From: Bey Pr
To: City Council
Subject: Chapman Estate Agenda Item
Date: Thursday,February 13,2025 10:21:12 AM
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Dear City Council Members and City Staff,
As a former Chapman Estate Advisory Committee (CEAC) member and former Chapman Estate Foundation Board Member, I completely support any form of preservation of the Estate.
As a child, I was always enchanted with the windmill in Shell Beach and as an adult I appreciate historical buildings and different styles of architecture, including the beautiful tudor home at the Chapman Estate. With my building background, I understand the maintenance and repair challenges more than most, but I also know that the City was aware of the costs involved when they agreed to take on the Chapman Estate. The estimated costs of$5.3 million were discussed multiple times during my time at CEAC. The costs of over$8 million are just a reflection of our increased building costs throughout the industry and the many surprises that occur when renovating old homes. .
Chapman Estate Foundation has led many projects on the Estate, including repairs to the Begonia House, Foundation repairs to the Windmill, a new gardening shed and the initial design work for the new ADA bathrooms. The Foundation is made up of a core group of people that want the Estate to succeed,to become a community asset for local and family gatherings, and a place for gardening enthusiasts. There have been successes and challenges over the last eight plus years,thankfully all of us can continue to learn and move forward.
I am asking the City Council to consider a new hybrid management of the Estate, giving the Foundation more control over scheduling and management of events, with the City continuing to take on the maintenance projects. With more opportunities to share the property with the public and a commitment to keeping the property open, there will be more support and opportunities for shared revenues and Foundation led financial support for projects and maintenance costs. The Foundation has the will,the supporters and the time to really focus on the Estate and more activities, while the City has the expertise, the backing of City Resources and the benefits of being a public property,together this partnership will work.
Though my health issues prevent me from the type of support I provided to the Estate in the past, I am still a committed member of the Foundation and hope to continue.
Sincerely,
Bev. Pratt
West Coast Construction Co Inc.
Cell #805-365-5206