Park Service Unveils $3 Million In Improvements To Alcatraz Island
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) — The National Park Service has pulled the tarps off upgrades at Alcatraz Island after $3 million in improvements to the guardhouse, library and schoolhouse and other historic features.
The park service on Wednesday is unveiling the results of more than a year of work.
The guardhouse, library and schoolhouse structures were stabilized, re-roofed, and re-painted.
In addition to these projects, the historic cannon port embrasure located in the east guard room has been restored to its original condition.
Historic features that have not been visible for decades, such as the building's original entrance sign, "Alcatraces 1857" have been fully exposed and can now be seen by all visitors passing through the gate.
The island was originally called "Isla de los Alcatraces" (Island of the Pelicans) because the rugged rock was home to many sea birds.
KPIX 5 Facebook fans had mixed feelings about the upgrades.
"What a waste of money!!!!" Misty Hauff posted.
"With as much as it cost now to go there the upgrades should have already been done," Greg Bates said.
However Lissett Acevedo Salguero deemed the upgrades worthy.
"It is a historic place and that brings millions of dollars to SF," she wrote. "People from around the world come here just to see the Alcatraz Island so there is no reason to say anything negative about the upgrade, which will bring twice as much revenue to the bay area and the businesses around it!"
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