Okay, I know this is a bit late in the discussion, but one of the buildings from the Powder Works days appeared briefly in the news recently.
was dedicated last month, and most people agree it is a beautiful addition to the city, and a good-news story that has been deperately needed here. However, the park isn't technically complete. There is room for one more addition. An addition that seems a long way off, if possible at all.
The Queen Anne is one of the cottages built in the early part of the 20th century as worker housing. Its name comes from its style, which was very popular at the time. In 2009, it was moved to its current location next to the Baywood neighborhood, which was meant to be temporary. From the City of Hercules website:
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"The long term plan for the Queen Anne is to move it to Duck Pond Park and restore it to its former glory. The building will most likely be used as a park facility, serving not only Duck Pond Park, but Frog Pad and the future Sycamore Park. The Queen Anne could also potentially have space that is made available for community meetings. City staff currently estimates it will take approximately twelve months to prepare the Queen Anne's long term home and then an additional twelve months to restore the building."
In order to move the building, it had to be cut in half. Again, according to the City, "This was the most efficient option given the size of the streets and structures surrounding the area". It's still in two pieces today.
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The reaction to the here in the Patch demonstrates that the fate of the Queen Anne is a very controversial issue. I, of course, am always pro-restoration, and view the loss of any building as a loss the community as a whole. The problem, of course, is money. Given the choice between saving an old building and, say, paying for police or education, preservation will usually take a lower priority.
Perhaps a private developer can save the day? Maybe a Silicon Valley exec will take it on as a pet project, to restore and use as a getaway from the South Bay? Or possibly a public/private partnership can still turn the Queen Anne into the park facility it was envisioned to be. With the overall waterfront development project in a constant state of flux, it's fate seems far from decided.