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Tonga Room SF to be demolished? |
paulfisher
Member
Joined: Feb 22, 2009
Posts: 1 |  Posted: 2009-02-22 3:37 pm
Hello Tiki Central! Yes the owners of the Tonga Room are applying to demolish the Tonga Room. It is part of Case No. 2008.0081E - 950 Mason Street, Fairmont Hotel, now starting the entitlements process in the San Francisco Planning Department. Tonga and the entire back half of their block would be demolished under their proposal. I and my neighbors, who live right next door, are protesting this demolition. We invite interested parties to join our protest by contacting the people listed below:
FAIRMONT HOTEL STAFF
Thomas Klein, General Manager - thomas.klein@fairmont.com;
Susan Sagy, Planning Consultant - ssagy@broadreachcp.com;
SAN FRANCISCO PLANNING DEPARTMENT
devyani.jain@sfgov.org
bill.wycko@sfgov.org
SAN FRANCISC CITY GOVERNMENT
David.Chiu, Supervisor District 3 (location of Tonga) and President of Board of Supervisors (very important person) - david.chiu@sfgov.org;
Christina Olague, President San Francisco Planning Commission - c_olague@yahoo.com
Ron Miguel, Vice President San Francisco Planning Commission - rm@well.com
Kathrin Moore, Commissioner San Francisco Planning Commission - moorurban@speakeasy.net
Alan Martinez, Commissioner Historic Preservation Commission - awmartinez@earthlink.net
Charles Edwin Chase AIA, Commissioner Historic Preservation Commission - c.chase@argsf.com
Courtney Damkroger, Commissioner Historic Preservation Commission - cdamkroger@hotmail.com
Karl Hasz, Commissioner Historic Preservation Commission - karlhasz@haszconstruction.com
Thanks very much for your support to save one of the grandest old Tiki bars!
Paul Fisher
[ This Message was edited by: paulfisher 2009-02-22 16:55 ]
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mrsmiley
Grand Member (6 years) 
Joined: Apr 03, 2002
Posts: 2566
From: Las Vegas, NV
| Posted: 2009-02-22 10:45 pm
Are they demolishing both towers? The Northeast tower is (i believe)the tower the Tonga Room is NOT in. I think the Tonga is in the Southeast Tower. The planning dept info that I read seemed a little unclear.
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davejayhawk
Member
Joined: Jan 25, 2009
Posts: 10
From: Kansas City
| Posted: 2009-02-23 06:36 am
Here's a link to a story linked on boingboing.com today re: the possible closing of the Tonga Room.
http://laughingsquid.com/will-the-tonga-room-be-a-casualty-of-the-fairmont-condo-plans/
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dangergirl299
Grand Member (first year) 
Joined: Feb 18, 2003
Posts: 878
From: Bay Area
| Posted: 2009-02-23 10:27 am
Quote:
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On 2009-02-22 22:45, mrsmiley wrote:
Are they demolishing both towers? The Northeast tower is (i believe)the tower the Tonga Room is NOT in. I think the Tonga is in the Southeast Tower. The planning dept info that I read seemed a little unclear.
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Bruce makes a VERY good point. If only folks who have suffered through years of technical training like architects and contruction law attorneys can tell from reading the 50+ page document that the Tonga Room is not in the "proposed" elevations, and the average person can not tell, I would say this indicates an intent on the part of the project planner the Fairmont to "hide" the fact that the Tonga Room is set to be demolished. On this basis, among others, we have the seeds to plant a successful lawsuit.
If anyone is a member if a SF historical society that would be interested in filing to make the Tonga Room a historical site, please email me at dangergirl299@yahoo.com.
Regards,
Jen
_________________
May the power of Tiki compel you!
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Unga Bunga
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jun 06, 2003
Posts: 5375
From: CaliTikifornia
| Posted: 2009-02-23 10:51 am
Quote:
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On 2009-02-21 16:51, Hiphipahula wrote:
Quote:
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On 2008-12-10 22:55, Unga Bunga wrote:
Well, if they ARE shutting down the Tonga, let's have a party
before they shut it down without notice, like they did with the last three other classics that closeed.
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Greatly saddened at the possible outcome. I feel a road trip coming on. Anyone else from SoCal interested?
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IN!!
Probably the sooner the better now.
I would never forgive myself to miss out on one last visit.
