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Committee recommends Castro Cultural District CHEST report to full Board
Summary
The Land Use and Transportation Committee voted to forward a resolution adopting the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District’s Cultural History, Housing and Economic Sustainability (CHESS) report to the Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation following presentations from district leaders and city staff and broad public support.
The Land Use and Transportation Committee voted to forward a resolution to the full Board of Supervisors that would adopt the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District’s CHESS report — a Cultural History, Housing and Economic Sustainability Strategies document — under Administrative Code section 107.5.
Grace Lee, cultural districts manager at the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD), described the Cultural Districts Program and explained that the CHESS report is a community‑led strategic plan and “a cultural legacy document, a snapshot of the cultural community, and a strategic plan that provides a roadmap for community stabilization within the district.”
Tina Valentin Aguirre, director of the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District, told the committee, “The CHESS report is a plan for preserving and strengthening our community in the Castro District.” Presenters outlined priority strategies that include economic and workforce development, tenant protections and housing, placekeeping and placemaking, cultural humility and competence, arts and culture initiatives, and heritage recognition and preservation.
Speakers highlighted work already underway: the district reported distributing more than $135,000 to 14 neighborhood small businesses, efforts to assist small businesses in obtaining legacy business status, collaboration on an LGBTQ elder housing project (not yet fully funded), arts projects such as the Living Lesbian Legends exhibition and a planned mural, and partnership with the Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza on outreach to ensure memorial elements represent the neighborhood’s diversity.
Public comment featured broad support from cultural district colleagues and neighborhood organizations. Commenters included Dr. Emily Murase Sheher of the Japantown Cultural District, Mario Dindura of SOMA Pilipinas, Ben Chevez Gilliam (chair, GLBT Historical Society), Roberto Ordana (executive director, GLBT Historical Society Museum and Archives), Bridal Springfield (executive director, Friends of Harvey Milk Plaza), and Jennifer J. Dub Wagner (president, Eureka Valley Neighborhood Association). Each urged the committee to adopt and support the CHESS report and its recommended activities.
Member Bridal Mahmoud moved to recommend the resolution to the Board of Supervisors with a positive recommendation; the motion passed on a voice vote recorded as two ayes, with Supervisor Cheyenne Chen excused. Presenters and commenters repeatedly asked the city to maintain funding and program support as budget decisions are considered.
