FRIENDS OF HISTORIC CITY HALL
now FRIENDS OF HAYWARD
Summer 2000 Newsletter, Issue No. 7
Julie Machado, Editor
NEW STATUS, NEW NAME
After waging a successful campaign in 1996-1998 to save Hayward=s Historic City Hall on Mission Blvd. from potential demolition, Friends of Historic City Hall spent much of 1999 working toward gaining "official" non-profit status. Well, this work was also successful: we are now an Official Non-Profit Corporation, and we have a new name: Friends of Hayward.
MORE BENEFITS, BROADER FOCUS
Benefits of being a "501c(3)" Non-Profit include being able to apply for grants, and providing donors with a tax write-off. We chose to change our name to allow a broader focus: Friends of Hayward would like to expand on our successful previous efforts by actively identifying and promoting the enhancement and appreciation of our local landmarks in the original "Eden Township" area, which includes the Hayward, Castro Valley, Cherryland, Fairview, and Ashland areas. Special focus will be on preserving architecture and landscaping keepsakes. Friends of Hayward could also potentially act as an "umbrella" corporation for other organizations that want to improve our local quality of life, such as groups who want to protect open space, or plant trees, etc.
SOME BATTLES WON, SOME LOST, SOME THREATENED
While the Historic City Hall has been saved and a sister organization has been working on saving the nearby Lorenzo Theater, there have also been some losses of local heritage. For example, Rogers Farm at Mission and Lewelling, which included a two-story Victorian home, barn and water tower, has been demolished. This was perhaps the last existing farming site in the area. Also, the new Albertson’s market to be built at A & Mission will result in the demolition of four historic buildings and numerous businesses. Its size is also not sensitive to the context of its location, as it is a mega-store being built in the middle of Hayward’s only Mark’s Historic District.
NEWMAN TOWERS & HARDER HOUSE UPDATE
One historic structure threatened by Albertson’s, a Victorian house named Newman Towers, will hopefully be moved and rehabilitated, as intended by the Hayward City Council. Friends of Hayward has been working to move another house, the home of Judge Harder for 50 years, in which he performed marriages on Sundays. Jacob Harder, Jr. was an active and beloved member of the community, and became a Judge despite never being an attorney (he was an electrician!). Land and an adoptive "parent" have been located for the Judge’s house. In fact, the location available is directly on a remnant of the original Harder estate, and the Judge’s house would be situated right next to his brother’s house. (We’re calling this "reuniting" the Sons of the Pioneers!) However, $24,500 is needed to move the historic house. Friends of Hayward has pledged to help raise the money needed to save this historic structure...but time is running out.
ALBERTSON’S NO LONGER WILLING TO HELP?
Moving buildings used to be common in years past, but can now cost thousands of dollars. Contrary to popular opinion, historic preservation or rehabilitation usually does not cost more than demolition plus the cost of new construction! Besides, historic rehabilitation minimizes landfill, uses local labor and supplies, and is good for the earth. In the case of Judge Harder’s home, the Lucky's/Albertson's corporation originally indicated they may be willing to help with moving costs by donating the amount they would otherwise spend to demolish the building and take its remains to a landfill. However, Albertson’s is now saying they will not donate toward moving expenses because they’re over budget in property purchases for the project, and they now want to use our efforts to save themselves money!
HAYWARD IS LAGGING BEHIND
Historic Preservation has been sweeping the country for the last 30 years. Many national, state and local organizations work to protect our cultural heritage, buildings, and archeology. Most cities, like Alameda, Oakland, and Fremont, have Landmarks Commissions charged with making decisions about proposals that might contribute to or detract from a historic resource such as a house, building, or bridge. Hayward has no such Commission. Many cities have a "Historic Preservation" element to their General Plan; Hayward does not. Many communities (Alameda, Monterey, Santa Clara, Pasadena) bring lots of money to town by marketing their historic elements to tourists; not Hayward.
HISTORIC INVENTORY NEEDED
Many cities and unincorporated areas have a Historic Survey or Inventory of Historic Resources done to identify resources that may qualify for listing on the National or State Lists of Historic Resources. Being on such a list has many benefits, such as increased property values, and the property owner’s ability to use the Historic Building Code and get tax credits. Alameda County is almost done with a survey on the Cherryland and Ashland areas, and is moving toward surveying the Castro Valley area next. Friends of Hayward have identified over 300 structures that may be deserving of recognition, yet Hayward has a list of only 13 historic buildings, most of which were designated historic in 1980.
MUCH TO BE DONE
There are a number of possible goals for Friends of Hayward in 2000. We would like to see the Harder House moved and rehabilitated; finish and publish our Historic Inventory; continue educating the public about the benefits of preservation; host possible events such as History Walks, a Victorian House Tour, etc. We would like to recruit additional Board Members. We could continue to participate in the Hayward Zucchini Festival, with our photo displays of local historic houses, as we have done in the past. We definitely need to get a web site. And we want to lobby for a designated area for a Preservation Park, so houses threatened in the future have a place to be moved. But all of these ideas need volunteers and, of course, money.
VOLUNTEERS AND MONEY NEEDED
So, we ask that you renew your membership in Friends of Hayward. And we invite you to come to our next meeting, on Saturday June 10 at 2 pm at The Historic Linekin Building, 22248 Main Street, Hayward, where we will decide priorities for the year. Everyone is welcome, and you are encouraged to work on whatever interests you. Or, if you prefer, we ask that you donate money toward this worthwhile cause. And now your donations are fully tax-deductible!
I SUPPORT LOCAL HERITAGE for “FUTURE MEMORIES”
___ My Membership for Friends of Hayward is enclosed:
___$20 Household ___$10 Individual ___$5 Low Income
___ Here is my donation toward the $24,500 needed to move the historic Judge Harder House:
___$20 Supporter ___$35 Fan ___$50 Enthusiast
___$100 Champion ___$250 Hero ___Other (Individualist!)
* * * A donation of$50 or more includes a free Household Membership! * * *
___ I want to learn about special events ___ Please contact me (know local history? skill to donate?)
___ I’ll help with __________________________________(mailings, events, research, web, etc.?)
Name____________________________________________ Phone#____________________
Address_________________________________________City_________________Zip______
E-Mail Address________________________________________________________________
Thank you for your interest in preserving our local heritage!
Friends of Hayward c/o The Historic Linekin Building, 22248 Main St, Hayward CA 94541