San Francisco’s Treasure Island is getting a nearly $5 billion facelift over the next 20 years. Redeveloping the island has been on San Franciscan’s minds since the U.S. Navy base closed in 1997.

But now developers and city officials announced that the first phase of the project would begin this fall with a $50 million public artwork project.

Jill Manton, director of special initiatives at the San Francisco Arts Commission told the Chronicle that “A lot of people have never had a reason to go to Treasure Island,” but the new arts project was “a really unique opportunity,” to start to draw tourists and San Franciscans to the island.

Interestingly, the project is actually required under legislation passed by the Board of Supervisors in 1985 that mandates private developers to spend 1 percent of construction costs on public art, according to the Chronicle.

Funding for the overall redevelopment project will come in chunks over the next 20 years as construction wraps up and new residents move in. A tentative 18-month art plan has been established for the first phase of the project and public input meetings will be scheduled later this fall.

Are you excited for a re-vamped Treasure Island? Let us know in the comments below!