Preserve Sausalito’s Historic Downtown. (Credit to George Russell, special to the Marin Independent Journal)
Watson Heritage Consulting Underscores Risks to Historic Integrity
On September 11th, Save Our Sausalito submitted two pivotal reports to the City of Sausalito, warning of the potential damage that the proposed 605-613 Bridgeway development poses to the city’s Historic District. The reports, prepared by Watson Heritage Consulting, refute claims by the project applicant that the property lacks historical significance, instead asserting the importance of preserving this vital piece of Sausalito’s history.
The reports emphasize that the proposed development, which includes plans for luxury condominiums, fails to comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Preservation—a mandatory requirement for any project within the Historic District.
Historic District in Jeopardy
In a letter to Director Brandon Phipps and the Sausalito City Council, Richard Toshiyuki Drury, attorney for Save Our Sausalito, reinforced the importance of Site 201 (605-613 Bridgeway) as a “contributing resource” to the Sausalito Historic District, listed in the California Register of Historical Resources. “The findings by Watson Heritage Consulting make it clear that this development would irreversibly alter the historic significance of the property and threaten the character of our downtown,” Drury wrote.
Key Findings of Watson’s Report:
- Individually Significant: The 605-613 Bridgeway property is “individually significant” under California Register criteria, primarily due to its association with Sausalito’s early commercial development and its connection to the Yee family and Hong Lee laundry.
- Non-Compliance with Preservation Standards: The project does not meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards, as it proposes major changes to historic elements.
- Potential Jeopardy for Certified Historic District Status: The introduction of 29 luxury units—reduced from the original proposal of 50—would still overwhelm the Historic District, risking Sausalito’s designation as a Certified Historic District by the National Park Service.
The findings from Watson Heritage Consulting are reinforced by the Holan Report, commissioned earlier by the City of Sausalito. The Holan Report concluded that the project would destroy the spatial relationships within the district, further complicating its preservation.
Save Our Sausalito Calls for Removal of Site 201
Save Our Sausalito continues to advocate for the removal of 605-613 Bridgeway from the Housing Opportunity Site Overlay in the 6th Cycle Housing Element. The organization urges the city to include alternatives in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that protect Sausalito’s history while addressing housing needs. “Removing Site 201 from the Housing Element would ensure that the historic integrity of our downtown is preserved,” Drury added.
Impact on the Historic District
Watson’s report highlights the broader risks associated with high-density development in the Historic District. If the property’s status is altered, Sausalito could lose valuable federal tax benefits provided through the National Park Service’s Certified Historic District program, which incentivizes rehabilitation over demolition. These benefits apply to all properties within the district, not just the 605-613 Bridgeway site, making the preservation of this status crucial for the entire community.
Growing Community Support and Next Steps
Over 2,100 residents have signed Save Our Sausalito’s petition opposing the luxury development. The growing opposition reflects widespread concerns about the potential impact of the development on the community.
City officials are expected to review the findings in Watson’s report, the Holan Report, and other expert analyses to evaluate the future of the project. The ongoing discussion surrounding 605-613 Bridgeway has fueled wider conversations about the future balance between housing development and the preservation of Sausalito’s historic charm.
