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March 25, 2009 Ms. Stacy R. Cox Community Development Specialist I Economic Development Department 1275 West Main Street El Centro, CA 92243 Subject: NEPA/CEQA Letter Report: Historic Resource Assessment and Recommendations

for the Adams Park Indoor Sports Park Redevelopment Project, 750 Park Avenue, El Centro, California

Dear Ms. Cox:

Michael Brandman Associates (MBA) is providing the City of El Centro with environmental compliance documents in support of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for a City community infrastructure project located at 750 Park Avenue, El Centro, CA. 92243. Known as the Adams Indoor Sports Park Redevelopment Project, this letter report discusses the results of a cultural analysis that provides support for the Environmental Assessment (NEPA) and Initial Study (CEQA). Because the City will be using federal funding (block grants), a NEPA-level National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 analysis of the existing facilities is included in this assessment.

The proposed project is the removal of the existing pool facilities, demolition of a false-front decorative façade facing 8th Street, older poured concrete slabs, retaining walls, bathrooms and dressing rooms, a pool maintenance shed, existing vegetation and parking lots. A newer gymnasium would remain on the site and is not a part of the project. Construction would consist of new basketball courts, a soccer field, bleachers and a running track all enclosed under a large roof. The existing bathroom/dressing room facility would be replaced.

MBA performed a records search for cultural resources at the South Coastal Information Center (SCIC) located at San Diego State University. The records search was conducted by MBA sub-consultant archaeologist Sarah Williams, M.A. The property was examined for historic resources by Michael Dice, M.A. who also serves as the author for this report. This assessment summarizes the results of the analysis, describes the historic survey and reviews the findings. A DPR523A form set with temporary site numbers has been generated and is attached to this report.

Because the existing property is completely developed and construction will result in removal of existing buildings and foundations and little excavation of virgin soils, an archaeological survey and paleontological records search was not undertaken. Instead, a historic survey was conducted in order to fulfill cultural resource compliance guidelines.

A) Cultural Resource Records Search

The project area is located near the center of the City of El Centro, in the Imperial Valley (Exhibit 1), on lots homesteaded in the first decade of the 1900’s after the Southern Pacific Railroad brought a spur line south to the Mexican border. The project area is located in the southwest corner of the southeast corner of Section 31, Township 15 South, Range 13 East as depicted on the El Centro, California, United States

City of El Centro – Adams Park Redevelopment Project Historic Resource Assessment Cultural Resource Letter Report

Michael Brandman Associates

Geological Survey (USGS) 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle map (Exhibit 2). Current conditions from the air are shown in Exhibit 3.

A one-half mile radius was used for the records search. The results of the records search indicate that a few cultural resources have been recorded within the search radius of the project area, but none are located within the boundaries of the project area. These are listed in Table 1. The project area exhibits ten nearby cultural resources: the nearest recorded cultural resource is Adams Avenue (formerly known as US 80) against the northern edge of the property.

Table 1: Known Cultural Resources Located in a 0.5-Mile and 0.25-Mile Radius of the Adams Indoor Sports Park Project

Primary Number

LocationSection Resource Description ~0.5-mile

Radius

~0.25-mile

Radius On Site?

P13-08048 6 Confucius Church, 519 Broadway — No

P13-08051 6 El Centro Main Post Office, 230 S 5th Ave

— No

P13-08319 6 Women’s 10,000 Club, 707 Olive St. — No

P13-08322 Var. Union Pacific Railroad buildings — No

P13-08418 Var. US80 highway (Barbara Worth Highway)

— No

P13-08579 6 Hotel Barbara Worth, 710 W. Main St.

— No

P13-08682 Var. Niland-Calexico railroad grade — No

P13-08988 6 El Centro Public Library, 539 State St

— No

P13-09037 Var. Holton Interurban railroad grade — No

P13-09302 Var. SD&AE railroad grade — No

No prehistoric cultural resources are located in this area, which is not remarkable because this section of the City has been developed to a greater or lesser degree since the 1930’s. A recent BLM on-line GLO record search shows that the Southern Pacific Railway was granted a spur line connecting the main line with the community of El Centro in 1903 and patented in 1905. Once connected, lands now near the center of town were homesteaded through the Desert Lands Act, and development began.

B) Cultural Setting

Moratto (1984) and Chartkoff and Chartkoff (1984) provide recent overviews of California archaeology and historical reviews of inland southern California and the coast, among other locales. Existing California Colorado desert chronology is mostly attributed to Malcom Rogers (1939, 1945 and 1966) with revisions by Crabtree (1981) and Gallegos (1986). Kroeber (1925) and Gifford (1931) provide early insight to indigenous peoples of Imperial County from the perspective of the 19th century. Contributions on the filling of Lake Cahuilla by Waters (1982, 1983) have led to revisionist theories to account for changes to the cultural sequence as forced by the filling of Lake Cahuilla. This latter sequence appears appropriate because sediments in the Lake can and have been radiocarbon dated, and are loosely tied to pottery assemblages at key cultural sites.



