ON POINT - September 2008

“Behind the Scenes at NTC Promenade” Civic Community Forum – September 9th, 5:00pm – 6:00pm at the NTC Command Center (2640 Historic Decatur Road).

Historic Structures Report Completed for Officer's Quarters A, B, C, & D

Determining Future Uses Now Underway

1927 Photo of Naval Training Station San Diego with Officer’s Homes in the foreground. Many of the historic homes along Rosecrans across from NTC are still standing. Photo courtesy of the San Diego Historical Society Photo Collection

Each day, thousands of people drive by the four distinctive and historic yellow homes on Rosecrans at the former Naval Training Center and wonder “Who used to live in those homes?” and “What is going to happen to them?”

The four homes are known as Officer’s Quarters A, B, C & D, and housed many of the highest ranking military officials and their families of the West Coast and Pacific Theater for many decades. Within these walls some of the greatest U.S. military minds plied their skills to guide the history of not only the United States, but also the world.

The NTC Foundation, which has stewardship over these city-owned buildings, has just completed a Historic Structures Report (H.S.R.) prepared for us by the San Diego firm of Johnson and Johnson Architecture to help us learn more about the history of these homes and determine future uses.

Among the many findings in the 431-page report is the following information, which is interesting from an historic perspective and significant for determining restoration and future uses:

How have the homes changed since they were originally built in 1923?
Soon after the Quarters were built in 1923 there was a fire in 1926 in Quarters A around the second floor south room fireplace. The modified design shows the architects attention to fire safety which was very popular during this time period. In addition to the reconstruction from fire damage of the south room fireplace the second floor north room fireplace was also reconstructed.

The original designs do not accommodate automobiles. The electric rail car had a regular route to Point Loma and the ferry was another way to get across the bay. By the late 1920’s the automobile became a very important part of daily life and the addition of garages and driveways is a natural development to the properties.

Right up to the early 1930s, the four houses had the same exterior appearance as the day they were completed. In late 1929 and 1930 a Porte Cochere was added to Quarters A and garages and driveways were added to Quarters A, B, C and D.

The heating and cooling systems were upgraded in Quarters A, B, C, and D in 1969. The date on the drawings is blurred but the project number indicates late 1960’s. According to the oral histories of residents the kitchens and bathrooms were redone in 1982.

Windows were replaced in the recent past 1980 – 1997; sound attenuation was most likely the motivation for replacing the original wood with dual pane windows.

Who are the people of historical significance who lived in these homes?
The individuals who lived at the Quarters are highly significant to local and national history. The Officers’ Quarters were assigned to the top commanders of the Eleventh Naval District, the Naval Training Station/ Center, and the commanders of several schools that were also located at the Naval Training Station/ Center location.

The very highest flag officers were awarded the largest Quarters A. The next highest ranking officer was awarded the second largest accommodation Quarters D. The housing office was able to provide an exact list of who lived in the Quarters A, B, C and D which dates back to 1970. These forty years of documentation has been an unexpected and very helpful development in researching the Quarters.

One interesting note is that these commanders only lived in the Officers’ Quarters for a few years before it was time to transfer to a new command and move again. The Officers were revolving in and out of the Officers’ Quarters so fast that many of them are not listed in the City directories. Every effort has been made to document who lived in which Quarters and when in the HSR.

What is the period of historical significance of the homes?
The period of significant priority should be given to the buildings, site and landscape that were constructed from 1922 through 1935 as this is the original construction of and early additions to the Officers’ Quarters.

What was the color palette of the homes exterior over the years?

	Original	Current
Wall Color
Trim Color

Recommendations for the future uses of the homes
Along with the many historic photographs and floor plans, the HSR provided the NTC Foundation with important information to assist our board and staff to determine a course of action to renovate the homes and open them for public use for the first time.

The General Development Recommendations take into consideration several factors such as: sensitivity to the historic resource, public demand / use of the proposed use, and economic viability. Historic preservation standards encourage a new use that is not too dissimilar from the historic use. This results in an “easy fit” that does not require extensive upgrades and remodeling of the historic resource. An outstanding rehabilitation of the building is worthless without the public’s support of the new use. Lastly, an outstanding rehabilitation, with the public’s support is fruitless without the ability to fund the project.

This HSR addresses each of the four buildings and explores potential separate uses for each of them. The HSR also considers potential group uses of the buildings. Some of the prospective uses that can be considered are:

• Residential
• Bed & Breakfast
• Museum
• Visiting scholars / artist short term residence
• Professional offices
• Music school
• Garden support facility for the 4-acre gardens
• Event venues in the gardens

Over the next several months, the NTC Foundation’s architects from RNT will be completing schematic designs for the homes, construction estimates will be secured, and discussions continued to determine future uses.

