San Diego
Hoping a deal can still be made to preserve La Jolla’s endangered Green Dragon Colony, the San Diego City Council delayed a decision Tuesday on whether to allow demolition of the historic cluster of cottages.
The council voted unanimously to wait until late next month before deciding the fate of the enclave, nestled on a steep hillside overlooking La Jolla Cove.
That decision came as the owners of the 1-acre site and a prospective buyer, wealthy La Jolla preservationist Bob Barrymore, continued to wrangle over a deal to purchase the property and save the four cottages slated for demolition.
Franne Ficara, an attorney for San Diego Trust & Savings Bank, which represents the trust that owns the site, said Barrymore tendered an offer on Tuesday that was “less than half” the appraised value of the land. The trust has asked $6.9 million for the site.
Despite the vast differences separating the two sides, preservationists remain optimistic that a deal can be struck. “I think it’s possible,” said Ron Buckley, secretary of the city’s Historical Site Board. “We’re doing everything possible to help them reach an agreement.”
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