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Commission approves Music Concourse improvements for Golden Gate Park anniversary but removes proposed illuminated sign
Summary
The commission approved temporary stage, lighting, sound and riser replacement at Spreckels Temple of Music for Golden Gate Park's 150th anniversary, but commissioners amended the certificate of appropriateness to remove a proposed illuminated frieze sign; temporary installations will be removed by March 2022 and staff will review final sign designs and removal plans.
SAN FRANCISCO ' The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission on Feb. 19 approved a certificate of appropriateness for upgrades and temporary installations at the Spreckels Temple of Music in Golden Gate Park as part of the park's 150th-anniversary activities, but commissioners voted to remove a proposed illuminated sign from the approval.
Michelle Taylor of the Planning Department outlined the project sponsored by the City and County of San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department. The scope includes a 9-foot curvilinear temporary stage extension, temporary directional lighting and audio stanchions, replacement of noncontributing wood risers with new marine-grade plywood risers and deferred maintenance work; construction was scheduled to begin March 2020 with an opening date of April 4, 2020. Staff recommended approval with conditions requiring temporary elements be removed by March 2022, patching to match historic materials, submission of a building-conditions assessment and staff review of final electrical, lighting and audio plans.
Stacy Bradley, deputy director of planning for Recreation and Parks, and Ben Davis of Illuminate described outreach and the project's intent to make the band shell more accessible to smaller performers. Ben Davis referenced Harvey Milk's phrase "hope will never be silent" as part of the proposal to add visible, temporary text on the band shell's frieze; he emphasized that the installations are reversible and intended to augment the structure without permanent harm.
Public commenters included vocal support from John Cunningham (National AIDS Memorial), Hall Gough (Golden Gate Park Band), and Bonnie Bergeron (San Francisco Parks Alliance), who said the improvements would increase safety, accessibility and opportunities for community performances. Friends of the Music Concourse raised objections to the lighting and sound scope, questioned the two-year duration for temporary equipment and urged stricter sound monitoring; Catherine Howard (Friends of the Music Concourse) asked that the two-year timeline be shortened to one and said park rangers do not currently enforce sound levels.
Commissioners discussed the project's expedited schedule, the rationale for the two-year temporary period, details of the building-conditions assessment and technical safeguards for attaching and removing the sign without damaging sandstone mortar joints. Commissioners asked that the removal plan and mortar specifications be added as conditions and that final sign details be subject to staff review by a qualified conservation specialist.
After debate a motion to approve the certificate of appropriateness as amended to eliminate the illuminated sign was seconded and passed on a roll call recorded as 5-0. The approval includes the staff'recommended conditions: temporary elements removed by March 2022, patching to match historic materials, submission of a building-conditions assessment within a year, and staff review of final lighting, electrical and audio plans. Planning staff will work with Recreation and Parks on removal plans and qualified contractors to ensure no damage to the landmark.
The commission's action clears the way for the temporary activation and riser replacement at the Spreckels Temple of Music for the Golden Gate Park 150th celebration while protecting the landmark's historic fabric.