We invite any interested civic or community group – or business – that has an interest in creating something significant in these homes that will enhance the Cultural District at NTC Promenade and create a landmark for San Diego to contact Alan Ziter at the NTC Foundation at [email protected].

The Historic Structures Report was funded by a grant to the NTC Foundation from the California Cultural and Historic Endowment.

Book Your Next Meeting or Event at NTC Promenade!

If you’re looking for unique event space flexible enough to accommodate a small classroom setting, a seated black-tie dinner or a large-scale conference, The Venues at NTC Promenade are just the place.

To accommodate the increasing need for community festivals, events, meetings and exhibitions – and to provide landmark new venues for San Diego’s growing tourism and convention business – The Venues at NTC Promenade provide state-of-the-art event and conference facilities; magnificent outdoor plazas and gardens, and detail-oriented staff at an affordable cost.

The Venues at NTC Promenade combine the ambiance of a bygone era of the former Naval Training Center at the heart of Liberty Station with the latest multimedia and wireless amenities creating an ideal setting for any type of event.

Accommodating five to 2,000 attendees, The Venues at NTC Promenade are located in Point Loma just minutes from Downtown and San Diego International Airport offering hassle-free accessibility and plenty of free parking.

The Venues at NTC Promenade are overseen by the not-for-profit organization, NTC Foundation. The NTC Foundation was established in 2000 to enrich the lives of San Diegans through the transformation of 26 historic NTC buildings into a thriving Civic, Arts and Cultural District called NTC Promenade.

Thanks to community support, more than 1,300 community meetings, conferences, festivals, rehearsals and events took place at NTC Promenade within the first year of opening, with net funds being used to help further the NTC Foundation’s mission to restore 26 historic navy buildings and create a landmark Civic, Arts and Culture District at NTC Promenade.

Book your next off-site corporate meeting or company event in a beautiful Spanish Colonial Revival setting filled with high ceilings and large windows offering plenty of natural light. You will feel refreshed, inspired and productive.

For more information, go to the Venues Section of our website or call Allison Farinas at 619-573-9308.

“Thank you so much for helping with the event on Saturday – it was a success for all who attended. Your facilities team was amazingly supportive and attentive!” — Leanne Tibiatowski, Jenna Druck Foundation

“The NTC Promenade staff was extremely accommodating and it made for a very successful event. Your venue is very efficient and comfortable. We will certainly be back.” — Sue Coan, Legacy Building Services, Inc.

 

New Report Documents Impact of Arts and Culture in San Diego

San Diego’s expanding arts and culture industry and the region’s emergence as a cultural tourism destination are a cornerstone of local economic development. San Diego’s creative community plays a vital role in the city’s vibrant quality of life and in its economic prosperity. Increased public funding will enrich local culture, stimulate the economy and help recruit and retain an innovative workforce. These are some of the outcomes of a new Economic and Community Impact Report released by Mayor Jerry Sanders and issued by the City’s Commission for Arts and Culture and the Regional Arts & Culture Coalition.

Among the findings:

Cultural Tourism: Cultural visitors – those who travel to experience art, culture and heritage – represent a growing segment of the tourist market; they also stay longer and spend more money on hotels, shopping and dining than the average tourist. In 2007, a one-day stay by an estimated two million cultural tourists pumped $492 million into the local economy, an increase of $50 million over 2006. Last year’s blockbuster Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit ranks third in regional economic impact, behind only the 2003 Super Bowl and the 1996 Republican Convention. According to a Union-Tribune report, in 2004 more than two million residents and visitors attended the theater – almost five times the number of people who attended Chargers’ football games that year.

Creative Industries: San Diego ranks sixth among the nation’s 50 largest cities in the number of arts-related businesses and non-profits. According to the 2008 Creative Industries Report, San Diego has nearly 4,500 arts-related businesses that employ over 24,000 people. Arts and culture are a dynamic growth industry locally, experiencing an increase of 22% over last year, 10% more than the national average. According to recent data, the San Diego area has 23,510 artists, more than any other region of California. The creative industries contribute significantly to the San Diego economy and help fuel the “information economy,” the nation’s fastest growing economic sector.

Arts & Culture Funding: In 2007, $6.4 million in TOT funding to the arts yielded $148.7 million in direct expenditures, or $23 arts dollars leveraged for every city dollar spent. Public arts funding restored to the recommended 2002 level would mean $16 million in arts and culture funding, potentially yielding a $368 million investment in San Diego’s economic vitality and future as a world-class city. In 2007, the TOT-funded Organizational Support Program (OSP), administered by the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture, provided funding for 80 arts and culture organizations with over 5,000 employees and 15,000 community volunteers. The return on investment (ROI) is incalculable – creating cultural experiences, enriching lives, catalyzing cultural tourism, providing employment, supporting arts education and community enrichment, fostering creative minds, enhancing cultural diversity, helping build San Diego as a global center of creativity.

