What Do Preservationists Stand to Gain from Conserving Buildings?

• FOR THE MILLIONTH TIME, survey does not automatically equal designated historic district. surveys are a decision making tool, NOT a decision. Erin, since you love reporting on preservation so much, it would benefit you to learn some of the basic fundamental concepts.

• Haha, you're so wrong it's almost entertaining. It's infuriating that the majority of people who actually know nothing about it have the most to say. I've worked with the HP committee/landmarks advisory board as well as preservation firms throughout the city. You and SF Weekly need to get your facts straight.

• SF Weekly, you've committed yourself to being a publication that unceasingly produces assumptions and faulty information. First off, you make the statement that "preservationists are running around trying to mark libraries, buildings, trees and parks as historic"suggesting that perhaps these are not capable of possessing any historical value? Secondly, why doesn't SF do something with all of the abandoned buildings they already have (especially in the dogpatch area) and utilize those properties as affordable housing units rather than claiming that's what they intend to do in the now historic SOMA district? You and I know that what they really want to do is construct some shoddy eye sore of a building for the budding young professionals who flock to that part of town. So is the preservation commission really helping or hindering your city? Maybe they should focus on making the community better by rehabilitating the pre-exiting structures they have as well as working on fixing up the areas of the TL, Hunters Point and Bay View before creating another mess for themselves. The Historic Preservation Commission is doing their job while also presenting that there are other issues in SF that should take precedence. They are also giving allowing sometime for your city to realize that new development and construction should really be on the back burner at this point in time.

• That historic-resources survey should have been an important turning point for San Francisco. Knowing what historic resources are out there, where they are and how they rank in importance should have enabled this city to move forward while respecting the past. It should have been a way for developers to know where the most historically valuable properties are and direct their activities more sensitively. It should have been a way for preservationists to put their efforts into saving the most important elements instead of fighting over every change irrespective of importance. San Francisco should not -- must not -- change in a way that makes it indistinguishable as San Francisco. But it can't be put in a bottle and be expected to thrive.

• as always, something good (historical preservation) is turned into cronyism and moneymaking schemes. H makes a good point too. It's unfortunate, because lost in all of this is that much of what draws people to SF either as tourists or as residents is the unique architecture and nature of our neighborhoods. If we completely bulldoze historic preservation, we end up with "suburbia by the sea." but, if we totally say 'no no no no' to any change, we risk stagnation. priorities based on actual history, not feelings, and sanity when it comes to development = win.

• Erin, When digging up dead bodies, dig up the entire body before you start the autopsy. You're right on but it goes deeper. Peskin's 'Historical Preservation' group is just another front to give tax relief and cheap loans to the super rich who own these antique properties. Before this body existed, Aaron had to use the state Mills Act to designate his friends homes and projects as worthy of tax exempt status. Take the Ritz Carlton (formerly the Chron building I believe) at 695 Market. They gutted the entire structure and left only the facade which they filled with modern multi-million dollar condos (complete with doorman). Then, Aaron tried to get a million a year off his rich buddies' taxes (think he got a half mil). Just another tax dodge for the wealthy. Go Giants! h.

TotalComments: 6