The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-27
MECHANICS INSTITUTE,
Probabilities of a Huge Pa
ViliOn on the Folsom
Street Lot.
Contemplated Sale of the Properties
on Larkin and on Post
Streets.

The recent petition by trustees of the
Mechanics Institute to the Board of
Supervisors for the condemnation as a
waterway of what was once portion of
Mission Creek has given rise to consider
able comment on the intentions of the
institute regarding its large lot on Folsom
and Sixteenth streets.
In the petition was recited the fact that
the trustees of the institute contemplate
the erection of large and expensive
building upon the land, which includes all
but very small corner of the block It
would be illegal to erect building over a
public waterway even where, as in this
case, the creek exists only on the official
map of the City.
Years ago the creek blocks were filled in
above and below the point mentioned and
the surface water is now carried off
through the sewers.
One of the propositions under considera-
ton involves the selling of the Pavilion
property on Larkin and Hayes streets and
the property at 81 Post street, the pur-
chase of another lot for library purposes
and the erection of $500, 900 building upon
the Folsom street lot, for an exposition
building. All this can be done, besides
paying off all debts and leaving several
thousand dollars in the institute treasury.
The Post-street lot and library building
are estimated to be worth at least $3.50, 600.
The Pavilion property covers an area of
275x412 feet, and is bounded by Larkin,
Grove, Polk and Hayes streets. The old
buildings on Hayes street are in bad con-
dition and the large Pavilion is barn-like
and out of date for exposition purposes.
The fire insurance is very high, being 81
per cent-a heavy item of expense to the
institute.
The Pavilion property is valued between
100000 and 81, 25O, 900. 1t is appraised by
the university regents, who hold a mort
gage on the property. The associated col
the Pavilion lot.
The next matter for consideration would
be the purchase of lot and the erection
of building suitable for the library
and institute. On Union square near
Geary, Post and Powell streets, desirable
lot can be secured for $3.50, 600. A building
could be erected for $500, 900, to be several
stories high. The ground would yield a
good rental for stores, the upper parts be-
ing occupied as library, reading-rooms and
meeting-rooms.
A new pavilion made of iron and steel
on the Sixteenth and Folsom-stree lot,
which is $40 feet square, could be built Tor
$500, 900.
This would leave the institute with
$S5, 900 in the treasury, all its debts paid,
no interest to pay, a new institute library,
reading-rooms and stores and a new pa
vilion the size Of three such buildings as
the present pavilion. The proposed pavilion
will be easily reached by streetcars from
all parts of the city as soon as the Six
teenth, Church and Fillmore streets cleo
trlc-car line is in operation. All other car
lines direct or by transfers reach the block.
In speaking of suitable pavilion one of
the trustees of the institute said that the
amount stated will be sufficient to erect
building equal to any of its kind in the
United States. The whole can be built of
iron and steel with glass roof 1t will be
large enough for division into three or four
compartments by division-walls, so that
several social events or entertainments
can be held at the same time and each
party have as much room as there is in the
present pavilion.
The partition-walls can be removed for
big fair or institute exposition. The rate
Of insurance on an iron building would be
very light. Another advantage claimed
for pavilion on the Sixteenth street lot is
that it will be near the Southern Pacific
Railroad track and the proposed terminal
of the Valley Railroad.