1st Civic Center Passes the Test

Now that the Thousand Oaks City Council has designated itself the Cultural Heritage Board, its first item of business should be to determine if the original Civic Center of Thousand Oaks (401 Hillcrest) meets the municipal code’s objective criteria for evaluating a local landmark.

It is the responsibility of the heritage board to promote the economic and general welfare of the city by preserving and protecting our landmarks in order to remind citizens and visitors of our community’s rich historic, cultural and natural heritage.

It is time for the City Council to take the duty of preserving the roots of Thousand Oaks seriously. Without question, our first Civic Center meets the criteria of a local landmark. Unfortunately, because of the large public debt produced by the new Civic Arts Plaza, the only question currently used to evaluate 401 Hillcrest’s worth is this: How can a maximum return be achieved by developing the property?

WILLIAM MAPLE

Thousand Oaks