U.S. Naval Air Station (1941 – 1993)
After the Exposition closed in 1940, the U.S. Navy offered to exchange Mill Field in Millbrae for T.I. The City and County of San Francisco accepted the offer and T.I remained a naval air station for 52 years. Major functions on the island included the Fleet Training Center, Commander Naval Base San Francisco, waterfront facilities, troop and family housing, personnel support including the processing of Pacific-bound and homecoming personnel, and an aviation, military and Exposition museum.
During this time the island was exposed to large quantities of asbestos and radioactive materials, such as radium (U.S. Department of the Navy, 2004), which are known to cause cancer and other illnesses. Most of the contaminated sites have been addressed and cleaned up, but there are still remaining sites undergoing the process. These remaining
sites will be evaluated before any further construction and development would occur on T.I. Visit the Treasure Island Development Authority website for further information.
In 1993, the U.S. Congress approved plans for the base closure and redevelopment of Naval Station Treasure Island. In 1994, a Citizens Reuse Committee was formed to develop goals and objectives for the island. The Treasure Island Development Authority has operated the area since base closure under agreement with the Navy, and leases portions of the Base for housing and other activities. The Navy’s full transfer of T.I. (and nearby Yerba Buena Island) is scheduled for 2008.
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