Board denies appeal from Alexandria Theater owners, upholds enforcement over deteriorating marquee and building maintenance

The San Francisco Board of Appeals on Aug. 16 denied an appeal from the owner of the historic Alexandria Theater, finding that the Planning Department’s notice of violation over failure to maintain recorded conditions was properly issued.

Nick Kola, counsel for the property owner, argued the department relied on an outdated 2013 notice and that a later 2019 notice superseded interior preservation requirements. Kola said the owner has sought to finance restoration through a larger redevelopment plan and that emergency removal of a partially detached blade sign after January storms required expense and engineering work; he estimated marquee and blade-sign restoration costs in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Planning Department code enforcement manager Kelly Wong and DBI staff presented site photos and inspection findings showing the marquee and blade-sign in poor condition, interior decorative ceilings collapsing, failed mesh over sidewalks and corrosion on security fencing — conditions Planning and DBI said pose life-safety hazards. Planning cited condition 23 of Planning Commission motion 18,853 and explained the NOV asked for a defined abatement and stabilization schedule.

Neighbors and preservation advocates urged strict enforcement and maintenance of this long-neglected landmark; the board declined the appeal and upheld the NOV by a 4-0 vote, directing the owner to work with the Planning Department on a schedule to protect the building and public safety while longer-term solutions are pursued.

The decision leaves the NOV in place and instructs Planning staff to work with the owner on concrete timelines and measures to stabilize and secure the theater while future entitlement or redevelopment steps continue.