TO: HONORABLE MAYOR FROM: Nanci Klein
AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: ACQUISITION AND MOVE OF DATE: September 25, 2023
THE HISTORIC COYOTE DEPOT
Approved Date
10/2/23
COUNCIL DISTRICT: 7
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the acquisition and move of the historic Coyote Depot, from Union Pacific property to the City-owned History Park.
SUMMARY AND OUTCOME
Hidden from public view, the Coyote Depot was built in 1869 by the San José and Pajaro Valley Railroad, the original line of the Southern Pacific before the completion of the transcontinental railroad. Although expanded over its lifetime and abandoned over the past several years, the structure retains its nineteenth-century architectural features. At risk of vandalism or fire, its current owner, Union Pacific, sought to have it demolished or otherwise removed from its property. The Coyote Depot is compact and conducive to the historic structures at History Park, including the Coyote Post Office. A site has been identified for the Coyote Depot at History Park, adjacent to an existing static steam locomotive and the historic Orchard Supply Hardware boxcar display alongside Senter Road (Exhibit A: Map of Coyote Depot Location at History Park). The Coyote Depot would help complete a narrative at History Park, contributing to the History of Transportation section of the park. The Coyote Depot would contain an exhibit of smaller artifacts and displays to facilitate storytelling regarding the historic relationship between railroads and the San José community.
The benefits of moving the Coyote Depot to History Park:
• Ensures Coyote Depot’s preservation for future generations and completes the History San José’s railroad narrative.
COUNCIL AGENDA: 10/17/23
FILE: 23-1375
ITEM: 2.8
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
September 25, 2023
Subject: Acquisition and Move of the Historic Coyote Depot
• The historic Coyote Depot would become San José’s local railroad museum for public enjoyment.
BACKGROUND
History San José’s (HSJ) activities began in 1949 following the centennial celebration of the California Gold Rush and statehood. Known initially as the San José Historical Museum and managed by the City of San José, HSJ was incorporated with its current name as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 1998. Over the decades, HSJ has grown to operate and maintain three City-owned sites: History Park, the Gonzalez/Peralta Adobe-Fallon House Historic Site, and the Collection Center/Research Library and Archives. HSJ is the designated operator contracted by the City to manage these City-owned cultural and historical assets.
History Park, in Kelley Park, is a 14-acre town-like assemblage of 32 original and reconstructed homes, businesses, and landmarks highlighting the culture and history of San José and Santa Clara Valley. History Park is also home to community partner organizations that provide exhibits and programming to showcase their constituencies and contributions to the valley.
HSJ manages one of the largest collections of regional history artifacts in California, housed at the Collection Center, a state-of-the-art facility near History Park. HSJ continues to collect contemporary history documenting the social and political happenings in the Santa Clara Valley.
The research collection includes photographs, personal papers, manuscripts, maps, films, oral histories, and published works, as well as the City of San José and Santa Clara County historical records. The collection is made available to researchers worldwide, promoting the importance of San José and the Santa Clara Valley.
ANALYSIS
On June 27, 2022, in response to Union Pacific’s plans to demolish the structure, HSJ signed an agreement with Union Pacific giving the museum formal access to the Coyote Depot and permission to relocate the structure from its present location on Monterey Highway to History Park (Exhibit B: Agreement Between Union Pacific and History San José). HSJ is currently preparing to move the Coyote Depot from the Union Pacific property to the City-owned History Park. If the Coyote Depot is not moved, Union Pacific has the right to demolish the structure and has indicated that it will proceed with the demolition.
HSJ submitted a work plan for the move to the City (Exhibit C: Coyote Depot Project Work Plan), including a survey of the Coyote Depot’s future location, which was reviewed by the Department of Public Works survey group (Exhibit D: Site Survey Report of History Park). The Coyote Depot will be relocated by Scott Heavy Movers, with oversight by a historically minded general contractor, Garden City Construction.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
September 25, 2023
Subject: Acquisition and Move of the Historic Coyote Depot
Rehabilitation work will return the Coyote Depot to its original appearance, both inside and out.
A slab-on-grade foundation will be constructed before restoration work is performed and the structure will be seismically retrofitted. Electrical and plumbing services will provide for lighting, power, and a sink. Doors and windows will be repaired or replaced, wall surfaces refinished, and a new roof will be installed. The Coyote Depot will be expanded with an addition in the rear of the building to provide display space for HSJ’s historic resources currently in storage, including a large model train collection. Site work will consist of utility services, site lighting, signage, and concrete.
