Historic‑district mural at 294 Page Street approved; Friends of the Urban Forest to maintain for 10 years
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Summary
The Historic Preservation Commission unanimously approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for a roughly 25-by-15-foot mural on a non‑primary facade at 294 Page Street, with staff noting the design had Arts Commission approval and the Friends of the Urban Forest committed to 10 years of maintenance under a community challenge grant.
The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission on Feb. 21 unanimously approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for a mural on the north Lilly Street elevation of 294 Page Street, a designated city landmark.
Staff planner Jonathan Vimmer told commissioners the project—part of a multi-site mural program—would clean the wood siding and apply a long‑lasting water‑based paint by sponge; the Arts Commission had already unanimously approved the design and staff found the work would not alter the property’s character‑defining features or the civic‑center landmark district’s integrity. "Based on this analysis ... staff recommends approval," Vimmer said.
Madeline Farquhar, project coordinator for Friends of the Urban Forest, said the mural is one of approximately six projects along the 200–400 blocks of Lilly Street and that the group conducted neighborhood outreach, formed a mural committee, and circulated flyers and email notices. She said the project’s community challenge grant includes funds for signage explaining the mural’s origin and requires Friends of the Urban Forest to maintain the artwork for 10 years. "We are required by the community challenge grant to make sure that Friends of the Urban Forest is responsible for maintenance for 10 years," Farquhar said.
Neighbors asked for clearer access to the mural design before installation; staff and the applicant pointed out project graphics and a photo are available in the online HPC packet and can be provided on request. Farquhar said the mural team plans to publish explanatory language on the Friends of the Urban Forest website and to use protective clear coats so graffiti can be removed quickly.
Commissioners moved and seconded approval; after each commissioner recorded a "yes" vote the motion passed unanimously, 6–0. The commission’s action approves the Certificate of Appropriateness; implementation details, including exact installation dates, will be handled by the project sponsor and the planning department.
