Project PRISM: Historic Context Statement, Richmond, California

Page and Turnball Inc.

From introduction: "Project PRISM (Preserve Richmond to Interpret & Support Memories), which is funded through a Preserve America grant, was initiated by the City of Richmond to expand knowledge of the historical and physical development of three of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, as well as identify additional resources that could be incorporated into the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park. As stated in the Project PRISM Request for Proposals (2008), “The importance of this project will be that Richmond residents and visitors will better understand the critical role these neighborhoods played during the World War II Home Front effort, while also providing a foundation for preserving and protecting the neighborhoods.” The PRISM historic resource survey and context statement provide an important foundation for understanding, preserving and interpreting Richmond’s historic core. They will assist the City, property owners and the general public in assessing potential impacts of new development on historic properties. They will also facilitate activities such as landmark designation at the local, state and national levels, eligibility for various preservation incentives such as historic tax credits, and use of the California historic building code for qualifying properties. Finally, they will expand the possibilities for interpretation by Rosie the Riveter/World War II National Historical Park through such means as visitor tours, interpretive markers, exhibits etc. The study area for this context statement encompasses three neighborhoods currently known as the Iron Triangle, Santa Fe and Coronado neighborhoods. These neighborhood boundaries and names were not in effect for most of the period under study, but were selected by the City of Richmond as the spatial boundaries for the PRISM project. North of Macdonald Avenue, the study area is bounded by two historic rail lines that intersect at the northernmost point of the Iron Triangle and the Project PRISM area. South of Macdonald Avenue, the project boundaries follow the irregular edges of the Coronado and Santa Fe Neighborhoods. The study area is made up of residential neighborhoods, scattered industrial areas and commercial corridors including an important section of Richmond’s historic “Main Street,” Macdonald Avenue (see map on the following page). In many ways, the Project PRISM area represents the historic heart of Richmond. Its early development is powerfully tied to the industries that led to the birth of the “Pittsburgh of the West” and the city’s incorporation in 1905. During the first decades of the 20th century, the area was firmly established as Richmond’s commercial and civic center. As the area in closest proximity to the Kaiser Shipyards, it was the part of Richmond most dramatically affected by the wartime boomtown and the community’s post-war evolution." Funding for this project was provided in part through a 2007 Preserve America grant to the City of Richmond Planning Department (grant number 06-07-PA-3005) for the project Preserve Richmond to Interpret and Support Memories. The grant was administered by the State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Preserve America is a federal initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our priceless cultural and natural heritage. The goals of the program include a greater shared knowledge about the nation's past, strengthened regional identities and local pride, increased local participation in preserving the country's cultural and natural heritage assets, and support for the economic vitality of our communities.

Project PRISM: Historic Context Statement, Richmond, California

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