PRESERVATION UPDATE
Claremont's history of preserving our cultural, natural and architectural heritage is what sets us apart from other communities. Some of the current preservation issues involve challenging the very tenets that have given Claremont its unique and historic sense of place. We hope that you, the community, will express your views on the following issues and use the various public forums at our disposal to voice your opinion. We can all make a difference by contacting our City Staff and elected officials to make them aware of potential negative impacts to our community that irresponsible development can bring. As Margaret Mead once said: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."Best regards, David Shearer Executive Director POMONA COLLEGE ART MUSEUM | PRESERVATION ALERT
As Pomona College continues to press forward to gain support and approval of its new Master Plan, the leadership of Claremont Heritage continues to voice opposition and concern over the placement of a new museum on the west side of College Avenue at Bonita. An institutional building on this site would interrupt the historic residential feeling of the neighborhood and require a zone change that appears to be in direct opposition to both our General Plan and the Village Design Plan.
We understand the concept to refer back to a more original campus design influenced by Myron Hunt's vision. But it is hard to understand the desire to put an institutional building in a place that will diminish the historic neighborhood elements that have been long part of both the College and the Community's heritage, and result in the demolition or moving of significant historic structures that have long served as cultural icons.
The impact of this placement would be significant both in terms of the loss of historic resources as well as logistically for both the college and community - the lack of parking and pedestrian traffic that already impacts the Village negatively will only be exacerbated. Optional locations have not been explored fully and the recently unveiled plans to move Historic Renwick House to make room for a 32,000 - 40,000 sf building could cause significant environmental impacts that need to be evaluated according to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
The original Myron Hunt Plan shows a museum building where a new Thatcher Music Building is currently proposed. Located on the east side of College Avenue, a museum in this location would blend well with the needs of Pomona and maintain the historic vision of the original campus design.
Courtesy Pomona College
Another location that might serve both Pomona College and community well would be the northeast corner of College Avenue and First Street. College Avenue is a natural gateway to Pomona College and the access to both public transportation and parking would make the museum more convenient to visitors from outside our community.
Below is a conceptual rendering of the northeast corner of First and College showing a Myron Hunt inspired design where there is currently a women's softball field.
Conceptual rendering courtesy Claremont Heritage
Optionally, this location could be utilized for either the new Thatcher Music Center or the new museum. The softball field currently on the site (which is shared with Pitzer College) could be moved to any number of alternative locations. Additionally, the Kenyon House, an important Victorian House used by Pomona for its Facilities Offices, could be moved (it was moved to its current location in 1945) from its current location, hidden on First Street, to the site proposed for the new museum at Bonita and College. This would enhance the row of residential structures that march up the west side of College.
Moving the historic Renwick House (as is currently proposed) from it original building site to the historically institutional east side of College and building a large (32 - 40,000sf) institutional building on the historically residential west side of College does not follow the established Village Design Guidelines or Claremont's General Plan.
A zone change is required to facilitate this plan and would open up the opportunity for Pomona to build other institutional scale buildings in the residential buffer that currently exists between the college and the Claremont Village. At risk is the loss of the small town atmosphere that draws many visitors to our unique and historic Village every year.
Historic Helen Renwick House
Courtesy of Claremont Colleges Digital Library
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