By Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross
The San Francisco Chronicle
SAN FRANCISCO — Very hush-hush talks going on for the Museum of Modern Art to expand into San Francisco’s Fire Station No. 1 on Howard Street — with speculation that SFMOMA would use the space to house the art collection that Gap founder Donald Fisher wants to show off.
Those in the know tell us the idea would be for the museum, which already owns the building next to the fire station, to build the city a new firehouse somewhere in the neighborhood. It would then take over Station No. 1, which will need $900,000 in repairs if it stays a firehouse.
The city would get a new station at no cost, and the museum, which abuts the alley behind the station, would be able to expand all the way to Howard Street.
Fire Commission President Victor Makras called it “an innovative approach to gain a premium piece of property.”
Museum Director Neal Benezra declined to comment on the possible firehouse flip.
Fisher, of course, just saw his plans for a Presidio museum to house his family’s modern art collection go up in flames. A spokesman said Fisher, an SFMOMA board member, was not aware of the potential firehouse deal.
“But if they are moving forward and they want to present us with an opportunity, he is certainly willing to listen,” spokesman Alex Tourk said.
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