Orange County, CA November 3, 1998 General
Smart Voter

Casa Romantica

By Carol A. Bonner

Candidate for Member, City Council; City of San Clemente

This information is provided by the candidate
What is the best use for this historic structure?
Founder Ole Hanson's home is owned by the San Clemente Redevelopment Agency. There is about $1,000,000 of debt outstanding and the structure is badly in need of repair and restoration. Taxpayers' costs are more than is currently recouped through the concession agreement. A new use must be found that will provide these benefits:

  • Restore and preserve the Casa;
  • Make it accessible to the general public;
  • Feature affordable services and events;
  • Be self-supporting.

If private funds could be raised to restore, preserve, and operate the Casa as a museum and cultural center, that would be the ideal solution. However, it is widely agreed that such facilities generally require public subsidies when dedicated to museum or cultural uses. Fees and contributions rarely cover overall costs.

An impartial group of citizens and experts considered the adaptive reuse of the Casa and rated three proposals. Of those, the proposal to develop a for-profit restaurant with museum and cultural center facilities managed by local non-profit groups, had the highest likelihood of success.

I do not oppose a Las Brisas-style restaurant if private funding is inadequate to support a foundation and relieve the taxpayer's burden. I would also consider a deed-restricted sale of the property.

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 16, 1998 09:18
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