We need your help to protect and preserve Alhambra’s historic Shorb Clinic and save it from demolition.
This Monday, March 8, Alhambra City Council will hear a presentation that will include three options for a future community center to be located at the current site of the former Shorb Clinic, located just south of Moor Field between South Sixth and Seventh Streets. The recommended scheme proposes demolishing the Shorb Clinic and constructing a new one. The Alhambra City Council’s March 8 agenda and related documents can be viewed here. The report and feasibility study begins on page 67 of the agenda packet.
While Alhambra Preservation Group enthusiastically supports the creation of a community center at this location, we ardently reject any scheme that proposes the razing of this historic building. We believe that this building can be rehabilitated through the historic preservation goal of adaptive reuse. APG has written a letter to City Council urging them to save the Shorb Clinic and explore its sensitive and creative rehabilitation. We encourage you to do the same – voice your support for the preservation and rehabilitation of the Shorb Clinic. You can show your support for the Shorb Clinic by following these steps:
- Write a letter addressed to Alhambra City Council, demonstrating your support of finding a solution for this site that creatively and sensitively reuses the current structure. You will find a sample letter below for your consideration and use.
- Email your letter to City Clerk, Lauren Myles at lmyles@cityofalhambra.org by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 8, 2021. In your e-mail subject line please indicate that your comments are for Item 4: Rehabilitation of the Shorb Clinic Property Into A Community Center. Your letter will then be read into the record during the City Council’s public comment period.
- Alternatively, if you wish to speak on this item at the meeting, please e-mail Deputy City Manager David Tran at dtran@cityofalhambra.org by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 8, 2021 indicating the item you wish to speak on (Item 4: Rehabilitation of the Shorb Clinic Property Into A Community Center) and the phone number you will use when calling or the name you will use when logging into the meeting.
- Plan to attend the March 8, 2021 virtual meeting. Information on how to listen in or log into the meeting can be found on the City of Alhambra’s March 8, 2021 City Council agenda.
The 1984 Alhambra Historic Resources Survey identified the Shorb Clinic as a building that should be surveyed in the future because of its potential to receive National Register of Historic Places designation – the highest honor a historically significant structure can receive in the United States. Built in 1930, the Shorb Clinic is an example of Monterey Colonial Revival architecture. This sub-genre of Spanish architecture was popular during the early 20th century. Many examples of Spanish architecture can be found throughout Alhambra, including the Sixth Street Fire Station, which is located next door to the Shorb Clinic.
It is time for the City of Alhambra to reverse its shortsighted and imprudent practice of destroying its historic resources and start preserving the homes, businesses, churches and schools that make Alhambra unique. Please lend your voice to the preservation and rehabilitation of the Shorb Clinic and speak out against the demolition of this historic property.
If you should have any questions, please contact APG at info@alhambrapreservation.org and thank you for helping us preserve and protect Alhambra.
Photo courtesy of Alhambra Preservation Group.
SAMPLE LETTER – SUPPORT FOR THE PRESERVATION AND REHABILITATION OF THE SHORB CLINIC
Subject: March 8, 2021 City Council Meeting, Item #4 – Rehabilitation of the Shorb Clinic Property Into A Community Center
Dear Mayor Perez and City Council Members,
I support the plan to have a community center at this location and encourage the Alhambra City Council to adopt a policy of adaptive reuse in transforming the Shorb Clinic into a community center. I do not support the razing of the historic Shorb Clinic and encourage you to reject any scheme that proposes the destruction of this building.
The Shorb Clinic has been a part of Alhambra since 1930 and while it has fallen into disrepair, this building has the potential to be rehabilitated into a vibrant community center. The 1984 Historic Resources Survey identified this structure as needing future evaluation and as possibly eligible for National Register of Historic Places designation.
I respectfully request that Alhambra City Council explore the adaptive reuse of the current Shorb Clinic and reject any proposal that would demolish this historic building.
Thank you for your consideration,
(Insert Your Name Here)
The Prose of Preservation 