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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2ADear Mayor Garner and Members of the Council, I am writing in support of the Class 1 Designation for the Security First National Bank Building. I am the original author of the report. Research revealed the building as a very substantive part of the history of Palm Springs. Part of the research included finding the family members of the original bank manager, Herbert Samson. His daughter (Ruthmarie Samson Schroeder) and her husband (Don) recall a great deal about the project and they currently reside in Palm Springs. This story is part of their legacy, as well as the legacy of Palm Springs during the property’s period of significance. This building and the incredible bas-relief panels created by Lawrence Tenney Stevens need to be considered as integrated, as originally designed. I understand the changing demographics of the banking environment and the challenge to lease this building to new tenants, if necessary. I am an Architect and the owner of multiple properties, including those listed on the National Register of Historic Places. I speak as a landlord, as well. Historic designation has added value to our properties, and the tenants are proud to be a part of the local history. This building is a prime candidate for an adaptive-reuse project which can be enhanced by historic designation. Class 1 Designation does not limit the possibilities, on the contrary it enhances them. Sincerely, Susan Secoy Jensen 02/09/2023 Public Comment Item 3A From:Chris Jares To:City Clerk Cc:Lisa Middleton Subject:Commentary for City Council meeting Feb 9, 2023 Date:Thursday, February 2, 2023 3:40:03 PM NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments unless you are sure the content is safe. Hello - I understand that there is a petition for the Union Bank at Indian Canyon and Ramon to be designated as a building of historical importance (Case #137), which will be discussed at the February 9 meeting of the City Council. I would like to voice my opposition to this proposal. The basis of my opposition is the onus that such a designation creates for the property. As you may not be aware, Union Bank is not the owner of the building - they are merely a tenant. A tenant that is going through a merger with US Bank, who has another branch in town. There’s a real possibility that they decide to consolidate to the other branch at Smoketree. At that point, this building would be vacant and efforts to reconfigure or change the building to make it leasable would be materially restricted if you approve the Class 1 historic designation. The owner raised a similar point at the last meeting. That’s bad news for folks like me, who live across the street. As it stands right now (with the bank open and operating), there is plenty of drug dealing and homeless squatting happening here.. It’s much worse after 5pm, when they close. I shared the photos and stories with city staff (Ken Lyon) as a part of the Historic Preservation Board (HSPB) process. Happy to provide those details again, but I’m sure you can check with the police as well. It will become materially worse if the branch closes and the building is vacated. How can I be so sure? Take a look at the former Saks 5th Ave located about a block away (Palm Canyon and Ramon). I’ve taken some pictures today around noon that show the current state of affairs (graffiti, trash, disrepair and loitering). How does that benefit our community, and right where a number of visitors drive by? Even more to the point, how would you feel about your neighborhood if you looked out each day at this? 02/09/2023 Public Comment Item 2A 02/09/2023 Public Comment Item 2A 02/09/2023 Public Comment Item 2A 02/09/2023 Public Comment Item 2A 02/09/2023 Public Comment Item 2A The decision to create a historic designation here is being driven entirely by the City. Not by the building owner, not the neighbors, not Union Bank. I’m a fan of historic architecture as well, but not at the expense of public safety and sanitation. Frankly, the UBOC building’s brutalist architecture isn’t going to make any coffee table books - do we really need this designation? This case was also discussed at the HSPB meeting on January 3, which I attended online. Candidly, I felt the invitation for public commentary was perfunctory and not taken seriously. My comments and those of the owner of the building were summarily dismissed by the Board. That’s pretty disheartening, since the idea of a public hearing is supposed to hear and respond to differing viewpoints. Ultimately, what happens here matters to me and the people in my neighborhood. We are the ones that have to live with the consequences of these decisions. I am planning to attend the meeting by Zoom and would like to share my commentary if the Council is interested in hearing from the folks most directly affected by this (i.e. neighbors). Please contact me if you have any questions. Chris Jares 534 S Calle Ajo Palm Springs, CA 92264 02/09/2023 Public Comment Item 2A 02/09/2023 Public Comment Item 2A