Possible Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Draft
1998 Bond Program Report to Rebuild the de Young Museum in Golden
Gate Park (continued)
2.
Richard Lanzerotti, M.D. - Discussions among the Board, Coalition, and City
officials have been positive and hopefully will result in a parking garage under or near
the Concourse. Believes that the bond measure and the ordinance to create a parking
garage will win. He expressed appreciation to the Board of Trustees and the need for
everyone to work together for a successful outcome.
3.
Pamela Davis - Stated concern over the Museums’ parking needs for staff
and volunteers and felt that this matter should be more explicit in the draft 1998 Bond
Report.
4.
Tomasita Medál - Expressed thanks to the Board and the staff for the positive
developments of recent weeks and committed to working to get the bond measure
and garage ordinance passed in June.
Public testimony concluded. There was no further discussion among Trustees. The
Executive Committee voted unanimously to adopt the above resolution as Board Resolution
1252.
Mr. Parker noted the proposed timetable on page 42 of the draft 1998 Bond Program
Report, which targets architect selection in 1998; the environmental impact report in late
1998 through most of 1999; City agency approvals in the second quarter of 2000; the
closure of the de Young Museum and move of the Asian Art Museum from Golden Gate
Park in late 2001; construction beginning in 2002; and a new de Young Museum opening
in mid 2006.
Mr. Parker, Debbie Frieden, Project Manager, and Patty Lacson, Project Coordinator,
were commended for their efforts in expeditiously producing an excellent draft 1998 Bond
Program Report to Rebuild the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park.
Report of the President - Richard W. Goss II
There was no business to report by the President.
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Executive Committee - Special Meeting
February 2, 1998
Report of the Director - Harry S. Parker III
A.
Consideration and Possible Action to Approve Loan Requests
Mr. Parker presented the following loan requests:
From:
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
For:
Monet in the 20th Century
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: January 26, 1998 - December 27, 1998
Claude Monet, French 1840-1926 (1960.29 A303291)
The Grand Canal, Venice, 1908
oil on canvas, 28 13/16 x 35 5/16 inches
Gift of Osgood Hooker
Stipulations: To avoid extensive travel, the painting will go to Boston on long term
loan directly from Brooklyn where it was in the exhibition, Monet and the
Mediterranean, which just closed. The painting will be accompanied
by a FAMSF or MFA courier from Brooklyn to Boston and back to
San Francisco. MFA to provide a reciprocal loan to FAMSF for the
duration of this loan. All related expenses will be paid by the requesting
institution.
*****
From:
Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford, CT
For:
Pieter de Hooch
Dulwich Picture Gallery, London: September 1998
Wadsworth Atheneum, Hartford: CT - December 1998
Pieter de Hooch, Dutch 1629-1684 (61.44.37 A303264)
Woman with Children in an Interior, c. 1658-1660
oil on canvas, 26 5/8 x 21 13/16 (65.5 x 53.6 cm)
Gift of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation
Stipulations: Painting will be accompanied by a FAMSF courier to London and from
Hartford back to San Francisco. All related expenses will be paid by the
requesting institution.
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Executive Committee - Special Meeting
February 2, 1998
A.
Consideration and Possible Action to Approve Loan Requests (continued)
From:
Fundacio “la Caixa”, Barcelona, Spain
For:
Jovellanos, Ministro de Gracia y Justicia
Instituto Jovellanos, Centro Cultural de Gijon: May - June 1998
Fundacio “la Caixa”, Barcelona: June - August 1998
Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes, Spanish 1746-1828
(61.44.26 A303253)
Don Ramon de Posada y Soto, c. 1801
oil on canvas
Gift of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation
Stipuations:
Painting will be accompanied by a FAMSF courier to and from Spain.
All related expenses will be paid by the requesting institution.
*****
From:
APT International, Inc., Tokyo, Japan
For:
Camille Pissarro and the Pissarro Family
Isetan Museum of Art, Tokyo: March 5 - April 7, 1998
Daimaru Museum, Osaka: April 29 - May 11, 1998
Mitsukoshi Museum of Art, Fukuoka: May 20 - June 10, 1998
Mie Prefectural Art Museum: June 23 - July 26, 1998
Yamaguchi Prefectural Art Museum: August 1 - August 24, 1998
Camille Jacob Pissarro, French 1830 - 1903 (1974.6 A304529)
Bouquet of Flowers (Bouquet de Fleurs)
oil on canvas, 21 ¼ x 25 ¾ (60.3 x 70.1 cm)
Bequest of Marco F. Hellman
Stipulations: Painting will be accompanied by a FAMSF courier to and from Japan.
All related expenses will be paid by the requesting institution.
*****
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Executive Committee - Special Meeting
February 2, 1998
A.
Consideration and Possible Action to Approve Loan Requests (continued)
From:
United States Army Museum of Hawaii, Schofield Barracks, HI
For:
Army’s 100th Anniversary in Hawaii
Centennial Plaza Park, Fort Shafter, HI: March 1, 1998 - March 1, 1003
(5 years, non-renewable long-term loan)
Canon, Prince de Conde (X1950.1)
bronze
Gift from Major General Shafter to the City of San Francisco
Stipulations: Army to pay for conservation, shipping, drayage to and from Hawaii.
*****
A motion was made and seconded to approve the above loans. There was no
discussion among Trustees or members of the public. The Executive Committee voted
unanimously to approve the loans subject to the conditions stated.
B.
Current and Future Exhibitions
Mr. Parker reported that Rhapsodies in Black: Art of the Harlem Renaissance has
generated a good deal of public interest and excitement. Attendance has been strong,
particularly on weekends, and the response to Civic Affairs Committee exhibition events has
been very active. Trustee Gillette, Vice President and Chair of the Civic Affairs Committee,
reported on the very successful Martin Luther King Day celebration on January 19, 1998.
The crowds were impressive and lined the front and side of the Legion waiting to view
Harlem Renaissance exhibition. Appreciation was extended once again to the sponsors
of this event and to the Essey Family Fund and other donors for making this free day at
the Legion possible.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the State of Israel, an exhibition of ancient
glass, Ancient Glass from the Holy Land, will be on display at the de Young Museum from
April 25 through August 23, 1998.
Public Comment
Members of the public may address the Executive Committee on items not on the agenda that are
within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, including all
matters pertaining to the subsequent closed session. Speakers may address the Executive Committee
for up to
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Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
Executive Committee - Special Meeting
February 2, 1998
Public Comment (continued)
three minutes; the President or the Executive Committee may limit the total comment to thirty
minutes. The following speaker gave public comment (summarized):
Marion Hinman - Encouraged all to attend Bouquets to Art at the Legion of Honor
from March 16-20, 1998.
There was no further public comment.
Adjournment - Mrs. Alfred S. Wilsey, Chairman
There being no further business, Chairman Wilsey adjourned the meeting at 1:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Gough
Executive Secretary
Museums
Note: These minutes set forth all actions taken up by the Executive Committee on matters stated, but
not necessarily in the order in which the matters were considered.
Immediately following this meeting, the Corporation of The Fine Arts Museums held a meeting of its
Executive Committee.
mexfamsf972
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