Historic commission approves temporary “Lift Every Voice” lettering for Spreckels Temple with strict conditions

The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously 7–0 to approve a two‑year temporary certificate of appropriateness allowing illuminated letters reading “Lift Every Voice” to be attached to the frieze of the Spreckels Temple of Music in Golden Gate Park.

The commission’s approval, made at the conclusion of a public hearing, includes conditions intended to minimize damage to the historic fabric: incorporation of the Architectural Resources Group (ARG) patching recommendations, a requirement that the installation run concurrently with the adjacent Monumental Reckoning installation and expire no later than June 19, 2023, mock‑up installations and removals in representative mortar joints to confirm no harm, further exploration of gasketing or separation materials between the mounting channel and the stone, and an explicit prohibition on any central core‑drilling through the parapet.

Michelle Taylor, planning department staff, described the application as a temporary two‑year request to determine whether the method of attachment and the scope are appropriate to the landmarked Music Concourse and the…