City accepting bids for historic home

Lolita Harper

COSTA MESA -- Although two potential buyers have expressed interest in

restoring the historic Huscroft House, the city is still looking for

other interested parties.

“Even though we’ve had two people tell us they have an interest, we

cannot verbally say, ‘OK, it’s yours,”’ said Donna Theriault of the

city’s Public Service Department. “We have to open it up to the general

public to see if anyone else is interested.”

The city is asking for proposals for the Huscroft House, and

interested parties may drop by City Hall to pick up a packet and enter a

formal bid, Theriault said. The city is accepting any and all proposals,

including those that would dismantle the house, she said.

Originally built in Santa Ana, the 1915 Craftsman-style house was

moved to Costa Mesa in the 1950s and occupied by the Huscroft family. In

1998, the city accepted the donation of the house with the intent to

restore it, move it to Fairview Park and use the house as a museum.

In July, the council voted to sell the house or demolish it if a buyer

could not be found.

At that time, two Newport Beach residents expressed interest in saving

the Huscroft House.

Jane Altman-Dwan said she has already submitted a formal proposal to

the city for the house. She did not want to discuss the details of her

proposal but said she would pay for the restoration and make the house

available to the public.

In June, Altman-Dwan told the Pilot she was thinking of turning the

house into a tearoom or a bed and breakfast. It would be something

commercial that would keep it open to the public, she said then.

She would not confirm if those were still her plans.

Chad Ware, who bought and is restoring the Old Pink House at 2172

Orange Ave., said he plans to submit a formal bid soon. Ware, who also

owns Pacific Sales and Leasing on Harbor Boulevard, expressed interest in

moving it to the same 18,000-square-foot lot as the Pink House -- which

is considered a triple lot -- and restoring it.

Once the restoration is complete on the Pink House, Ware plans to move

in. But the self-proclaimed lover of old houses said he would rather live

in the Huscroft House, if it were sold to him.

“Probably by the time I get done, I would live in the other one,” Ware

said.

The City Council will review all proposals and make its determination

based on which is most acceptable, Theriault said.

“It’s up to the city now whether they want to give it to someone who

will keep the house private or open it to the public,” Altman-Dwan said.

“It depends on what’s best for the city. I won’t take it personally.”

* Lolita Harper covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4275 or by e-mail at o7 [email protected] .

FYI

For information about submitting a request for proposal for the

Huscroft House, call (714) 754-5024. Proposals are due Oct. 5.