PLEASE NOTE: contributions solicited with your signature on the petition do not go to the Conservancy, but rather to Change.org, a corporation that manages petitions.
Dear Castro Theatre Conservancy supporters,
Last week the SF Historic Preservation Commission met to consider Supervisor Rafael Mandelman’s resolution to landmark the interior of the Castro Theatre (the theatre’s façade was landmarked by the city in 1976), and whether or not the landmarking would include the seats and slope of the orchestra floor. As it turned out, Supervisor Mandelman, at the request of Another Planet Entertainment, the organization now managing the theatre, had requested a “continuance” to February 1, and the Commission’s discussion and voting were limited to whether or not to grant the continuance. The continuance was granted, but only after the Commission heard two hours of public testimony, all of it opposed to the continuance and in favor of landmarking the seats and slope of the floor.
At the Commission’s meeting, virtually every seat in the largest City Hall meeting room was filled with friends of the Castro Theatre, with many more standing around the edge of the room. And nearly everyone, including representatives of the Art Deco Society of California, the Castro LGBTQ Cultural District, and SF Heritage, spoke during the public testimony. Eddie Muller, Rebecca Solnit, the San Francisco Silent Film Festival, and SFFILM added their eloquent testimony. We were deeply moved by these expressions of support.
Although we are disappointed that the Commission did not act to landmark the theatre’s interior—including the seating—at last week’s hearing, we are happy that the Commissioners heard and saw that so many experts on historic preservation, and so many community members who love the Castro, feel strongly that the seats and sloping floor have been an essential part and a defining characteristic of the Castro Theatre for over 100 years.
Thank you for making your voice heard through your letters, social media posts, and comments at the hearing. Your work and your passion are essential as we come together to ensure that the Castro remains a resource and a source of pride for the community and for San Francisco.
We cannot lose this momentum - we still need your help. You can:
- Save the date: February 1, 2023, when the Historic Preservation Commission will vote on the expansion of the landmark designation.
- Write a letter: Click here to send a letter to all the relevant city representatives. Keep in mind: a personal letter is MUCH more powerful than a form letter. If you have the time, please personalize your letter.
- Share the petition: To date, nearly 9,000 people have signed the petition in support of the Castro Theatre remaining San Francisco’s preeminent movie palace and iconic LGBTQ+ resource.
- Please sign up for the Castro Theatre Conservancy’s mailing list here and follow along on social media (@SaveTheCastro) to hear updates about preservation efforts and ways you can get involved.
Thank you for your love for the Castro Theatre – I know that together we will prevail.
Peter Pastreich, Executive Director
Castro Theatre Conservancy
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