The county is recommending a proposal to sell the HEW building in Nevada City to Bill Litchfield Construction to build a 35-unit senior residential condo complex, as well as 175 residential condo units with “incidental” commercial and retail space on other portions of the property.
But there’s more: Litchfield is offering the county $95,000 for the vast property at 10433 Willow Road. That’s less than a $100,000 study performed three years ago about what to do with the abandoned space.
“Resolution accepting proposals for development of the county’s HEW property and directing staff to schedule a public hearing in furtherance of negotiating a sale of the property to Bill Litchfield Construction,” reads a memo about the plans.
The issue will be discussed at Tuesday’s county supervisor meeting.
Other proposals, in response to an RFP, include:
•Cascade Housing proposes new buildings with a total of 72 rental units in a “village-like” setting. It is offering the county $0 for the property.
•Tsi-Akim Maidu Corp. submitted a letter referencing their Feb. 12 letter requesting that the property be donated for a reservation for the Tsi-Akim Maidu Tribe.
The proposals were evaluated by a committee that included County Information Officer Steve Monaghan, Community Development Agency Director Steve DeCamp, Planning Directory Jory Stewart, Facilities Program Manager Tom Coburn and Nevada City Engineer William Falconi.
“The Committee found the Bill Litchfield Company proposal to be the preferred alternative and recommends that the county proceed toward negotiating the sale of the property to BLC for the proposed development,” the memo read.
If the board agrees, the county would issue a letter of intent to negotiate a sale of the property to Litchfield and hold a public hearing to consider the sale.
The $100,000 study estimated demolition at $2.25 million and renovation costs of $12 million to $13 million.
Exit question: Could the county courthouse suffer a similar fate if the state abandons it for a new courthouse at the Rood Center?
It’s time for our community to wake up and smell the proverbial coffee.
Filed under: Uncategorized
I don’t know whether the building is usable but it sure seems like it could be some sort of cooperative home for those in need. Hmmm, if anyone has some thoughts, let me know.
People do realize that the HEW in its current state is basically a tear down unless of course you want to flush that $12 million to renovate it.
And the fact that the Tsi-Akim want it for free for a reservation? That is laughable….why in the world would the county give a non-native tribe land for free?
The Maidu the was original tribe living here before our ancestors took their land and wiped them out for greed. So you think it laughable to drop even a worthless crumb back to them?
Second, any old building that is in good use could be stigmatized by the amount it would take to make it something else. What would it cost to remodel down town Nevada City? The tribe might make use of it the way it is and so might others.
Greg,
Actually, Judith has been making the case on this blog that a local Nissenan tribe are the true heirs. Judith?
M.
The Nisenan are undisputedly the peoples of the Yuba and American River drainages. The Mt Maidu (from the upper Feather River) have been separated from the Nisenan by over 1,000 years. Their languages and cultural practices are distinctly different.
That here in Nevada City the Tsi-Akim are now known as “The” Tribe isn’t just a little troubling. Ask any Nisenan if they are represented in any way, shape or form by “The” tribe and you will hear a resounding no.
Ceremonies never performed by the Nisenan are publicly demonstrated by the Tsi-Akim under the guise of bringing back traditional practices to our area. In the eyes of the Nisenan it is nothing less than cultural genocide.
Way back in the 20th Century, I had a high school buddy who was a patient at the old hospital. (He had hepititus from drinking raw ditch water on a Boy Scout outing.) One day, he felt good enough to take a walk outside, so we wandered to the back of the building. To our surprise, there was a graveyard back there, which wasn’t to encouraging to my friend.
I wonder how this final resting place will be incorporated into any new development?
I too stumbled across that very ancient burial ground of I believe primarily the Cornish and/or Irish. A stunning find in the tangled forest below the parking lot of the HEW–hope they do not overlook the historical value of this when all of the dust settles.
Greg,
The Tsi-Akim Maidu are not Nevada County’s indigenous tribe. They have spent just over a decade trying to give this well-meaning but gullible community that impression, in an apparent attempt to sieze Nisenan homelands, and with some success. So far. The Tsi-Akim are based in Taylorsville, Plumas County, their true homelands, but Nevada County is a more lucrative area to do business. By their actions, they are knowingly working to displace the Nisenan people, the rightful tribe of Nevada County. The allure of potential millions of gaming (casino) dollars, and their desire to control that kind of money, seems to have sent them over to the dark side. They have morally lost their way by trying to steal what belongs to another tribe.
