P.O. Box 272
Concord, CA 94522
February 8, 2003
Mr. Steed Craigo, Director
California State Department of Parks and Recreation
1416 – 9th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Mr. Craigo:
RE: John Marsh Stone House
The John Marsh House Historic Structure Report (“HSR”) prepared by the Architectural Resources Group is complete. The John Marsh Historic Trust is most pleased with the effort and concurs with the recommendations for immediate stabilization of the structure. There is more research on the building interior to be done. It is a commendable start.
The report emphasizes the condition of north wall. It continued to deteriorate dramatically just in the roughly six months required to complete the HSR. Stabilization is imperative to avoid the wall collapsing entirely in the next weeks. We urge you to implement immediate measures to stabilize the north wall. Direct your Construction/Maintenance Division to effect the interim work outlined in detail in the HSR now. This work cannot wait 6 months.
Proposition 40 State Bond funds are approved by the voters and allocated to this project. The legislature allocated $7 million to the John Marsh House Stabilization and Restoration Project. Funds for this effort are in the Governor’s current budget. We expect the legislature to appropriate these funds in its next session. The physical state of the Marsh House and specifically the north wall is too precarious to wait the common six months Request for Proposal (“RFP”) process. Architectural Resources Group has outlined the tasks. Send the construction crew!
The John Marsh
Historic Trust supports State Parks and its efforts to move this process
along. The participation and liaison
efforts by Brian Hickey, Park Superintendent-Diablo Sector, are most
appreciated. Please call upon the members of the Historic Trust to give our
best efforts to promote our joint interest in the House and proposed new
State Park. Contact me by phone at my
home to discuss the details (916) 487- 4467. Thank you.
Yours truly,
John Mackenzie
President
The John Marsh Historic Trust
Cc: Senator Tom Torlakson, 7th Senatorial District
Tom Torlakson, California State Senator
7th Senatorial District Office
2801 Concord Blvd.
Concord, CA 94518
Bcc: Brian
Hickey