490 31st Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121

The 21-unit, 3-story multi-family residential building at 490 31st Avenue in San Francisco's Central Richmond neighborhood, owned by the Carolan Family Trust-bypass, has undergone several significant safety and maintenance upgrades since its construction in 1961. Most notably, in early 2024, the building completed a fire alarm system upgrade at a cost of $61,511 to comply with current fire codes, including the installation of new smoke detectors, alarm strobe lights, and low-frequency sounders in sleeping areas. The building had previously completed a mandatory soft-story retrofit in 2014, installing steel frames and foundation improvements at a cost of $50,000 to enhance seismic safety. Recent tenant complaints from 2023-2024 have raised several ongoing concerns, including elevator accessibility issues, property maintenance problems, and fire safety compliance matters.

These include reports of a damaged driveway, stairway cleanliness concerns, and questions about fire alarm system functionality. While the building has addressed various fire safety violations over the years, including sleeping area requirements and alarm system maintenance issues, recent complaints suggest continued attention is needed in this area. The property has also experienced maintenance challenges, with recorded insect/rodent issues in early 2023 and concerns about building access during that period. The building's maintenance history shows attention to structural issues, with various repairs completed between 2002-2004 including roofing work, dry rot repairs, and interior renovations.

The property has had multiple fire safety-related complaints and violations, though many have been resolved or corrected. Recent fire-related incidents have been limited to elevator rescues and alarm malfunctions, with no civilian injuries recorded. The building's history demonstrates a pattern of maintaining compliance with major safety requirements, including wood frame soft-story retrofit completion, though recent tenant complaints suggest there are ongoing maintenance challenges affecting resident quality of life. The building's ongoing operations have generated various 311 calls in 2024, primarily related to parking enforcement and urban forestry issues, indicating some external maintenance challenges. Historical records show the property has generally addressed major safety concerns when required, though recent tenant complaints suggest there are still significant maintenance issues that impact resident experience.