Committee sends plaque resolution honoring Herb Kosovitz to Board with recommendation

The Land Use and Transportation Committee on March 7 voted to send a resolution authorizing placement of a commemorative plaque to honor architect and neighborhood activist Herb Kosovitz to the full Board of Supervisors with a recommendation.

Supervisor Aaron Peskin introduced the item, thanked the Friends of Washington Square and June Fraps for fundraising and organizing the plaque, and described Kosovitz’s longtime civic and neighborhood engagement. The resolution asks the Department of Public Works to waive permit and installation fees and accepts the gift of a plaque to be placed in the Washington Square sidewalk.

Mr. Sporer of the Department of Public Works described installation requirements: cutting a roughly 36-by-36-inch section of concrete, pouring new concrete, and mounting the plaque using studs and washers to secure it. He estimated the one-time installation work at about $3,000 and said ongoing maintenance for sidewalk plaques across the city is minimal.

Abigail Mayer of the Recreation and Park Department’s partnerships team told the committee Rec and Park supports placing the plaque adjacent to Washington Square Park and thanked the Friends of Washington Square and other city agencies for coordinating the installation and permits.

Members of Kosovitz’s family and Friends of Washington Square spoke in support during public comment, describing his contributions to the neighborhood and the park. The committee accepted a small amendment to the resolution, then passed a motion to send the matter to the full Board with a recommendation; the action passed without objection.

What happens next: the resolution will be placed on the Board agenda for consideration with the committee’s recommendation; the Board will consider the fee waivers and the plaque acceptance under its normal procedures.