Shaping Rockhaven’s Future

The Glendale City Council is pondering seven proposals brought before it regarding the future of Rockhaven. (For a detailed overview of the proposals, visit the Nov. 3 issue and read Mary O’Keefe’s story on page 3 and Sharon Weisman’s CVCA column on page 10. If you’re unfamiliar with the issue, I invite you to visit the CV Weekly website to learn the background of this former sanitarium.) I’d like to offer my opinion on what I’d like to see for Rockhaven.

In a perfect world, the property and its buildings would be rehabilitated to their former splendor, perhaps enhanced by docent-led tours or the installation of small placards explaining the importance or use of each room. As far as the grounds, it would be wonderful to have them carefully tended to return them to their glory days. But this is not a perfect world with endless amounts of money. The property – purchased by the City when the economy was flush – needs to be a revenue-producer.

That doesn’t mean all development options stink though. While the idea of returning the property to its original use as a medical/mental health facility may be appealing to some, I don’t think that would best serve the community. The public should have access to the property and there should be something there for the public, like a park, museum or meeting space. I like the ideas that Gangi is proposing, which include providing space for local organizations to meet, like Friends of Rockhaven and the Historical Society of the Crescenta Valley, and creating a public park. That Gangi would be partnering with the Gelsinger family, a local business savvy family, in addition to having taken the time to meet with key Rockhaven stakeholders is also attractive to me.

Avalon’s idea of creating The Retreat at Rockhaven does address one glaring hole in the fabric of our wonderful community – overnight accommodations. Avalon’s proposal centers around creating a “boutique hotel” that offers 45 rooms as well as a community garden and publicly accessible grounds. There is no retail space in Avalon’s proposal like in Gangi’s meaning that there would be nothing to compete with the businesses in the Montrose Shopping Park. This is important and one reason I’m not enthused about Metro’s proposal.

In addition to a retail village, Metro’s proposal includes the construction of “36 new for sale housing units for first time buyers.” With new condos projects already in development around town, I’m not thrilled with more. Also once the homes are sold control over the integrity of the remaining property is lost. As an aside, if Summit Senior Life’s proposal for Rockhaven, which features 159 units for seniors with underground parking, is not selected, I hope that the concept is brought before the NCL-Glendale Chapter for consideration of the former Twelve Oaks site. That seems to me a better fit.

Time is running out for you to offer your opinion to the Glendale City Council. Visit the proposals on the City website http://tinyurl.com/znrtqfh then send a note off to the council.

  robin goldsworthy