May 1st 2008
Press Release
For immediate release and distribution
From: Tom Cozens
President, Encinitas Preservation Association.
Encinitas Boathouses Preserved Forever
The Encinitas Preservation Association (DBA) is proud to announce that we have closed escrow and are now the owners of the Encinitas Boathouses. We hold the Boathouses for the benefit of all citizens in the public trust of preservation forever.
This acquisition of the $1.55 million Encinitas Boathouses was a year long journey, as unique as the Boathouses themselves. Each of the founding board members of the Encinitas Preservation Association has brought immeasurable skill as well as personal and professional contributions to this effort. The partnering of two great organizations, Downtown Encinitas Main Street Association (DEMA) and the Encinitas Historical Society, as well as dedicated members of the Encinitas community at large has culminated in one of the most imaginative, creative and important preservation accomplishments in the State of California.
I want to acknowledge the indomitable spirit over the past 18 months of Peder Norby who brought us all together in this great endeavor. I truly believe that each and every citizen, today and in the future, will benefit by the retention and preservation of this irreplaceable, Nationally important landmark. Their creative design and resourceful construction are constant reminders of the unique spirit of the five communities that proudly share the name Encinitas.
The Director of the National Trust Main Street Center, Doug Loescher offered this comment on the effort: "As a Main Street revitalization leader of both the State of California as well as the nation, Encinitas has once again demonstrated that by embracing preservation as a tool for economic development, a coalition of community stakeholders can overcome great obstacles to build sustainable community resources, such as the Encinitas Boathouses. In partnership with local government and a developer, the Main Street organization is helping to do more than preserve a nationally important landmark; they are demonstrating how complex projects such as this can achieve affordable housing and other goals as well. This project can serve as a model for future development, both in Encinitas and around the country."
“The DEMA board of directors is very proud to be part of this preservation effort to keep the whimsical creations of builder Miles Kellogg moored in their original location for generations to come,” said Dody Tucker, Executive Director of DEMA.
Several key community partners played critical roles in purchasing the Encinitas Boathouses.
The prior owners of the Boathouses, John Deters and Mark Whitley approached DEMA with a desire to offer the sale of the Boathouses to a preservation effort, instead of putting them on the open market. We thank them for that gift of an opportunity.
The Lofts at Moonlight Beach provided over $650,000 in funding to help purchase the Boathouses including affordable housing fees and a $25,000 charitable donation. Richard Lee Sax, the President of Distinctive Projects Company, Inc. manager of The Lofts at Moonlight Beach LLC said : “The Lofts is thrilled that its development of its critical gateway property at the entry of Moonlight Beach and the entry to downtown Encinitas is coupled with the historical preservation of another essential element of the unique nature of our City. We’ve taken seriously our obligations to our community as we develop our property, and we are so pleased that we’ve had the additional benefit of saving the past for future generations.”
The City of Encinitas provided over $200,000 in affordable housing funding to help purchase and preserve the Encinitas Boathouses. Mayor Jerome Stocks said: "The Encinitas Boathouses are an iconic Encinitas landmark., and the entire City Council are thrilled to have helped in their preservation."
California Community Bank, the official bank of the Encinitas Boathouses, newly located in the heart of downtown Encinitas, provided a community loan to assist in the purchase of the boathouses. California Community Bank CEO Larry Hartwig commented, “We are delighted to be able to assist with this high profile community project, and particularly at the time Don Taylor is about to open our new Encinitas Branch.”
The Encinitas Preservation Association now embarks on a fundraising voyage that will culminate in the opening of the Boathouses to the public, in a manor compatible with the surrounding residential neighborhood. “The Boathouses represent the history and eclectic charm of the City of Encinitas ,” Supervisor Pam Slater-Price said. “They really are an icon of a simpler time. Every effort has been made by the city to save them for posterity, and rightfully so. To me, a small on site museum is the logical next step. I’d like to see the boathouses made a part of a coastal beaches walking tour of Encinitas.”
We invite the citizens of Encinitas and North County to join us in a special once in a lifetime “Boathouse Christening” on May 19th at 5:30pm. The location is the 1883 Encinitas Schoolhouse (1/3rd of a block north of the Boathouses) where we will gather and celebrate. We will then walk to the Boathouse for a community picture.
Please join us to celebrate our unique heritage, a National Treasure, and your Encinitas Boathouses,
Tom Cozens
Boathouses on Roadside America.com
*It is my opinion that if developers built Boathouses instead of McMansions then they wouldn't be in financial trouble.
my friend johnny O used to live in one of the boats, damn it was nasty in there back then.
ReplyDeletecool to see they are going to be preserved.
Yea. What are they 100 years old?
ReplyDeleteA huge Woooopy Shit!
Next we will be embracing the Fairy Mary as surfing history.
I lived in the southern boathouse from 1971 to 1975. The owner's daughter and son-in-law lived in the other. The interior was freshly painted when I moved in. It wasn't nasty, it was spacious, and the rent was very reasonable.
ReplyDeleteThe upstairs was unheated and could be very cold and drafty in a winter rain storm. There was a terrible wind storm in February 1974 that I though might knock the boat off its moorings. But it rode out the storm without a problem.
No one comes to Encinitas to see the latest McMansion. I had a continuous stream of people knocking on the door and asking to see the inside. I usually said no. It was a private home after all. Now the public will be able to satisfy their curiosity. I thank Peder Norby and all the others who have helped preserve a unique part of Encinitas history.
I think it’s cool that we are preserving unique aspects of Encinitas and not promoting more McMansions. Maybe the foundation should have a goal to preserve other really special landmarks like the Pannikan building (old train depot), or the La Paloma Theater?
ReplyDeleteJ.P. makes a very valid point and leads me to a question.
ReplyDeleteAre the repetitive "Mick" mansions and similar projects built by the Barrets of the world, worthy of preservation in the future?
Historic preserevation makes economic sense. The La Paloma is another historically important structure in need of preservation efforts.
ReplyDelete...and The Derby House!
ReplyDeletePlease bear in mind that private property owners have an interest in "preserving" their own properties, and often don't appreciate involvement from government or quasi-government (DEMA) agencies. Leave them alone unless they request involvement!
ReplyDeleteYes, the boathouses will look great next to the high density new Pacific Station and high density new Moonlight Lofts.
ReplyDeleteGreat job and thanks to everyone helping to preserve the boat houses! The most photographed icons in Encinitas. Twice when I was there taking pics of them for the postcard I printed, other people drove up and took picutres too.
ReplyDeleteNot true Fred. The most photographed Encinitas icons are those plastic butts down at Moonlight beach. Ohhhh Yeahhhh!
ReplyDeleteI was so lucky to grow up in Encinitas, fourth generation, and have all the special secrets about this community told to you by grandma's and great uncles. The Boat Houses, the Derby House, the Log Cabins, Noahs Ark in Leucadia...
ReplyDeleteThank you for everyone that cares, that takes the time and energy to help perserve this magical place. Steph