/h/LosIsosceles
Move Ruth Asawa School of the Arts into the S.F. Centre
submitted by /u/LosIsosceles [link]
SOTA’s students have been promised proper facilities for over a decade—moving into the Centre finally delivers on that commitment. These young artists train in hallways, not dance studios, while the city’s creative economy bleeds talent.
This only works if the city secures a firm, all-in cost estimate and a multi-year phased rollout. Without that, we’re repeating the same fantasy that’s kept SOTA in its cramped campus.
Philadelphia and Chicago have already proved that converting dead retail into arts education can work. We should study those deals carefully before committing, but the precedent is clear.
What happens when renovation costs hit twice the budget and the mall’s remaining retail collapses anyway?
/b/Casey Kim
This could be the spark that finally turns downtown around—a world-class arts school drawing families and tourists back to Market Street.
Arts advocates and fiscal conservatives both have legitimate points—but a phased lease with strict cost controls can give each side what they need.