LAKE COUNTY — The historic mansion known as “the castle” in Lucerne is for sale, and the Lake County Redevelopment Agency is seeking state grant funds for an appraisal and structural analysis of the building.
The 70-year-old building has been a Christian retreat center for more than 40 years after it was operated off and on as a hotel. It is now for sale after money problems forced its owners to close the ministry”s doors at the end of 2008. In a Tuesday meeting, redevelopment Deputy Director Eric Seely called the building “key” to the agency”s plans to develop a promenade on 13th Street in Lucerne because it sits atop a hill at the end of the street.
“If properly developed, the hotel and 13th Avenue could become a major destination and bring much-needed income and jobs to Lucerne and the Northshore area,” Seely said.
State grant funds were approved in 2008 for a study, but Seely said the money was used on another project because the property wasn”t for sale at the time. Seely said the redevelopment agency had plans to build a conference center on the Lucerne Promenade, and that need would be fulfilled if a developer could be found to renovate the castle property and run it as a hotel and conference center.
Redevelopment Director Kelly Cox estimated the cost of a structural analysis for the building would cost as little as $2,500, or as much as $50,000.
“We don”t want to spend $50,000, but we may be spending around $30,000, like we discussed before,” Cox said.
“In light of the current conditions, it may take considerable time to find the right investor who is willing and able to acquire this property, renovate it and utilize it for a purpose that would benefit the community,” Seely said.
The redevelopment agency”s board of directors, also the Lake County Board of Supervisors, expressed concern about the redevelopment agency buying and holding the building for five years or more while a developer is sought to refurbish the building and operate it as a hotel and conference center.
Seely said the agency”s goal would be to find a buyer for the property, not to own it long-term and run it as a hotel. He said the castle property had not been part of the original redevelopment plans for Lucerne.
“I don”t think we should get into the long-term ownership of it, but if it is affordable and it all does check out, I think it would be another good investment. I would much rather see us work with the folks that are selling it and find a buyer so we don”t even buy it at all,” Supervisor Jeff Smith said.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com, or call her directly at 263-5636 ext. 37.
