A rendering
The old North Chapel at Liberty Station – the focus of much controversy over the last couple of years – will be newly rehabbed and will be revived into “a community gathering space” by its landlord, it was just announced.
The plans to revive North Chapel by 828 Venue Management Company received “federal review and approval by the California State Office of Historic Preservation and the National Park Service,” a press announcement states. Here’s more of a press statement:
…828 Venue Management Company announces plans to revive Liberty Station’s North Chapel into a community gathering space. This rehabilitation project is a shining example of adaptive reuse of the city’s historic places. For years the property struggled to generate enough interest and revenue to sustain its maintenance and operation. Having run the risk of closure, 828’s investment ensures that the historic property can maintain its vitality for generations to come. …
Former interior.
Prior to 828 signing a lease on the North Chapel in September of 2018, for years the 8,777 square-foot property struggled to generate enough interest and revenue to sustain its maintenance and operation. Having run the risk of closure, 828’s investment to rehabilitate the North Chapel ensures that the historic property can maintain its vitality for generations to come.
Following a review by the California State Office of Historic Preservation (SOHP) and the National Park Service (NPS), 828 has received confirmation that their proposed renovations are consistent with the Standards. The NPS certification document states, “The National Park Service has reviewed the Historic Preservation Certification Application – Part 2 for the above-named property and has determined that:
The rehabilitation described herein is consistent with the historic character of the property and, where applicable, with the district in which it is located and that the project meets the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.”
“We plan to continue the operation of the North Chapel as a community event venue,” says 828’s Tim Wirick. “We want to create a more inclusive space that’ll give more people the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of this historic building.” To be branded as CHAPEL, “the facility will continue to be available for a wide range of community events throughout the week including weddings, religious gatherings, performances, receptions, a variety of other events and faith-based celebrations, as permitted by Liberty Station’s guiding NTC Precise Plan.” …
Given the nature of the historical landmark, 828 spent the past year working with local historians and historic preservation agencies on the rehabilitation process. San Diego architect and expert in historical buildings Trip Bennett of Bennett & Associates was tapped to develop a rehabilitation plan that meticulously follows the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
As required by the NTC Precise Plan, and in order to receive validation from the primary governing authorities on historic resources, in September of 2019, 828 and its landlord, Pendulum Property Partners, submitted the project to be considered for the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentive Program.
To qualify for this program, the proposed rehabilitation plan needed to undergo a rigorous review by the California State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and the National Park Service (NPS). The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties were used as a basis for the plan. These guidelines were authored and are administered by NPS and are recognized by the NTC Precise Plan as the final authority for the treatment of historic properties in Liberty Station. They are the standards used across the nation by local municipalities, State governments and at the National level to guide rehabilitation treatment to properties on the National Register of Historic Places.
In order to begin work on the project, 828 will now seek final approval from the City of San Diego Development Services Department. Given the state and federal approvals, the City should find that the project meets the required historic review criteria as it has been determined that all proposed improvements meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties.
Here’s more posts for context, “NTC’s Last Battle”
“North Chapel Preservationists Are Ringing the Bell“
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