Cultural heritage is the legacy left behind by former generations that helps future generations understand their history and how that history impacts their lives. Recently, part of the LGBT heritage of San Diego was unceremoniously demolished by a developer who was issued a permit to do so from the City of San Diego.
The small unassuming saltbox structure at the corner of Florida and El Cajon might have gone unnoticed as you strolled by. Yet it was within the walls of that small structure that the beginning of publicly organized LGBT activism began in San Diego. Now it is gone. The building where a seminal event in San Diego LGBT history occurred was demolished at 5 p.m. May 29, 2015. Just two hours after a demolition permit was issued by the City of San Diego. That’s right, two hours later, on a Friday no less.
The building housed the apartment of Bernie Michels who with other luminaries like Jess Jessop, Thomas Carey and Peggy Heathers, organized, planned and funded what was to become the first LGBT Center in San Diego from the demolished building. Some say, oh what’s the big deal?
Cultural heritage and historical preservation is about conserving those important buildings, objects and artifacts that hold cultural significance. Some people don’t seem to care about history and that is their right. Yet, I assure you that no one visits Amsterdam without visiting the Anne Frank House. The Anne Frank House has cultural significance because it represents the struggle that the Jewish people endured during World War II.
While the structure at Florida and El Cajon may not have the global cultural significance as other places in San Diego, it was an important place in the San Diego LGBT community landscape. Although the Lambda Archives, San Diego LGBT Weekly and others expressed concern about the proposed demolition of the structure as early as last October, it seems nothing can trump the incompetence of city government, or worse, a complete lack of regard for our community’s cultural heritage. In fact, it is laughable to think that something nefarious did not occur with the demolition of the potentially historic site.
HG Fenton, the owner and developer of the site, got a demolition permit at 3 p.m. Friday May 29, 2015. By 5 p.m. a backhoe was there to tear down the building. Fenton was aware that there were concerns with the demolition of the site, yet they tore the building down immediately. I ask when was the last time HG Fenton tore down a building within two hours of getting a permit and on a Friday. It is clear the fix was in.
The building was under consideration for preservation by the State Historic Preservation Resources Board at their scheduled August 2015 meeting in Sacramento. The developer HG Fenton wanted the building gone and through a “clerical error” at the City it was done. Why two hours after the permit was issued on a Friday afternoon? So the building would be demolished before preservation activists could do anything about it. You know it, Mayor Faulconer knows it, City Council knows it and so does HG Fenton. City of San Diego management at its worst.
Situations like this are exactly why the close relationship between city politicians and developers is constantly called into question. What I call implausible deniability. It is implausible that given the controversy around the property, that someone at the City magically issued a demolition permit. When HG Fenton got the permit, didn’t they say “Isn’t this the property the LGBT community has an issue about?” In fact, Fenton and Lambda Archives had a meeting to discuss the property the very morning of the demolition.
The building may have never gotten an historical designation but we will never know because it is rubble in some landfill. So what now? The City of San Diego, Mayor Faulconer and City Council have some explaining to do and the LGBT community will not rest until it gets answers.
How does the City ensure that a property being considered for historical designation cannot be demolished before a ruling concerning its historical significance is made? Who is being held accountable at the City for the “clerical error”? How about David Graham, deputy chief operating officer Neighborhood Services? When will Mayor Faulconer and City Council issue an apology to the LGBT community for the City of San Diego’s incompetence? How about a $100,000 donation to the Lambda Archives to help preserve LGBT history and cultural heritage in San Diego? Fenton can afford it and so can the City Council and the mayor from their discretionary funds. Isn’t it ironic that Code Enforcement can levy civil penalties of up to $100,000 but it is the very city organization that made the error? What’s good for the goose is also good for the gander.
What can you do? Let the mayor and City Council know that you care about the LGBT cultural heritage of San Diego. Email City Council President Sherri Lightner sherrilightner@sandiego.gov and Mayor Kevin Faulconer kevinfaulconer@sandiego.gov to say that you care that the building was torn down without a proper hearing as to its historical significance.
LGBT cultural history should not be maligned, forgotten, or for goodness sakes, demolished.
get over it and move on. As a member of the gay Community it really is not important, no one knew what the building was to begin with it. I you were so concerned why was there nothing EVER done to improve the building so that it was such a wreck. Do you honestly believe that that building really will do anything for the LGBT Community and if you do you’re fooling yourself I think that this is just another way for someone on the committee to stomp their feet . Get over it move on and fight for something that really matters!!!
