GILROY—City officials will allow advocates for Christmas Hill Park’s Red Barn to enter the boarded-up structure and work to prevent further weather-related damage, but not until nine city requirements are met.
A community group that got the city to halt demolition plans for the 120-year-old building sought permission to go inside the barn more than eight weeks ago.
In an Aug. 12 email to the barn’s supporters, Gilroy Parks Supervisor Bill Headley outlined what the group must do before going inside. The requirements include designating someone to be on fire watch at all times and obtaining insurance for the visit.
Members of the Save the Miller Red Barn Committee plan on entering the barn at least twice beginning next month to fix holes in the corrugated metal roof and ensure that it will be safe from water damage during the upcoming rainy season, committee member Kathy Chavez said.
Headley said the group must obtain a certificate of insurance for any contractors performing paid work within the barn and all inside need to wear protective clothing and gear to prevent injuries.
During the course of all work, whether it’s cleaning debris from inside the barn or roof repair, someone with fire extinguishers must be on site at all times “totally dedicated” to preventing a blaze, Headley said in his email to the barn advocates.
In all, the city’s list stated nine requirements.
“When I read that list, my eyes just glazed over,” committee member Gary Walton said. “It seems like they’re trying to discourage us by putting a lot of hurdles in the way.”
The Gilroy City Council stayed demolition for three years in 2014 after public outcry from supporters. The committee since then has been raising funds to repair and protect the barn.
But before the barn’s supporters can clear out debris and reinforce the building to keep out the bats, birds and feral cats that enter through the holes in the roof, they must send a list of all who will be present at least five working days prior, Headley said. The parks supervisor asked the group on Aug. 12 to indicate the scope of work and provide the city a list of tasks they want to accomplish.
The scope of work must be given to the city, with detail on what kinds of tools are to be used, at least 30 days in advance, Headley said.
But committee member Richard Perino said step No. 1 for the group is to go inside the barn and review its structural integrity with an engineer.
“We’re only trying to make Gilroy a better place to live and save our heritage for future generations,” Perino said. Only after the committee enters the structure and reviews existing conditions will they formulate a plan for repair work, he added.
Supporters said they hope to submit an application for the Red Barn’s inclusion on state and federal registries for historic buildings by Sept. 1.
