LAKEPORT, Calif. – After eight decades, the Lucerne Hotel may soon have a long-term use to match its importance as a county landmark.
In a unanimous Tuesday vote, the county's Board of Supervisors – sitting as the Lake County Redevelopment Agency Board of Directors – approved the selection of an initial proposal to base a college campus at the historic site, built at the end of the 1920s, on the cusp of the Great Depression.
Since its completion, the building has passed through numerous hands and uses, most falling far below its potential and grandeur. But that appears to be about to change, thanks to a proposal submitted by Southern California-based Marymount College.
County Administrative Officer Kelly Cox, who also is executive director of the redevelopment agency, took the proposal from Southern California-based Marymount College to the board.
Cox said the county sent out proposals to educational institutions statewide, seeking a partnership. They received two back, including Marymount's, which was ruled fully qualified.
What went before the board was not a fully fleshed out proposal, said Cox, nor was that the idea. Rather, he said the redevelopment agency wanted to have the opportunity to work with Marymount College to develop an agreement workable to both parties.
He said the county has been in frequent communications with the college, representatives of which have made visits to Lake County to see the hotel site. The county also has made contacts with stakeholders in the community.
Cox said of Marymount College, “They are very enthusiastic about the possibility of coming to Lake County and operating a facility here.”
As the county has spoken with the college officials, “It just becomes more and more evident to us that this is a great fit for Lake County,” Cox said.
He explained to the board that Marymount College is looking for an opportunity to provide education to the county's residents. Issues like the county's high poverty index, low income levels and high unemployment – which usually are viewed as negatives – are seen as an opportunity by college officials.
“They're looking for a way to help this community,” said Cox, adding. “I just think we're very fortunate to have their interest in this facility.”
Cox, who recommended the board move forward with accepting an initial proposal to start assessing the project, said he and some staff members are planning to visit Marymount's Southern California sites.
“I think it's worthwhile to do that,” he said, adding that they want to have Lake County Superintendent of Schools Wally Holbrook and Wilda Shock – who are members of the Lucerne Hotel Education Task Force – accompany them on the visit.
The possible wrinkle in the plan at present is that “the agency is effectively prohibited from entering into any contracts,” Cox explained.
That's because of a lawsuit against the state over legislation passed over the summer. The bills in question eliminate redevelopment agencies or require them to participate in a program in which they must pay part of their tax increment revenues into a state fund.
That's why redevelopment agency staff was only asking permission to start working with Marymount College officials, as a Supreme Court ruling on the suit isn't expected until January, according to Cox.
“There is always the possibility that the court could rule against the redevelopment agencies,” Cox said, and in that case he believes the county could secure the hotel's ownership from the agency and move forward.
“It's not going to be as easy without the redevelopment agency,” he added.
However, Cox – who has been one of the building's staunchest champions – said he saw the building as important to the county's future.
He said Marymount College is looking at a phased implementation of the campus plan, and would not be occupying the building all at once. Cox said he and Dr. Michael Brophy, Marymount College's president, have been discussing a way of allowing public access.
Under previous ownership, “Nobody could go into the building,” said Cox, who guaranteed that in an agreement with the college, “there will be ways to provide public access to the facility.”
Supervisor Denise Rushing, whose District 3 includes Lucerne, thanked Cox, and county Deputy Administrative Office Debra Sommerfield and Deputy Redevelopment Director Eric Seely for their efforts.
She said that during a visit to the county, Brophy met with Lucerne Hotel Education Task Force members; she also met with Brophy and spoke to him one on one.
“I was very impressed with his commitment to community,” said Rushing, pointing out that 70 percent of Marymount College's students are on financial aid.
She said college officials have indicated that they both want students to come from the outside but also want to offer county residents the opportunity to pursue advanced degrees.
“I found that really encouraging, especially his personal commitment,” Rushing said of Brophy.
Supervisor Anthony Farrington said the community will reap great benefits from the proposal, but wanted to make sure a “plan B” was in place in case the California Supreme Court rules against redevelopment.
He asked Cox if there was a benefit to offering the college formal reassurance that the county would step in if redevelopment wasn't an option.
“I think that would be great,” said Cox, who told the board he had indicated to Brophy that he believed that the board would be supportive without redevelopment.
Farrington asked that the county send Marymount College a letter expressing the commitment to the plan, with signature lines for all of the board members.
Farrington, who grew up in Lake County but had to leave in order to complete a four-year education, said the new campus would offer students of Mendocino College and Yuba College access to higher learning.
“It's something I'm very excited about,” he said. “Whatever it takes is what we should do.”
Supervisor Jeff Smith also congratulated county staff for their work on the proposal.
“It sent chills up my spine to think this is finally here” – or is getting close, he said, noting the opportunities that it will create.
Cox said the proposal is bringing to fruition a longterm county of bringing a four-year college to Lake County. “I think it's just a great opportunity.”
Supervisor Jim Comstock agreed. “I think a new door is about to open in Lake County.”
Rushing said Marymount also has expressed interest in working with other colleges and universities to offer programs here.
“The stars just may be aligned,” said Cox.
Marymount has been looking for a rural campus, and Cox said had the county worked on this proposal at any other time, they might not have gotten the same response.
Comstock said they hear a lot about luck. “The definition of luck is when opportunity meets preparation.”
Supervisor Rob Brown noted how quickly, and positively, the process has been moving. “It's just perfect for us.”
Cox agreed, adding that the county has only owned the Lucerne Hotel about a year. “It's pretty amazing that we've come as far as we have,” he said.
Rushing offered two motions – both getting 5-0 votes – to approve the proposal, and authorize Cox to begin negotiations and approve travel costs.
The vote received a round of applause from the gallery.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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