Historic Preservation Commission initiates landmark designation for Diamond Heights safety wall

The Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously on Nov. 1 to initiate landmark designation of the Diamond Heights safety wall, a mid‑century public sculpture and functional safety barrier located at Diamond Heights Boulevard, Clipper Street and Portola Drive.

Desiree Smith of the Planning Department presented the designation report and recommended initiation, describing the structure's significance to the Diamond Heights redevelopment effort and noting its 1968 construction and distinct wood-and-concrete design by Stefan Alexander Novak. "The Diamond Heights safety wall is significant under criterion A for its association with the Diamond Heights redevelopment project and under criterion C as a notable work of Bay Area artist and architect Stefan Alexander Novak," Smith said.

Community speakers backed the nomination. Bob Pullum, who initiated the application, discussed neighborhood efforts to document and preserve the wall. Betsy Eddy of the Diamond Heights Community Association and Evelyn Rose of the Glen Park Neighborhoods History Project described letters of support and argued that landmark status would help secure preservation funding and clarify departmental maintenance responsibility.

Commissioner Jahnke moved to initiate the landmark designation and the motion carried 5-0. Staff said it will return to a subsequent commission hearing with a resolution recommending Article 10 landmark designation to the Board of Supervisors and that the Arts Commission has already engaged a sculptural conservator to prepare a conditions assessment and treatment recommendations.

The commission's initiation does not finalize designation; it begins the formal process that will return with a proposed resolution and ordinance for the Board of Supervisors to consider.