New Developer for Arden Woods

Exactly one year after I posted an article from the SF Business Times, they have published an update which includes changes to the plan as well as a new developer.

Four months after Union Capital Properties dropped an agreement to build 200 condos in West Portal's woodsy Christian Science enclave known as Arden Wood, a Washington, D.C., developer with deep San Francisco roots has taken over the project.

Republic Urban Properties, which has developed more than $4 billion in office, housing and retail over the past 30 years, mostly around Washington, has been picked to develop the verdant 12.3-acre property.

While Republic Urban Properties is new to the Bay Area -- the firm has just opened a San Francisco office and has one project in San Jose -- its West Coast president is Robert Mendelsohn, a former member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Mendelsohn served 10 years on the board before leaving in 1977 to become assistant to the secretary of the interior in the Carter administration. [more...]

The article also goes on to say that plans are far from complete and they are working on making "part of the property out as a public park. The lush woods are not now open to the public, and many lifelong West Portal residents have never set foot on the property."

More housing and public parks? Sounds like a great idea to me...

S.F. religious campus to sell open space for housing [SFHomeBlog]
Leafy west side tract scores a new developer [SF Business Times]