Treasure Island Today
Between 1940 and 1990, more than 900 residential units and more than 2.5 million square feet of office/retail/institutional space were constructed on T.I. Today T.I. supports a residential population just over 3,000 people, with a high proportion of low-income families, and a daily employee population of nearly 2,000. The residential population includes approximately 200 formerly homeless families. Activity centers include youth and homeless employment programs, as well as the Job Corps program and a school.
The redevelopment of T.I. presents both opportunities and challenges, including adhering to extensive environmental and legal reviews. It is also significant that T.I. is subject to the Tidelands Trust Act, which limits its uses to activities that benefit the general public – maritime, fishing, wildlife habitat, and water-related recreation. Privatizing uses, such as housing or offices, are allowed through a Public Trust Exchange. One of the biggest developers in the U.S., Lennar Corporation, is proposing to build a self-sustaining community with a focus on non-automotive transportation. Please click for more information on the Sustainable Development Plan for Treasure Island.
Treasure Island faces unique transportation challenges. It is not currently well-served by transit and there is no direct pedestrian or bicycle access between T.I. and the San Francisco mainland. Without proper attention and action, T.I.’s residents and employees could be isolated and deprived of sustainable, healthy transportation options and thus forced to rely on vehicles more than necessary. This would be particularly costly and perhaps prohibitive for low-income families. Currently, there is an effort to promote sustainable transportation on T.I. and encourage walking and biking as the main mode of travel.