Paleo-Indian (San Dieguito) Period: Spanning a period from ~15000 to 7000 B.C, archaeological assemblages attributed to this horizon is characterized by large projectile points and scrapers. Neither groundstones nor pottery was used at the time. The very limited data available suggests that prehistoric populations focused on hunting of mega-fauna with lesser emphasis on plant gathering. These people likely moved about the region in small nomadic groups. Sites consist of rock scatters near major drainages or near desiccated Pleistocene lakes. Few early assemblages can be directly attributed to this period in the Colorado Desert biosphere.

Archaic Period: Characterized by increased apparent complexity of toolkits and an increase in the amount of inhospitable land in the region, the period represents a continuation of Paleoindian Period lifestyles, but without the mega-fauna that became extinct at the end of the former Period. The period is little studied in the Colorado Desert area, but a few known archaic sites suggest that Lake Cahuilla was filled and that archaic peoples were utilizing the resources along the margins of the lake. The Pinto and Amargosa Complexes are associated with distinctive projectile point styles, point materials and settings. The Period dates between 7000 B.C. and A.D. 500.

Patayan Period: Dating between A.D. 500 and Spanish contact, researchers believe that the Coachella Valley Patayan represents an incursion of Lower Colorado peoples or Mexican cultures onto the Lake Cahuilla shorelines, and that they may represent the prehistoric precursors to the modern Cahuilla. For the first time, pottery is locally manufactured and cremations rather than burials are the norm. Likely representing small extremely mobile groups, the Patayan culture is divided into three phases, each possibly associated with individual re-fillings of Lake Cahuilla and subsequent changes in pottery type signatures. Little concrete information is known about the prehistoric Patayan, and most of the recent studies have been undertaken on sites in the Imperial Valley and along the lower Colorado River. Little is known about the interaction between Coachella Valley Patayan groups and Cahuilla groups. Given that the Coachella Valley was the primary thoroughfare between the coastal areas of southern California and the Colorado River/Arizona Deserts, trade and communication was probably extensive.

Patayan peoples relied on Lake Cahuilla shoreline resources, and Patayan III was associated with the last major desiccation of Lake Cahuilla roughly 50 years before Europeans explored the Colorado River, A.D. 1500. When the Desert Cahuilla and Kumeyaay peoples were first contacted by American explorers, several of the elders described a filled Lake Cahuilla as part of the cultural traditions of their people. A large infilling of the Lake occurred between 1700 and 1750, but it is unlikely that this infilling caused the lake to rise much above the current level of the Salton Sea. In 1774, de Anza led explorers through the Salton Sink to Mission San Gabriel, and the entire sink was a dry playa at that time. Historians recorded numerous fillings of the Salton Sink during the 1800s, suggesting that smaller infilling events were commonplace, and the formally designated Salton Sea was formed between 1905 and 1907 after Colorado flooding shattered flimsy canals in 1905.

C) Indigenous Native American Presence

Kumeyaay (Kamia) or Southern Diegueño: The desert Kumeyaay groups, known as the Kamia by Gifford (1931), were highly mobile hunter-gatherers who generally relied on acorn harvests in the nearby western mountains, and the mesquite bean harvest on the desert flats. Yuman speakers, this group also made use of pottery on a consistent basis and undertook a limited amount of agriculture. Although the use of pottery and agriculture in the area may have “diffused” from lower Colorado River cultures, the Alamo and New flood plain rivers were located in the El Centro area and these potentially unreliable water sources could have provided incentives for ceramic production since water might have required storage.

The interior groups shot or trapped small game and lived in simple huts or ramadas made of brush. Kamia groups were likely attracted to the shore of Lake Cahuilla, at least along its southern extent. As noted



above, once the ancient lake completely evaporated by about 1500 A.D., drastic changes for Southern California interior cultures were experienced. White (1963) estimated that roughly 50 percent of the Kumeyaay diet in the 1800s was acorns, while the mesquite was the major staple of the Kamia (Bean 1972). Yucca and goosefoot (Chenopodium sp.) were also used as a food source. Among others, Bean and Saubel (1979) provide an important description of the resources and processes utilized by people living in the Coachella and Upper Imperial valleys. Since most of these foodstuffs require some level of grinding processing, portable millingstones were a necessary part of the Kamia way of life.

D) El Centro and Kenyon’s Desert Plunge

Occupied during initial agricultural and infrastructure development, cities in the Imperial Valley grew at a tremendous rate once water and transportation systems became reliable. In 1910, the population of El Centro was a little over 1,600, but by 1920, it had more than quadrupled. The Imperial Valley Irrigation District headquartered in the City, and the fact that El Centro became the County seat allowed for significant development to occur throughout the remaining decades. Agricultural production remains the predominate economic engine for the area.

According to records found at the Pioneers Museum and Cultural Center of Imperial County, in 1931 a Mr. Kenyon opened a new community pool at the corner of Park and Adams. Known as Kenyon’s Desert Plunge, the facility exhibited a Mission-esque false façade entrance that mirrored a somewhat decomposed Mission or Santa Fe style hacienda (see attached DPR523a form set). The entrance exhibited a half-moon graveled drive with palms and Saguaro cacti. Once through the entrance doors, a visitor probably paid a fee, and then dressed for swimming in small rooms hidden under the façade. Concrete walkways led to the pool, which probably measured about 60-80 feet long and 30-40 feet wide and the pool was at least 9 feet deep at the south end. 1930’s photographs show that the pool was surrounded by a wooden ramada with palm fronds covering so as to provide necessary shade.

