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An Uncertain Future for the Truax House
March 2016
By Amie K. Hayes

The fate of the Truax House in Bankers Hill, the topic of many recent conversations, offers a case study about the importance for a transparent public process to dispose of surplus municipal properties. This city-owned building at 2513 Union Street is valued for its historical associations with the LGBTQ community, in addition to San Diego's 1922 mayor, and still has potential to serve as a south entrance into Maple Canyon. However, on February 10, the City Council's Smart Growth and Land Use Committee moved closer to selling this property.

The Craftsman house first gained attention during a public review of the draft update (June 2015) to the Uptown Community plan, because this property was erroneously mapped as open space and the land area was calculated into Uptown's park space. The community was pleased; this made sense due to the potential historic resource and direct access to Maple Canyon. In learning about the sale of this property, and the City's mistake in mapping this parcel as open space, many residents testified on February 10 to the historical significance and open space opportunity this property presented.

In writing prior to and at the hearing, SOHO asked for decisions to be placed on hold until completion of the plan update, the LGBTQ context statement, and a 45-year historic review -- to fully understand the value of the building before any sale. Councilmember Gloria furthered the request that a historic review of the property be prepared; then the committee approved this item and sent it to the full Council for a vote.

While the future of the Truax house remains uncertain, SOHO is optimistic that the city's next move will include a historic review, which is the first step toward preservation.

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