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Golden Gate Village – at the heart of the matter

September 5, 2025

Golden Gate Village, a historic public housing complex in Marin County, was designed by renowned architects Aaron Green and John Carl Warnecke in the 1950s, offering dignified housing after Black families had endured substandard wartime accommodations. The development won the Public Housing Administration's Honor Award in 1964 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017, recognized for its cultural and architectural significance. Named by long-time resident Gracie Stover in the early 1990s, the complex represents more than housing—it stands as a symbol of dignity and community pride for the largest remaining Black community in Marin County.

Who is affected

  • Residents of Golden Gate Village public housing complex
  • The Black community in Marin County (described as "the largest Black community left in Marin County")
  • Families with historical ties to the area, including descendants of shipyard workers
  • Current Golden Gate Village Resident Council members

What action is being taken

  • The Golden Gate Resident Council is scheduled to hold a meeting on September 11 at 10:00 a.m.
  • Residents are advocating for the implementation of the Resident Plan
  • Community members are pushing for proper maintenance "equal to what is given to the Civic Center"
  • Residents are working to establish a community land trust, create pathways to homeownership, and implement resident management

Why it matters

  • Golden Gate Village is on the National Register of Historic Places, recognized for its cultural, social, and architectural significance
  • It is the only public housing complex in the nation designed by award-winning architects Aaron Green and John Carl Warnecke
  • The complex represents dignity and respect for a community that historically faced racism and substandard housing
  • The Resident Plan is presented as the only solution that ensures families can remain in their homes
  • The complex houses the largest remaining Black community in Marin County

What's next

  • The Golden Gate Resident Council will hold a pre-meeting on September 11 at 10:00 a.m.

Read full article from source: San Francisco Bay View National Black Newspaper