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?ð-rs- BACKGROUND: As established by the 1990 General Plan, the removal of the South Annex and restoration of the original Courthouse façade in conjunction with the creation of a central public gathering place has been a long-standing goal and desire of the Redwood City Community. Both the 1989 Historic Element of the General Plan and the 1977 National Register nomination for the Courthouse site seek the reconstruction of the original façade which can only be achieved by the removal of the South Annex. In 2001, preliminary concepts for the facade restoration of the 1910 Courthouse (involving the demolition of the 1939 South Annex) were prepared for the City by D~S Architects + Engineers. In April of 2002, the City hired Carey & Co. Inc. (historic consultants) to conduct a Historic Building Survey (HBS) of the South Annex in order to aid County and City officials, as well as members of the local Community in their evaluation of the Courthouse Annex's historic significance. At that time, the public agencies were exploring various options for the treatment and use of the South Annex site (HBS studies are typically prepared when alteration or demolition is proposed for a "potential" historic structure). The HBS report points out that the South Annex was determined to be listed on the National Register by the State Historic Preservation Officer in 1998. The South Annex building cannot be moved or saved since it is constructed of poured in place concrete (e.g. heavy, massive and brittle). The HBS states that the demolition of the South Annex would".. .most likely result in substantial adverse change in the significance of a historic resource. Since the demolition of a historic resource is not currently considered to be mitigatable, an environmental impact report will be required..." PROJECT ANALYSIS: As explained in the attached EIR, the proposed façade reconstruction will restore the project site to its (pre-Annex) "Period of Significance" (1908-1939). In addition, the historic relationship of the Courthouse with the New Sequoia-Fox Theater (both properties are listed on the National Register) will be restored and enhanced by the reconstructed historic façade and adjoining plaza improvements. Approximately 90% of the original classical Courthouse façade remains intact behind the Depression-era South Annex façade. Removal of the South Annex and reconstruction of the building's missing "front door" will restore the community's most significant architectural building to its former splendor as a rare and beloved Beaux- Arts landmark. In addition, the project will faithfully restore missing features to the overall Courthouse building which were taken down or demolished as a result of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. This project is expected to provide significant public benefits since Redwood City will gain a usable, functional gathering place (a "living room" for the Community) in the historic core of the City, which will be used as a traditional pedestrian focus area. The Courthouse Façade Reconstruction and New Plaza project is also expected to function as a traditional civic hub and complement other nearby Downtown projects (e.g. the adjoining Retail-Cinema project and Theater Way). This reconstruction project is expected to serve as a revitalization tool since future projects adjoining the site such as housing developments, would greatly benefit from the proposed civic open space amenity and resulting architectural and historical quality of the area. ...c.. -----., .,_. -.-"....'.."'."-".---'."-,-------..--'...-