Yreka,CA Black's Renovation

2011-11-05T07:53:00.001-07:00

This Video is for a project I'm working on with the City of Yreka as a proposal to create a downtown Arts Center and training facility. This project is designed to serve several purposes. A Concierge Service for the greater Yreka area. This would be a combined service for all the businesses, restaurants and motels, hotels, B&B's, etc. As an center for the Arts we would be creating small studio spaces for artists, work areas, and meeting areas for classes, and general areas for artists to spend time together. This space will also function as an introduction for tourists to the Yreka community to support and enhance work our Chamber is doing. As a pass through from the parking lot to the Miner St. /Broadway/ Lane St. historic district. An introduction to the History of Yreka would be presented in a pictorial review.

2011-10-19T23:09:00.000-07:00

Here is a fly through animation to show what the proposed Black's Building. This should give you a feeling of what it will be like to be inside the proposed plan.

2011-10-18T06:45:00.000-07:00

Yreka Committee for Historic Preservation is currently looking at a proposal for the blacks building where 10 Art Studio spaces would be created. These would be rented out to local artists for spaces to do there work. This idea is already working at St. Mark's Preservation Square. Stop by and see our studio spaces to give you an idea how this might work at the Black's Building. The idea is that by getting artist to move their studio spaces down town more activity will begin to happen down town. The artist will the following activities: the artists will be down town looking for lunch etc. more often, locals will frequent down town more often to see whats going on, the art walks have shown this, tourists will tour the down town area because of increased interest. What do you think? This is still in the planning stage. And we are always looking for ideas.

With this new layout, click on the picture to move to a new view. Then click on the picture again to see a full page enlargement of the illustration.

2011-10-12T20:19:00.000-07:00

Well good news, The Blacks Building is being looked at again with a chance for survival.The Yreka Committee for Historic Preservation is in the process of making a proposal. Stay tuned.

City Counsel At it Again

2010-05-28T07:25:00.000-07:00

The city counsel is at it again. This coming Thursday at 6:30 at the city counsel meeting. David is trying to get a group together to work on tearing the building down.Please show up at the meeting and let them know you don't want the building torn down. Or send a letter to the city requesting it to be read at the counsel meeting. Tell the counsel your feelings about saving this historic building. 1000 letters from friends of Historic Yreka would be great! Add a comment to this Blog with your comments as well.

Be heard

2009-08-15T05:37:00.000-07:00

If you want to support this idea, We need your help. August 20, 6:30 Yreka City Hall Chambers there is a City Counsel meeting to decide what the fate of this building will be. WE NEED YOUR COMMENTS AND BODY PRESENT. Please, Attend if you can. It is always the presents of many citizens that will help the counsel make the right decision.
Thanks Don

Working on Airstream

2009-07-21T06:59:00.001-07:00

Hi, those who follow my Blog. I have not forsaken SketchUp. I'm out working on the 55 Flying Cloud Airstream trailed that I used SketchUp to redesign. After all it's real cool to do design work and then put it into the real world. Here is the thread on the Airstream work.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f36/55-fc-the-whole-ball-of-wax-25692.html
Thanks Don

5 ways to go

2009-06-11T07:45:00.000-07:00

When we started this plan for the Black's Building,we started with the following concept. No. 1 save the building by looking for a plan that would satisfy the various need and wants of the community. No. 2 work with as many citizens as possible to come to the answer.

There are 5 ways the city counsel can choose to go. Following is a listing of the 5 choices.

1. Current Plan: For several years the historic group and several citizens worked on ideas that came to a set of architect plans for the Black's Building that arrived at the city this last January.

2. YDC Plan: The plans presented by this group wants to tear down the building and build a plaza.

3. Renovation Plan. The plan presented here to date on this blog.

4. Do nothing Plan. This plan proposes to leave the building as it is for now.

5. Sell the Building. Sell the building and return the monies to the fund.

I am currently working on a way to present all of these ideas on this blog or a linked group of blogs. I will also be putting up a place for you to vote on the idea of your choice. As always the author of this blog is open to all comments and suggestions.
Thanks Don

teardown removed

2009-06-08T05:38:00.000-07:00

The city counsel removed the words "tare down" form the resolution passed on last meeting. This may be progress.

Stay Tuned

2009-05-17T07:53:00.000-07:00

Stay tuned for the next step. Wounded but not dead!

Shot Down

2009-05-14T02:37:00.000-07:00

Well it appears that this idea was shot down last night. I'd like to thank all those who came out to support this plan. It appears that the building will be torn down.

