In a triumph of historic preservation meets economic development, the 102-year old Mechanics Bank will be moving its Point Richmond branch into a building of almost the same vintage, the Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe’s original Richmond Reading Room that now stands at the gateway to the village of Point Richmond. The following press release was provided by Mechanics bank, and additional information can be obtained by contacting Hatti Hamlin at 925.872.4328 or Hattihamlin@aol.com.

For a site plan of the new Gateway Plaza where the building is located, click here. For drawings of the restored building, click here. For a detailed history of the building and its salvation, click the following: History of the Santa Fe Reading Room, Case for Preservation of the Santa Fe Reading Room, and Response to RFP for the Santa Fe Reading Room.

THE MECHANICS BANK TO OCCUPY TRAINMASTERS BUILDING

Move assures preservation of historic Richmond building

RICHMOND, CA, March 30, 2007--The Mechanics Bank today announced it will move its Point Richmond office to the historic Trainmasters Building, located at the entrance to the community. The move not only assures the century-old building’s preservation and restoration but guarantees a steady stream of community income for the nonprofit Point Richmond Gateway Foundation Inc. which holds the title to the building.

 The Trainmasters Building was moved to its present site a year-and-a-half ago through the efforts of a broad coalition of local residents. Richmond City Council member Tom Butt, an architect and passionate preservationist, had been working for more than 15 years to save the building from the wrecker’s ball. 

When a series of events created the opportunity to move the building to its present site, a group of local citizens donated their time—and considerable amounts of materials—to help lay the foundation, clean out the building’s interior, start the landscaping process, and begin the painstaking process of restoration.  Interactive Resources, a Point Richmond architecture and engineering firm, provided pro bono about $30,000 of architecture and structural engineering services required to obtain entitlements and permits for the project. A local roofer provided roofing material and labor at a deep discount.  A carpenter donated her time to put in the doors, which required individual attention due to the age of the structure.  Trees donated to the group by the Lopez family were partially used on the lot, and also became “bartering chips” to trade for other necessities.

“It’s just a miracle that the building’s still standing,” Butt said. “We just kept snatching it back every time people tried to demolish it.” 

Now, the Trainmasters Building has a new lease on life and a new purpose as the home of The Mechanics Bank, a 102-year-old community bank that has been headquartered in Richmond for nearly a century. 

The match-up is almost perfect; the building and the bank have a history in common. E. M. Downer, founder of The Mechanics Bank, began his career as a railroad transfer agent and telegrapher in the East Bay. After he founded the bank in the same year the Trainmasters Building was erected, one of his major corporate customers became the Santa Fe Railroad, which built and used the Trainmasters Building as one of its “Reading Rooms.”  Like The Mechanics Bank itself, the Reading Room served a community purpose, since it and others were designed to be cultural and intellectual havens for railroad employees and their families at a time when most train stations were surrounded by bars and brothels.  The building provided a place that employees could feel safe and enjoy some cultural amenities. 

Later, the Richmond Reading Room became the home and headquarters of the local Richmond Trainmaster, and at one point in its history, it was even used as a school.  Finally, it sat vacant for two decades, slowly decaying into an eyesore that the railroad didn’t want, but couldn’t just demolish because of its historic significance.

Nonetheless, the Trainmasters Building became a target of demolition as new development moved in to its old Richmond location.  Only the contributions and tireless efforts of a variety of local residents and a small group of activists kept it standing.  Finally, a compromise agreement led to its relocation at the entrance to Point Richmond, where it has sat for the last 15 months on an abandoned right-of-way. The agreement included the requirement that the building be restored and the property landscaped, including the creation of a small public park on the land.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with the community to fulfill this dream and preserve this important piece of the town’s history and heritage,” said Martin McNair, a member of The Mechanics Bank board who became an advocate for the restoration project long before The Mechanics Bank became interested in the site. McNair, a Point Richmond resident since 1980, said he was thrilled to learn that The Mechanics Bank was interested in moving its Point Richmond Office there, although he played no part in the final deal.  “I just think it’s a beautiful example of how a community bank can make a positive difference.”

By paying rent to the Point Richmond Gateway Foundation, The Mechanics Bank will provide a continuing stream of revenue to Point Richmond that can be used to meet a variety of community needs.   And, the building itself will offer an appealing vista at the entrance to the community.  The deal gives the foundation a much-needed tenant with the resources to restore the building interior and provide the means and upkeep for the nearly one-third-acre Gateway Park to be constructed in front of the Trainmaster’s Building to help the foundation perform the landscaping on the parcel.

In return, The Mechanics Bank gets a location with superior visibility and a building that resonates with its own century-long history of serving the Richmond community.

“This is such a winning proposition for everyone,” said McNair.

The newly restored office of The Mechanics Bank should open in the fall, and will be headed by Robert R. Connolly, himself a newcomer to Point Richmond who joined the office this month.  He has been with The Mechanics Bank for six years, and his 30-year banking career has included stints with Concord Commercial Bank (acquired by U.S. Bank several years ago) and American Savings Bank (acquired by Washington Mutual.)

At The Mechanics Bank, he was the manager of the Call Center before coming to Point Richmond.  He immediately fell in love with the community, and has already become a member of the Point Richmond Business Association and the Richmond Chamber of Commerce.

“I love the heritage of this town, and the wonderful architecture,” said Connolly.  “So it’s particularly gratifying that my new office is helping to preserve an important piece of the city’s past—as well as helping it build the future.”

For more information about the Trainmasters Building and the history of railway “reading rooms,” go to http://www.pointrichmond.com/gateway/

The Mechanics Bank is headquartered in Richmond, California.  The 102-year-old family-owned community bank is one of the largest independent banks headquartered in Northern California, with more than $2.7 billion in assets. The bank has 30 other retail offices in the Greater Bay area.
 

###

Contacts:        Hatti Hamlin,

The Mechanics Bank

                          (925) 872-4328