I am saddened but not surprised by the deniers. It’s as if internal homophobia about their heritage rules their thinking.
Really not important? You even justify and proclaim why the history of the LGBTQ community in San Diego is invisible. NO ONE KNEW. Yet when it was found out, deniers say it is “trivial” space and “get over it” and it doesn’t matter. SHAME ON YOU.
Little do they know that their ability to even say those words as well as>
Private property? Please, the requirements are a review of historicity is 5 years have passed. Felon, oops Fenton, and their “historic consultant” knew this. Surprising that that requirement was not passed on from the owners professional consultants about historic requirements.
Deniers can be found everywhere and in all places including the LGBTQ community in San Diego Now that you ahve proclaimed this structure unimportant and trivial what, if anything, (or do you really even care?) are you doing to identify those spaces that are important to the LGBTQ community? But maybe again, you don’t care, and it will be unimportant, trivial and a property owners rights.
PLEASE. Go back into your closets and deny any LGBTQ history that enabled you to come out. .
Charles, first, if you want to be involved with the gay community then you need to listen to what your community is telling you. Don’t SHAME them for having different beliefs. You are ridiculous! Secondly, Bernie Michels lived in many many places in San Diego. Is it your intention to name every place he lived historical??!! Lastly, if you want to win the war you need to know how to pick your battles. This was a loser from the beginning thus the reason hardly anyone is behind you. It’s really time to move on, stop acting like a 5 year old having tantrum for not getting his way and stop spewing HATE at every who doesn’t agree with you. You’re worse than the people you’re condemning because you’re also a hypocrite.
Thanks Martin for doing exactly what you accuse me of.
Unfortunately, this is a common attitude among the ‘new gays’. No connection or love for history, heritage, the struggles we’ve been through, remembering where we’ve been—not that long ago. Mull-over every ‘outdated’ building and street corner with new, pop-architecture… Spoken from someone that is NOT from San Diego.
It’s private property get over it.
The owner has rights also.
This article highlights the emotional hysteria that Preservationists continue to use in what turns out to be a losing battle when trying to convince the public about what is worthy of preservation.
Knowing the difference between significant and trivial seems to escape those who felt there was historical significance to this structure.
Recording and understanding our history is important, but desperate attempts to make mountains out of molehills only hurt the community, not benefit it whatsoever.
Pick your battles wisely and with profound significance, or you get results like this.
Typical “John Thurston” comment. “Argue the opposite point, troll the thread”.
I am saddened but not surprised by the deniers. It’s as if internal homophobia about their heritage rules their thinking.
Really not important? You even justify and proclaim why the history of the LGBTQ community in San Diego is invisible. NO ONE KNEW. Yet when it was found out, deniers say it is “trivial” space and “get over it” and it doesn’t matter. SHAME ON YOU.
Little do they know that their ability to even say those words as well as>
Private property? Please, the requirements are a review of historicity is 5 years have passed. Felon, oops Fenton, and their “historic consultant” knew this. Surprising that that requirement was not passed on from the owners professional consultants about historic requirements.
Deniers can be found everywhere and in all places including the LGBTQ community in San Diego Now that you ahve proclaimed this structure unimportant and trivial what, if anything, (or do you really even care?) are you doing to identify those spaces that are important to the LGBTQ community? But maybe again, you don’t care, and it will be unimportant, trivial and a property owners rights.
PLEASE. Go back into your closets and deny any LGBTQ history that enabled you to come out. .
It’s sad to see how little these commenters (probably trolls for the developers) care about their own history (if they’re event Lgbtq) – it sickens me when people say “property owners have rights too” lmao it reminds me of the men’s legal clinic that tries to make the aggressor into the victim. WAKE UP! The Lgbtq community and community at large has rights! The tenants who lived in and occupy the building have rights! As someone who lived there and appreciated this space and recognized its importance it’s offensive to hear blowhard corporate sellouts try to trivialize our history and discard our efforts to preserve what little we have left of it in an ever expanding corporate developer meat market where profit is more important than our own history and culture. You have to be in a position of privilege to just say F-it and “get over it” – these same specious arguments have been made to roll back our social gains and I won’t buy into the sham that is troll aplogists for HG Fenton and the other out of town interests whose only motive is maximizing profit even if it means being disingenuous, discounting the concerns of the connhnity and breaking laws to get their way. What a disgrace!
Troll for the developers?
Hardly, California has too many people in it already. Myself and others would be happy if 2 out of 3 left the state to those who were born here.
