SAN FRANCISCO — On Friday night, June 19, 2015, San Francisco proudly celebrated the 100th anniversary of City Hall. The celebration took place at the Civic Center Plaza, which hosted a concert with a light show and a circus-like routine. For guests, there were food trucks available for fun eats, carnival attractions, a silent disco, a DIY mural wall and a marching band of mimes. The plaza was decorated with a glowing sculpture garden and a burlesque revue.
The concert featured many artists, including Jello Biafra, Penelope Houston and Mark Kozelek. The concert paid tribute to the diversity of the musical decades.
City Hall opened in 1915, which was the same year as the Panama Pacific International Exposition, acting as a symbol of San Francisco’s resurrection from the devastation of the 1906 earthquakes and fires. City Hall was officially opened to the public on December 28th, 1915 by Mayor James Rolph, and it was considered “a palace for the people.”
While there was a celebration within City Hall, there was also another reason. The building of 100 years required about $4 million in improvements, from new paint to updated lighting systems. The city of San Francisco is giving $1.8 million towards these improvements, but the rest must come from fundraising efforts, donations from local individuals, companies and foundations.
Richard H. Peterson, chair of the City Hall Centennial effort, said, ““It’s as much about the rebirth of San Francisco over the last 100 years as the physical structure itself. If the goal is met, the $2 million projection system will become a permanent installation, ready for future World Series victories, Pride Parties and other major civic events. We are about 90% of the way there.”
