LAKEPORT — Progress on the Castle property in Lucerne got a royal thumbs-up across the board.
A presentation was provided by the Lucerne Hotel Education Task Force to Lake County Board of Supervisors, sitting as the Redevelopment Agency (RDA).
An update on the property by Eric Seely, deputy redevelopment director, preceded the task force presentation on Tuesday.
Seely, along with Debra Sommerfield, deputy administrative officer for economic development, provided a PowerPoint presentation on the improvements to the property as well as a brief history of Lucerne. The roof is completed, gutters replaced, work is currently being completed on the insulation of the downspouts, and stucco repair is under way.
Seely offered thanks to Supervisor Rob Brown and the Kelseyville wrestling team members who cleaned debris out of the building.
The task force was represented at the meeting by Lake County Superintendent of Schools Wally Holbrook and Barbara Johnson of Johnson and Associates.
A statement from the task force points out that the singular mission is “to recommend a vision for an educational component that would be incorporated into the redevelopment and operation of the Lucerne Hotel.”
Design guidelines for Lucerne include the Promenade along the lake and Highway 20, from in the area of First Avenue to 14th Avenue, with a town center of retail, service and residential on 13th Avenue, an area referred to as “the Strand.” The Castle sits at the end of the Strand.
The Castle was modeled after a Swiss chalet. Hotel construction began sometime around 1928 but wasn”t complete until 1930. It boasted 140 rooms. The dining hall seated 175 people.
Opened during the Depression and revitalized in a recession, is the Castle. Those involved with the project consider it a beacon of hope for Lake County on many levels.
“This is like having all the stars align … It”s one of the best things to happen in Lake County in a long time,” Brown said.
“We”ve also saved a landmark,” Supervisor Denise Rushing said. “This is an excellent example of the kind of talent we have in Lake County in terms of strategic thinking.”
Supervisor Jim Comstock said, “It”s safe to say this project has been an economic stimulus for this county. I”m confident this will be a tremendous asset to the County of Lake.
Supervisor Jeff Smith said, “You”ve hit the nail on the head with this.”
Supervisor Anthony Farrington said he thought the concept of a mixed-use facility was excellent. However, he pointed out that blight management and control needed to be addressed in Lucerne in order for the project to be successful.
The building is considered to be in remarkably good condition, according to County Administrative Officer, Kelly Cox. Additionally, he pointed out that the swimming pool meets commercial standards.
Lake County contractors and vendors are exclusively utilized for this project, which stimulates the Lake County economy, according to Cox.
Johnson described the project as “a wonderful community effort.” She said it is “community-based, ecologically sound and promotes economic sustainability, thus building the health of people, land and economy.”
The task force described plans in phases, including the rehabilitation phase, which focuses on the physical rehabilitation of the building and grounds. This offers the local workforce the opportunity to develop partnerships facilitating the possibility of bolstering work-based learning programs.
Recommendations for work-based learning opportunities include: all building trades, green building techniques, sustainable energy, architectural design/model building, interior design, landscape design, eco-sustainable horticulture practices and master gardening.
The operations phase includes culinary and hospitality training with work-based learning programs in culinary training, hospitality, hospitality management and horticulture training.
Holbrook said this will enhance local workforce development programs by enabling the formation of complementary partnerships with hotel management/ownership for the provision of work-based learning opportunities in culinary arts and hospitality management while increasing the skills of job-seekers, employees employers in the hospitality industry, including lodging dining, and wine-tasting establishments, as well as other tourism and recreation-based businesses.
The task force”s objective is to return to the board with specific recommendations at the end of May.
Mandy Feder can be reached at mandyfeder@yahoo.com or call her directly, 263-5636 ext. 32.
