The Rag has been informed that the First United Methodist Church that owns the property at at 1984 Sunset Cliffs Boulevard where Water’s Edge Church now stands will entertain a motion to place the property out for bid at a meeting on Saturday, March 1.
The church leadership have indicated they intend to demolish the historic building complex and sell it, ostensibly for a huge housing project with some units as affordable housing. Members of what’s being called the Ocean Beach Community Hub Initiative want the large property to be turned into a community hub.
This controversy has been quietly raging in the background as the two sides jostle for ground in a public relations battle. People from the Community Hub network, which includes a number of OB organizations, claim the church has refused to be transparent about their action or even negotiate with the neighborhood. See here.
The Rag was told that the OB Community Hub anticipates the Property Task Force of the First United Methodist Church will make a motion to move forward in putting the PLUM property up for bid.Here is a Zoom link:
The Church Council meeting, is at 8:30 am on Saturday, March 1 in Linder Lounge. Here is the zoom link for Church Council meeting.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81951726406?pwd=LMv7VstcjKjDk2bQVyycR9Xm7pjSka.1
Here is a copy of the agenda for the meeting:
Gimme that old time religion…?
Seems highly premature as the City of San Diego’s Historical Resources Board Staff has formally deemed the Church to be potentially eligible for Historic Designation.
Thank you Bruce for your advocacy.
We just heard the exciting news today!
One of the problems with protecting locally important church buildings was created with then-California Senator Willie Brown pushed through a Senate Bill that would exempt religious buildings from historical designation. Fortunately for Ocean Beach, once a building no longer functions as a religious institution, that prohibition no longer applies. Though I am not a lawyer, it seems to be that application for a demolition permit means Edgewater is no longer restricted from the “Willie Brown Church Exemption.” The good citizens of Ocean Beach should plaster the City of San Diego, Development Services Department with letters demanding Edgewater be sent to the Planning Department, Historic Resources for a 45-day review for the Demolition Permit being processed by the Development Services Department. Moreover, said permit is located within the Local Coastal Plan and should go before the California Coastal Commission. Time to retain a good lawyer. And hey, you already have Save Our Heritage Organisation in your camp!