Although the Imperial Valley is known to contain hot springs, it is unlikely the pool consisted of spring water. Water was probably added to the pool through irrigation sources. Community swimming pools fed by springs or hot springs were popular features of towns in southern California, especially before World War II, when such amenities were made available through planned community development. Segregated, most pools charged a fee and many were privately owned. Earthquakes are common in the Imperial Valley and nine people were killed by the May 1940 Imperial Valley earthquake. On the Imperial fault, 80 percent of the buildings were damaged to some degree. In the business district of Brawley, all structures were damaged, and about 50 percent had to be condemned. The shock caused 40 miles of surface faulting on the Imperial Fault, part of the San Andreas system in southern California. The magnitude was 6.9-7.1. The earthquake probably damaged the facade and possibly the pool.

The earliest photographs show Kenyon’s Desert Plunge was not surrounded by fences and may have been built on a slightly raised earthen platform so as to avoid being filled with rainwater from the nearby streets. Grassy areas surrounded the pool and palm frond cabanas were located between the entrance and the pool. The interior distances suggested by the old photographs help to infer that the original pool had been built at the same spot as the current pool.

Photographs taken during or just after the War show that minimal changes had been made to the Plunge, but records as to further changes do not exist. Newspaper articles indicated that in 1976 the City voted to close the pool, raze it, and rebuild. Health issues were cited and, given that the Plunge was 45 years old at the time and the area were prone to earthquakes, complete renovation was necessary. Bathrooms and changing facilities east of the existing pool appear to have been built in the 1950’s or 1960’s: the cinder block foundations and interior walls were reused and a new exterior applied during the renovation.



The historic survey showed that few elements associated with The Plunge were located on site. Surrounding block walls and possibly the pool itself may be original. The dressing rooms and bathrooms east of the pool were likely built during the 1955-1965 period but the exterior had been resheathed during the post-1976 rehabilitation. The pool itself was covered with a fiberglass liner that had dried and cracked exposing tile embedded into concrete. L-shaped, the pool may have been rebuilt so that a diving area of 12 feet is now located in the southeast corner. Construction plans (Exhibit 4) show that all existing elements would be removed, graded flat, and replaced with a surface-only structure. A new DPR523A form set was created during the analysis and has been attached to this report as an Appendix.

E) Statement of Significance for Section 106 (Federal) and the California Register (CEQA)

Section 106: Federal agencies are required to consider the effects of their actions on historic properties and afford the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) a reasonable opportunity to comment on such undertakings under National Historic Preservation Act Section 106. Federal agencies are responsible for initiating Section 106 review and completing the steps in the process that are outlined in the regulations. Furthermore, Section 106 requires that any federal or federally assisted undertaking, or any undertaking requiring federal licensing or permitting, consider the effect of the action on historic properties listed in or eligible for the NRHP. Under 36 CFR Part 800.8, all federal agencies are specifically required to coordinate compliance with Section 106 and the NEPA process. The implementing regulations “Protection of Historic Properties” are found in 36 CFR Part 800. Resource eligibility for listing on the NRHP is detailed in 36 CFR Part 63 and the criteria for resource evaluation are found in 36 CFR Part 60.4 [a-d].

The NHPA established the National Register of Historic Places as the official federal list for cultural resources that are considered important for their historical significance at the local, State, or national level. To be determined eligible for listing in the NRHP, properties must meet specific criteria for historic significance and possess certain levels of integrity of form, location, and setting. The criteria for listing on the NRHP are nationally significant in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture as present in districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects that possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. In addition, a resource must meet one or all of these eligibility criteria:

A. Is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history.

B. Is associated with the lives of persons significant to our past.

C. Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction; represent the work of a master; possess high artistic values, represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction.

D. Have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.

Criterion D is usually reserved for archaeological resources. Eligible properties must meet at least one of the criteria and exhibit integrity, measured by the degree to which the resource retains its historical properties and conveys its historical character. Structure components at 750 Park Avenue do not meet any of these criteria and are therefore not considered a Historic Property under Section 106 guidelines.

CRHR Evaluation: at the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) level of analysis, a site or structure may be considered an historical resource if it is significant in the architectural, engineering, scientific, economic, agricultural, educational, social, political, military or cultural annals of California (PRC Section



5020.1(j)) or if it meets the criteria for listing on the California Register of Historical Resources (CR) (14 California Code of Regulations Section 4850). The criteria list is similar to that of the National Register

A. Is not associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of California’s history and cultural heritage

B. Is not associated with the lives of persons important in our past

C. Does not embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of construction, or represent the work of an important creative individual, or possesses high artistic values

D. Has not yielded, and is not likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history

Structure components at 750 Park Avenue do not meet any of the CRHR criteria and are therefore not considered a Historical Resource under PRC or CR guidelines.

