San Mateo honors community preservation advocate Keith Weber with Mayor's Hero Award; residents urge permanent memorial

San Mateo presented the Mayor's Quarterly Hero Award on March 3 to the late Keith Weber, a longtime local advocate for historic preservation and neighborhood stewardship. Weber, who died Jan. 21, 2025 at age 76, was recognized posthumously and represented at the ceremony by his wife, Maxine Turner.

Mayor Newsom and several residents recounted Weber’s decades of local civic work. Speakers credited Weber with advocating for the downtown historic district, leading historic walking tours, and helping create a Third Avenue pedestrian and bicycle overpass. Maxine Turner thanked the council and speakers and urged the community to continue preservation efforts.

Several community members asked the council to consider a permanent memorial to Weber, such as a sidewalk plaque or bench near the plaza in front of the Century Theater, where downtown walking tours start. Lisa Vandevoort read a prepared statement setting out Weber’s local preservation contributions and formally requested a permanent recognition. Other speakers, including Diane Whitaker, Tom Leese, Lori Watanouki and Seema Patel acknowledged Weber’s local historic-preservation work and his role in shaping the city’s downtown character.

Seema Patel, identified as a member of the Planning Commission speaking on her own behalf, noted that Weber’s detailed comments on project design had improved project outcomes and said she hoped his influence would remain evident in adopted objective design standards.

The item was ceremonial; council offered condolences and no formal council action to create a memorial was taken. Staff did not indicate a specific follow-up at the March 3 meeting beyond thanking Weber’s family and supporters.