Editor’s note: The following is a letter to the editor. The opinions expressed in this letter are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect those of The Mendocino Voice. If you would like to submit a letter to the editor feel free to write to [email protected].
On Oct. 7, Tom Carter, the present owner of the building formerly known as the Palace Hotel, stated at the Ukiah City Council meeting that he would present a letter, within 10-14 days, from Ruff and Associates Inc. declaring the building structurally sound.
The following information is from my book, The History of Ukiah’s Palace Hotel, published in Oct., 2024, sourced from primary materials.
The 1891 and 1914 buildings were constructed of unreinforced masonry—red, clay bricks, made locally by U.N. Briggs. In 2001, the city received a state grant of $20,000 to determine the seismic risks of the building.
The study was completed by Point 2 Structural Engineers and Applied Development Economics. The study stated that 30 in-place masonry shear tests revealed very low shear values; the unreinforced masonry posed a significant safety risk to surrounding buildings and citizens; the walls were entirely deficient to support vertical loads and probable earthquake loads; and the deteriorated mortar could not adequately sustain standard lateral seismic stresses.
According to the study, the building required a comprehensive structural overhaul including extensive seismic retrofitting, floor-to-wall framing ties, and roof stabilization at a cost of about $2-3 million.
Options included: installation of steel vertical wall columns to stabilize the walls; installation of structural steel-braced frames at several locations; and installation of bolts and straps on all levels around the building’s perimeter.
In 2018, GCI, the contractor for Mark Adams, the receiver appointed by the county to rehabilitate the building, more than doubled the cost of the seismic retrofit from $3 million to $7 million. Adams folded.
In Sept. 2023, a report from Matt Keizer, the city’s chief building official, and the Ukiah Valley Fire Authority stated the hotel was deteriorated and structurally unsound, constituted a menace to public safety, posed an imminent risk of collapse and endangering the life, limb, health and property of the public, and was declared a public nuisance with immediate action necessary to protect public safety. They stated that there was substantial deterioration of the mortar in the outside brick walls with the potential to injure people and cause property damage.
In May, 2024, the city issued an order to Jitu and Paru Ishwar, the owners at the time, to either stabilize or demolish the building that was deteriorated to the point that it posed an imminent hazard to people and property in the surrounding area.
In late October, 2024, ZFA Engineering reported to Tom Carter that the structure was dangerous as it exists; that an immediate shoring plan be implemented; and where brick or masonry was loose or could fall and cause damage, a retention or protection system was recommended.
Karen Rifkin
Ukiah
Any bets on 2030 this building will still be vacant if let standing ?
Please rip the stupid thing down. Use the bricks to cover the ground where it stands for a beautiful brick lined walkway-corridor to school street. So sick of people prioritizing memories over saftey. We all have memories, and that’s what they are. Stop the cult of permanence.
I agree. A brick sidewalk would look good.
I agree.
nope
probably sot there another 30 years
its loaded woth asbestos
and other toxic stuff
it costs more to demo it and remediate the property than its worth
thats why it didnt sell for
$1 at auction
most likely scenario
is someone gets hurt (again)
by a falling brick
taxpayer get stuck woth the bill
them another bill to demo and cleanup the place
and 40 years to late itll be
too late
When you walk by it you can feel how dangerous this abandoned building is. It’s unfortunate Mendocino County ignores these issues.
If it wasn’t a historical building and a cornerstone for Ukiah, then yeah tear it down. This man, Tom Carter, is the only owner who has stepped up to do any real clean out and shoring of the building. Give the man a chance for Pete’s sake. Everyone wants instant gratification. We just had a pretty good earthquake recently and the Palace Hotel and our precious dams all survived!
What sort of time frame would you give Tom? 2027, 2028? This is going on like 38 years…Tom knew what he was jumping into before he bought this.
I have a strange feeling the old courthouse sight will be redeveloped before this old dilapidated hotel will be.
This isn’t about instant gratification. And it’s only a cornerstone now for the joke that it is. A brick walkway would open up the view of “downtown”, could be rented out for booth faires/fund raisers/bands, and would maybe encourage a face-lift for the old post office and new courthouse? An open space would brighten state street, encourage walking and the historical bricks would remain(a plaque commemorating the Palace?) Give the young people something THEY’LL remember, as a gift.
*site
I would have to know the full scope of the building in its current condition. From what I have read, parts of the building are too far gone, and other parts are salvageable. He said he would have a report coming within 2 weeks from I believe an engineering company.
Has it been 2 weeks yet?
Please consider alternative types of development. Housing mixed with retail is a good alternative due to the fact it generates revenue for the city and keeps the customer base close to the commercial services. It also doesn’t require new expensive infrastructure.
What Is Mixed Use Development? | Mojo Stumer https://share.google/rlybolQEHZ0QywQEE
I’ve always loved the Palace Hotel building. It has had multiple wonderful heydays. I would love it if the owner would restore it. But if, after decades of dilapidation, there’s still no one who will spend the money to renovate it, maybe it’s possible to get grant money or something to tear it down and make it a public space of some sort.
I love the history of the place and want Mr. Carter to do what he has done before with the hotel in Upper Lake. Maybe the critics should go take a look at that hotel. It is truly wonderful.
Gut the building. Reinforce the outside walls then build a parking structure inside. Downtown can always use more parking! Win win!
Soon anyone who remembers the glory days will be gone no matter what.
Its time has passed, let it go. Downtown could use a little more breathing room.
Nah, restore it. There’s plenty that can be done with it. Hopefully, the owner will satisfy the engineering issue and continue the restoration.
-Longtime Local
Elaborate on “plenty that can be done” please? Its been sitting for close to 38 years vacant. The hotel business was failing back in the 80s when the last business occupied this building.