Commission recommends landmarking interior of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church at 906 Broadway

Desiree Smith presented staff's recommendation to amend the Article 10 landmark designation for 906 Broadway (Our Lady of Guadalupe Church) to include the building's interior. Smith summarized the property's historical association with San Francisco's Latino and Spanish-speaking communities, its 1912 reconstruction after the 1906 earthquake, and architectural features including murals by Luigi Brusitore, an arched barrel-vault ceiling, stained glass, Corinthian columns and an organ.

Smith said staff received one letter in support and no known neighborhood opposition; staff had shared the report with the property owner, who supports designation. "906 Broadway was designated as landmark number 204 in 1993," Smith said, and staff recommended amending the designation to include the interior.

Multiple members of the public spoke in favor: one resident described the cultural and intergenerational importance of the church; Henry Kanelowitz and other community members said designation would allow music, cultural events and increased foot traffic that could benefit local merchants; owner Pavel Turkasan said he supports preservation and wants to open the building safely to the public.

Commissioners praised the report and the site's historic associations; a motion to recommend forwarding the landmark amendment to the Board of Supervisors passed unanimously.

Next steps: staff will forward the Commission's recommendation and the landmark designation report to the Board of Supervisors for further action.