Raids of one tribe on another is an unfortunate part of California Indian history. I know, I am Noyatakayu Maidu and well versed in tribal matters statewide.
Go the Tsi-Akim Corpration website and read their demands for a “secure landbase”.
James,
Ownership of the HEW would give the Tsi-Akim that secure landbase, as well as legal powers over Nevada County. You are correct in stating that the idea of the HEW, as a reservation site, is laughable. It would just be the tip of the wedge that would allow them to gain the legal power to run roughshod over the county, the way they presently are the with the Nisenan.
None of this would be happening if Nevada County had not focused solely on celebrating the Gold Rush and allowing the Nisenan to fade into obscurity. But then, a “Nisenan Genocide Parade” wouldn’t go over so well with the tourists, would it?
BTW, the Nisenan have a website. Please take a look. In fact look at both tribal websites and make your own comparison.
Jeff,
The Historical Society just did something remarkable with respect to this matter. The Union ran a 1/1/11 story in the “Community” section about the HS and their board. I suggest you contact the HS board. This scoop’s for you.
Judith,
Do you have the Nisenan link?
M.
I only recently stumbled across the findings of the Nevada County Historical Society in their quest to re-consider their prior endorsement of the Taylorsville’s Tsi-Akim tribe’s quest to establish tribal authenticity through Federal recognition as a Nevada County Tribe. The evidence used for the NCHS’s decision can be found on the Nisenan Tribe’s web page http://nevadacityrancheria.org/home.html
There is well presented fact in regard to the known history of the Maidu people by a variety of sources. Much of the information presented under images has been studied and presented by interested parties, such as coming from renowned institutions; the Department of Ethnology & Anthropology of Ca State University in Sacramento and Handbooks of the North American Indian–including KonKow and Nisenan Triblets– that are affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, Wash D.C.
After stumbling upon this particular blog and reading through the comments I am sensing a great deal of emotion in regards to this recent unfolding. This emotion closely resembles anger and betrayl. Those calling themselves the Tsi-Akim Tribe have been supported a great deal in Nevada County by a variety of groups from environmental to governing bodies along with individual support. This is a sad event for all. Many of us, regardless of cultural background, color, and ideology are now confronted with this news.
Where do we as a potential supportive community go from here. Where do those belonging to the Nisenan Nevada City Rancheria go from here? And how do we support the Nisenan from this juncture on in a way that can not be mistaken for an attempt at genocide? Where does the Tsi-Akim of Taylorsville go from here? Who will make the first move towards the resolution that can unite those thousands of tribes calling themselves The First Nation.
Many of such tribes have problems far greater than the worries that come with Casinos, moralities that no one can agree upon, and a false sense of security that is presumed to come with a land base, money, or recognition. Look to the suffering of the people living on “reservations” who seek to rise from oppressive states while burying their young at astounding rates, while freezing in temperatures that we in California cannot even imagine, and sucumbing to the prevailing drug culture at alarming rates. Let us all recapitulate and look long and hard at solutions towards a better humanity.
I’d like it as well Judith, if you could…Taylorsville is in Plumas County (my home) and this would be of interest. Thank you…Kate
Jeff,
Before you get a chance….I need to disclose that my father is the President of the Historical Society.
Although that still has nothing to do with forming my own opinion about the Tsi-Akim and for that matter any other subject…
Yes, James. We know each other. The Historical Society has been a big supporter of SierraCulture.com and vice versa.
http://sierraculture.com/foodwineart/art/nevada-county-historical-society/
Have a great weekend!
Judith,
Tks. I’ll check in on the news tip.
Michael and Kate,
Here you are.
http://nevadacityrancheria.org/
Also, Harmony books sells News from Native California, the definitive quarterly news magazine on California’s tribal peoples.
The next issue features the Nisenan and the NCR.
I suspect that the people who live along Willow Valley Road, and Sacramento Street will have a lot to say about the EIR (or lack thereof) that attempts to rationalize this project.