F) Initial Study (CEQA) Analysis

Research has shown that the existing structure complex may contain elements of the original Plunge, but that those original elements are relatively minor and that most of the original building components have been replaced. Those elements that exist today do not reflect the original intent of the builder nor do they, in total, have the ability to provide significant information for future study. For this reason, the Initial Study checklist should indicate that No Impact would occur. Table 2 provides a summary of the CEQA checklist for Cultural Resources.

Table 2: CEQA Checklist

V. CULTURAL RESOURCES -- Would the project:

Potentially Significant

Impact

Less Than Significant

with Mitigation Incorporation

Less Than Significant

Impact

No Impact

a) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource as defined in '15064.5?

b) Cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to '15064.5?

c) Directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or unique geologic feature?

d) Disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formal cemeteries?

Historical Resource: Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource as defined in § 15064.5?

There is no potential for a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historic resource during construction of this project. Research shows that the existing structures are not significant, and that the



chance that significant historic resources could be encountered during grading is low. Therefore, a mitigation-monitoring plan to mitigate for potential impacts to historic resources during construction is not recommended. The Initial Study check box should read “No Impact”.

Archaeological Resource: Would the project cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource pursuant to § 15064.5?

There is no potential for a substantial adverse change in the significance of a prehistoric resource during construction of this project. Records indicate that no prehistoric resources have ever been found on or within ¼ mile of the project site, and that the chance that prehistoric resources could be encountered during grading is extremely low. Therefore, a monitoring plan to mitigate for potential impacts to prehistoric resources during construction is not recommended. The Initial Study check box should read “No Impact”.

Paleontological Resource or Geologic Feature: Would the project directly or indirectly destroy a unique paleontological resource or site or unique geologic feature?

There is no potential for a substantial adverse change in the significance of a paleontologic resource during construction of this project. Data indicates that paleontologic resources are extremely unlikely to be found during grading because deeper strata associated with Pleistocene alluvial deposits are considered well below the excavated area. Therefore, a monitoring plan to mitigate for potential impacts to prehistoric resources during construction is not recommended. The Initial Study check box should read “No Impact”.

Human Remains: Would the project disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of formal cemeteries?

There is little chance that human remains will be encountered during construction-related grading. Records indicate that no human remains have ever been found on or near the project site, and that the chance that human remains could be encountered during grading is extremely low due to heavy disturbance. Therefore, a plan to mitigate for potential impacts to human remains during construction is not required. Certain State Laws and codes must be followed and are noted in the Unanticipated Discoveries section below. The Initial Study check box should read “No Impact”.

G) Summary

Based on the results of the records search, the existing land-use, and development within and adjacent to the project area, and the parameters of the proposed construction, the potential for impacts to any buried and potentially significant cultural and paleontological resources is considered low. Existing resources have been evaluated at the CEQA- and Section 106-level of analysis and are not considered significant at the National, State or Local levels of analysis. Under these conditions and following CEQA guidelines, cultural and paleontological resource mitigation-monitoring is not recommended.

Images of the project area have been inserted into the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) DPR523A form set, which is included in Appendix A.

Unanticipated Discoveries: It is always possible that ground-disturbing activities during construction may uncover previously unknown, buried cultural resources without a monitor or archaeologist present. In the event that buried cultural resources are discovered during construction, operations shall stop in the immediate vicinity of the find and a qualified archaeologist shall be consulted to determine whether the resource requires further study. The qualified archeologist shall make recommendations to the Lead



Agency on the measures that shall be implemented to protect the discovered resources, including but not limited to excavation of the finds and evaluation of the finds in accordance with Section 15064.5 of the CEQA guidelines. Cultural resources could consist of, but are not limited to, stone artifacts, bone, wood, shell, or features, including hearths, structural remains, or historic dumpsites. Any previously undiscovered resources found during construction within the project area should be recorded on appropriate DPR forms and evaluated for significance in terms of CEQA criteria.

If the resources are determined to be unique historic resources as defined under Section 15064.5 of the CEQA Guidelines, mitigation measures shall be identified by the monitor and recommended to the Lead Agency. Appropriate mitigation measures for significant resources could include avoidance or capping, incorporation of the site into green space, parks, or open space, or data recovery excavations of the finds. No further grading shall occur in the area of the discovery until the Lead Agency approves the measures to protect these resources. Any archaeological artifacts recovered as a result of mitigation shall be donated to a qualified scientific institution approved by the Lead Agency where they would be afforded long-term preservation to allow future scientific study.

In addition, reasonable efforts to avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects to the property will be taken, and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and Native American tribes with concerns about the property, as well as the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), will be notified within 48 hours in compliance with 36 CFR 800.13(b)(3). In the event of an accidental discovery or recognition of any human remains, PRC Section 5097.98 must be followed. In this instance, once project-related earthmoving begins and if there is accidental discovery or recognition of any human remains in any location other than a dedicated cemetery, the following steps shall be taken:

1) There shall be no further excavation or disturbance of the site or any nearby area reasonably suspected to overlie adjacent human remains until the County Coroner is contacted to determine if the remains are Native American and if an investigation of the cause of death is required. If the coroner determines the remains to be Native American, then the coroner shall contact the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) within 24 hours, and the NAHC shall identify the person or persons it believes to be the “most likely descendant” of the deceased Native American. The most likely descendent may make recommendations to the landowner or the person responsible for the excavation work, for means of treating or disposing of, with appropriate dignity, the human remains and any associated grave goods as provided in PRC Section 5097.98, or

2) Where the following conditions occur, the landowner or his authorized representative shall rebury the Native American human remains and associated grave goods with appropriate dignity either in accordance with the recommendations of the most likely descendant or on the property in a location not subject to further subsurface disturbance:

a. The NAHC is unable to identify a most likely descendent or the most likely descendent failed to make a recommendation within 24 hours after being notified by the commission,

b. The descendant identified fails to make a recommendation; or

c. The landowner or his authorized representative rejects the recommendation of the descendant, and the mediation by the NAHC fails to provide measures acceptable to the landowner.