The Environmental Services Department reviewed the hazardous materials assessment report provided by HSJ and inferred that the structure contains lead paint, which has been mitigated by a licensed contractor via stabilization and encapsulation. Environmental Services recommends that the depot be inspected post-move by a licensed contractor to determine whether the encapsulation remained intact and to perform any additional mitigations, if necessary. A long- term monitoring and maintenance plan will be implemented to ensure the lead paint in the structure continues to remain stabilized and/or encapsulated to protect public health and the environment.
The Coyote Depot will play an important part in the History of Transportation section of History Park. Currently, History Park is the home of the Dashaway Stables and the 1215 Steam Locomotive, the Orchard Supply Hardware Boxcar, and the Southern Pacific Caboose. The Coyote Depot will be located between the stables and the train and will help showcase the history of transportation in the Santa Clara Valley, from the horse and buggy to the horseless carriage to the iron horse.
Working in partnership with HSJ, the California Trolley and Railroad Corporation received a grant from the County of Santa Clara in the amount of $295,000 to relocate the Coyote Depot.
These funds will cover the cost to relocate, install, and renovate the Coyote Depot in the new location, ensuring that neither HSJ nor the City incurs increased operating costs due to accepting the Coyote Depot.
EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP
HSJ will submit a progress report to the City on the ongoing renovations made to the historic Coyote Depot structure.
COST SUMMARY/IMPLICATIONS
The cost for moving, installing, and rehabilitating the Coyote Depot will be paid by funding provided by the County of Santa Clara to the California Trolley and Railroad Corporation, an affiliate of HSJ.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
September 25, 2023
Subject: Acquisition and Move of the Historic Coyote Depot
COORDINATION
This memorandum was coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office, the City Manager’s Budget Office, the Department of Environmental Services, and the Department of Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
This memorandum will be posted on the City’s Council Agenda website for the October 17, 2023 City Council meeting.
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION AND INPUT
Presently there is no input or recommendation from the City’s Historical Preservation Commission which has been informed of the Coyote Depot’s move.
CEQA
Categorically Exempt, File No. ER23-223, CEQA Guidelines Section 15331, Historical Resource Restoration/Rehabilitation
PUBLIC SUBSIDY REPORTING
This item does not include a public subsidy as defined in section 53083 or 53083.1 of the California Government Code or the City’s Open Government Resolution.
/s/
NANCI KLEIN
Director of Economic Development and
Cultural Affairs
For questions, please contact Kerry Adams Hapner, Director, Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs, at [email protected] or (408) 793-4333.
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit A: Map of Coyote Depot Location at History Park Exhibit B: Agreement Between Union Pacific and History San José Exhibit C: Coyote Depot Project Work Plan
Exhibit D: Site Survey Report of History Park
Exhibit A: Coyote Depot Location at History Park
Train Layout Room
New Construction
Present Condition
1949 appearance
Office Interior
Coyote Depot – originally built in 1869
Exhibit B
1176
LINCOLN AVE. SAN JOSE, CA 95125 408/297-0288 FAX
408/297-0384
7 September 2023
2210
Bill Schroh CEO
History San Jose
1650 Senter Road
San Jose, CA 95112
Dear Bill,
My statement regarding the scope of work for the on-site work of the COYOTE DEPOT is as follows:
COYOTE DEPOT MOVE-ON & REHABILITATION
The existing historical depot is of wood frame construction in the railroad vernacular of the 19th century. It is single-story totaling approximately 736 sf. .
A slab-on-grade foundation will be constructed to accept the historic building when it is brought to the site. The building will be anchored to the new concrete foundation and appropriate holddowns installed to anchor the shear walls that will be added to the building.
The intent with this rehabilitation is to return the depot to its original appearance both inside and out. Seismic retrofit must occur, including load path distribution of lateral forces. Electrical and plumbing services will be brought to the site for lighting, power and a sink. There will be no toilets installed in the building. Doors and windows will be repaired or replaced, and the wall surfaces refinished. A new roof will be installed also.
To house the model railroad display, a low-roofed addition will be added in the rear of the building. It will total approximately 630 sf.
Site work will consist of utility services, site lighting, signage and concrete walks sloped per ADA standards. It is likely that a tree will have to be removed. Provision for the future extension of the boardwalk to the existing train siding will be done. That train must be pushed north along Senter Road to allow room for the depot; trackage extension is required. No roadwork or landscaping is contemplated.
Very truly yours,
Marvin Bamburg, AIA
President
Exhibit C
civil engineers and surveyors
ROSENBLUM, INC.
1630 Oakland Road, Suite A114, San Jose, CA 95131
www.uandr.com
UNDERWOOD &
(408) 453-1222
Exhibit D