After Inactivity, Treetops Upgrade Coming

Since the Treetops apartment complex was vacated in 2005, it’s been nothing but an eyesore for the surrounding neighborhood.

The developer has had plans to fix up the property for years, but financing and design changes have delayed the process.

It doesn’t help that the 308-unit complex sits, fenced off, on the corner of Skyline Boulevard and Sharp Park Road as a reminder of the site’s years of inactivity.

The city issued a permit for the first phase of construction last week. The complex is set to begin construction in June, nearly a year after the developer asked for an extension to decide whether to tear down the current structure and build a larger complex or upgrade the existing one. The developer, AIMCO, has decided to move forward with renovating the 308 existing apartments and is now working with HUD on the final stages of its application for financing.

Still, residents from the Pacific Heights neighborhood—having had to live with the blight for years—are wary of the promises.

Aaron Aknin, the city’s community development director, said the city shares the residents’ concerns and looks forward to when the construction finally gets off the ground.

In the meantime, Aknin said, the city has required the developer to keep the site fenced off and maintained. Last month, he said, the city ordered the developer to do a significant amount of landscaping work along the Sharp Park side of the property to improve its appearance.

A spokeswoman from AIMCO said she would provide a response from the developer Tuesday about the current status of the project.

Location: 4300 Susan Dr.

Owner: AIMCO

Who to contact: Aaron Aknin, San Bruno Community Development Department director, 650-616-7039