MBA appreciates the opportunity to assist you on this project. If we can assist further, or if you have questions, please contact me at 909.884.2255 extension 1208.

Sincerely,

Michael H. Dice, M.A., RPA Senior Archaeologist Michael Brandman Associates 621 E Carnegie Drive Suite #100 San Bernardino, CA. 92408 Attachments: Bibliography Exhibit 1: Regional Location Map Exhibit 2: Local Vicinity Topographic Map Exhibit 3: Local Vicinity Aerial Map Exhibit 4: Conceptual Site Plan Appendix A: DPR523A form set Appendix B: Resume MD:jwi H:\Client (PN-JN)\2799\27990026\CR\27990026 CRM Report.doc



Bibliography

Bean, L.J. 1972 Mukat’s People, The Cahuilla Indians of Southern California. University of California Press, Los

Angeles

Bean, L.J., and K.S. Saubel 1979 Temalpakh: Cahuilla Indian knowledge and usage of plants. Maliki Museum Press, Morongo

Indian Reservation. Banning.

Chartkoff J.L. and K.K. Chartkoff 1984 The Archaeology of California. Menlo Park: Stanford University Press.

Crabtree 1981 Crabtree, D.L. 1981. Archaeology. In: A Cultural Resource Overview of Colorado Desert Planning Units, ed. E. von Till

Warren. USDA Bureau of Land Management, Riverside.

Gallegos 1986 Gallegos, D. (ed.) 1986. Patayan II and Patayan III Occupation of IMP-4434 and IMP-5167, East Mesa, Imperial County,

California. On-file, SIC, Imperial Valley Desert Museum, Ocotillo, California.

Gifford 1931 Gifford, Edward W. (1931). The Kamia of Imperial Valley. U.S. Bureau of American Ethnology Bulletin no. 97. Washington, D.C.

Kroeber 1925 Kroeber, A. L. 1925. Handbook of the Indians of California. Bureau of American Ethnology Bulletin No. 78. Washington, D.C.

Moratto, M.J. 1984. California Archaeology. San Diego: Academic Press.

Rogers, M.J. 1939 Early Lithic Industries of the Lower Basin of the Colorado River and Adjacent Desert Areas. San

Diego Museum of Man Papers #3.

Rogers, M.J. 1945 Outline of Yuman Prehistory. Southwestern Journal of Anthropology 1:167-198.

Rogers, M.J. 1966 Ancient Hunters of the Far West. The Union-Tribune Publishing Company, San Diego, California

Waters, M.R. 1982 The Lowland Patayan Ceramic Typology, In: Hohokam and Patayan, eds. R.H. McGuire and M.B.

Schiffer. Academic Press, New York

Waters, M.R. 1983 Late Holocene Lacustrine Chronology and Archaeology of Ancient Lake Cahuilla, California.

Quaternary Research 19:373-387.

White, R.C. 1963 Luiseño Social Organization. University of California Publications in American Archaeology and

Ethnology 48(2). Berkeley.

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27990026 • 03/2009 | 1_regional.mxd

Exhibit 1Regional Location

Source: Census 2000 Data, The CaSIL, MBA GIS 2009.

5 0 52.5

Miles

!

Text

Project Site

CITY OF EL CENTRO • ADAMS AVENUE INDOOR SPORTS COMPLEXCULTURAL RESOURCE ASSESSMENT

Project Site

TextNot to Scale

27990026 • 03/2009 | 2_local_vicinity.mxd

Exhibit 2Local Vicinity Topographic MapN

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TH


Source: TOPO! USGS El Centro (1979) 7.5' DRG.


EL CENTROEL CENTRO

Project Site

Project Site

2,000 0 2,0001,000Feet

27990026 • 03/2009 | 3_local_aerial.mxd

Exhibit 3Local Vicinity Aerial MapN

OR

TH


Source: NAIP for Imperial County (2005).


Park Ave

N 8

th S

t

N 7

th S

t

N 6

th S

t

N 5

th S

t

San Diego-Arizona Eastern RR

N 1

2th

St

W Main St

W State St

W Commercial Ave

Broadway St

El Centro Ave

Euclid Ave

N 1

0th

St

Woodward Ave

Adams Ave

Feet

500 0 500250

Project Site


27990026 03/2009 | 4_Site_Plan.ai•

Source: T&B Planning (October 30, 2008).


