The Campbell Reporter

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Emotions run high at city's proposal to move museum

By Cathy Weselby

The feasibility study to investigate moving the Campbell Historical Museum from its original location to a vacant lot adjacent to the Ainsley House stalled at the May 1 Campbell City Council meeting.

The Campbell Redevelopment Agency and city staff proposed the study be completed by Prodis Associates Architects of San Jose. It would be conducted in two phases. City staff recommended a two-phased approach to minimize costs. The first phase would be $6,500; if council members approve phase 1, phase 2 would cost $20,450. However, both phases listed design and construction elements as part of the feasibility study, which prompted questions from council members.

Mayor Dan Furtado said the proposed study was not what was discussed at the March 20 meeting.

"I'm concerned that staff is pushing this proposal, and I don't like the way this is being done," Furtado said. "This is totally inappropriate."

Councilman Joe Hernandez expressed concern that the study had not fully addressed the historic significance of the property.

"I want actual information about the potential threat to the building's current and future historical designations, and I don't see that here," Hernandez said.

Hernandez also said the document seemed more like a design proposal than a feasibility study.

Councilwoman Jane Kennedy, who along with Hernandez was on the subcommittee looking into the possible relocation of the building, wanted to explore all options. She said moving the museum could be a real opportunity for the community to go forward with plans that had been previously discussed.

"We could end up with a new museum like we planned 10 years ago," Kennedy said. "I think we should at least do the first phase."

Councilman Evan Low supported Kennedy's position and wanted to approve the study. He said, "We should let the experts give us their opinion."

However, Councilman Don Burr and Furtado didn't want any study to be completed and said the entire proposal was a waste of money.

"This is our first city hall and firehouse and the only significant building we have after we incorporated," Burr said. "I could never support spending any money to move it."

Furtado added, "It's unethical to commit public money toward this. I feel a strong developer push on this, and if they're so interested in redeveloping the property, why don't they pay for the study?"

Campbell residents also expressed their displeasure.

Lillian Thibodeau said she had a petition signed by 33 people stating their opposition to moving the museum from its original location.

"Once we lose the historical buildings, do we still have an historic downtown?" Thibodeau said.

Former councilwoman Jeanette Watson said the original city hall and firehouse building has "told us who we were for so many years."

She asked council members, "Do you really think that the money gained will make up for the history lost?"

Campbell native Catherine Higginbotnam said the building and the location are what make the site historical.

"What are you going to do after you move it? Put a plaque on the ground that says, 'Here sat an historic building?' " Higginbotnam said.

The museum, which is on the corner of N. Central Avenue and Civic Center Drive, was built in 1951 and served as Campbell's first city hall and first fire and police stations. It was declared a historic point of interest in 1976 by the state of California.

Toward the end of what turned into an emotional discussion, Furtado said the entire issue was out of order because it required the redevelopment agency board to vote on the decision simultaneously with the city council.

The redevelopment agency did not provide advance public notice of the item and there was no public hearing. This required the city council to continue the item or vote against the proposal outright.

The council voted 4-1 to continue the motion, with Furtado the sole no vote.

After the meeting, Furtado said change and future development should be undertaken from a strategic point of view.

"City council members should be creating the vision and establishing the priorities for the city, and then staff implements them, not the other way around," he said.

The city council is scheduled to review the feasibility study for relocating the Campbell Historical Museum on May 15, at 7:30 p.m. in city council chambers, 70 N. First St. The public is encouraged to attend and invited to speak.