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History of Mission Bay:
Mission Bay was once a saltwater marsh and lagoon that was a natural habitat for a bird population that included
ducks, geese, herons, egrets, osprey and gulls. Native Americans resided in the area for over 5,000 years.
Unfortunately, by the early 19th century, immigrants to the area exposed the Native American population to
previously unknown diseases that reduced their population to nearly zero.
Long before the 1906 quake and clearly afterwards, the Mission Bay site was used as a convenient place to
deposit soil and refuse from building projects throughout the growing city. Much of the Mission Bay area is
comprised of landfill from these projects. Shipping commerce and the introduction of the railroad were both
important components of the transition of Mission Bay into an industrial district. The area was home to
shipyards, canneries, a sugar refinery and warehouses from the mid 19th century well into the 20th century.
Changes in the economy in the late 20th century were reflected in the Mission Bay area by the loss of its
cornerstone industries, mainly shipbuilding and repair facilities. A large portion of the area became dormant
and appeared run down due to lack of use. A master plan to revive the area and convert over 300 acres into a
planned community was produced in the late 1990s. Known as the Mission Bay Project, it is the largest urban
development initiated by San Francisco since the construction of Golden Gate Park. The project is being
overseen by the property owner ProLogis in conjunction with the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency and San
Francisco Planning Department. Upon completion, Mission Bay will become home to a mixture of residential and
commercial properties. Apartments, condominiums, retail stores, restaurants, corporate and science businesses
will all be anchored by the already completed AT&T Ballpark and a new research campus for UCSF. Within these
developments will be 49 acres of open space for parks and recreational facilities. Mission Creek Park is first
of many parks planned for Mission Bay.
Historical Resource: Nancy Olmsted
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