09/19/2000 RA RPT 06 - Laserfiche WebLink

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& CITY OF RIVERSIDE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEMORANDUM Honorable Mayor & Agency Members Date: Item No.: September 19,2000 6 Subject: Raincross Enterprises, LP Facade Loan Assistance for the Raincross Annex Building, Designated as a Structure of Merit in Downtown Riverside Downtown/Airport Merged Project Area - Additional Appropriation Background Constructed circa 1898, the two-story brick commercial building (Structure of Merit No. 259) is located at 3640- 3646 Mission Inn Avenue, directly across the street from the Mission Inn. Unfortunately, no photographs reflecting the building's original appearance have been located. However, a circa 1950 photograph of the west end of the main facade shows how the building looked at the time, leading staff to believe that the building facade was most likely altered during the 1920s popularity of the Spanish Colonial Revival style, and again during the 1950-60s. Currently, the front building facade consists of a stucco coating, with a roll-up door to the east and a glass and aluminum storefront to the west. Additionally, the second floor includes seven symmetrically placed wood-frame decorative windows. The same window type is visible on the Roosevelt Building (Lake Alice Trading Company) at 3616 University Avenue. In fact, staff believes this building may have had an overall appearance similar to the Roosevelt Building. The side and rear elevations are characterized by original segmental arch windows, the majority of which have been bricked-in at the first floor. Other alterations include a rollup door at the west elevation, a stucco coating over the original brick of the east elevation, painted brick at the west and south elevations, and the addition of a stairway at the south elevation to provide access to the second floor. A pair of bridges was constructed at the second floor of the west elevation and lead into the adjacent building to the west. In light of the above history of the building, it is apparent that the approximate 12,000 square foot, two-story building no longer conveys its historic sense of time and place. Current Issue The owner, Raincross Enterprises LP, has constructed significant rehabilitation and seismic improvements estimated at $265,000. Moreover, the tenant, Mario's Place Restaurant is investing $525,000 in tenant improvements, for a total of $790,000. Due to the considerable amount of private investment, the owner has requested that the Agency provide forgivable loan funds of $60,000 that will be used to pay for a portion of the extensive exterior and interior rehabilitation costs associated with the planned reuse. The exterior design, which was approved by the Cultural Heritage Board at it meeting of November 17, 1999, includes an extensive remodel of the main facade incorporating elements ofItalian RenaissanceINeoclassical styles. Additional proposed improvements include the construction of a centrally placed flat roof portico supported by columns. The portico is proposed to be accessed via an arched entrance, which leads to an inset heavy wooden door; and the door is proposed to be surrounded by a lion's head sculpture. The portico is proposed to be flanked with windows framed with pilasters. Also, it is proposed that the existing seven second- story windows would be removed. The central window is proposed to be replaced with a wood relief sculpture of the Mario's Place logo. Six new windows, in two groups of three, are proposed to flank the sculpture. The addition ofa recessed elevator/lobby entrance at the west end of the facade will lead to a set of heavy wooden doors to match the portico entrance door. The front facade would also receive a new smooth stucco finish, which would be illuminated via recessed lights. 6-1