37 old buildings in downtown Gilroy make it a marketable historic district if we just do it
Dear Editor,
Aside from making lemonade from lemons, no one seems to have come up with a reason to retain the vernacular buildings in Downtown Gilroy. “Historic preservation” doesn’t seem to grab those business people who own buildings or have to make a living there. If people had any idea that an historic downtown would contribute to the marketability of the street as a whole, the concept of a local historic district would become a strong part of the Downtown Plan.
Historic preservation is a multi-million dollar business in this country. In surveys done by the tourist industry, a significant percentage of people who come to the U.S. are tourists, and a large percentage of them are looking for places to go that tell our story. They go to heritage sites, and historic places and districts. Think Williamsburg, Virginia. Or Los Gatos or Healdsburg, CA, for that matter. Gilroy has those architectural assets.
So we’re not Williamsburg, but the 37 old buildings in downtown Gilroy together make a MARKETABLE historic district. The City of Gilroy has a substantial local historic district ordinance it has ignored for years. It’s all laid out in Section 27 of the City Code. Check it out.
Section 27 lays out the intentions, but does not establish specifics of how preservation should be carried out. The city has not done the research that would allow them to set out the framing guidelines that allow people to understand what preserving buildings involves.
Guidelines say things like: Every reasonable effort should be made to provide a compatible use for buildings that requires minimum alteration to the building and its environment. And: Rehabilitation work should not destroy the distinguishing qualities or character of the property and its environment. The removal or alteration of any historic material or architectural features should be held to a minimum, consistent with the proposed use.
Then: Try to re-use original materials to the greatest extent possible.
And: Where original material is unavailable or deteriorated, use new materials in the same form and with the same method of installation as the original.
Things like that. Common sense.
Which brings us to the unreinforced masonry buildings. The economics of replacing a URM includes $40,000 just to tear down the building and remove the debris. And one is left with nothing. Wouldn’t it be better to use that $40,000 towards stabilizing the brick wall and tying the building together, and have a contributing building in an existing marketable historic district?
Well, yes. We all know that any money to do anything at all is an unresolved issue. But we could look for collaborators among us in finding a solution.
Carol DeSantis, Gilroy
Gilroy’s dog park desperately needs basic improvements to bring it to Morgan Hill level
Dear Editor,
Can there be any improvements regarding the doggie park in Gilroy? The last time I was there with my little dog, it was just me the dog and three men sitting on the grass near the entrance to the doggie area, Each had their own brown bag they were drinking from.
I decided to go the doggie park in Morgan Hill.
The people that I did talk to at the Morgan Hill park lived in Gilroy. What does that say for our little town? I can’t walk my dog in my neighborhood because I live in a mobile home park that does not allow dogs to be walked, even with a leash in one hand and a pick-up poop bag in the other.
It sure would be nice to see some grass, trees and water, for the little dogs. Benches would be nice so people could sit and just watch the little dogs playing. Thanks for listening.
Sandy Decker, Gilroy
Budget situation for schools is terrible, but there are a few things you can do to help
Dear Editor,
California’s budget situation is adversely affecting our schools.
Some of the casualties of the ongoing crisis are field trips, art supplies, equipment for recess, and many of the other parts of school we remember fondly. Parent clubs do their best to help, but even constant fundraising doesn’t bring in enough for all the needs.
However, there are things that everyone in our community can do to make a difference without much effort.
We are very fortunate to live in a community full of generous businesses. Nob Hill Quality of Life cards allow you to send a portion of each of your purchases to a school you select; ask how to get one next time you shop. For Safeway customers, create an account at www.escrip.com, include your Club Card number and the school of your choice, and money gets sent each month. The Target Red Card also allows you to select a school to help. Another easy way to help is to look for Box Tops for Education on many items that you buy everyday, such as Cheerios, Kleenex, and hundreds of other products.
If you clip these and send them to a school, each is worth 10 cents. Many restaurants have special nights where a portion of sales go to schools. Next time you go out to eat, consider picking a restaurant that is helping. Numerous local businesses donate items to help support schools. Please support these places, and let them know how much you appreciate their efforts for our children.
Even if you don’t have any students at our local schools, I urge you to consider these simple things. Every school in the district would love to count you as a supporter. If you don’t have a favorite school, the parent club at Rucker Elementary, where I volunteer, would happily welcome you.
James Pace, Gilroy
The Golden Quill is awarded occasionally for a well-written letter.
