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Archive for August, 2019

DIY Network’s “Restored” To Feature Alhambra Home

Posted in Uncategorized on August 6, 2019| Leave a Comment »

IMG_3824Tune in on August 14 to the DIY Network’s hit show Restored to see an Alhambra Craftsman home featured as the inspiration home during the restoration of a 1910 farm house in Cherry Valley.

This episode of Restored focuses on the restoration of a 1910 home owned by a couple who are interested in organic farming. In the episode, host Brett Waterman takes the couple on a tour of a restored 1912 Craftsman home in Alhambra to give them a taste of what their home will look like during the final reveal and to receive feedback from the couple on how they’d like certain elements in their home restored.

IMG_3822“We were jazzed when the producers of Restored contacted us about featuring our humble 1912 Arts and Crafts house as this episode’s ‘inspiration home’,” said Alhambra Preservation Group Founder Oscar Amaro.  “To have our house showcased on Restored and have Brett compliment us on our restoration efforts really validated all the hard work we put into our home,” continued Amaro.

“One of the features that will be showcased in the episode is our home’s original ‘California Cooler’,” stated Joyce Amaro, Vice President of Alhambra Preservation Group. “In the early 20th century, California Coolers were installed in kitchens as small pantries to keep perishables fresh. With slotted shelving and screens above and below, the air flow coming from the full-sized basement below (a standard feature in older homes) would keep food cool. We wanted Restored to showcase all the unique features in our vintage, historic home. But, nope. The show wanted to focus on our simple California Cooler,” laughed Amaro.

The goal of the show is to demonstrate how 20th century homes can be restored using 21st century preservation techniques with stunning results. Hosted by preservationist Brett Waterman, the DIY Network show focuses on homes that have amazing potential often hidden under bad additions and inappropriate renovations.  Season 3, Episode 6 features the Amaro’s Alhambra home and will begin airing on August 14. Additional air times can be found here.

Alhambra Preservation Group is immensely proud that Restored will be featuring a historic Alhambra home, putting our city on the map as a community with historically significant and beautifully restored houses. Alhambra has an incredibly diverse and robust collection of historic homes just waiting to be discovered and celebrated. Tune in on August 14 to see how one historic home in Alhambra receives the VIP treatment on the show Restored.

Photos courtesy of Joyce and Oscar Amaro.

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ACTION ALERT: Alhambra City Council to Consider Final General Plan on August 12

Posted in Advocacy, Uncategorized, tagged , , , on August 5, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Alhambra.City.HallThe Alhambra City Council will consider the final City of Alhambra General Plan at its August 12 meeting. We encourage all Alhambrans to attend and show their support for strong historic preservation goals and policies.

Named Vision 2040 – A Community Mosaic, Alhambra’s General Plan describes the vision for Alhambra over the next 20 years. It addresses issues related to land use & community design, mobility, quality of life, resources, infrastructure & services, and health & safety.

Included in the Resources segment of the General Plan are goals and policies related to the development of a historic preservation program. “Since the first General Plan community meetings, Alhambra Preservation Group has advocated for strong historic preservation goals,” said Oscar Amaro, Alhambra Preservation Group Founder and President. “While the General Plan does include the goal of considering the adoption of a historic preservation ordinance and the development of a Mills Act Program, it specifically omits the goals of conducting a citywide inventory of historic resources and the establishment of an independent cultural resources commission. That needs to change. These are vitally important historic preservation elements that need to be included,” continued Amaro.

We encourage you to attend this meeting and show your support for strong historic preservation policies during the public comment period.  First, here are the specifics regarding the City Council meeting:

Monday, August 12 2019

7:00 p.m.

Alhambra City Hall/Council Chambers, 111 S. 1st St., Alhambra, CA

If you choose to address the City Council, may we suggest the following speaking points as they relate to historic preservation elements in the General Plan:

  • State your support for the historic preservation elements that are currently in the General Plan and which include considering the adoption of a historic preservation ordinance, considering the development of an incentives program (e.g. the Mills Act), and exploring private and public grant funding opportunities.
  • Thank the Planning Commission for their robust discussion and consideration of historic preservation elements and their decision to revise the priority of the adoption of a historic preservation ordinance from “medium” to “high”.
  • Ask City Council members to amend the General Plan to add two vitally important historic preservation elements: 1) consider the formation of an independent cultural resources commission and (2) consider conducting a citywide inventory of historic resources into the General Plan’s list of implementation action items.
  • Remind City Council that the establishment of an independent cultural resources commission and a citywide historic resources inventory are integral to developing a strong historic preservation program in Alhambra.

Remember, if you decide to speak at the meeting, you must fill out a blue speaker card and give it to City staff behind the dais before the item is considered.

Alhambra Preservation Group greatly appreciates your ongoing support and we hope to see you on August 12!

Photo courtesy of Alhambra Preservation Group.

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Alhambra Needs To Conduct A Citywide Historic Resources Inventory

Posted in Advocacy, Mapping Alhambra, Uncategorized, tagged , , , , , on August 5, 2019| Leave a Comment »

DSC_0767Throughout the United States, cities both big and small have conducted historic resources inventories to better understand the properties within their communities that are historically, culturally and architecturally significant.

Here in Alhambra, we have never conducted a citywide inventory of historic resources. A partial survey was conducted in 1984 and an unofficial windshield survey was conducted by Alhambra Preservation Group a few years ago, but an inventory of Alhambra’s many historic homes, businesses, schools and churches has never been completed.

Many ask why a citywide historic resources survey is necessary here in Alhambra? Here are five reasons why our city needs to conduct a survey and why Alhambra Preservation Group will continue to advocate for a citywide inventory of Alhambra historic resources:

Identify and Understand – A citywide inventory allows for the identification and understanding of properties that are historically, culturally and architecturally significant and assists the community to make informed policy decisions about these properties.

We Love Alhambra! – A citywide survey will stimulate public awareness, encourages civic engagement and community pride about historic resources. It could lead to walking tours and increased architectural-tourism dollars here in Alhambra and the San Gabriel Valley.

Is it Worth Saving? – A survey would identify properties worth protecting and preserving as well as those with limited or no historical significance where redevelopment can easily take place.

More Efficient Government – An inventory of historic resources expedites environmental review by governmental agencies and provides a basis for preservation and planning at all levels of government.

Tax Savings for Property Owners – It could lead to further designation of historic properties such as recognition as a National Register of Historic Places property, a state-designated historic place or a local landmark. These designations can sometimes lead to property owners being eligible for state and federal property tax reductions.

It’s time that Alhambra conduct a citywide inventory of its historic resources! You can help by talking to elected officials about the importance of a citywide historic resources inventory. It’s time we put Alhambra on the map!

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