HUNTINGTON BEACH – Historic Wintersburg, an early 20th century Japanese-American settlement site in Huntington Beach, was named a “national treasure” on Thursday by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the same day a non-profit land-use organization released a report on possible future development strategies of the property.
“To have a Japanese-American site acknowledged is a turning point,” said Mary Urashima, chairwoman of the Historic Wintersburg Preservation Task Force. “Less than 5 percent of American historic sites represent Asian-American history.”
As symbolic as the National Trust designation may be, the release of a report by the Urban Land Institute may be the more important development as it provides possible road maps to land use. The report recommends a scenario that includes a business park, open space and preserving some of the site’s historic buildings.
Wintersburg is a 4.5-acre plot that was a hub for the Japanese immigrant pioneer community at the turn of the century in Orange County. It is owned by Rainbow Environmental Services, which operates a waste transfer station and public dump across the street.
The site contains six historic structures dating back to 1910 and is one of few sites to survive the California Alien Land Law of 1913 that prohibited Japanese-born residents from owning property and the World War II era when Japanese-Americans were confined and relocated.
The property was purchased in 2004 by Rainbow, which plans to develop the property. The Historic Wintersburg Preservation Task Force, a local activist group, has been seeking to historically preserve the remaining structures and a portion of the property.
“We definitely recognize the significance and rarity (of Wintersburg,)” said Keven Sanada, a field officer for the Los Angeles office of the National Trust.
Two years ago, the National Trust was able to rally support for preservation of Terminal Island’s vacant historic buildings and their importance in the Japanese-American fishing industry at the Port of Los Angeles. The port subsequently agreed to a plan to preserve the buildings.
In naming Wintersburg a “national treasure,” the National Trust adds it to a portfolio of historic places throughout the country and will work toward a preservation solution. Being added to the list, Wintersburg is part of the National Treasures program, which includes $6.5 million in sponsorship from American Express.
In 2014 the National Trust, which claims a 97 percent success rate at saving endangered locations, declared Wintersburg one of the 11 Most Endangered sites in the United States.
Wintersburg moved into the preservation spotlight in 2011, when Rainbow, which has since become a subsidiary of Arizona-based Republic Services, applied to change the zoning on the site with the intent to demolish the buildings.
The Huntington Beach City Council initially approved the request, although the zoning change was rescinded. There is ongoing litigation about the land and its use.
Sue Gordon, community relations manager for Rainbow, said although her company would be within its rights to receive a permit to demolish the structures, “that’s not in the cards right now.”
She said Rainbow has no specific plans for the land.
In June, the non-profit Urban Land Institute was commissioned by the Wintersburg preservation group to tour the site, talk with involved parties and devise options for redevelopment of the land.
According to its report, released Thursday, Wintersburg “presents a unique opportunity to preserve a critical chapter of history while benefiting an under-served neighborhood.”
Although the ULI report offers blueprints for development, Urashima said it is more of a menu that provides “a range of concepts for discussion.”
The report offers seven scenarios for development of the property from doing nothing, to making it all residential. The report recommends a scenario that called for mixed use, with about one-third of the property retained as a historical site with three of the six buildings left in-tact and refurbished, one-third for shared open space with landscaping that could allow for parking or event space, and one-third for technology-oriented business park.
The report also recommends pedestrian access and a walk-through environment to better connect with the Oak View neighborhood.
The report suggests that a community council should be formed to help guide the project and ensure all interests are addressed.
Gordon said she had not seen the report yet but had been impressed by the professionalism and impartiality of the group that prepared it.
The Urban Land Institute’s “viewpoints is how can development work,” Urashima said. “It doesn’t dissuade us from wanting to save more.”
