Golden Gate Park Bandshell Closed: City Needs $700,000

By Chris Schmidt

A bastion of sound and harmony for more than 106 years, the Spreckels Temple of Music in Golden Gate Park, known simply as the "bandshell" by most, is dying a slow and painful death.

The concave structure that has hosted such impresarios as John Phillips Sousa, Pavarotti and the Grateful Dead has been boarded up and closed since early this year due to extensive water damage in its domed roof. Leaks have loosened several 100-year-old ornamental ceiling fixtures, creating a potential hazard.

According to Rick Thall of the SF Department of Public Works, permanently fixing the bandshell will cost upwards of $700,000. However, as a short-term fix, the City has signed an emergency contract to install netting in the dome to catch any falling pieces.

"The netting will enable us to reopen the bandshell during the late October, early November time frame," Thall said. "As for the long-term solution, we're in the process of applying for grants to provide the necessary funding that will enable us to restore the temple to its original state. Still, it's all very to-be-determined."

The permanent repair involves drilling down into the loose masonry from above, installing wooden dowels and applying a strong epoxy to secure the pieces. A large chunk of the restoration money could come sooner than expected, and Richmond District residents could play an instrumental part.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express have teamed up to provide $1 million to aid for restoration efforts at 25 historic Bay Area sites, one of which is the bandshell. The public is encouraged to visit www.partnersinpreservation.com by Oct. 31 to vote for their favorite landmark. The money will be divided among the sites based on the number of votes each garners.

The summertime concert series, a San Francisco tradition since 1882, had to change venues this past summer because of the bandshell's closure. The Golden Gate Park Band relocated to the Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum near the park's entrance at Ninth Avenue and Lincoln Way for the Sunday afternoon performances.

"It's a shame that the band couldn't play at the Music Concourse this year, but a change of venue is much better than no concerts at all," said Kathy Howard, a member of the "Friends of the Music Concourse" community group.

"We look forward to their return to the bandshell next summer," she said.