Many of the people who attended Encinitas’ Pacific View walkthrough on March 12 took time out to pause for a photo to commemorate the occasion.

Over 30 members of Encinitas arts and civic groups, city staff and interested residents got a close-up look at the historic Pacific View property during a tour held Thursday morning, March 12.

The event was designed to allow those interested in participating in the site’s future as an arts-oriented facility to get hands-on experience with the property and buildings before they submit proposals to the city.

Encinitas’ Deputy Director for Engineering Ed Deane met the participants in the former school’s playground and began an informal tour of the seven classrooms and administration offices. The visitors soon splintered into separate groups that explored at will, with Deane standing nearby to answer questions.

There was a mixture of reactions among the participants ranging from discouragement over the physically poor state of some areas to enthusiastic inspiration about the arts center to come.

Deputy Director for Engineering Ed Deane (in baseball cap) answers questions about one of the empty Pacific View classrooms.

Nearby property owner Don McPherson got his first-ever glimpse of the interior as he and a helper took measurements. He said he was pleased by the simplicity of the construction and the easy access to plumbing and electrical.

Longtime Derby House resident and restorer Garth Murphy spent much of his time checking to see if things still worked, opening windows and testing electrical switches. The Encinitas Art, Culture and Ecology Alliance member said he adheres to an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy.

Annie Leaf of the 101 Artist Colony/Arts Alive Foundation said this was her first visit to the campus since she taught art there on a science grant over 20 years ago.

When asked about his first impression of the site, Danny Salzhandler, also from the 101 Artist Colony/Arts Alive Foundation, said, “there’s room for everybody.” He spoke of wanting to see an entirely new non-profit organization emerge from the existing groups that have shown interest, believing that a cooperative spirit could be achieved by allowing each group a seat on the proposed organization’s governing board.

During the informal conversation, Encinitas Chamber of Commerce CEO Bob Gattinella offered the chamber’s help to create and participate in such a consortium. He suggested that the chamber’s business members, along with its planning and construction connections and collective goodwill, would be a great asset to the proposed new group. Gattinella mentioned that the chamber’s offices could be used for further meetings.

Salzhandler nodded in agreement. “I’d be real open to that idea.”

As for how the Operating Partner will eventually be chosen, a PowerPoint presentation with suggestions prepared by Pacific View Activation Subcommittee members Tony Kranz and Lisa Shaffer will be revised and presented to the City Council for its consideration on April 8.

The City of Encinitas website now features a page devoted to Pacific View, which might serve as a clearing house for people to post their interests and capabilities and find potential partners.

Several other interior photos of Pacific View’s buildings can be found on the SavePacificView.org site.

Encinitas Arts Adminstrator Jim Gilliam and Laura Diede scouted the former Pacific View administration offices. Gilliam said he hopes to relocate his department’s offices there in the future.

SavePacificView.org will stay on top of developments and send email updates when new Pacific View events occur. You’re also invited to stay up-to-date on Pacific View news by joining the SavePacificView.org email list here. Your name and email address will only be used by SavePacificView.org. The SavePacificView story as told by local media can be read here.

What are your Pacific View ideas? Click here to Share Your View!

The historic Pacific View property as it appeared before the City of Encinitas purchased it in 2014.