Exhibit 4Conceptual Site PlanN

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Feet50 0 5025



APPENDIX A: DPR523A FORM SET

State of California ⎯ The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI #

PRIMARY RECORD draft Trinomial: NRHP Status Code 6Z Other Listings Review Code Reviewer Date Page 1 of 5 *Resource Name or #: Kenyon’s Desert Plunge, El Centro, CA. P1. Other Identifier: none *P2. Location: Not for Publication Unrestricted *a. County: Imperial

*b. USGS 7.5' Quad: El Centro, CA. Date: 1976 T.16S; R.14E; Section 6. c. Address: 750 Park Avenue City: El Centro (Imperial County), CA. Zip: 92243 d. UTM: 0634755mE/3629601mN. Zone 11. Note: Plot created using digital topographic GIS system. NAD 1983. e. Other Locational Data: The original Plunge was located facing Eighth Street with a clear view of Adams. Elevation: -38’ ASL.

*P3a. Description: The Plunge was erected in 1931 and served as El Centro’s only community swimming pool for many years. The original was razed in 1976-1977, and the original Kenyon’s false-front façade was recreated and the pool liself likely enlarged and refurbished. The City closed the facility in the spring of 2008 citing health concerns. The site of the original Plunge will be completely removed and an indoor sports park rebuilt on the site beginning late 2009.

*P3b. Resource Attributes: HP13. *P4. Resources Present:

Building Structure Object Site

District Element of District Other P5b. Description of Photo: View of the 1931-era Plunge toward the northwest. *P6. Date Constructed/Age and Sources: Historic Prehistoric Both *P7. Owner and Address: City of El Centro 1275 Main Street El Centro, CA. 92243

*P8. Recorded by: Michael Dice. M.A. R.P.A. Michael Brandman Associates 621 E Carnegie Drive #100 San Bernardino, CA 92408 *P9. Date Recorded: March 18, 2009. *P10. Survey Type: NEPA/CEQA level historical resource survey and assessment. *P11. Report Citation: Dice, M.D. (2009). Cultural Resources Assessment of the Adams Park Plunge, City of El Centro, California. On-file, Michael Brandman Associates and the City of El Centro *Attachments: NONE Location Map Sketch Map Continuation Sheets Building, Structure, and Object Record Archaeological Record District Record Linear Feature Record Milling Station Record Rock Art Record Artifact Record Photograph Record Other (List):

State of California ⎯ The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI#

LOCATION MAP draft Trinomial: Page 2 of 5 *Resource Name or #: Kenyon’s Desert Plunge, El Centro, CA. Note: map to scale.

Location of structure shown at the tip of the arrow.


BUILDING, STRUCTURE AND OBJECT RECORD Trinomial: Page 3 of 5 *NRHP Status Code 6Z *Resource Name or #: Kenyon’s Desert Plunge, El Centro, CA. B1. Historic Name: Kenyon’s Desert Plunge B2. Common Name: The Plunge B3. Original Use: community swimming pool B4. Present Use: same, but abandoned and closed.

*B5. Architectural Style: original might be considered “California Eclectic” *B6. Construction History: The original pool complex was built in 1931. Demolished about 1977, the façade was recreated to exhibit the eclectic style reminiscent of the original. It is likely that numerous improvements were made to the complex between 1931 and 1976, including the addition of changing rooms and bathrooms in a cinder block building due east of the existing pool in circa 1955-1965. This building was rehabilitated once the original pool complex was closed and the original façade torn down. Locals indicated that the original Plunge was quite dilapidated when the City Council decided to raze it in 1976. There are no known records indicating who Kenyon was, but it is likely that he was a community leader and businessman as the pool was likely a for-profit enterprise.

*B7. Moved? ⌧No Yes Unknown Date: Original Location: *B8. Related Features: none B9a. Architect: unknown b. Builder: unknown

*B10. Significance: Theme: California eclectic commercial Architecture Area: Imperial County Period of Significance: circa 1930 Property Type: commercial point of interest Applicable Criteria: N/A

Kenyon’s Desert Plunge was a commercial community pool built in 1931 with a false front, half moon driveway and numerous cacti (including Saguaro) facing North Eighth Street. Historic photographs show the pool was a large rectangle about 100 by 50 feet in size with depths to at least 9 feet. The original pool was surrounded by a palm frond covered ramada resting on poured concrete that surrounded the pool completely. The ramada also ran along a walkway that extended from the entrance of the complex along Park Avenue. The entrance consisted of a Hollywood-esque western themed false front built to suggest a decomposed hacienda or Mission. The walls of the structure apparently were never built to surround the pool, but stacked rock walls (10-12 courses topped by rounded capping blocks) are known for the Adams and Park sides of the parcel. Eclectic architecture was common for California businesses in the first half of the 20th century. Today, an L shaped pool built of concrete and lined with fiberglass (built 1976-1977) may rest in the footprint of the original pool, or may represent a rehab and enlargement of the original. The half-moon entrance to the complex retains its original 1931 location and shape, but none of the original plants remain. The original concrete water circulating system was replaced during the 1976-1977 rehabilitation with a plastic system, but this too has worn out completely. Rocks walls along the north and southern sides of the parcel may be the original. 1930’s and 1940’s photos show new vegetation surrounding the pool and grass to the west, which was probably unbearable midsummer. Older Ficus-type trees rest between the 1955-1965 bathroom complex east of the pool and a gymnasium locate near the eastern edge of the parcel at N. 7th Street. B11. Additional Resource Attributes: none.

