Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Landmarks topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Historic Preservation Commission recommends landmarking three Bay Area schools
Summary
The commission unanimously recommended landmark designation of Roosevelt Middle School, George Washington High School and Sunshine School, citing architectural and cultural significance; SFUSD had sent a letter expressing concern about cost impacts but staff said designation is largely symbolic and can enable state-code flexibility.
Shannon Ferguson presented landmark nomination reports for Roosevelt Middle School (460 Arguello Boulevard), George Washington High School (630 Second Avenue) and Sunshine School (2728 Bryant Street). Staff described Roosevelt as San Francisco's only Dutch German expressionist school building, George Washington as Streamline Moderne with four New Deal murals, and Sunshine School as the first public school designed for children with disabilities west of the Rockies.
Staff said the San Francisco Unified School District sent a letter indicating it was not prepared to recommend support pending information about cost impacts and modernization constraints; staff and commissioners discussed that local designation is primarily symbolic and noted designation can allow use of the state historical building code's flexibility for seismic and ADA improvements. Public commenters, including alumni and preservation organizations, strongly supported designation and emphasized the murals and community value.
Commissioners moved and voted unanimously 6–0 to recommend designation of all three schools to the Board of Supervisors.