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martiki
Official Mixologist
Joined: Mar 29, 2002
Posts: 3040
From: http://www.smugglerscovesf.com
| Posted: 2009-02-23 11:00 am
I have word that SF Chronicle columnist Leah Garchik will be writing about it soon- hopefully that gets some more traction on the issue.
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dangergirl299
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: Feb 18, 2003
Posts: 878
From: Bay Area
| Posted: 2009-02-23 11:48 am
Also, drop an email to the following members of the SAN FRANCISCO HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION:
awmartinez@earthlink.net, c.chase@argsf.com, cdamkroger@hotmail.com, karlhasz@haszconstruction.com, Mark.Luellen@sfgov.org, Sophie.Middlebrook@sfgov, Sonya.Banks@sfgov.org
You can write:
"I urge you to designate the Tonga Room, which is located within the historic portion of the 1906 Fairmont Hotel building, as a historic Landmark pursuant to Planning Code Section 1004."
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dangergirl299
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: Feb 18, 2003
Posts: 878
From: Bay Area
| Posted: 2009-02-23 12:03 pm
My research has uncovered that the 1906 Fairmont Building is a historical landmark. I do not see in the paperwork that the proper procedures for altering a historic landmark have been met. I believe there is supposed to be an additional hearing before the historial commission. If anyone knows more about how this works, PM me.
Thanks,
Jennifer
_________________
May the power of Tiki compel you!
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TikiMel
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Aug 10, 2002
Posts: 74
From: Bay Area, CA
| Posted: 2009-02-23 12:22 pm
this was just posted today:
http://laughingsquid.com/will-the-tonga-room-be-a-casualty-of-the-fairmont-condo-plans/
_________________
woops. looks like i was a bit late to the game. <blush>
[ This Message was edited by: TikiMel 2009-02-23 12:23 ]
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thejab
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: Mar 25, 2002
Posts: 2960
From: Forbidden Island, CA
| Posted: 2009-02-23 12:57 pm
Quote:
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On 2009-02-23 10:27, dangergirl299 wrote:
Quote:
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On 2009-02-22 22:45, mrsmiley wrote:
Are they demolishing both towers? The Northeast tower is (i believe)the tower the Tonga Room is NOT in. I think the Tonga is in the Southeast Tower. The planning dept info that I read seemed a little unclear.
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Bruce makes a VERY good point. If only folks who have suffered through years of technical training like architects and contruction law attorneys can tell from reading the 50+ page document that the Tonga Room is not in the "proposed" elevations, and the average person can not tell, I would say this indicates an intent on the part of the project planner the Fairmont to "hide" the fact that the Tonga Room is set to be demolished. On this basis, among others, we have the seeds to plant a successful lawsuit.
If anyone is a member if a SF historical society that would be interested in filing to make the Tonga Room a historical site, please email me at dangergirl299@yahoo.com.
Regards,
Jen
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I read the proposal very carefully and it states that they are going to demolish the 1961 tower and the 5-story podium under the tower. I believe that this podium is where the Tonga Room and Cirque bar are located. I'm not sure but I think the podium dates from before 1961. The plan is build a new podium and tower.
It is not the time the sit quietly because we are not sure of where exactly the Tonga Room is in the plan. The planning department needs to demand clarification from the developers of what exactly they plan to do with the historic restaurants and bars. The person who wrote to James T. (quoted in an earlier post) stated that he asked the developers about the Tonga Room specifically and they stated that it would NOT be preserved.
I didn't even know there was a historic preservation group in the Bay Area, but if there is let's contact them. I know there is one in Oakland but they don't seem to care much for mid-century landmarks. We sorely need a group as vocal and effective as the LA Conservancy and Mod Com in the Bay Area.
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thejab
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: Mar 25, 2002
Posts: 2960
From: Forbidden Island, CA
| Posted: 2009-02-23 1:09 pm
I suggest we email members of the Historic Preservation Commission asking them to put this item on their next meeting's agenda. I'm not sure when that is, but they met on 2/4 and 2/18 so perhaps they meet every other Wednesday. The commission is a new one, approved by voters last year, so the Feb 4th meeting was their first.
http://www.sfgov.org/site/planning_index.asp?id=96784
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thejab
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: Mar 25, 2002
Posts: 2960
From: Forbidden Island, CA
| Posted: 2009-02-23 1:21 pm
Today Curbed and NBC Bay Area picked up the story, but it seems like the writer thinks it's really not something worth saving.
