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A famous view in San Francisco is going to change
SF Gate ^ | December 22, 2023 | Kent German

Posted on 12/23/2023 8:59:31 AM PST by ProtectOurFreedom

Workers are replacing the charming rusty chain that lines the road to Fort Point with a dull metal barrier



Link loss: Say goodbye to San Francisco’s favorite chain.

Marine Drive in the Presidio isn’t even a mile along, but as it descends a short hill from Lincoln Boulevard, you’re awarded with one of the most commanding views in San Francisco. Ahead, the Golden Gate Bridge towers above the hulk of Fort Point, while on the right, the constantly churning bay splashes on the rocky shore.

Over the next few weeks that view is going to change. The bridge and fort will still be there, but a large barrier chain that keeps awe-struck drivers from plunging into the icy water is being replaced by a more pedestrian aluminum barrier.

If you haven’t visited the site, you’d be forgiven for wondering what’s so special about a chain. But THIS chain, dangling between crumbling concrete posts and rusty from years of fog and salty spray, has been featured in countless photos on Instagram and Flickr.

At least one Instagram user is already mourning the chain’s loss. But a spokesman from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which manages the area, said there’s a good reason for its removal.

New barrier...

The new two-rail, 3-foot tall barrier will be more tolerant of the harsh marine environment, said spokesperson Julian Espinoza, and its smaller footprint will make the narrow roadway safer for everyone. And while they’ll still be awarded unobstructed views, he acknowledged the pain of photographers the world over.

“While we appreciate that some visitors really like the old design, the new barrier will improve the safety of the pedestrians, cyclists and drivers using Marine Drive and that’s been our priority for this project”

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: government; idiocy; kookism; waste
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To: Menehune56

I agree. We had a 3-way stop that T’d into a main side road. Been there forever. They put in a Roundabout, now no one knows who turns first. The speed limit is 18 miles an hour. Supposed to relieve school time backups. All it did was create more accidents, as no one uses turn signals but Senior Citizens. Even the creeping speed is not followed. Waste of money.


21 posted on 12/23/2023 11:23:44 AM PST by GailA (Land Grabs, Bad Food, KILL COWS, Bidenomics IS THE CHRISTMAS Gringh. Constitutional Conservative.)
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To: politicianslie; V_TWIN
I was stationed at Mare Island for Nuclear Training starting in 1976.

You're right SF WAS great back then.

I did a couple of stints at Hunter's Point (Drydock) in the early Sixties and mid Seventies, between WestPacs.

Being a Fleet Boat Sailor, I was indistinguishable from the counterculture hippies and spent a lot of time Rock 'n Rollin' at the Fillmore.

Interesting times, especially for an anti-drug dude inside the scene.

SF was incredible until the mid Eighty's, however Liberals can destroy anything.

22 posted on 12/23/2023 11:49:13 AM PST by Navy Patriot (Celebrate Decivilization)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom
Because they have FAR too many people in government making work for themselves to justify their jobs.

In the fed/gov they're called "change agents". They take policies and procedures that have worked well for decades and apply the new magic thinking they learned in collage.

The ensuing carnage and poor agency performance is recognized and rewarded and the "change agent" then goes on to do more damage elsewhere. Change agents are defined by their basic lack of agency knowledge, history and operational experience.

They want to change things they don't even understand.

23 posted on 12/23/2023 12:05:06 PM PST by usurper (AI was born with a birth defect.)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom
The city of San Francisco is flat broke.

Fort Point is part of the GGNRA that the feds maintain. Long ago, in the 1960's I would visit Fort Point and explore it. There were lots of rifle cartridge shells on the grounds inside, because of National Guards doing firing practice. My Dad had access to the Presidio and other regional military bases and would take me along while he visited. All gone now, as the liberal left chased out the military and bases fell under civilian control. At least Fort Point was preserved as a museum piece for tourists.

24 posted on 12/23/2023 12:05:48 PM PST by roadcat
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To: politicianslie

My dad trained on sonar in the Marine Corp on Treasure Island in WW II before shipping out. His favorite restaurant was the “Iron Pot” on Montgomery. When I moved to San Fran in summer ‘73, dad came out on a business trip and said “Son, let’s go out to dinner. I’ll take you to my favorite restaurant from when I was on Treasure Island.”

I said “Dad, come on, that was 30 years ago. The place must be gone by now.”

We drove down there and sure enough! It was still there and in business. It was a great Italian meal with Dad! Huge pots of delicious minestrone and hot sourdough bread. Yummy ravioli and a Baby Steak followed by Spamoni ice cream for dessert.

The Iron Pot had first opened in 1934, not long before dad was stationed on TI.

It moved to another location about 20 years ago, but I can’t find it any more. What a loss!


