Altenheim Update

by Maja Brugos, Dimond Improvement Association

At meetings on January 13, Altenheim volunteers and board members gave Oakland Heritage Alliance members, Landmarking Board Members, and a few neighbors a tour of the Altenheim buildings and grounds. Commercial realtor Allan Stephens of the Lapham Company as well as two executives from AF Evans, site developers, were also in attendance to provide some general information on plans for the site. The purpose of the tour was solely to familiarize the OHA and Landmarking Board with the estate so they may determine the eligibility of the site for landmark designation. As I understand it, the intent to landmark has been filed, but the landmarking designation process has not begun.

The Altenheim will not sell but is looking to extend a long-term lease to AF Evans for a senior housing community.

AF Evans' John Rimbach talked about some of their plans for the buildings. Overall, the plan is to modernize the facility, create larger apartments, seismically retrofit, create ADA compliance, and update heating systems. They plan to have a total of 120 units, a combination of independent apartments and assisted living. This will be a reduction of approximately 20 units. The masonry building facing MacArthur will come down, to be replaced by a new building built to complement the existing buildings. The infirmary building on Excelsior is also slated to be torn down and replaced with more parking.

AF Evans' Bill MacClure told me that it will be a congregate living facility like the Byron Park facility in Walnut Creek. I understand that the proposal is for 100 percent market-rate senior housing. Such a facility would make use of the dining hall for meals, employ housekeeping staff, and provide shuttles for tenants to make doctors' appointments and such. I assume that tenants in the independent apartments would also have their own cars. There is information on Byron Park on the AF Evans Web site, http://www.afevans.com.

While at the Altenheim I asked broker Allen Stephens about the progress of the negotiations. He had told me that a deposit was due that week. The perception of the Altenheim Board is that the questions over landmarking requirements are slowing down the progress, and this is why the due-diligence period has been extended. I'll be in contact with the broker to follow up on this.

Later at City Hall, the Landmarks Preservation Advisory Board Members responded to a concern that the landmarking process would slow down or hinder progress on the site. Landmarks Preservation Board Chair Una Gilmartin stated that the OHA Board has no jurisdiction over the interior, and explained that the OHA has held back on landmarking proceedings to let the Altenheim Board and AF Evans negotiate without hindrance. The Landmarks Board notified AF Evans that they would need to consult with or hire a historical architect for this project.

The Landmarks Board is planning additional meetings with AF Evans and the Altenheim. I don't know if this will be open to the public. The Landmark Board also plans to revisit Altenheim landmarking in their February and March meetings. Bill MacClure of AF Evans also spoke about putting together architectural renderings for the site, although I don't know whether this would be for the Landmarking meeting or when this will be open for public viewing.

I will notify interested parties about upcoming Landmarking meetings. Interested parties may be put directly on the OHA mailing list by phoning Joann Pavlinec, Secretary, at 238-6344.

Lastly, thanks to Jean Quan for making the Landmarks meeting at City Hall yesterday. Our neighborhood appreciates her attention to this project!