Cliffhanging Home Gets Temporary Refuge

Home is where is the heart is, and nothing is closer to the truth for homeowners Tom and Melissa McConnell. Their home on Esplanade Avenue in Pacifica was promptly yellow tagged by the City of Pacifica days after the El Nino storm during the week of January 12th, which brought high surf and rapid erosion. Their backyard is entirely gone now. The McConnell's faced a tough reality on whether to demolish their dream home on their own dime before it fell onto the beach.

With having lived seven years in their home, this decision was not taken lightly. To preserve its history, the McConnell's’ are taking an unconventional risk as they temporarily move their 1949 beach bungalow 25 feet from the cliffs. This temporary lift and move takes place on Tuesday, April 19th.

“As soon as we met Tom and Melissa, and heard their story, we wanted to do everything we could to help. We're very happy to start the process of trying to save their beloved home," shares Gino Medeiros, Tony Medeiros-Wacker & Sons CFO and Vice President.

Tom and Melissa have taken a portion of the home down to its studs to make room for giant steel girders. Tony Medeiros-Wacker & Sons are using state-of-the-art hydraulic jacks for this lift and short move. The temporary move of the bungalow is expected to be completed on Thursday, April 21st. Once the McConnell’s home has been temporarily moved, they’ll need to find a vacant lot to move their home to permanently. With a strong desire to remain in Pacifica, they are hoping to find a local landowner willing to sell at a reasonable price.

About Tony Medeiros-Wacker & Sons: With over 72 years experience, owners Tony and Gino Medeiros are part of the third generation of this specialized house lifting, moving and project coordinating business. Originally established in 1944 by founder Emanuel Wacker, the company relocated numerous homes to make room for new sections of Highway 101. Emanuel and sons, Earl and Marvin, took great pride in their work and became highly skilled in the art of moving homes. One of Tony Medeiros-Wacker & Sons’ most notable building moves includes historic Novato City Hall. Originally built in 1896 as a Presbyterian church, Novato City Hall was safely moved 75 feet north of its original location in 2009. Tony and Gino Medeiros are currently building their dream home on the property where the business started in 1944.

Aerial photo courtesy of @KQED.