Committee recommends initiating landmark designation for Parkside Branch Library

The Land Use and Transportation Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 3-0 on Dec. 12, 2022, to recommend initiation of landmark designation for the Parkside Branch Library at 1200 Bridal Street in the Sunset District.

Supervisor Mirna Melgaard, chair of the committee, moved to send the resolution forward with a positive recommendation. The motion carried with Supervisors Aaron Peskin and Dean Preston joining Melgaard in the affirmative.

The proposal, presented by District 4 Supervisor Marr and planning staff, asks the committee to initiate the formal landmarking process under Article 10 of the Planning Code. Pilar LaValle of the Planning Department said the Parkside Branch was designed by architectural firm Appleton and Wolford and constructed in 1951 as the first of eight branch libraries built in a campaign from 1951 to 1966. LaValle noted that the Historic Preservation Commission found in 2009 that the branch "may warrant consideration for individual landmark designation," and that a compatible rehabilitation was completed in late 2010.

Supervisor Marr said the branch has been "the center of community life in the Parkside District" for more than 70 years and credited community organizations for advancing the nomination. "This proposed landmarking of the Parkside Branch Library builds on recent efforts to expand the scope of historic preservation," Marr said.

Speakers from local preservation groups, the library system and neighborhood organizations voiced support during remote public comment. Carrie Young of San Francisco Heritage said the branch is a "community gem" and an example of postwar architecture that influenced later branch designs. Evan Rose, a Parkside resident and member of Parkside Heritage, said some period publications called Parkside "the finest branch library in the country" and urged the city to recognize and protect such structures in traditionally working‑class neighborhoods. Maureen Singleton, chief operating officer of the San Francisco Public Library, said the library system supports initiating the designation and will work with planning staff and the community.

The committee’s positive recommendation sends the initiation resolution to the full Board of Supervisors, where the process will continue under the procedures of Article 10 of the Planning Code. The matter will appear on the board’s agenda in January unless otherwise stated.

The committee adjourned at the end of the meeting; Chair Melgaard offered farewell remarks, noting this was her final meeting as committee chair.