John,
They will. But one thing that tires me: Why didn’t the developer and county consider this in the first place? I’d have been embarrassed to have brought this “proposal” before the public. It’s just more of the same. A real “downer” and lack of leadership that creates more polarization and puts the neighborhood on the defensive.
Kate,
I love Plumas County. My great grandfather, John Lowry, traveled there while he was working as a scout on the Applegate trail in the 1800′s. He met my Great-grandmother, Julia Washo, at a “Big Time”. He was smitten when he saw her win a foot race, and introduced himself to her.
He courted her during the run of the Big Time festivities (think State Fair for Indians) and in the end convinced her father that he would be a good mate for her. Her purchased her for $15 and a new pair of leather boots.
They settled in Indian Valley where they built a large ranch, had ten children, adopted three, and ran a number of successful businesses. They were happy and had a long good “marriage” (whites and Indians were prohibited to legally marry, due to anti miscegenation laws of the time) and the ranch is still in our family. John and Julia rest there in our family cemetery. It’s out on Lowry Point, off Pioneer Ave. Do you know any Lowrys or Gorbets up there?
What a wonderful history you have Judith! And what a beautiful story, so gracefully written. I can see the beauty of Indian Valley in my minds eye in your words. It truly is a spectacular place. I too have a southern native american heritage…we believe Cherokee…my great grandmothers name was Emma Josephine Rainbolt. Same white (cajun, Benjamin) great grandfather and native (Emma) grandmother configuration, with, we are presuming, the anti-miscegnation laws. Great grandfather was Benjamin Alfred White. Our surname is White. Let’s see…I believe I do know some Lowrys here in Quincy. Some since childhood. My maternal grandparents were residents here in Quincy as well and it is certain they and my family knew youall. There’s Helen, and Bob…all the Lowrys I’ve known have been warm and lovely people…thanks for the story and the website Judith. Kate Hancock
James V,
I live in that neighborhood as well. This is a very bad idea.
I accept that the Tsi-Akim don’t embody the simple natives that lived here before the gold rush but more likely the exploitative selfish greed that snuffed them out. End of discussion.
What about the potential to turn that worthless building into something that holds the space for us to find our long lost connectedness with nature and each other?
I wouldn’t mind putting in an art center with studios for dance, music and visual arts (Claus Sievert Memorial Gallery?)
Something benefitting the soul of the community rather than detracting from it.
Oh, and a community garden.
Who is Bill Litchfield Construction? Local? What is the actual condition of the buildings? How quickly would this project go forward if approved? All of it as proposed? Why not list the property at a slightly higher price and see if there is any interest? Somehow it seems the county is selling themselves short.
G.V. based:
http://www.billlitchfield.com/site/dev_co.htm
It should be noted that January 10 is the tenth anniversary of the shootings at the HEW that left two women dead and another severely injured.
Thanks, RL. I am going to write about this on the weekend.
It may be out of reach, but my vision for blogs like this would be to combine voices from diverse perspectives into one best idea.
In this case we would birth a concept for this building that would one day be reality.
Greg,
Great idea. We’re still stuck in the past: Learning about “concepts” like the one for this HEW building in the county agenda packet and depending on the local media to tell us about them. (In this case, still waiting). The meeting is next Tuesday.
We are a polarized community for good reasons. There’s a lack of trust from what too often is an “end around” decision-making process, lacking real transparency beyond following the rules for posting an agenda for a public meeting.
I agree with almost everything that has posted but shouldn’t it really start with some basic practical questions before a side of opinion is taken.
Is it needed?
Is this the correct place for condo’s for seniors?
What is the EIR for such a proposal?
Why build new when their are so many vacant now?
If the answer is Yes there is a need then lets get into the emotional reasoning for it or against it.
For those that are interested, this is the web address for documents at the county associated with the HEW building obtained from a a phone call to Steve Monaghan
https://public.nevcounty.net/hew
At 95 grand, that’s less than a $1 a head, given the population of the county. Should be easy to meet the price, then divide it in half, between the two native American groups, although I would think the native Nisenan, if there are any of them left, should have priority. I need to check out the two websites to understand this better.
Since when are the citizens of NC supposed to play Santa Claus with a developer? How many acres for $95,000? Get a reality show to pay for demolition.