You transplants have ruined it for all the rest of us.
…more like investor in the new project! LOL
Thankyou for the very well written article about the value and importance of protecting our history. As a pioneer in our local LGBT community it saddens me that there is such a lack of appreciation for our history on the part of some. I first became an LGBT activist in 1971 and did not then appreciate that history was being made as we struggled for justic and equality. As I look back I am so grateful now for the reminders of those who led the way in moving forward for our civil rights. I welcome any and all constructive input regarding what is important to Gil, Liz and John in the area of our local LGBT history.
Small & unassuming it was NOT! This was a building that I noticed and has been a part of the community / area as long as I can remember. It was unique and interesting. A landmark for many reasons in my book. MUCH more interesting to look at than a big sheet of glass with the letters etched in: “BLVD”.
Buildings that are potentially historic in San Diego are ALL threatened in my opinion, once the property owner has big ideas. The system is broke and has been for a long time. Historical Resources supports developers. These errors happen too often to be accidents.
John:
As I recall, you didn’t think SOHO’s stand on Balboa Park was worthwhile either. I just think you exclusively like new stuff and that virtually nothing is going to meet your threshold for preservation. I’ve rarely seen anyone expend so much energy in not caring. Most uncaring people just tune the whole thing out.
OK, OK…….So you may not care about LBGT history, BUT, don’t you care that the Government for the People by the People, may be and probably is, in cahoots with developers?
You should be out raged at either, if not, you are part of the problem!
I mean……..you should be outraged by one or the other and if not, you are part of the problem!
As a fellow gay member of the community I agree with Gil.. GET OVER IT!! The building didn’t mean anything to anyone other than a small group of people who knew the person they are referring to. HG Fenton is one of the best builders in San DIego. They continually work with the communities they build in and engage in conversation. This showed at the recent community group meeting where members of the community had a question and answer session. Fenton redesigned the entire building based on community input. Not a SINGLE member of the community cared about the “historic” claims Lambda refers to and actually told the Lambda representatives in the meeting to sit down and shut up, no one wants to hear it.
I find it odd that these groups want to be paid and want to designate other peoples property as historic. If you think it’s so important then buy and maintain the property yourself with your own money!!
so sad.
Editorializing that the “Michels-Carey House” is as equally significant as the Anne Frank House is outrageous, and probably the worst argument that’s been stated. This whole issue is a tempest in a teapot, and a waste of our community’s time. It’s only a tiny handful of LGBT activists who gave a horse’s patoot about that dry-rotted old house, which really didn’t matter at all to our community. If The Center building were sold off and then razed, THEN that would be something getting upset about. But please let’s crank down the volume, take some deep breaths and calm down! Let it go.
I’m a San Diego native unlike the developers who don’t care about our LGBTQ community beyond how much money they can milk out of us. When you say no one cares about the house tell that to the thousands of members of the originations who have fought to protect this history. It’s people like you corporate shills who want San Diego to look like another hideous strip mall of Anytown USA – stucco boxes that will be dated in 5 years and ready to tear down like that disgusting behemoth at 30th & El Cajon blvd which used to be an amazing historic Aztec bowling alley and bar/restaurant near Rudfords – why not tear rudfords down too?!? Build another stucco box Check Cashing place because it’s more useful to the community. Give me a break! You basic generic people need to get lost! Probably the same people who wanted to destroy the crown jewel of San Diego – balboa park! It’s sad to see these DeMaio type log cabin republican gays nowadays. No regard for your history or your roots- not to mention no basic knowledge of historic architecture and the important role it plays in maintaining what very little is left of our San Diego historic legacy. Want modern stucco boxes for miles and miles? Move to east county TROLLS! Lol
Aside from the LBGT connection, I felt it was a unique old building. Like other properties where Fenton used an interesting old building and includded it with the redevelopment, I think this place would have looked really cool restored. Far more interesting than any new ‘pop’ architecture they come up with. The contrast of the old and new would have been really interesting… a cool coffee house, restaurant, whatever… The old building has a soul, and a history… as far as I can tell, it looks like it was unique and all there… should have been ‘historic’ for that reason too.
Gregory,
The building was very old and rotten. I could smell the mold when I walked by the rubble after the demolition. It was probably unhealthful to even be inside that dump. The new apartment building will be the best thing to happen to that corner in years. It will bring UP that section of El Cajon Blvd. (which is now so ghetto). Some old buildings ARE worth preserving; this was NOT one of them.