The price of history

Jennifer Kho

COSTA MESA -- City officials and community leaders are arguing about

the price of history.

In December, the City Council unanimously approved the restoration of

Huscroft House, which dates back to the early 1900s, for use as a

cultural museum at Fairview Park.

The council was expected to approve a contract last week to move the

building from TeWinkle Park, where it is boarded up and stands on blocks,

but instead scheduled a public hearing to determine whether residents

think it is worth the cost.

The move alone was bid at $137,707. In 1998, the city paid about

$54,000 to move the donated house from 2529 Santa Ana Ave. to TeWinkle

Park.

Councilman Gary Monahan balked at the price, saying he wants an

estimate of how much it would cost the city to restore the house before

paying to relocate it again.

“All we get out of that $137,000 is moving the house from point A to

point B,” he said. “I cannot support spending the money without knowing

what the rest of the project is going to cost the city’s taxpayers.

“I foresee us spending a minimum of [$750,000] for a house that’s

falling apart and that’s not a Costa Mesa landmark but was actually built

in Santa Ana. We could build a replica for what we’re going to spend to

restore and move this house.

“I cannot support reckless spending of our money on what I consider

fluff when we have other things such as potholes to spend our money on.”

Removing lead-based paint and asbestos and taking care of structural

problems, termite damage and flea and rodent infestation also could be

costly, Monahan said.

The house was built in Santa Ana and moved to Costa Mesa in the 1940s,

said Don Lamm, deputy city manager and director of development services.

Council members Karen Robinson and Chris Steel also voted to hear from

residents whose taxes would be spent on the project.

Mayor Libby Cowan and Councilwoman Linda Dixon dissented, saying they

think the cost is worth the cultural value gained by saving the house.

“Huscroft House is an important piece of Costa Mesa’s history,” Dixon

said, adding that it would be ideal in the area of Fairview Park

designated as a historical village.

“Future generations need examples of our past, and I think that

refurbishing that house gives them an idea of different types of

architecture.

“The house would have items that represent the past and it would just

be a plus for Costa Mesa.”

Dixon said one resident already has volunteered to help and that more

volunteers, particularly carpenters, electricians, roofers, architects

and gardeners, and building supply donations would defray the cost of

restoration.

Like the City Council, community leaders are undecided about what to

do with Huscroft House.

The Costa Mesa Historical Society has not yet taken a position, but

its board plans to discuss the issue next week.

Board member Mary Ellen Goddard said for something to be considered

historic and worth saving, guidelines established for California

Historical Landmarks say it has to have “statewide significance and have

anthropological, cultural, military, political, architectural, economic,

scientific or technical, religious, experimental or other values.”

City standards could differ, but those types of qualities are normally

the standards used to judge historical value, she said.

Eric Cernich, a Costa Mesa resident and developer who donated the

house to the city after buying it from the Huscroft family, said he has

not formed an opinion about whether the city should spend the money.

“It’s nice to preserve history,” he said. “Whether that house is a

part of Costa Mesa history or not I don’t know.”

But another resident, Harvey Alexander Cochran, said he doesn’t think

the house is worth the price.

“I’m wondering how we could have just flushed $54,000 down the

toilet,” he said. “I support the historical restoration of cultural

landmarks, but the house is not a Costa Mesa house.

“I think spending the $54,000 was a mistake the [council members] need

to fix and I definitely don’t think they should spend more money on it.

If [Dixon] wants the house restored, let [him] pay for it. The taxpayers

don’t want it.”