1720-1734 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94121

The 8-unit, 2-story multi-family residential building at 1720-1734 Balboa Street in Central Richmond, owned by Kenton D. Fong, was constructed in 1922 and has undergone several significant structural improvements over its lifetime. Most notably, the building completed a mandatory soft-story retrofit in 2019 (with an initial permit in 2017 costing $25,000 and subsequent revision costing $3,000) to enhance its seismic safety, including the addition of shearwalls on both the first and second floors.

The building's foundation was entirely replaced in 2006 with an $20,000 project addressing 80 linear feet of rear foundation, following a 2004 notice of violation. Multiple maintenance issues have been addressed over the years, including water damage repairs in 2012 (testing to stucco walls), sidewalk repairs in 2011, and courtyard stucco repairs in 2003. The property experienced a cluster of fire safety violations in 2004 that were resolved by December 2006, including issues with fire extinguishers, gas shutoff tools, and combustible storage concerns. While the building underwent routine inspections in 1999, 2004, 2011, and 2014, more recent maintenance and safety compliance appears to be up-to-date.

The building has received numerous reports regarding parking violations in recent years, particularly for sidewalk parking, with the most recent incidents occurring in 2024, though these are external to the building's condition. The property also had one reported instance of graffiti in 2023 and experienced some issues with garbage collection in 2022, though these appear to be promptly addressed. Recent inspections and permits indicate active maintenance and compliance with current safety standards, particularly following the completion of the soft-story retrofit program. The building's historical records show a pattern of addressing necessary repairs and upgrades, particularly regarding structural integrity and fire safety, though some of the earlier violations indicate there were periods requiring closer attention to safety systems and maintenance protocols.