June 17, 2025
City Council
DATE: June 17, 2025
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Councilmember Soheila Bana
Councilmember Doria Robinson (co-sponsor)
Subject:
Visibility, Preservation and Protection of City-Owned
Historic Buildings and Historically Significant Locations FINANCIAL IMPACT: Anticipated costs include staff time to coordinate the inventory, fabricate and install signage, and implement basic protective measures. These expenses may be
minimal, phased in and potentially offset by external
grants and partnerships.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Richmond is home to many sites and structures of
architectural, cultural, and historical significance that reflect the city’s diverse and vibrant past. However, two recent fires have highlighted the vulnerability of these assets:
On April 25, 2023, the privately owned International
Hotel which was one of Richmond’s most historic
buildings tied to the legacy of the Pullman porters,
was completely destroyed by fire, resulting in the loss of an irreplaceable cultural asset.
On May 23, 2025, the Sakai house one of 3 historic
Mira Flores structures, which is also privately owned
and is located on a site historically linked to
Richmond’s Japanese American and agricultural
history and preservation efforts, sustained
significant fire damage.
AGENDA
REPORT
June 17, 2025
These events have drawn public concern and
emphasized the need for Richmond to take a proactive
approach to preserving its historical resources.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
DIRECT City staff to work with the Historic Preservation Commission and community groups to:
Formalize and publicly share a verified list of city- owned historic buildings and historically significant
locations.
Create a process to accept nominations, review
and if warranted, install commemorative signage
on City-owned historic structures and important
locations of cultural memory (e.g., the former site
of the International Hotel). Additionally, the City
should offer to coordinate and assist with the
installation of plaques or historical markers for
privately owned historic buildings and sites,
provided the property owners are willing. This will
help commemorate important places regardless of
ownership and ensure the community's history
remains visible and celebrated.
Develop and implement basic preservation
measures to protect city-owned historic buildings
from vandalism and fire damage.
Explore grant and partnership opportunities to
support preservation efforts, with support from the
Historic Preservation Commission and local
history organizations.
Create a staff led and City Council approved
process to evaluate whether any of the identified
historic buildings require additional site-specific
protection measures that would involve new
budget allocations. Rather than mandating uniform
maintenance rules, evaluate each structure’s
preservation needs individually, based on
historical significance, community interest, and
available resources.
Provide a status update to the City Council within
180 days on progress made, challenges
encountered, and next steps for implementation -
Councilmember Soheila Bana (510-672-
3490)/Councilmember Doria Robinson (510-672-1387).
June 17, 2025
DISCUSSION:
To ensure Richmond honors and preserves its history in a meaningful and actionable way, the following steps are proposed:
Inventory & Visibility: Work with the Historic Preservation Commission and other community groups to verify and maintain a public inventory of historic buildings and historically significant sites both those that are city owned and privately owned. Ensure the inventory clearly indicates current ownership. Commemorative Signage: Create a process to accept nominations, review and if warranted, install commemorative signage on city-owned historic structures and important locations of cultural memory (e.g., the former site of the International Hotel). Additionally, the City should offer to coordinate and assist with the installation of plaques or historical markers for privately owned historic buildings and sites, provided the property owners are willing. This will help commemorate important places regardless of ownership and ensure the community's history remains visible and celebrated.
Protection Measures: Implement basic, cost-effective measures to protect high- priority sites, such as lighting, fire-resistant landscaping, fencing, and, where feasible, surveillance equipment.
Case-by-Case Approach: Rather than mandating uniform maintenance rules, evaluate each structure’s preservation needs individually, based on historical significance, community interest, and available resources. Funding & Collaboration: Seek preservation grants and engage community partners such as the Richmond Museum of History to support ongoing efforts and minimize fiscal impact.
This approach balances action with practicality, ensuring that Richmond’s historical legacy is honored without placing unsustainable financial burdens on the City.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
None