LUCERNE — Small groups of onlookers gathered along Highway 20 Wednesday morning as construction workers prepared to demolish one of the city”s most visible eyesores. Nicknamed “blue monster” by residents in the surrounding area, the large three-story house that occupied a parcel sandwiched between two other county-owned properties along Highway 20 was demolished.
The Lake County Redevelopment Agency purchased the property for that purpose. Former deputy redevelopment director Andy Peterson stood across the street with Eric Seely, who now heads up the agency, toasting the old building”s fall with red wine in plastic cups.
“My gratitude goes out to the hard work of all who”ve assisted us in this,” Seely said. “Andy Peterson, department of public services, planning department, and public works have all provided enormous assistance in reaching this momentous milestone. Andy put all this together, and it seemed that he hit a deal nearly a dozen times, and finally put it together.”
The county purchased the property from Dennis and Pam Crilly for $570,000, and contracted with the Woodland firm Delta Oil Field Services for the demolition for $29,500, according to Seely.
Peterson said acquiring the property and leveling the building was a high priority for redevelopment since the agency released its redevelopment plan for the area in 2001.
The land will extend the adjoining Alpine Park with a grassy area, shade trees already growing there and a 152-foot pier still in its design phase, according to Seely. He said funding will be discussed at a February board meeting of the California Department of Fish and Game Wildlife Conservation Board. The county is requesting $470,000 for construction.
The building was home to a water slide for one season in the 1940s, according to Seely. It ran from the middle of the building into the lake. He said when the building was constructed is not known, but estimated that it was built during a construction boom following World War II in the early 1940s.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com.
