Cultural Resource Surveys

Cultural resources are defined as the collective evidence of the past activities and accomplishments of people. Buildings, objects, features, locations, and structures with scientific, historic, and cultural value are all examples of cultural resources. Cultural Resource Surveys are intended to evaluate, inventory, and document properties to determine their significance within the cultural and historic context of the subject area. Cultural Resource Survey work generally involves the preparation of Context Statements (a Statement of Significance) and may lead to local, state or national register nominations and/or historic district nominations. Using digital tools including proprietary databases, GIS, internet research, and digital photography, Tim Kelley Consulting specializes in completing efficient and accurate surveys.

Transbay Transit Center Survey & Context
Statement: San Francisco (2008)

The City and County of San Francisco hired us to undertake the survey as part of the preliminary planning for the proposed new Transbay Joint Powers Authority/Caltrain Transbay Transit Center Project at 1st and Mission streets. The survey area encompasses 260 commercial and industrial properties in the northeastern part of the South of Market District, the former center of the City’s historic wholesale district and presently the southern extension of the Central Business District.

In addition to preparing a historic context statement and DPR 523 A (Primary) forms for every property within the survey area, we identified and documented a California Register-eligible historic district centered on Mission and New Montgomery streets encompassing 86 contributing buildings, most of which are intact masonry commercial loft buildings erected between 1906 and 1930. We also prepared DPR 523 B (Building, Structure & Object) forms for outlying buildings outside the proposed district boundaries.

Click here to view a pdf of the survey.

Showplace Square Survey & Context Statement:
San Francisco (2009)

Working again for the City and County of San Francisco, the survey was undertaken as part of ongoing planning activity in the area under the aegis of the Eastern Neighborhoods Program. The survey area includes sections of the Northeast Mission and northern Potrero/Showplace Square planning areas encompassing roughly 600 industrial and commercial properties, most of which were constructed between 1893 and 1955.

In addition to preparing a historic context statement and DPR 523 A (Primary) forms for all properties within the survey area, we identified and documented four historic districts within the survey area, comprising three whose significance stems from industrial employment in San Francisco and one whose significance is based on architectural significance as San Francisco’s most important concentration of heavy timber-frame brick warehouses and factories.

Click here to view a pdf of the survey.