403 S. Garfield, Alhambra (Photo – Melissa Michelson. Insert – Alhambra Preservation Group)
The City is calling on the public to share their knowledge about all things historic in Alhambra, and is inviting them to attend a virtual meeting October 13 to tell the City about “the people, places, and stories that are important to you.”
By Melissa Michelson
There’s a movement underway to revive Alhambra’s historic preservation: residents are advocating for an Old Town Alhambra, Alhambra Historical Society members are organizing to re-open Alhambra’s museum and reestablish the Historical Society, and the City Council voted to establish a Historic Preservation Commission.
In a recent newsletter to members, Oscar Amaro, President of Alhambra Preservation Group writes “… Alhambra Preservation Group has been advocating for more than 18 years for the creation of a comprehensive historic preservation program. We’ve advocated for three key elements to be included: (1) establish an historic preservation commission, (2) adopt a historic preservation ordinance, and (3) conduct a citywide inventory of historically, architecturally and culturally significant homes, businesses, churches and schools.”
This movement toward preservation of the city’s heritage is being catapulted by new political will in City Hall. Four councilmembers are currently serving their first term.
On June 14, 2021, the City Council of Alhambra unanimously voted to implement a historic preservation program, and on September 27 they voted to create a Historic Preservation Commission.
Historic Resources Group has been contracted by the City to conduct outreach, keep the community apprised of the City’s preservation program and solicit feedback and input from the public.
43 E. Main Street in Alhambra (Photo – Melissa Michelson)
The preservation program will be developed in three phases:
– Phase 1: Develop a Historic Context Statement
– Phase 2: Conduct a Historic Resources Survey and Seat a Historic Preservation Commission
– Phase 3: Adopt a Historic Preservation Ordinance
As part of Phase 1, the City of Alhambra is having a virtual kick-off meeting at 6pm on Wednesday October 13 to explain the new program and solicit input from the public for a comprehensive Citywide Historic Context Statement.
What is a Historic Context Statement?
According to the City’s new Alhambra’s Historic Preservation website, the Historic Context Statement will discuss people, places, properties, and development trends and intends to do the following:
- Highlight trends and patterns critical to the understanding of the built environment.
- Serve as a guide to enable citizens, planners, and decision-makers to understand the built environment.
- Provide a framework for the development of a comprehensive historic preservation program.
- Provide a framework for the continuing process of identifying historic, architectural, and cultural resources in the city.
Alhambra’s Pyrenees Castle (Photo – Melissa Michelson)
Calling all history buffs!
The new city website dedicated to Alhambra’s new preservation program has a form for anyone to share what they know “about people, places, and stories that are important in Alhambra. We are particularly interested in the lesser-known places that might have shaped your community,”
Some questions on the form include
- “What are the neighborhoods, commercial areas, and landscapes that have distinctive architectural or cultural characteristics, or reflect important aspects of social history or planning and development? What qualities of these places make them important or unique?
- What sites or buildings have traditionally served as gathering places or focal points in your community?
- Which buildings and districts may have been associated with important architects, builders, designers, developers, or engineers whose work helped define the character of Alhambra?
- What people or places shaped social movements or the cultural evolution of your community?
- Who are the important people in Alhambra’s history? Where did they live and work?
In his newsletter, the president of Alhambra Preservation Group encouraged his members take action and share their knowledge of Alhambra’s history: “We urge everyone to get involved and help tell Alhambra’s story. We have already contacted the project team to share the myriad stories we’ve discovered over the years. We strongly encourage you to do the same.”
More information about the October 13 public meeting is on the City of Alhambra’s Historic Preservation page, along with unique historic photographs of Alhambra from back in the day, one of Garfield and Main and how it looked 131 years ago.
This Article was mentioned on brid.gy