Read the Pacific View Activation Plan that will be voted on here (248-page, 18MB file)
This photo is from the KPFF Consulting Engineers study on the condition of the existing Pacific View buildings. The report on the re-usability of the structures will be presented at the Encinitas City Council meeting February 11 as part of the overall Pacific View Site Activation Plan. The document’s findings are generally positive, stating “Although the building does not meet current structural code requirements, there does not appear to be any significant structural deterioration,” then it notes a few exceptions regarding water damage and shear walls.
Supporters of Pacific View’s transformation from abandoned school to public jewel are encouraged to attend and speak at Wednesday evening’s Encinitas City Council meeting before the Activation Plan Subcommittee’s plan comes to a vote.
The subcommittee, consisting of Councilmembers Tony Kranz and Lisa Shaffer, has prepared an extensive report (available here) for the entire council to vote on. For the site’s initial use, it recommends “a living museum or cultural center focusing on our local arts community.”
Beyond the expected dry language and statistics, Kranz and Shaffer’s report dares to depict a realistically romantic picture of Pacific View’s near future.
“Imagine a beautiful place in downtown Encinitas, near the ocean, where you could see amazing art created by local artists who you could also watch as they create their works,” the report reads. “Imagine having space in this facility for classes for kids and adults in music, theater, and visual arts. Imagine occasional small-scale performances indoors or out, where local students and artists could share their talents with the community. Imagine a nice green space where families and visitors could enjoy a picnic or pause after shopping on Highway 101. All this is possible as we consider how best to renovate the school buildings at the Pacific View site and rehabilitate the open space.”
The subcommittee believes that the interim idea of an arts museum avoids zoning obstacles inherent in Encinitas’ circa-1986 codes and allows the community to begin to use the property more quickly than other possibilities.
A page from the city staff’s January 13 assessment of the Pacific View buildings’ structural viability. (Click to enlarge)
Responding to the desires of those who have more ambitious dreams for the historic site, the report states “that may happen eventually.” But before the ultimate use is determined, Kranz and Shaffer say “it makes sense to complete the planned update of our city-wide Arts Master Plan to evaluate the needs and resources available to support and enhance our arts community.”
Arts Administrator Jim Gilliam says the arts plan update is expected to be completed in early 2016.
At the February 11th meeting, the subcommittee is asking the council to approve five Pacific View-related items:
1) Confirm that the proposed interim use of the site will be as a living museum or cultural center focusing on the local Encinitas arts community.
2) Direct staff to proceed with a solicitation for architectural services to provide design and engineering drawings to rehabilitate the existing classroom and administration buildings, along with plans to indicate where required parking and passive use open space could be provided
3) Direct the City Manager to work with the subcommittee to develop a Request for Proposals and Consultant Selection Criteria to engage a firm for the architectural services, and to bring a recommendation for which architectural firm to select to the Council for decision.
4) Direct the Pacific View Site Activation Subcommittee to work with staff and the selected architect to develop the process for conducting the rehabilitation work and report back to Council
5) Approve the transfer of funds from 2014 Lease Revenue Bond debt service to the Pacific View Master Project (CP15C) in the amount of $480,000 and to the facilities maintenance budget in the amount of $20,000. The total of these transfers is $500,000.
The Encinitas City Council meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. this Wednesday, February 11, in the Encinitas City Council Chambers, 505 South Vulcan Avenue, Encinitas, California 92024. The public is invited to attend and speak. For those unable to attend, sending a supportive email to the council at council@encinitasca.gov before the meeting would be very helpful. The meeting’s agenda can be read here.
Inside Pacific View
Encinitas Chamber of Commerce CEO Bob Gattinella (left) and Encinitas City Councilmember Tony Kranz inspected the city’s newly acquired Pacific View property on the morning of December 30, 2014. They discussed the condition and salvageability of the buildings, and informally brainstormed uses for them.
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 discussion about what we’d all like to see happen at the Pacific View site has begun in earnest. The discussion about what we’d all like to see happen at the Pacific View site has begun in earnest.
You and your friends are invited to have your say and Share Your View on the SavePacificView.org website. You can login there directly or use your Facebook, Twitter or Google+ ID to post and comment. Your input is much appreciated, and essential to helping create a place that can be enjoyed for generations to come.
The historic Pacific View property as it appeared before the City of Encinitas purchased it in 2014.