Update on Creative Arts Replacement Building

Dear faculty and staff:

I am writing to update you regarding the status of the Creative Arts Replacement Building. This project originally included three phases: replacement facilities for the programs in the existing Creative Arts Building—Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts (BECA), Theatre Arts, and Music & Dance—and a new performing arts theatre.

In 2005 we received a $10 million gift from the Mashouf family to name the performing arts theatre, which was to be funded by the gift as well as General Obligation Bonds issued by the State of California. Unfortunately, as a result of the 2008 recession, the State postponed authorizing any additional bonds and the capital support that was anticipated for the replacement projects was deferred. (The last General Obligation Bond for higher education was passed in 2006.)

Hence, as a result of the lack of state support to date for the construction of a performing arts theatre, the decision was made to remove it from the replacement building campaign. However, it is important to note that the Creative Arts replacement building, with BECA as the first of four phases, is still in the CSU capital queue for future funding. The Chancellor’s office has made critical seismic and infrastructure deficiencies the priority for the bulk of its 2014/2015 funding request, with limited state funding designated on the CSU priority list for individual major capital projects. The earliest state capital funding is expected to be available for building replacement projects is in 2015/2016.

In addition, the University has reconsidered the site for the Creative Arts replacement project in tandem with the design of the new student Recreation Wellness Center. Locating the Recreation Wellness Center on Lot 41, at the corner of Lake Merced and Font Boulevards, brings this new center of activity close to student housing and the academic core. Placing the Creative Arts replacement buildings on the Tapia Triangle and West Campus Green creates a unified zone and clear identity for the College of Liberal and Creative Arts, with the Humanities, Fine Arts, and future Creative Arts buildings located together. This arrangement also yields substantial savings to the University as a result of not having to relocate the existing softball field and taking advantage of work already completed on the extension of utilities to Lot 41.

We are pleased that Mr. Mashouf is committed to redirecting his gift to support the University, and he and I are in discussions to determine where the Mashouf family gift will be most beneficial.   If you would like additional information, please contact Robert J. Nava, vice president for University advancement at 415-338-2506 or rjnava@sfsu.edu.

Les Wong
President