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Historic Resources Board presses for public landmark listings, updates on Soledad Street projects and Greyhound Depot rendering
Summary
The Salinas Historic Resources Board discussed making the city’s historic resource inventory and landmark list more accessible, questioned whether property‑owner consent processes are clear, and received project updates on Soledad Street redevelopment and the former Greyhound depot.
The Salinas Historic Resources Board discussed steps to make the city’s historic resources more visible to residents and visitors, asked staff and the consultant Page & Turnbull to include public‑facing landmark information in the pending survey report, and received project updates on several downtown properties including Soledad Street redevelopment and the former Greyhound depot.
Chair Mazgay opened a board discussion about publishing a searchable list or map of city landmarks so residents, tourists and organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce can locate historic sites. Board members noted that the city’s 1989 architectural survey (and subsequent work) contains valuable inventory material but is not easy to find on the city website. Multiple board members asked staff to work with Page & Turnbull as they finalize their survey to ensure the eventual report includes an accessible, web‑friendly list or interactive map and guidance on owner consent where necessary.
Sal, a board member, described an existing self‑guided tour pamphlet compiled by the board in past years and recommended the city host virtual tours or scanned images on the website. Board members cautioned that most of the buildings on the 1989 list are private homes and that property‑owner consent should be required before publishing individual private addresses. Staff confirmed the designation process and criteria are defined in city code and that historic designation requires property‑owner involvement; designated properties have additional implications such as Mills Act eligibility.
Kent Sevey, who identified himself as the author of the original 1989 survey, told the board that the survey was funded by the California Office of Historic Preservation and that the Sacramento files retain the public document. Sevey encouraged the board to use existing survey material and to apply Secretary of the Interior standards when seeking Mills Act agreements.
The board also received updates on several downtown projects. Grant Leonard, planning manager, reported ongoing predevelopment work for Soledad Street properties: environmental testing is underway for 34–40 Soledad (one‑story portions) to check for lead and asbestos; 38 Soledad (two‑story) and the former gas station parcel at 40 Soledad had prior remediation work. Leonard said TEF Design will inspect the Republic Café building (addresses discussed as 37–39 Soledad) to identify immediate structural repairs and longer-term design integration. He clarified that 37 Soledad is currently historically designated, while 39 is not; staff will coordinate with designers on whether parcels will be treated separately in the design and designation process.
On the former Greyhound Depot on West Gabilan Street, staff showed the board a final exterior rendering submitted with project approvals. Leonard said there is no housing component in the Greyhound redevelopment and that the site’s immediate reuse appears oriented to tenant parking rather than residential units; he said he is not aware of finalized tenant leases. Board members asked whether an original exterior mural or advertising sign had been preserved; staff indicated portions of a Carnation advertisement and a bulldog sign had been moved inside the redeveloped building for preservation.
The board also discussed administrative items: the district 6 vacancy remains open and the city clerk reported no applications as of the meeting. Staff announced a small lending collection of preservation references (three copies of A Field Guide to American Houses) will be held at the Community Development permit center for board reference. One public commenter flagged an upcoming Santa Cruz County hearing on the Redmond Hirahara mansion (a William Weeks building) and urged board members to follow the deliberations; board members noted multiple regional precedents for relocating and restoring threatened historic buildings.
Board members asked staff to raise the website/listing topic with Page & Turnbull as the consultant wraps up survey work, to clarify owner‑consent procedures for public listings, and to return with recommendations on how to present landmark data online.
