Shotgun House…On the Road Again

Story and photos by
James Allardice
Mirror staff writer
   
    The Shotgun House Committee has released a report detailing 15 possible permanent sites for the tiny house which is residing temporarily at the Santa Monica Airport.
    Working with the City and the community, the group hopes to reduce the list to the few most likely locations in upcoming weeks.
    The committee, formed out of the Ocean Park Community Organization, sprang into action after the house at 2712 Second Street, believed to be one of the oldest dwellings in Santa Monica, was threatened with demolition last August. A group of conservationists rallied, and just hours before a demolition crew went to work, a deal was struck with the City Council to store it temporarily at the airport.
    Once the house’s future was assured, the committee began looking for a permanent home for it. The results of its research are contained in a report that is now being circulated throughout City Hall and the Ocean Park community.
   
    Potential Sites
    Having narrowed 15 potential locations down to the five most likely, members of the committee met with City Manager Susan McCarthy to ascertain the City’s view of potential sites.
    Topping the committee’s list is a site on Ocean Front Walk, just north of the playground at Ocean Park and Barnard Way. Its second choice is the northeast corner of the Dog Park at Pacific and Main Streets, followed by Ocean Front Walk just south of the pizza parlor at Ocean Park and Barnard Way. Fourth on the list is the southwest corner of Ocean Park and Sixth Street. The final choice in the top tier is the southwest corner of Main and Strand Streets next to the Community Gardens.
    Following the meeting with McCarthy, the list was reduced further. The City is looking more closely at three possible locations: the Community Gardens, the site adjacent to the dog park, and a third not on the committee’s list – just west of the California Heritage Museum on Main Street.
    “The City staff involved in land and space management is favoring the Community Gardens site. It’s a great site that OPCO is willing to try to sell to the neighbors. The Community Gardens are an asset somewhat unique to Ocean Park, and the building fits well there aesthetically within the beauty the gardeners have already created with their hard work,” said Shotgun Committee chair Susan Love Laughmiller.
    “We will want to seek residents’ input on this before any final determination, but since none of the gardening space is being eliminated, we think this is a site that will be received very well, and we’re excited about pursuing it and trying to work with the gardeners,” Love Laughmiller added.
    The next step in determining the feasibility of the most favored sites is a meeting of City planners, the community gardeners and the OPCO committee.
    “Let’s face it, we are seeking free City land, so the staff and Council will largely drive where it ends up, but we are going to take it back to the community again once it is more clear what possible sites and uses the City is willing to go for,” said Love Loughmiller.
   
    Potential Uses
    In addition to recommending possible locations for the old house, the committee suggested six possible uses, ranging from retail to a museum to a meeting place for community and youth organizations.
    According to the report, “The committee envisions the house having a new use with an active tenant/user paying a very modest rent for the use of the building. The rent would cover amortizing the relocation/rehabilitation costs that were not covered by grants and obviously the ongoing maintenance of this wooden building.”
    The committee would like to find a use for the house that would generate some income in order to not burden the City with maintenance costs. It is also examining grant options, as the task of rehabbing the building will move to the front burner once a permanent location is found. But, in working with the City to find available land, the committee has likely overcome the most difficult obstacle – finding an affordable home for the house.
    And while no individual users have been identified yet, the committee believes it might have a combination of users. “Some users might combine these types of uses: for example an advocacy group might have an office, sell fundraising items and have a gallery of photos all in one building,” according to the committee’s report.
    The primary goal of the committee in suggesting potential sites, is to place it where it will best serve the community, as well as exposing the community to a piece of Ocean Park’s history.
    “Naturally given the wide range of potential users, the most favorable sites would be the ones that allow the greatest number of potential users, since the building could have many different users in future decades,” the report read.
    Love Laughmiller said, “Our objective is that the building be seen, appreciated, and used. Beyond that, we will do what we have to do to raise the money, through a combination of grants and private donations, and see the project through to a result that preserves and protects the building for the community.”