25 posted on 12/23/2023 12:40:55 PM PST by ProtectOurFreedom (“Occupy your mind with good thoughts or your enemy will fill them with bad ones.” ~ Thomas More)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

The chain was part of the historical nature and view

It was beautiful

This just looks utilitarian and ugly

The person who thought this was a good idea hates humans

Using their logic about tolerating the marine environment much better they should go on a spending spree and rebuild the Golden Gate Bridge in Aluminum so it too will be able to tolerate the marine environment


26 posted on 12/23/2023 1:16:53 PM PST by Vendome (I've Gotta Be Me https://youtu.be/wH-pk2vZG2M)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

I guess Biden is getting a 10% kickback on this ..🤓


27 posted on 12/23/2023 2:16:45 PM PST by Deplorable American1776 (Guns don't kill people, LIBERALS DO!! Support the Second Amendment...)
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To: Vendome
The chain was part of the historical nature and view. It was beautiful.
No kidding. It was a great nautical theme that just fit right in with Fort Point, Chrissy Field, and the Marina.

This [replacement] just looks utilitarian and ugly
No kidding #2! AND it looks déclassé and cheap. Why would they make that area UGLY?

28 posted on 12/23/2023 2:34:41 PM PST by ProtectOurFreedom (“Occupy your mind with good thoughts or your enemy will fill them with bad ones.” ~ Thomas More)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom
The federal government has LOTS of money for crap like this.

Not really, the taxpayers got the money the government can waste on crap like this..

29 posted on 12/23/2023 2:40:52 PM PST by Deplorable American1776 (Guns don't kill people, LIBERALS DO!! Support the Second Amendment...)
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To: PeterPrinciple
If the old chain did that job, then why change it?

Biden didn't get their 10% on the chain job!! 🤓

30 posted on 12/23/2023 2:42:07 PM PST by Deplorable American1776 (Guns don't kill people, LIBERALS DO!! Support the Second Amendment...)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

I miss Capp’s at Powell and Green. “Get up! You’re done!” Hilarious.


31 posted on 12/23/2023 3:11:50 PM PST by mikey_hates_everything
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To: mikey_hates_everything

The biggest loss is The Condor on Broadway!


32 posted on 12/23/2023 3:16:27 PM PST by ProtectOurFreedom (“Occupy your mind with good thoughts or your enemy will fill them with bad ones.” ~ Thomas More)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

I was too young for that but was introduced to Carol Doda when she would occasionally show up on an obscure UHF channel.


33 posted on 12/23/2023 3:31:41 PM PST by mikey_hates_everything
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

My folks said the traffic engineer in that town is a douchewagon, so that doesn’t surprise me.


34 posted on 12/23/2023 6:23:27 PM PST by Disambiguator
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Very very very ugly...


35 posted on 12/23/2023 7:29:34 PM PST by DoughtyOne (I pledge allegiance to the flag of the USofA & to the Constitutional REPUBLIC for which it stands.)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

“that flimsy (looks like aluminum) new barrier won’t stop anything”

No it won’t.

It looks like 1¼ to 1½ pipe (probably thin wall pipe) that’s secured to the concrete with four lag bolts


36 posted on 12/23/2023 8:01:35 PM PST by 2CAVTrooper (Freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it.)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

They could have installed something that had character

Someone got a kickback for this lousy job


37 posted on 12/24/2023 9:40:44 AM PST by Vendome (I've Gotta Be Me https://youtu.be/wH-pk2vZG2M)
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To: Vendome

The juxtaposition is horrible, isn’t it? The drop-dead gorgeous waterfront setting, classical Fort Point, beautiful GG Bridge and that ugly, utilitarian, useless, flimsy railing.

Nobody at the National Park Service could be concerned about visual harmony, esthetics and homage to our seafaring past?


38 posted on 12/24/2023 10:02:50 AM PST by ProtectOurFreedom (“Occupy your mind with good thoughts or your enemy will fill them with bad ones.” ~ Thomas More)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

It is so damned cheap ass looking and does not go with the area at all.

Someone at the Presidio Trust got paid for this POS and San Francisco is getting uglier by the day.

There was no reason to remove the chains that makes any kind of sense except someone was involved in a payola.

Was this even up for public discussion, which might be part of the law?

If this is a historical site then they violated terms of the National Register of Historic Places, of which the Presidio at San Francisco is a registered National Historic Landmark and was designated as such in 1962.

And the reason they made it a Shitty 3 foot high barrier is because they could hide their crime as a permit is not required for any fence that is 3 feet or less.

Except now a disable person or drunk can easily topple over this and sue because it’s purpose is to prevent people from falling over but, it would need to be 4 foot to accomplish that

https://sfplanning.org/resource/fences
A building permit is not required for a fence that is three feet or less in height at the front of a property, or six feet or less in height at the side or rear property lines. Neighborhood notification is not required for fences ten feet or less in height. If a fence is ten feet or less in height and it meets the restrictions discussed below, it will usually be approved over the counter.

Clever huh?

They are beautifying the rest of the Presidio but, here they make it flat out ugly?

Someone got paid.


39 posted on 12/24/2023 11:46:49 AM PST by Vendome (I've Gotta Be Me https://youtu.be/wH-pk2vZG2M)
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To: Vendome

I doubt SF Planning applies in the GGNRA (which includes the Presidio).

So maybe Brandon got his 10%?


40 posted on 12/24/2023 11:53:19 AM PST by ProtectOurFreedom (“Occupy your mind with good thoughts or your enemy will fill them with bad ones.” ~ Thomas More)
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