Current front of Black's

2009-03-31T10:12:00.001-07:00

This shows the current front of the Black's Building (Henry Egbert Building). The front and back views are here for your review. These pictures should help you in evaluating this proposal. NOTE: If you are new to blogs notice that at the bottom of each entry there is a place for comments. You can click on the comments area and it will direct you to a place where you are free to make your comments on this proposed idea. Please feel free to do so. Also if you "click" on each of the pictures you will be taken to a larger view of that picture for closer inspection.

Current back of Black's

2009-03-31T10:09:00.001-07:00

This is the current back of the Black's Building. The proposed Plaza design by Don East would be located in this area.

Architects Plans

2009-03-31T10:04:00.001-07:00

This is the architect plans summited in January of 2009. In these plans the Miner St. entrance is to the right and the parking lot is to the left. Note the thick sandstone wall near the center of the drawing. This wall represents the historical back of the Egbert building. To the left of this wall is the suggested place for the Plaza.

Aerial View of Building

2009-03-31T10:00:00.000-07:00

This aerial view shows how the plan would change from the original architects plans. The center of the picture shows the renovated "original" part of the Henry Egbert building. In the upper right is Plaza area constructed from the newer back part of the building. The front of the Egbert building is to the left of this illustration.

Miner St. Night View

2009-03-31T09:58:00.001-07:00

An inviting view from Miner St. at night.

Arrival at Night

2009-03-31T09:55:00.001-07:00

Visitors arriving at night will have a clear and inviting view of the entrance to the historic part of town.

Context View

2009-03-31T09:51:00.000-07:00

This context view shows the final renovation of the building with the surrounding buildings.

Town, Parking Portal

2009-03-31T09:42:00.001-07:00

The entrance of the Henry Egbert (Black's) building will be the entrance for the portal from historic downtown to the Plaza and parking in the back. The Chamber of Commerce on the right and YCTV 4 on the left of the building should create a strong visual clue, and point of interest, for the visitor that uses this as the pass through. A welcoming sign placed on the sidewalk just outside the entrance would also help designate the spot.

YCTV 4 Productions

2009-03-31T09:35:00.001-07:00

Once inside the building a production of the Local Community Television station YCTV 4 may be watched. This portion of the station will be involved in internet television productions as well as cable. Next the visitor may turn to the other side of the building and enter the Yreka Chamber of Commerce office, perhaps for a discussion of Business opportunities in Siskiyou County.

Historical Documentation

2009-03-31T09:31:00.001-07:00

Along the walls of the Restored Henry Egbert (Black's) building will be changing displays of historical events and pioneers that were Yreka.

The "Incubator" Rooms

2009-03-31T09:19:00.001-07:00

Here the visitor stops to view one of the Incubator Rooms. One proposal is to have small rooms available to people in the community to use as a place to develop their entrepreneurial nature. For a small rental fee they could use this space to setup their products and or services for people to see and respond to. If successful they could expand into larger facilities. Small art or crafts shops have been suggestions.

Entering Plaza from Egbert Building (Black's)

2009-03-31T09:15:00.001-07:00

What the visitor will see when entering the Plaza after passing through The Henry Egbert (Black's) Building

Plaza Items of Interest

2009-03-31T08:53:00.000-07:00

The Plaza will have many items of interest to educate and entice the visitor. After viewing the Conestoga Wagon similar to the one used to bring pioneers over the Oregon and Yreka trails. The visitor can view displays showing the growth of Yreka from a rough and tumble gold town to a county seat. Next the visitor can choose to pass through the entrance to the Henry Egbert (Black's) building or the Franco American Hotel. The restored Hotel may have a coffee shop or restaurant for a quick visit. If the Egbert building is selected the visitor will be exposed to the current Yreka in action.

The Plaza

2009-03-31T08:44:00.001-07:00

The Plaza has several features to draw the visitor into the mood of Historic Yreka. The architectural design includes several materials that were the main construction materials of early Yreka. The back wall is made of Sandstone and brick form the original two buildings that were built here about 1855. The iron doors and window covers are reminiscent of the iron covers that were on all the doors and windows of the booming gold town. The arched sign over the Plaza in close to the design of the sign visitors see when they enter the center exit to Yreka. This arched sign lets them know they are in the correct place.

Plaza and Porch Area

2009-03-31T08:16:00.000-07:00

The Plaza and Porch area will serve several uses. The departing visitor will have a place to rest before continuing their trip. The visitor who has just arrived will be able to review the historic displays as an introduction to Yreka and it's history. For example some records show that there was more gold removed from Siskiyou County than was removed from the other California "Gold Country".

Parking Lot Transition

2009-03-31T08:13:00.001-07:00

Transitioning the parking lot allows the visitor to be aware of the family friendly portal to Historic Yreka.

