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Historic Preservation Commission initiates landmark designations for three San Francisco schools
Summary
The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously Oct. 18 to initiate landmark designation for Theodore Roosevelt Middle School, George Washington High School and the Sunshine School, citing architectural significance and New Deal-era murals and committing staff to return with a resolution for the Board of Supervisors.
The San Francisco Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously Oct. 18 to initiate landmark designation proceedings for three schools — Roosevelt Middle School, George Washington High School and the Sunshine School — after a Planning Department presentation highlighting architecture and New Deal-era murals.
Planning Department staff told the commission the department "believes the buildings meet the established eligibility requirements and landmark status is warranted" and recommended initiation so staff could return with a resolution recommending Article 10 designation to the Board of Supervisors.
Members of the public and report authors spoke in support. Mister Rothman, a frequent preservation speaker, urged designation to help preserve murals and building fabric, saying, "I strongly support the designation of Roosevelt and George Washington as city landmarks." He thanked supervisors who funded studies and noted ongoing mural-restoration needs.
Commissioners praised the reports' thoroughness, acknowledged funding from the Historic Preservation Fund Committee and from previous supervisors, and noted minor typographical and graphic corrections in the ordinance drafts. On a motion and second, the commission voted 5 to 0 to initiate landmark designation for all three properties; staff will prepare a resolution for the Board of Supervisors at a later hearing.
The three properties named for initiation were: - Theodore Roosevelt Middle School, 460 Arguello Boulevard (noted for Dutch-German expressionist architecture and New Deal murals) - George Washington High School, 630 Second Avenue (streamlined moderne architecture, New Deal murals and an outdoor frieze) - Sunshine School, 2728 Bryant Street (early specialized public school for children with disabilities, Spanish Colonial Revival elements)
The department also said there was "no known public or neighborhood opposition" to the nominations. The commission's initiation means staff will continue research and return with a formal recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.
