The Bay-Friendly project encompasses the development of 14 acres of the Presidio, a unique national park within a big city. Formerly a military post, the Tunnel Tops spans from the main parade grounds over the well-traversed Highway 101 (Doyle Drive) to the breathtaking Crissy Field.

The project scope includes new construction of the Field Station learning center, an outdoor patio, and restroom facilities, seismic upgrade and remodel of historic Building 603, remodel of Transit Center (added new bathrooms and glass dining area), earthwork, underground utilities, paving, landscape (with 200,000 new plants), hardscape, and interactive features, new Campfire Circle with a large fire pit and ample tiered seating

Building 603 (a.k.a. Crissy Field Center) is a 1,200-square-foot building that was constructed in 1938. The water table is roughly 4 feet below the existing grade. Swinerton completed dewatering and excavation underneath the building footprint before seismic renovation using buckling-restrained braces (BRBs). The facility is a youth learning center and includes classrooms, gathering spaces, and labs.

A reclaimed Presidio cypress was used in over 100 Tunnel Tops’ furnishing elements, including benches, built-in seats, picnic tables, gates, and multiple Outpost (playground) features created from the wood. The custom play equipment for The Outpost was designed to connect kids to nature with elements of the Presidio’s history.