SAN CLEMENTE : Owner of Landmark Vows to Rebuild

The owner of a landmark building in San Clemente that was severely damaged by fire this week has vowed to rebuild despite repair estimates that exceed $600,000.

“We’re going to be like the phoenix that rises from the ashes,” said Ruth Clark, who owns the historic Bartlett building that was the city’s original City Hall. “I’m going to do everything I can to restore this place.”

City officials said that the cost of renovation might be prohibitive because the 1926 structure would need to be brought up to modern codes. The building is at the corner of El Camino Real and Avenida del Mar at the entrance to the city’s main retail district and pier area.

“That’s going to cost a lot of money, and I don’t know the owner will want to do that,” said Jack Stubbs, city emergency coordinator. “It might be cheaper to raze it. That’s a very lucrative site.”

Clark said she was not sure how much the renovation would cost.

“At this point I have no idea what it will cost,” she said, “but I have no intention of tearing the whole thing down. This is a historical landmark, and it means a lot to the city.”

The Wednesday-morning blaze tore through the upper floor of the two-story Spanish-style building shortly after 9 a.m. It was originally reported that 12 residents of the rooming house on that floor were forced to flee, but Clark said the number is closer to 20.

Firefighters were initially unsure what caused the fire, but Clark said that authorities have since told her that it was probably sparked by a tenant smoking in bed. Only one minor injury was reported.

Most of the residents are staying with relatives or friends. Seven, including one child, will be fed and housed by the American Red Cross in a local hotel until Sunday.

On Monday, Red Cross workers will consider extending shelter provisions to those who have yet to find a place to live.

“It was a loss for me in a sense, but those poor people lost everything but what they had on their backs,” Clark said. “It’s heartbreaking.”

The fire also affected three business tenants, one of whom had scheduled a grand opening for Monday. The other two firms have been forced to move their operations from the building at least temporarily.

Dorothy Fuller, vice president of the San Clemente Historical Society, said that in the past, “all life in town pretty much revolved around that corner. It’s had a pretty colorful past.

“One story I remember when the town was still pretty new involved an older gentleman who was the town bookie,” she said. “He used to stand in front of the Bartlett building selling newspapers and taking bets.”

The news that Clark intends to rebuild “is absolutely wonderful,” Fuller said. “I’m excited, and I honor that lady for taking that attitude.

“I wish more people were concerned about our heritage, because when everything is said and done, our heritage is our future glory,” she said. “That’s why it needs to be preserved.”