More information on the Report is available at http://www.sandiego.gov/arts-culture/pdf/economicimpactrpt.pdf

Arts Forums Planned for City Council Candidates

The San Diego Regional Arts and Culture Coalition has scheduled two Candidate Forums with the remaining candidates running for City Council to hear their views on the role arts and culture play in our community.   City Councilmembers make many key decisions that impact arts and culture in San Diego, including allocations of Transient Occupancy Tax funds to the arts, allocation of Redevelopment funds to the NTC Foundation, and issues related to Public Art and city policy. 

District 3 and District 7 Forum
Tuesday, September 16th - 7:00 pm
The Community Forum at Reuben H. Fleet Science Center - Balboa Park
(enter on the south side of the building adjacent to the Park Boulevard parking lot)
Confirmed: Todd Gloria & Stephen Whitburn (Dist. 3) | Marti Emerald (Dist. 7)
Invited: April Boling (Dist. 7)
Presented in partnership with Friends of Balboa Park

District 1 Forum
Tuesday, September 23rd - 7:00 pm
David and Dorothea Garfield Theatre
Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS
4126 Executive Drive - La Jolla, 92037
Confirmed: Sherri Lightner
Invited: Phil Thalheimer

Both Forums will be moderated by League of Women Voters San Diego

NTC Foundation executive director Alan Ziter is one of the founding members of the San Diego Regional Arts and Culture Coalition, which was established in 1989 as a collaborative membership entity of more than 100 arts & culture organizations in San Diego County. Its mission and purpose are:

• To lobby and advocate for appropriate funding levels for arts & culture to support new and ongoing projects throughout San Diego County
• To lobby, advocate and promote the awareness and importance of arts & culture throughout San Diego, and
• To serve as an information resource entity to benefit all arts & culture institutions in San Diego County.

 

To The Point ...

This fall season enjoy all that NTC Promenade has to offer – performances, concerts, theater workshops, dance classes, museum openings, galleries and more. Come experience NTC Promenade!

September Calendar Highlights:

September 2, 3, 16, 17:	Open House
	The North Chapel at Liberty Station monthly open houses, 11 am to 1 pm, 2881 Roosevelt Dr. For more information please visit http://www.thenorthchapel.com/
September 9:	“Behind the Scenes at NTC Promenade” Monthly Forum
	NTC Foundation Monthly civic community forum, 5 pm to 6 pm, NTC Command Center, 2640 Historic Decatur St. There is no charge for admission. For more information please visist www.ntcpromenade.com
September 6, 13, 20, 27:	CowParade Artist Lab
	Artists Labs are open to the public every Saturday from Noon to 2 PM, Liberty Station, 2855 Perry Rd. Please visit www.cowparadesandiego.com for more information.
September 10, 11, 12:	2nd Annual Diversity Summit
	The Diversity Council of the Urban League of Greater San Diego is proud to present the 2nd Annual Diversity Summit, NTC Promenade McMillin Event Center, 2875 Dewey Rd. Please call 619-266-6244 or visit http://sandiego.urbanleague.us/ for more info or submissions.
September 13:	The Peninsula Community Fair 2008
	11th Annual Peninsula Community Fair presented by the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, 11 am to 7 pm, Ingram Plaza at Liberty Station. Free admission. For more information please visit http://www.peninsulachamber.com/
September 13:	Spirits of Mexico
	The Polished Palate’s 6th Annual Spirits of Mexico benefitting the Sky Ranch Foundation, 7 pm, NTC Promenade, 2875 Dewey Rd. For tickets and more information please visit http://www.polishedpalate.com/events/som/2008/mainevent.html
September 14:	Passport to Style
	The Fashion Group International’s Passport to Style Finale Event Fashion Show and Scholarship Awards, 6 pm to 9 pm, NTC Promenade, 2875 Dewey Rd. For more information please visit http://www.passporttostyle.org/index.html
September 30:	Westwind Brass Concert Series
	Award-Winning Brass Chamber Music Recital Series with four exciting new concert themes, 7:30 pm to 9 pm, North Chapel at Liberty Station, 2881 Roosevelt Dr., Tickets $25 to $75. Please visit http://www.thenorthchapel.com/

 

Be sure to check the NTC Promenade online calendar for all the happenings scheduled.