Some perceived it as a last-ditch effort to put off a vote and allow for more consideration of the alternative developers plans. Theb task force members contended all bidders had had ample time beforehand to submit new information.

Jim Lazarus, a San Francisco lawyer and executive director of the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society, says that the city and the federal government have been looking at the Old Mint for decades. Now, he says, "We're on the verge (of doing something with it).''

According to Lazarus, the historical society's museum proposal offers the greatest amount of public access, one of the federal government's main priorities, in addition to stringent requirements for historic preservation. Lazarus says the now-vacant 77,000-sf building South of Market would be great as the site of the San Francisco Museum and Historical Society because the late 1800s structure is located near downtown and is itself historic.

He hopes to raise $12 million privately, obtain $10 million in state and federal grants and finance the rest of the cost for seismic upgrades and refurbishing through loans.

The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote on the task force's recommendation in about a month.