http://sf.curbed.com/archives/2009/02/23/fairmont_towers_condo_conversion_whither_tonga.php
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/around_town/real_estate/Fairmont_Tower_s_Condo_Conversion__Whither_Tonga__BAY.html
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thejab
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: Mar 25, 2002
Posts: 2960
From: Forbidden Island, CA
| Posted: 2009-02-23 1:21 pm
Today Curbed and NBC Bay Area picked up the story, but it seems like the writer thinks it's really not something worth saving.
http://sf.curbed.com/archives/2009/02/23/fairmont_towers_condo_conversion_whither_tonga.php
http://www.nbcbayarea.com/around_town/real_estate/Fairmont_Tower_s_Condo_Conversion__Whither_Tonga__BAY.html
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monet2u
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Nov 09, 2006
Posts: 109
From: SF, CA
| Posted: 2009-02-23 2:13 pm
oh my goodness, this is insane.
I've written a letter and will send it to all on the SF historic committee.
Any other suggestions of where I can send my letter? Thanks!
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tikibars
Grand Member (first year)
Joined: Apr 11, 2002
Posts: 1929
From: Aku Hall, Chicago
| Posted: 2009-02-23 8:21 pm
Forwarded to me today:
"Dear Historic Nob Hill Neighbors,
Please find below notes from the meeting with attorney Susan Brandt-Hawley, attended by thirty people. Our newly proposed organization (Historic Nob Hill or HNH) is determined have influence with the development of Fairmont Hotel. We have raised $1,855 and now have a small attorney client trust fund that can be applied toward future efforts to address our collective concerns.
We thank below all the generous contributors who were present and those that were unable to attend.
[list of names]
We are currently reaching out to an existing a state historic organization, so we potentially could donate, setting up an exclusive fund to further our efforts and have tax deductible contributions.
For those of you that are interested in the Tonga Room Demoliton or Tiki Themed bars please visit: <http://www.tikiroom.com/tikicentral/bb/viewtopic.php?mode=viewtopic&topic=30385&forum=1&start=45>http://www.tikiroom.com/tikicentral/bb/viewtopic.php?mode=viewtopic&topic=30385&forum=1&start=45
Fairmont Project
Summary of Meeting of February1 8, 2009
Comments from
Susan Brandt –Hawley, Ca Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Attorney
I. CEQA and the Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
Substantive as well as procedural.
Opportunity to look at alternative projects, study impacts on traffic, historic resources etc.
Opportunity to look at least possible environmental impact
Before EIR is certified, all environmental impacts must be mitigated, or developer must prove “overriding considerations”
II. Fairmont Project
Do not be intimidated by the Fairmont name and finances.
Courts are clear, they have no as of right to build the project as proposed.
City may ultimately adopt one of the proposed alternates
However city will want to accommodate the Fairmont
III. CEQA Procedure
Step 1 Scoping
Opportunity to define the scope of the EIR
Good time to propose alternatives
Step 2 Issue Draft EIR (DEIR)
Prepared by developer, based on Step I Scoping input, as well as proposed project
Step 3 DEIR Comment Period
45-60 day written comment period
(Because Fairmont must respond to each, letter format should be short, numbered questions.)
Public Hearings at the Planning Commission & Historic Preservation Commission
Step 4 Final EIR (FEIR)
All written and verbal comments from Step 3 must be responded to in the FEIR
Commission votes whether to certify the EIR/grant Conditional Use authorization
Decision can be appealed to the Board of Supervisors (BOS)
CEQA law is clear; we have the right to go to an elected body in seeking mitigation
Step 5 Legal Challenge
Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst
Communicate in writing and keep all records as basis for legal action
Fairmont must look at all reasonable alternatives or face legal challenges
If we prevail in court, attorney fees are paid for by Fairmont/City.
IV Approach Moving Forward
Show credibility by proposing reasonable alternatives
Acknowledge Fairmont’s rights to a project
Don’t demand a financially infeasible project
Make a reasonable argument for mitigation measures
V. Tasks Moving Forward
Form a Steering Committee
Name our group
Form, or work through, a non profit
Clarify our position in writing
Form alliances with interested parties (neighborhood, historical, and Tiki Bar groups)
Meet with decisions makers, present alternatives
Meet with Fairmont representatives, present alternatives
Decide whether to retain an attorney, if so in what capacity."
I encourage all TCers in the Bay Area to contact these people, to attend their meetings, and to participate in thier efforts.
_________________
- James T.
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