From information given, this sounds like a really bad idea for county taxpayers. Luxery condos for seniors, in this real estate market? Sounds like just a way for a land developer to acquire a cheap piece of property, then try to come up with what to do with it and how to fund it in order to turn a profit. Until more is known, the county should take no action on the HEW property.
Not to R. L.: Interesting , that bit about the graveyard attached to the buildings when used as a hospital. In older parts of the U S, this arrangement was quite common, and still may be found in some areas. Considering the status of health care today, and with costs going up, according to health care insurers busily raising premiums, , meaning fewer can afford good care, might still be the practical thing to build cemetaries near hospitals.
“So shred my hide when I’ve died, Clyde, and leave it composting in the shed…”
The cemetery is called Nevada County Cemetery, Willow Valley Road, according to the Cemetery District web page here:
http://www.nevadacemeterydistrict.com/?page_id=190
Also, the Cemetery District’s office is next door to the HEW building. The Nevada Cemetery District maintains 25 historic local cemeteries and they are a wonderful source of information. Good folks, too!
Douglas,
Your willingness to divvy up Nevada County to both tribes is very fair. I urge you to review the websites.
My question is; What percentage of potential profits from any tribal businesses in Nevada County would flow, by mandate, to Plumas County?
Streaming revenues to a poorer neighboring county, especially in hard financial times, could only be seen as the height of generosity.
The Taylorsville Rancheria would most likely reciprocate by welcoming the Nisenan to conduct business on Tsi-Akim homelands, in Plumas County. Sweet!
These things always seem to go under the radar until the last minute when a final vote is planned. I hope someone, maybe Nevada City’s attorney, who understands what is at stake, will be able to let the county know at the hearing that the city wants a say in what goes on at the HEW property. I heard that they were going to accept proposals but never heard when they would begin. I tried to find the RFP after I saw the board of supervisors televised meeting regarding the HEW disposal but couldn’t find the RFP. Never did see anything in the newspapers either although I don’t often scan the paper for public notice information.
I would like to see Nevada County postpone the vote until Nevada City could annex the property so that the property was developed using the city’s development guidelines.
The county seems to think the property is distressed and wants to unload it, but 14 acres of the 14.47 acres is safe to inhabit as is, just not the the building (and cemetery).
The sales price should be commensurate with the intensity of development. More profit potential would support a higher sales price, and more proposed public open space should lower the sales price.
The land could be used for community activities, sports, gardening, parks, and some type of housing or commercial development (Briarpatch lite?) if the county and city require it.
Who knows, maybe the successful bidder will do the right thing.
Thanks Brad. There’s never enough transparency around here. The Union has buried the story on page A8 this morning, “a day late and a dollar short.” It is written by an inexperienced reporter who really doesn’t understand the controversy or choose to address it. Once Lauri O. and other neighbors show up at the public meetings, he will begin to understand there’s more to the story than the county’s talking points. LOL. A good editor helps provide that kind of institutional knowledge too. The community should demand more.
Should be fun watching this project self-immolate.
I notified some friends yesterday on Willow Valley Rd. who will now be at the supervisors mtg. to speak against it (they had heard nothing about it).
This is so bizarre, I’m surprised a Wall-Mart wasn’t one of the projects proposed.
I’m with Judith, Community Garden
I’m still thinking about this blog post.
I stopped by the Davis Art Center today to look into a Yoga class. The community here built the building for this. http://www.davisartcenter.org/about.htm It has many wonderful classes to benefit locals here in many ways.
I believe the HEW building could become some sort of benefit to our community. This could be something great. If we are going to build something, let’s build a legacy, not condos. NIMBYism aside, WE don’t need more condos here anyway. The only-the-developer-profits-grow-forever-model doesn’t work. A responsive government would understand this.
I hope the supervisors show the vision and leadership to put this project in front of the community for constructive input like was done with the World Trade Center proposals. An opportunity comes around like this once in a life time. The glass is half full, it is not half empty.
Another thing our area needs, besides parks, is a youth center. If you are a teenage boy, just want to play some pickup basketball or go to a climbing wall, in the winter, you are out of luck. I’ll bet if the county donated the land, we could raise a million bucks to build it pretty easily.
Yes, except they’re so afraid of being sued, they’ll never allow anything interesting for the youth to do – like a climbing wall, for instance, which would be wonderful. Which is not to say that basketball is not also interesting to many.
Good Point Brion