Entering the Parking Lot

2009-03-30T15:54:00.001-07:00

This image illustrates how the Plaza would be visible to the visitor as they first enter the parking area. The well marked Plaza will show the visitor the portal to the historic part of town.

Parking Lot Design

2009-03-30T15:38:00.000-07:00

The parking lot design by Garavaglia Architects received by the City of Yreka in January of 2009 was the design results of the work done by the Historic Renovation group form the last 2 to 3 years of research and study. This image shows how the parking area and the entry Plaza would look after the finish of Phase 3 of this plan.

Three-Phase Proposal

2009-03-30T15:20:00.001-07:00

Henry Egbert Building
(Black’s)
320 West Miner Street
Yreka, CA

The following is a three-phase proposal for the City of Yreka and to the Yreka Development Commission to encourage business growth, visible activity and community involvement on Miner Street within our National Historic District. This specifically addresses the Henry Egbert Building currently owned by the City of Yreka. This plan is very flexible and will allow for numerous unforeseen events, changes, or needs of the City of Yreka. Much of the information here has been gleaned from the reports and architectural work already in the hands of the City of Yreka.

With this plan, upon approval, action can begin in as little as two weeks. This plan has minimal impact on immediate city finances. Direct long-term expenses can be manageable and self-sustaining with careful planning and grant approvals.

Phase # 1

2009-03-30T14:54:00.000-07:00

Phase # 1: Volunteer Tenant Renovation, Parking Lot Project Activation

· List City Apartment Building for sale. (Understood sale may not be immediate.)

To help fund the goals of Phase 1 and 2 of this proposal it will be necessary for the City of Yreka to sell the City Apartment house that is located behind the old Franco American Hotel. The city could explore a variety of ways to promote the sale by considering things such as: Selling entire building outright, turn into condominiums and selling in parts to individuals, selling entire building with permits for Tenants in Common to facilitate sales for buyers, consider carrying paper on building with substantial down payment, or consider holding a second mortgage. Any monies gleaned from this sale would be earmarked for parking lot improvement and walkway/entrance/plaza to Miner Street through the Egbert Building.

· City will provide a liaison person to work with volunteers, provide venues for public contact, outreach, advertising, communication, and public relations for this project.

The liaison person will maintain the city’s interest and goals, serve as a “go to” person for the project. This should be an ongoing campaign for communication about this project. (City could create a blog, write news articles, include in newsletter in utilities bill, have links to a separate web page from the City website…) Provide for volunteer activities in various aspects of the outreach program. Volunteers could give presentations to civic groups like Rotary, Elks, etc. to inform and elicit assistance.

· Begin cosmetic repair on street front of the Egbert Building. Repair and renovate the interior front half of the building.

The City of Yreka would provide funds for repair and face lift not to exceed $5,000 for the calendar year 2009. City employees would check and repair any basic electrical, heating, cooling, water or sewer services to the building and deem habitable. The City would provide a dumpster or garbage/debris pick up for any work performed on the building. A team of volunteers would be organized and documents allowing volunteers to work on the premises would be the first order.

o The volunteers will remove the board and batten from the front of the building and restore the fascia to given plans. Paint and repair the street view.

o Volunteers will also begin to clean up the interior, and along with the City, determine a list of priorities for repairs and renovation such as flooring, paint, building partitioned areas, lighting needs, etc. as per plans.
o Volunteers will create a renovated exterior/interior using the funding the City provides not to exceed $5,000.
o The City will allow donated materials and provide donation receipts for tax purposes.
o The City will provide guidelines, technical assistance and any potential code requirements to volunteers from the building department.
o Time lines will be prepared and a date for usability will be determined.
o The back half of the current building could be partially secured and portions rented out for storage to business owners, or for the city/county during their various moves in conjunction with moving city offices, courts, etc.
o Immediate work will demonstrate that the City does care and have concern for the preservation of historic buildings on Miner Street.

· City of Yreka would begin researching grants and other financial opportunities to restore, renovate, and retrofit the Egbert Building in the future. This will bring the entire building into the current century, but will leave the historic elements intact to correspond with the National Historic District Guidelines.

· City of Yreka would begin a “Restore Yreka” Campaign. The visual and physical presence of work being accomplished on the Egbert Building will serve as an example for other business operators and building owners. Cities and merchants under financial stress often become discouraged and business fronts and appearance often reflect this status. A welcoming street with clean and freshly painted storefronts will not discourage people from exploring downtown Yreka. Perhaps the top 3 businesses that “restore” their West Miner storefronts to an 1880 – 1900 theme will be awarded certificates and be spotlighted in the Siskiyou Daily News, or other positive public awareness for their efforts.

