Dear Commissioners,

On behalf of the San Francisco Preservation Consortium, a grassroots education and advocacy group comprised of individuals and member organizations, we are concerned bout the adequacy of environmental review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) on the Branch Library Improvement Program (BLIP) and related proposed library demolitions.

The Consortium acknowledges that the Planning Department recognizes the significance of the North Beach Library, as one of the eight libraries commissioned to architects Appleton and Wolford in the 1950s and 1960s, and is thus preparing and environmental impact report (?EIR?) for the removal and replacement of this library.

However, we alternately recommend recognition of all the contributing Appleton and Wolford libraries: Parkside (1951), Marina (1953), Ortega (1955), Merced (1957), North Beach (1958), Eureka (1960), Western Addition (1965), and Excelsior (1966), and the rehabilitation and sensitive addition to the BLIP libraries, as envisioned in approval of the Library Preservation Bond.

Specifically, the Consortium considers the demolition of the Ortega and North Beach libraries both unnecessary and wasteful.

Moreover, the issuance of a categorical exemption from CEQA for demolition of the Ortega Library appears to be a prejudicial abuse of discretion on the part of the agencies involved, including the Library Commission.

The Ortega Branch Library is part of an historic landscape designed by architects Wurster Bernardi and Emmons for the Sunset Community Center. The relationship of these libraries to their park settings is also significant, and must accompany proper consideration for their continued use, and appropriate rehabilitation.

We appreciate your serious consideration.

Sincerely,

Cynthia Servetnick

for Vincent Marsh, Acting Chair
San Francisco Preservation Consortium