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SOHO President's Message
By David W. Goldberg
September/October 2020
 The San Diego City Council overturned the historic designation of the Edgar and Carrie Coleman House, a rare African American landmark at 7510 Draper Street in La Jolla, in 2019. |
Trying to predict the future is almost always a fool's errand, but it's safe to say that 2020 will go down in history as a pivotal year. Maybe not to the degree of 1929, when the Great Depression began, but transformational nonetheless. Without a doubt, the repercussions from the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic upheaval will be felt for years to come.
One of the top reasons for the success of the preservation movement has been its ability to adapt to change—even when sudden and unanticipated—and this time will be no different. SOHO's own history demonstrates this. Since inception, SOHO has evolved from a group of savvy volunteers focused on saving Victorian structures, into a professionally managed and staffed organization with extensive operations and a greatly expanded mission.
Where will things go from here? I don't know for sure, but here are some thoughts.
A great—and not always fully understood and appreciated—achievement of the preservation movement has been its success in providing entree into the housing market for first-time buyers and reinvigorating urban areas suffering decline. The renaissance of many of San Diego's historic neighborhoods south of Interstate 8, which occurred over the last several decades, clearly demonstrate this, and this trend can and must continue.
Neighborhoods east of Interstate 15, for example, have not benefited from the preservation movement to the degree they should have. These neighborhoods may not be as dramatic architecturally as ones closer to the coast, but it does not mean they are less important to the history and development of our city. The revitalization of this historic housing stock, if done correctly, can result in a win-win situation: A way for aspiring homeowners to achieve the American Dream, and existing residents to build greater wealth and economic security.
The preservation movement also needs to focus the attention of decision makers on minority communities' buildings and neighborhoods. Although progress has been made in recent years, too much has been lost. This trend must be reversed.
In La Jolla, where I grew up, until about the 1980's there was an established and vibrant African American community. The houses typically were small bungalows along with cottages, many dating from the late 19th century and moved onsite from other parts of the city. There were two churches (one remains), and small businesses. A victim of escalating real estate prices, little of this community is extant. An important—and not always comfortable—history has been lost, as well as a sense of place and culture, and historic and affordable housing. We are not better off for this.
Stay healthy and safe, everyone. I'm looking forward to seeing you around our beautiful and historic city before too long.
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