Will Treasure Island Become an Art Lover’s Paradise?

This week the San Francisco Arts Commission unveiled plans for attracting locals, tourists, and art lovers alike to Treasure Island. Built in the late 1930s, the artificial island in San Francisco Bay has spectacular views of the city but a relatively low profile on the tourist and real-estate scene. The proposal calls for a massive transformation of the island’s infrastructure, which will swell its population from 2,000 residents to an estimated 19,000, add hotels, a ferry depot, and $50 million in public art.

The combination of great views and amazing art could make the island one of the city’s top ten tourist destinations, says Tom DeCaigny, SFAC director of cultural affairs. “And we have the unique opportunity to consider the island as a whole; plans for artworks can be coordinated with the designs of open spaces, parks, and streetscapes.”