Docomomo US/NOCA requests information from San Francisco Arts Commission and Planning Department
As part of our ongoing advocacy efforts to retain and rehabilitate Embarcadero Plaza and the Vaillancourt Fountain, we requested important information from multiple San Francisco policy bodies to facilitate the full and transparent participation of interested parties in this civic process.
You can read our requests to the San Francisco Arts Commission and Planning Department below, or visit our Embarcadero Plaza and Vaillancourt Fountain advocacy page to take action now.
Request to the San Francisco Arts Commission on August 28, 2025
To: art-info@sfgov.org, manraj.dhaliwal@sfgov.org, paris.cotz@sfgov.org, suzie.ferras@sfgov.org tara.peterson@sfgov.org
CC: emb-vaillancourt-fountain-coalition@googlegroups.com
Subject: Request for Information on Vaillancourt Fountain Procedures
Hello,
I am writing on behalf of several organizations with an interest in understanding the statutory and administrative procedures and timing for San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) hearings and actions on the Vaillancourt Fountain at Embarcadero Plaza.
A representative of Docomomo US/NOCA (Northern California) spoke at the Visual Arts Committee meeting on August 20 to outline some of our concerns about the request from Recreation and Parks Department (RPD) regarding deaccessioning and removal, as well as concerns about the participation of national and international stakeholders invested in this issue.
Your assistance is appreciated in answering these important questions:
How will the Arts Commission allow for international, national, and non-local groups and individuals to participate in Visual Arts Committee and Full Arts Commission meetings?
For which date will SFAC schedule the Visual Arts Committee meeting to vote on the deaccession and removal of the Vaillancourt Fountain?
For which date will SFAC schedule the Full Arts Commission meeting to vote on the deaccession and removal of the Vaillancourt Fountain?
On what date will SFAC publish the agenda for any committee hearing or full commission hearing for the Vaillancourt Fountain?
On what date will SFAC publish the staff report on the Vaillancourt Fountain?
Can you provide a link to formal documentation outlining the process for SFAC hearings and votes for deaccessioning and removal?
Can you provide a link to formal documentation outlining how members of the public may submit relevant materials for inclusion in the Vaillancourt Fountain SFAC staff report or commission review?
Can you provide a link to formal documentation describing how SFAC meets statutory obligations related to CEQA and historic resources when proceeding with deaccessioning, removal, and demolition?
Thank you,
Chad DeWitt, on behalf of Docomomo US/NOCA and partner organizations
Request to the San Francisco Planning Department on August 29, 2025
To: cpc-recordrequest@sfgov.org, diane.matsuda@sfgov.org, jonas.ionin@sfgov.org, kei.zushi@sfgov.org, michelle.langlie@sfgov.org, richard.sucre@sfgov.org, sarah.dennis-phillips@sfgov.org, virnaliza.byrd@sfgov.org
CC: emb-vaillancourt-fountain-coalition@googlegroups.com
Subject: Request for Information on Embarcadero Plaza and Vaillancourt Fountain Procedures
Hello,
I am writing on behalf of several organizations with an interest in understanding the statutory and administrative procedures and timing for San Francisco Planning Department (SF Planning) procedures, hearings, and actions on Embarcadero Plaza and the Vaillancourt Fountain.
San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department (SFRPD) has submitted applications to SF Planning regarding the “Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park Improvement Project”. It is our understanding that Planning will then use this information to make a formal determination about the project's CEQA status. Furthermore, it appears that SFRPD has structured its submissions in a way that anticipates and provides the necessary procedural steps for an exemption determination.
Your assistance is appreciated in answering these important questions. Should records be required to answer any questions, consider them as formal records requests.
How will SF Planning and the Historic Resource Commission (HRC) allow for international, national, and non-local groups and individuals to participate in the SF Planning and CEQA process?
Has SFPRD requested—either informally or formally—for SF Planning or HRC to issue a CEQA exemption or negative declaration?
Has SFRPD disclosed to SF Planning or HRC any pre-2024 arrangements or agreements regarding Embarcadero Plaza and Vaillancourt Fountain?
On what date did any SF Planning staff first receive the Historic Resource Review (HRR) materials for Embarcadero Plaza and Vaillancourt Fountain?
Has SF Planning staff provided initial feedback to SFRPD about the Historic Resource Review (HRR) materials for Embarcadero Plaza and Vaillancourt Fountain? If so, on what date was that feedback provided?
On what date will SF Planning publish environmental decision documentation for Embarcadero Plaza and Vaillancourt Fountain?
For which date will SF Planning or HRC schedule the Historic Preservation Commission meeting to discuss Embarcadero Plaza and Vaillancourt Fountain?
Can you provide a link to formal documentation outlining the process for how SF Planning determines CEQA exemptions or negative declarations?
Can you provide a link to formal documentation outlining how members of the public may submit relevant materials for consideration and inclusion in SF Planning reports or hearings?
Can you provide a link to formal documentation describing how SF Planning meets statutory obligations related to CEQA and historic resources when lobbied by private interests?
Thank you,
Chad DeWitt, on behalf of Docomomo US/NOCA and partner organizations
Information included for reference
2025-007941PRJ Project Profile (PRJ) REC & PARK: Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park Improvement Project - Opened: 8/26/2025
2025-007941ENV Environmental (ENV) REC & PARK: Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park Improvement Project - Opened: 8/26/2025
2025-006780HRR Historic Resource Review (HRR) REC & PARK: Sue Bierman Park East and Embarcadero Plaza North - Opened: 7/24/2025
Photo of the Vaillancourt Fountain, August 2025.