SM Conservancy Gets $7,500 Grant

Good news for historical-preservation buffs: The Santa Monica Conservancy has just received a $7,500 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The money will go toward rehabilitation costs "for the adaptive reuse" of the Shotgun House, an 1890s building that would now serve as a Preservation Resource Center, the conservancy said in a statement.

The conservancy, which was founded in 2002, was one of 12 organizations that received a grant from the NTHP's Los Angeles County Preservation Fund. The grants are made possible by the Getty Foundation, the Ahmanson Foundation, the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation and the National Trust Board of Advisors.

“The rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of the Shotgun House speaks to a core value that we share with preservationists everywhere: Even the simplest structure can be repurposed to fill present-day needs, preserving the character of our neighborhoods while minimizing the impact of demolition and new construction on our environment," Conservancy President Carol Lemlein said.

More specifically, the grant will cover costs "such as protection and rehabilitation of historic interior surfaces rehabilitation of the porch including replacement of the missing corbels, and new double-hung windows compatible with the one remaining original window,” Conservancy Board Member and project architect Mario Fonda-Bonardi said in a statement.

The Shotgun House, which was previously situated at 2712 Second St., would be relocated to the parking lot across from the once it is taken out of storage. It's been in storage at since 2002. After that happens, the house would be the conservancy's headquarters and also act as a Preservation Resource Center for the broader community.

At its new location, the conservancy plans to expand its educational programs and provide increased support and technical assistance in answering historic-preservation questions. The conservancy also plans to add a small addition to the back of the house, to support its Preservation Resource Center.

In January 2010, the conservancy signed a 20-year renewable lease for the Shotgun House, which was declared a landmark in 1999. In November, the Santa Monica Planning Commission agreed to the relocation of the house. Presently, Fonda-Bonardi is trying to get building permits from the city to approve the relocation.

"The grant from this prestigious national organization is intended as a fundraising catalyst and is a huge vote of confidence in the conservancy’s plans,” Lemlein added.