Museum takes step with lease signing

Lease of the Old San Francisco Mint building to the San Francisco Museum and Historial Society was approved Sept. 27 by the city.

A 66-year lease of the Old San Francisco Mint building to the San Francisco Museum and Historial Society was approved Sept. 27 by the city's board of supervisors.

The agreement frees up $2.8 million in Proposition 40 funds, raising to $40 million in funding that is so far committed to the project to renovate the 74,000-square-foot structure built in 1874. Up to $8.5 million additional monies could be raised in surcharges through the sale of San Francisco Mint $1 and $5 commemorative coins.

The Old Mint, often called the Granite Lady, will house a city visitors' center and a Gold Rush numismatic museum.

A completion date of spring 2010 is the goal.

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