A Piano Comes to the TenderloinPaul Hogarthbyline‚ Jun. 22‚ 2007Yesterday, the historic Cadillac Hotel on Eddy Street received an unusual gift – an 1884 Steinway Concert Grand Piano, beautifully restored to its original condition and transported across the country in a pick-up truck. With a market value of $125,000, the piano was donated to the Hotel by Lee Walkup in honor of his late sister, community activist Patricia Walkup. When she first moved to San Francisco, Patricia volunteered at the Cadillac Hotel under the expert guidance of Leroy Looper – the Father of the Tenderoin – and went on to lead the successful campaign to replace the Central Freeway with Octavia Boulevard. An avid pianist who believed that ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things, honoring the Piano after Patricia Walkup is a fitting tribute to Leroy and Kathy Looper, the residents of the Cadillac Hotel, and the effort to make the Tenderloin a historic district. |