35-45 Onondaga Avenue

In the works since 2010, the two city-owned buildings at the intersection of Alemany Boulevard and Onondaga Avenue (35-45 Onondaga) could soon be authorized to be sold with a proposed minimum bid of $640,000.

The sale of the Alemany Health Center buildings would include two murals (Community Spirit and Growth) on the chimney in 45 Onondaga’s former waiting room, murals which were commissioned with New Deal funds in 1934 and painted by Bernard Zakheim.

45 Onondaga Murals

Zakheim’s Health Center commission followed his work on the Coit Tower Works Progress Administration (WPA) project (he painted the library scene on the southwest wall). And not too surprisingly, an application to landmark the murals inside 45 Onondaga has recently been submitted to the City.

The parcels upon which the vacant Excelsior District buildings sit are zoned for development up to 40 feet in height.

10 thoughts on “City-Owned Buildings With Historic Murals Could Soon Be Sold”
  1. Good. Sell them and any other public property. Because inept officials have no business in running private enterprise. Less property means less power. No more spending my money on stupid programs. And I want a tax cut and a moratorium on any and all parcel taxes and fees for the next ten years from the City’s budget surplus.

  2. with the caveat that I’m by no means an expect in how Mayors Office of Housing locates, purchases and develops land for affordable/public housing…but…hello, MOH?

  3. Hmm, so the city is fighting to keep non-profits that are getting priced out of SF… not sure why a marriage of sorts between a couple willing parties cannot be accomplished where the building is leased. Whoever decides to purchase with an intent to demolish and upzone will potentially have tough-sledding against the Planning Department that may deem the structures as worthy of preservation. Seems like city agencies aren’t communicating with one another, which doesn’t surprise me.

    1. The city could house the non-profits in this building… Seems to make more sense than just selling it for nothing.

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