San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has introduced new legislation aimed at revitalizing the city's vacant historic buildings. The proposal seeks to make these landmarked properties more attractive for businesses and nonprofits by easing certain zoning restrictions, a move designed to breathe new life into underutilized spaces across the city.
Amid ongoing concerns about high commercial vacancy rates, particularly in older structures, this initiative forms part of a broader effort to cut red tape and encourage economic activity. The Mayor's Office stated that these changes will help keep San Francisco's cherished historic buildings active and prevent them from falling into disrepair due to a lack of investment.
Key Takeaways
- Mayor Lurie's legislation aims to reduce commercial vacancies in San Francisco's historic buildings.
- The proposal loosens zoning rules for designated landmark properties.
- It could allow diverse businesses like offices, retail, theaters, or nightlife venues in areas where they are currently restricted.
- The measure applies to approximately 300 locally designated buildings and those in 13 historic districts.
- Preservation protections for historic character will remain in place.
Addressing Challenges of Historic Properties
Historic buildings, while often beautiful, present unique challenges for prospective tenants. These can include the need to maintain older utility systems and the use of specialized, nonstandard building materials for repairs. Furthermore, strict preservation rules limit how these structures can be modified, which can narrow their potential commercial uses.
The new legislation does not eliminate any of these existing preservation protections. Instead, it creates specific incentives for businesses and nonprofits to operate within these landmarked spaces. The goal is to balance historical integrity with practical commercial viability.
Zoning Flexibility and Expansion
The core of Lurie's proposal involves relaxing zoning regulations that dictate what types of businesses can operate in specific neighborhoods. This means that, depending on the area, an organization might be able to open an office, a retail store, a movie theater, or even a nightlife venue in a location where current city rules prohibit such activities.
In some instances, the measure also increases the maximum allowable size for commercial spaces within these historic buildings. This flexibility is intended to accommodate a wider range of business models and encourage larger-scale projects that might otherwise be unfeasible.
"I'm personally really excited to see new ideas for historic buildings, and I think that that's a really important evolution," said Katie Conry, Executive Director of the Tenderloin Museum.
Historic Building Facts
- San Francisco has approximately 300 buildings designated under its local landmark program.
- The city also includes 13 historic districts with their own designated properties.
- Buildings on state and national registries would also benefit from the proposed changes.
Case Study: The Tenderloin Museum Expansion
The Tenderloin Museum, a nonprofit located at the corner of Eddy and Leavenworth streets, provides a clear example of the challenges faced by organizations in historic buildings. Earlier this year, the museum encountered permitting difficulties during its plans for a significant expansion.
Announced in February, the expansion aimed to triple the museum's operating space to approximately 10,000 square feet on the first floor of the historic Cadillac Hotel building. This would allow for a new special exhibition room, a neon sign gallery, and increased capacity for live events.
Overcoming Size Restrictions
Katie Conry soon discovered that the planned expansion violated existing size limits for commercial spaces. These limits are typically in place to prevent large chain stores from dominating neighborhoods. To proceed, the museum would need to obtain special permission from the City's Planning Commission.
According to Conry, this process would be "expensive and time consuming," and a significant burden for the nonprofit, especially given current funding challenges. If Mayor Lurie's proposal passes, it would directly benefit the Tenderloin Museum's project because the Cadillac Hotel is an officially designated landmark.
The loosened usage restrictions would likely allow the expansion to move forward without the need for additional public review, saving the museum considerable time and resources. This highlights how the proposed legislation could empower cultural institutions and local businesses.
"A city is not static. We need to start seeing new uses for these beautiful old buildings," Conry emphasized.
PermitSF Initiative
Mayor Lurie's current legislation is part of his broader PermitSF initiative. Launched shortly after he took office, PermitSF aims to simplify the process of operating businesses and modifying homes across San Francisco. This initiative reflects a commitment to streamline bureaucratic procedures and foster a more business-friendly environment.
Expanding Existing Incentive Programs
San Francisco has previously implemented more limited incentive programs for historic buildings in specific neighborhoods. These programs have shown success in encouraging adaptive reuse. For instance, such an initiative helped facilitate the conversion of the historic St. Joseph’s Church building in the SoMa neighborhood.
The St. Joseph's Church, after suffering extensive damage in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, remained vacant for decades. In 2018, the newly formed St. Joseph’s Arts Society reopened it as a vibrant venue for performance and cultural events. City officials also credit these programs with transforming an unused museum into an entertainment space and a historic warehouse into offices.
Lurie’s new measure aims to both strengthen these existing incentive programs and expand their reach to cover the entire city. This city-wide application would provide consistent benefits and encourage revitalization efforts across all historic properties.
Support for Preservation and Adaptation
The legislation has received positive feedback from San Francisco Heritage, a prominent organization advocating for historic preservation. Woody LaBounty, the group’s President and CEO, stated that the mayor’s plan achieves a crucial balance.
LaBounty noted that the proposal helps "historic buildings adapt to new needs and economics while still keeping the processes in place that manage any changes to the physical structures." This endorsement suggests that the legislation can promote economic growth without compromising the city's commitment to preserving its architectural heritage.
The proposed legislation is currently awaiting public review. Its passage could significantly impact San Francisco's urban landscape, transforming vacant landmarks into active community and commercial hubs.
