Sunset-Parkside Education and Action Committee (SPEAK) records, 1968-2020

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Summary

Title:
Sunset-Parkside Education and Action Committee (SPEAK) records,
Dates:
1968-2020
Creators:
Sunset-Parkside Education and Action Committee. and Sunset Architectural and Historical Resources Inventory Committee.
Abstract:
Collection documents activities of a non-profit, neighborhood-based organization involved in planning, architecture, transportation, historic preservation and education issues concerning the Sunset District of San Francisco.
Extent:
6.2 cubic feet (5 boxes, 1 manuscripts box)
Language:
Collection materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Sunset-Parkside Education and Action Committee (SPEAK) Records (SFH 497), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Background

Scope and content:

Includes incorporation papers, by-laws, tax returns, financial reports, minutes, correspondence, notes, petitions, news clippings, some photographs, digital copies of files, and newsletters and reports published by the organization. Has a project review of various neighborhood cases before the Planning Department, and files on landmarking work, a transit study, the Oceanside Survey, and challenges to a proposed development at 1900 Sloat Boulevard.

Early topics include organizational goals, a housing survey, illegal parking of commercial vehicles, and a retirement plan for employees. Sample topics from 1996 include an art program held in several Sunset schools funded by the San Francisco Art Commission and administered by SPEAK; cellular antennae, a Neighborhood Special Use District, illegal dwelling units, and a liquor license moratorium. Later topics include garbage rate increase, architectural surveys, open space, and loss of non-profit status.

Biographical / historical:

The Sunset-Parkside Education and Action Committee, or SPEAK, is an active neighborhood organization with a 50-year history of involvement in neighborhood-based planning, architecture, and historic preservation issues. It was founded in 1969 by a group of ministers and businessmen, to inform area residents "about matters of mutual concern in government and in the community and improve the quality of life in the area and citywide." SPEAK had an architectural review role and communicated with both project sponsors and city planners to achieve improved design and use of space. The agency sponsored an annual summer festival featuring art, music and dance, as well as a candidates' night. At one point, the board met monthly and the general membership met annually in May, as well as in October in election years.

In 2004, the group formed the Sunset Architectural and Historical Resource Inventory Committee and began a comprehensive survey to identify Sunset neighborhood buildings that appeared to be eligible for official designation as state historic resources. On Aug. 1, 2007, the San Francisco Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board endorsed Phase 1 of the Oceanside Survey, recognizing nineteen properties as official historic resources. The board also endorsed SPEAK's Oceanside Historic Context Statement. In Phase 2, 5100 properties built before 1925 were surveyed and documented. Several reports were produced. On May 2, 2012, the San Francisco Planning Department's Historic Preservation Commission adopted Phase 2 of the Oceanside Historic Resources Survey.

Acquisition information:
Records were donated to the San Francisco Public Library by the Sunset-Parkside Education and Action Committee on Aug. 23, 2016.
Processing information:

Processed by Tami J. Suzuki.

Arrangement:

Organized into four series: Series 1. Organizational Records; Series 2. Chronological Files; Series 3. Special Projects; and Series 4. Sunset Architectural and Historical Resource Inventory Committee (SAHRIC). Organized chronologically. The SAHRIC series is organized into three subseries: Subseries 4A. Committee Records; Subseries 4B. Oceanside Survey: Phase 1; and Subseries 4C. Oceanside Survey: Phase 2.

Physical / technical requirements:

Includes audiocassettes and computer discs (CDs) and diskettes.

Physical location:
Open for research. The collection is offsite and advance notice is required for retrieval. Material must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Tami J. Suzuki.
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2018-08-11 00:29:44 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research and available for use during San Francisco History Center hours. Photographs are available during Photo Desk hours. This collection must be requested at least 4 business days in advance of visit.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items. Photographs can be photographed but cannot be photocopied.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Sunset-Parkside Education and Action Committee (SPEAK) Records (SFH 497), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Location of this collection:
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102, US
Contact:
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
Website