*B12. References: Pioneers Museum of Imperial County B13. Remarks: All attached historic photographs courtesy of the Pioneers Museum

*B14. E valuator: Michael Dice Michael Brandman Associates 220 Commerce, Suite 200 Irvine, CA 92602

*Date of Evaluation: March 18, 2009


CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial Page 4 of 5 *Resource Name or # Kenyon’s Desert Plunge, El Centro, CA. *Recorded by: Michael Brandman Associates *Date: March 18, 2009 ⌧ Continuation Update

Historic Photographs of 750 Park, El Centro, CA.

View of the 1931 false front from Park to the northwest

View of the 1940’s-1950’s false front showing estensive growth of Saguaro cacti.

View of the palm frond ramada and pool toward the northeast.

View of community celebration, circa late 1930’s early 1940’s (Hetzel photograph)



DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information


CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial Page 5 of 5 *Resource Name or # Kenyon’s Desert Plunge, El Centro, CA. *Recorded by: Michael Brandman Associates *Date: March 18, 2009 ⌧ Continuation Update

Modern Photographs of 750 Park, El Centro, CA.

View of western elevation at the corner of Park and Adams showing replaced false front

View of existing pool toward the southwest. Covered area lies atop reddish concrete that may represent an originally poured slab associated with Kenyon’s

View of diving area of existing pool in the southeast corner toward the east.

View of the existing pool toward the south-southwest

View of ficus-like trees between bathrooms and gym. Rock walls may be original to kenyon’s



Appendix B: Michael Dice Resume


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Michael H. Dice, M.A. Project Scientist/Senior Archaeologist

Overview

M.A., Anthropology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona B.A., Anthropology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington Anthropology Track, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington

Michael H. Dice, M.A., RPA a certified archaeologist, has performed record searches, archaeological surveys, archaeological site testing (Phase 2), and data collection (Phase 3) on private and public lands in the Southwestern United States and Southern California since 1986. During his career, he has authored or co-authored more than 150 CEQA and/or NEPA level documents including several manuscripts for the National Park Service. Mr. Dice is a member of the California Historical Society, the Society for American Archaeology (SAA), a Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA) and is a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation

Project Experience, 1998-2009

Transportation

Transportation Sunset Avenue PEAR Project, City of Banning. Caltrans-compliant Cultural Resource and Paleontological Reports for the Sunset Avenue Overcrossing Project.

Santa Ana Art Wall Project (Santa Ana, CA), OCTA Tracks/Santa Ana Depot at Santiago Street. Caltrans-compliant ASR/HRER/HPSR package for the City of Santa Ana as part of a Caltrans District 12 submission.

Community Impact Assessment and Cultural Resource Survey for the Westside Parkway Project, West Bakersfield, Kern County. Cultural survey report for planned infrastructure development in Bakersfield.

Section 106 HPSR Technical Analysis for the City of Santa Ana Art Wall Project, City of Santa Ana. Caltrans-compliant Section 106 Evaluation of Project Areas in the City of Santa Ana. Included Section 106 evaluation of specific properties.

Cultural Resource Survey for the Patricia Lane Park Project, near 6th and Patricia Lane, City of Santa Ana. Caltrans-compliant Section 106 Evaluation of Project Areas in the City of Santa Ana.

State Route 18 and Paine Road Intersection Improvement Project, City of Big Bear. Caltrans-compliant Section 106 Evaluation of Project Areas in the City of Big Bear.

Cultural Resources Assessment for the Proposed West Beltway/Westside Parkway Interchange Project, Bakersfield, Kern County. Cultural survey report for planned development in Bakersfield.

El Centro-Dogwood Street Bridge Widening Project, El Centro, Imperial County. Cultural survey report for planned development in the City of El Centro.

Phase I Cultural Resources Survey Report for the Pepper Street Specific Plan. City of Rialto, San Bernardino County. Cultural survey report for a planned development in the City of Rialto.


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Federal, State, and Local Infrastructure

Cultural Resource Assessment, proposed Bakersfield State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA), Kern County. 1200 Acre cultural survey report for planned State Park north of Bakersfield, in Kern County.

Cultural Resource Assessment – CDBG-Funded City of Corona Projects. Section 106 Evaluation of Project Areas in the City of Corona. Includes Section 106 evaluation of specific properties.

Cultural Resource Assessment, Washington Addendum and Consolidated Addendum Redevelopment Areas, City Old Santa Fe Springs. Historic structure survey report for two planned Redevelopment Areas in the City of Santa Fe Springs. 200+ structures identified and mitigation measures developed.

Project Archaeologist/Database Manager for the emergency Chapin-5 Fire Rehabilitation Project, Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado (1996-1999). Began as Field Crew Chief (GS-7) and finished with the Park as a GS-9 Database Manager. Created an ACCESS 6.0 database for the recordation or re-recordation of more than 500 archaeological sites within the rehabilitation area.

