Local preservationist urges Arts Commission to protect New Deal murals on city property

During the general public comment period on Dec. 1, Richard Rothman told the San Francisco Arts Commission he has spent a decade advocating for the protection of New Deal murals on city property, including murals at Coy Tower and the Mother's Building.

Rothman said the murals are part of the city's civic art collection and urged the Arts Commission to take a leadership role rather than leaving responsibility to Recreation & Park or the zoo, whose primary missions he described as open space and animal care.

"The Art Commission needs to be more aggressive and maybe take over the buildings or come to some other conclusion that the Art Commission plays a more aggressive role in that these murals are saved," Rothman said, adding that if action is not taken the murals "will be lost forever." He referenced past grants and study funds from city supervisors and asked staff to invite Rec & Park and the zoo to a meeting to discuss next steps.

Commission staff thanked Rothman for his comments; the transcript records no immediate action or vote. The commission's later director report and public art updates discussed other conservation initiatives and partnerships with conservation contractors.