SAVE THE
HISTORIC CITY HALL!
Summer 1996 Newsletter, No. 1
Edited by Julie Machado
Help Save Hayward's Historic City Hall
In an effort to save Hayward's original City Hall from total or partial destruction, a new citizen's group has formed. "Friends of the Historic City Hall" (FHCH), is dedicated to the preservation and utilization of Hayward's Historic City Hall on Mission Boulevard.
Current City of Hayward plans are to spend $500,000.00 to tear down the building and move its facade to the back of the Veteran's Hall building, and then to spend an additional $200,000.00 to convert the lot to a park. The City Manager hopes to pursue this by the end of 1996. FHCH is opposed to this plan as a desecration of an award-winning historical structure of significant value to our community.
Earthquake Safety
Despite rumors of the building's supposed lack of earthquake safety, the 1983 engineer's report on the Historical City Hall calls it "inherently capable of successfully withstanding fairly strong earthquakes." The report further assesses the structure favorably on "criteria (which) represent a reasonable level of public safety and are nearly on a par with many hospital designs." The historic building's 8-inch concrete walls were "tested in the laboratory and found to be of superior quality", as well as determined on-site to be steel-reinforced. Of course, this report is 13 years old, and one of FHCH's first assignments is to obtain an updated assessment.
Possible Uses
FHCH foresee numerous possible uses for the building, ranging from maintenance as an uninhabited city monument and park, to restoration as a functioning building. Possible occupied functions could include use as a museum, an art gallery, a recital hall, community meeting rooms, a location for non-profit organizations, a Cultural Arts Center, a Family Resource Center, or offices for the County Arts Council. At this time, the City of Hayward staff does not indicate an interest in re-occupying the building as a City Hall.
Historical Significance
Hayward's original City Hall, built in 1930, is listed on the Alameda County Historical Resources Inventory of 1974, the Hayward Historical Resources Inventory of 1976, and was designated historical by Hayward in 1977. It is also located in the Marks Historical District. FHCH is pursuing State and/or Federal Historical status for the site. The building=s architectural uniqueness has been recognized by the Art Deco Society of California, and it received an award from the National Art Deco Society as the second most important example of art deco construction in the U.S.
Costs
FHCH=s immediate expenses include mailing and copying costs. Intermediate expenses will include an updated engineer/architect=s report, which may cost between $15,000-$30,000. Long-term costs will include amounts needed to maintain and/or repair the building. FHCH is already pursing a grant of up to $450,000 from the California Heritage Fund. If funded, this money would go far toward protecting Hayward=s Historic City Hall. Other grants and fundraising efforts are also being pursued. In the meantime, hours of labor and professional skills are being donated toward this cause.
What You Can Do
If you would like to help, please do any of the following.
1. Write letters to the Editor of the local newspapers (Daily Review, PO Box 5050, Hayward CA 94544) and write or call the Hayward City Council (25151 Clawiter Road, Hayward CA 94545, 293-5000+0) expressing your support for preserving our historical resources, including the Historic City Hall. We cannot make the same mistake we did when the original Hayward High School was torn down!
2. Circulate a petition for signatures. Both residents and "friends" of Hayward are welcome to sign the petition. Petitions can be obtained from and returned to Julie Machado, 22248 Main St, Hayward 94541, 581-7850.
3. Tim Tivoli Steele is spearheading efforts in the architecture/ engineering/building code areas. Anyone with background or contacts in these areas is encouraged to call him at (510) 633-1573.
4. A number of fundraisers have been suggested, including a silent auction, an ice cream social, a walking tour, a 1930's music party. If you would like to help plan/implement any of these (or your own idea), or if you know of any grant resources or companies that might be interested in investing in Hayward's heritage, please call Julie Machado at (510) 581-7850. We could also use donations of stamps, envelopes, an answering machine, a computer.
5. Contact any of the following persons with your ideas: Lore Warren 783-2072; Frank Goulart 581-9666; Julie Machado 581-7850; Tim Steele 633-1573; Kevin Dowling 264-0340; or Linda Bennett 881-5805.
6. Pass this information sheet on to a friend or neighbor who might be interested in saving Hayward=s historical City Hall!
Thank you for your interest and support!