Telecommunication

NEPA Compliance/Telecommunication Facilities. Serving as Project Scientist for a variety of telecommunication providers throughout California in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the implementation of cellular communication facilities.

Water Infrastructure

Corona Recycled Water Project. CEQA+ (project-level) Section 106/CEQA analysis for the Corona Recycled Water Project through Bauer Environmental.

Victor Valley Recycled Water Project. CEQA+ (program-level) Section 106/CEQA analysis for the Victor Valley Recycled Water Project through Bauer Environmental.

Realignment of the Friant-Kern Canal, In the City of Bakersfield. Proposed Mitigated Negative Declaration, and finding of no significant impact, With the Draft Initial Study and Environmental Assessment. Cultural evaluation for Initial study.

Mining Infrastructure

Cultural Resources Survey Report for the Palm Desert Rock Project, Riverside County. Cultural survey report for planned mining development in the County of Riverside.

Cultural Resources Survey Report for the Coachella Aggregates Expansion Project, Riverside County. Cultural survey report for planned mining development in the County of Riverside.

Cultural Resources Survey Report for the California Lightweight Pumice Makalya Mine Expansion Project, Inyo County. Section 106 cultural survey report, Ridgecrest-BLM jurisdiction.

Survey and testing reports for the Williams Field Services Trunk S Natural Gas Project, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. Section 106 cultural survey and excavation reports, Farmington-BLM jurisdiction.

Utilities


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Cultural Resource Records Search Results and Sensitivity Evaluation for the Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs Master Drainage Plan Project. Cultural evaluation report for planned utility construction in the Coachella Valley.

Cultural Resource Survey, City of Huntington Beach Planning Department Environmental Assessment, Warner Sewer Lift Station. Cultural survey report for new sewer outflow line in the City of Huntington Beach.

Cultural Resource Survey, O’Neill Park Sewer Conversion Project, Community of Trabuco Canyon, Orange County. Cultural survey report for new City Park sewer line in the County of Orange

Phase 1 Survey Report for the Navajo Sewer Pipeline Project located in the Town of Apple Valley. Cultural survey report and Phase 2 testing for new sewer line in the Town of Apple Valley.

Archaeological Resources Assessment of the City of Corona Recycled Water Project, located in the City of Corona, County of Riverside. Cultural survey report for new recycled water project in the City of Corona, Section 106/CEQA project.

NEPA-Level Cultural Assessment and Paleontological Records Check Associated With The Victor Valley Subregional Facilities Project, County of San Bernardino. Cultural survey report for new recycled water project in the Cities of Victorville, Hesperia, Section 106/CEQA project.

Mark Technologies Corporation Alta Mesa Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project. A Class III Intensive Field Survey On Federal And Private Properties Located Within Sections 3,4,5,9, and 10, T3S - R3E, Cabazon-White Water Area, County of Riverside, California." L&L Environmental, JBG-01-172. On file, L&L.

Cultural Monitoring Services at the Navajo Road Sewer Project, Town of Apple Valley. Cultural resource monitoring for new sewer line in the Town of Apple Valley.

Archaeological and paleontological resources assessment of the San Clemente storm drain project, West Avenida Palazada, San Clemente. Cultural survey report for planned development in the City of Orange.

Airports

Cultural Resource Records Search and Site Visit Results for the Proposed Ontario Airport TIS Transmitter Site. Cultural survey for a planned transmitter within the Ontario International Airport, Section 106 Study.

Cultural Resource Surveys for Private Developers, Partial List by Lead Agency and Project Name

City of Rancho Cucamonga. TTM 16072, SP 04-001 Annexation and TTM 32023.

City of Rialto. Rancho El Rivino Specific Plan.

City of Murrieta. TTM 30953, 42310 “B” Street property.

City of Chino. The Englesma Property project.

County of Riverside. The Burns Ranch project, TTM 31386, TTM 31330, TTM 29962.

City of Loma Linda. Loma Linda Golf Range project.

City of Desert Hot Springs. Mission Lakes project, The Mission Glen Project.


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City of Loma Linda. The Trails at Mission Park project.

City of Simi Valley. Runkle Canyon Specific Plan.

City of Fullerton. 2226 Euclid Avenue (Sunrise Senior Living) project.

City of Upland. The College Park project.

City of Chino. Distinguished Homes Project footprint APN# #1055-511-01 and 1055-511-01, McBride RV Storage Property at Kimball and Euclid Avenues.

City of Riverside. The KUO Development Project, TTM 32787, TTM 33028 and 33029 (The Kunny Ranch Property).

County of San Bernardino. Lytle Creek North Tentative Tract Map (Map #15900), The Martin Ranch Project.

Commercial and residential projects include cultural resource surveys, historic surveys, architectural surveys, Phase 2 testing and Phase 3 data collection at the CEQA and NEPA levels.

Professional Affiliations

Member, California Historical Society Member, National Trust for Historic Preservation Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA) Registered Archaeologist, Orange County

NEPA/CEQA Letter Report: Historic Resource Assessment and ...Bakersfield 661.334.2755 Fresno...

Documents

Transcript of NEPA/CEQA Letter Report: Historic Resource Assessment and ...Bakersfield 661.334.2755 Fresno...