By Anthony Farrington
Some of my fondest memories while growing up in Lake County were when my mother would pick me up after school and take me to the old A &W in downtown Lakeport (where Renee”s is currently located).
My mother would treat me to a hamburger; onion rings and a root beer float. We would then head up to Vista Point in Lakeport where we would sit in our car, play music, talk about school and eat our meals while taking in the beautiful view. From Vista Point one can see downtown Lakeport, the lake, the North Shore, Big Valley and the majestic Mount Konocti.
My mother has passed away, however today Vista Point still stands and the view remains as beautiful as ever, as do my childhood memories.
Local residents and tourists alike frequent Vista Point to take in the view while taking a break from a long drive; to eat a quick meal or to get visitor information from the Visitor Center.
On April 18 the Courthouse Project Advisory Committee met with state representatives to discuss the state”s current proposal to construct a new courthouse below the Vista Point visitor center off of Lakeport Boulevard. Because of the backlog of cases and the need for judicial economy, I am supportive of a new courthouse and in particular the freeing up of much needed space on the fourth floor of the current courthouse where county departments and staff can be located.
While serving on the Project Advisory Committee I have fought to keep the new courthouse in Lakeport given that Lakeport is our County Seat and that our correctional facility and many other government offices are located near by. Development of a new courthouse on Main Street in downtown Lakeport was taken off of the table because state regulations prohibit the state from building within a flood plain and most of downtown Lakeport lies within a 100-year floodplain. While the committee and the state moved forward in looking at potential sites in Lakeport, I personally reached out to the current owner of the Vista Point Shopping Center where a portion of the center has a structure with a collapsed roof that for years has become an embarrassment and an eyesore to our community.
I conveyed to the owner the importance to have the state select this location for the construction of the new courthouse. A new courthouse at this site would have been a “win-win” for both the state and the community. Unfortunately, the owner and the state could not agree upon a purchase price. This left the state and the committee with only a few commercial parcels to choose from.
The selected site is far from ideal, however, the committee had reached a consensus and the state and owner agreed upon a purchase price.
At our meeting the architects presented the initial design, which did not impress me at all. The lines of the building reminded me of a Wal-Mart. Even more disheartening was the fact that the courthouse as designed will sit 10-feet higher than the parking lot at Vista Point, thereby blocking a significant portion of the scenic view.
Immediately I objected to this idea and reminded the state and the committee that when this parcel was selected that there was to be a commitment that the view from Vista Point was to be protected. I make no apologies in stating that the protection of this scenic view is one that must be protected for generations to come. If the state chooses this location and design the state will have changed the face of Lake County. Instead of a sign that reads “Welcome to Lake County,” the Visitor Center will be forced to put up a sign that reads “Welcome to Wal-Mart.”
On Tuesday I will be asking my colleagues to support me in opposing the state”s plan of ruin.
I will be approaching the Lakeport City Council; Senator Evans and Assemblyman Chesbro to support my request. Join me in preserving this view and the control of our community. Please send me an e-mail so that I can submit your e-mail to the state. Remember there is strength in numbers.
Anthony Farrington is the District 4 Supervisor for the County of Lake representing Lakeport, Scotts Valley and Big Valley. His family were pioneers who moved to Lake County in the mid-1800s. E-mail him at anthonyf@co.lake.ca.us.
