LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Downey's depleting supply of historical homes

Photo courtesy Mary Skill

Dear Editor:

I used to ride my bike by that house and dream of owning it one day, but instead I drove past the beautiful, grand Victorian home that has graced the property since 1909 on 9306 Gallatin last night to see that part of the home has been demolished.

That demolition should be a crime because, the way I see it, the words “Victorian home” and “demolished” should never be in the same sentence. The next words, from our City Council, is the property is “zoned for three lots,” and that too is a crime. How fast the home was torn down after reading about it on social media is so surprisingly fast, and it raises many questions. 

So down comes the home that has been such a stately Downey icon for the past 106 some years. Gone are the dreams of so many that could only imaging raising a family in the home. It’s a negative impact to many Downey residents, but here a few positive words: Historic Preservation Ordinance, Historical Value, Conservancy, Downey Conservancy and Los Angeles Historic Preservation. 

How can we, as a city and community, preserve homes that have been established and a Downey icon? Was there ever any question brought up from anyone during the process of sale on this Victorian home? A report of historical value? Any research whatsoever? Is there a list of homes that are not allowed this torture and lack of respect? It’s a Victorian home and I respect the history, the land and riding my bike by it, when I was a kid, just like many of us that have been brought up in this city.

Just like it’s a crime what is being allowed to be built on the Cherokee property. Go tear down vintage homes in another city, but not this one, not in the City of Downey.

When I drive through Huntington Park and Whittier, or the grace of Pasadena, the vintage homes are still there. The city and the community has made this work and it’s positively grand. Could this be that historic preservation was looked into and the city themselves became accountable?

As I understand it, our city allows most all vintage homes and the properties to be sub-divided, as it’s the rules and we as a city are afraid of being sued, so this subject matter happens. I appreciated that the city is conscience of the risk of being sued, so change the rules or become accountable. 

Does the city really like all the grumbling and negative feedback from this subject? Or can the city start respecting what so many Downey residents already have, the craftsman vintage homes?

Mary Skill
Downey