· City of Yreka would advertise the partitioned areas within the Egbert Building for rent/usage to the community.

Potential renters could be involved in the clean up/renovation process. The City would advertise rental amounts and possibly coordinate with JEDI or other agencies that could assist new business owners with start up. The incubator space could provide a permanent recruitment place for civic groups, Chamber of Commerce, local seasonal merchants, or small production like wine tasting, fruit growing, etc.

· Earmark any revenue generated from the rental of the Egbert Building to establish a fund to be eventually used for renovation of building and/or matching funds if required for Grants.

Benefits of Phase # 1:

o The community will see immediate action
o Small start up businesses could realize direct community access
o Low cost for potential immediate benefit
o Possibility to expand business on Miner Street within a short period of time ~ move in dates could be prior to July 1, 2009.
o Positive communication about things happening in the Historic District
o New areas for potential advertising, outreach, etc. for the business community
o Use of existing money previously spent in development and research
o Positive volunteer experiences
o It will be “seen” that the City is no longer competing for tenants with other apartment owners in the area.

Phase #2

2009-03-30T14:42:00.000-07:00

Phase # 2: Construction of Parking Lot, Construction of Plaza

To begin this phase grant money, or funds from the sale of the city apartment building, rental income, fundraisers, etc. will be necessary.

· Deconstruct the back half of the Egbert Building that was added in last century. Grant monies would provide for the costs associated and or any other funds available at the time. Construct new back entrance/plaza area and public rest rooms to remainder of building.

· Once funds are available from the sale of the City apartment building, or other sources, renovate the parking area in the back of the building as per plans already designed by the Garavaglia Architectural Firm presented to the city as of January 2009.

· Design signage and advertisements for tourism to “find” new parking area. Ideas may include signs at each exit from Interstate 5 that point to “Historic District”, additional signs on freeway, improvements to web presence, etc. A kiosk at parking lot to show places of interest, i.e., walking tour of Third Street, Miner Street, location of Chamber of Commerce welcome office, etc.

· Construct an entrance plaza to Miner Street Shopping and Historic District from parking lot. Utilizing designs from Don East and coordinating them with previously designed items from the Garavaglia Architectural Firm.

Benefits of Phase # 2:

o Newly improved parking for tourists, shoppers, with clean, well lighted area and handicapped accessible.
o This will provide an “entrance” to the historic district that will be a family friendly portal into our past and present.
o A plaza area for rest, relaxation, available to not only the businesses within the Egbert Building but with potential access to the Franco American Hotel if it should become available and utilized by an individual, company, or city/government agency.
o City will be realizing income from the rental of the Egbert building, businesses will have additional access to parking as well as shoppers without sacrificing a historical building or creating a toothless “grin” on Miner Street.
o The phase is flexible and changes could be easily made to plans in regards to available grant funding requirements, etc.
o Financing will be through grants and income generated by rental space in the Egbert building along with modest funding via the City on a yearly basis.

Phase #3

2009-03-30T14:36:00.000-07:00

Phase # 3: Renovate Historic Portion of Building, Enhancements

Completing this phase will require utilization of grant money. However, if money becomes unavailable the City could begin a program to repair/replace and upgrade necessary items such as heating or air conditioning on a year-by-year basis using rental income money. In the meantime the building would continue to be functional and generate income.

· Upon receipt of Grants and other financial opportunities renovate the historic portion of the Egbert Building. Develop plans and strategies for temporary move of renters during construction.

· Develop design and decorative materials and objects for historic part of Egbert Building and walk through as well as plaza area. Develop historic displays and encourage other Miner Street building owners to enhance and improve access and appearance from front and rear of their buildings. An opportunity to portray photos and explanations about the history of Yreka concept. Educate visitors as they walk through the building, as they enter the Miner Street area they will have some background about the district.

· Design and incorporate entrance into Franco American Hotel from plaza. Explore and develop funding opportunities.

· Future plans and potential enhancements of Miner Street. Development and action plans to capitalize on the Historic District should be made in conjunction with the City, merchants, and building owners, County Museum, County Historical Society and other interested parties.

Benefits of Phase # 3:

o A beautiful, energy efficient and historic building will be available for rent, or to sell perhaps to the Chamber of Commerce or other interested parties in a direct buy or even a lease/option over a pre-determined period. The Chamber could apply all rental money for a down payment and the City could carry the mortgage and gain long term gain from this sale. The Chamber could afford to have a permanent home.
o The plan would be complete and enhance Miner Street and the Historic District in Old Town Yreka.
o The plan will have encouraged others to follow suit.
o The plan will provide for future improvements and model strategies that can be flexible and meet the changing demands of commerce.