When Richmond-based Mechanics Bank dug deeply into its conservative banker”s pockets to graciously spend $1.5 million on an adaptive reuse of the 100+-year old Trainmaster/Reading Room, this public-private partnership involving the City of Richmond, Richmond”s oldest bank, a non-profit corporation and hundreds of volunteers was more than a home run; it was the Triple Crown. For details of how the project came about, click here, and see Banking on Preservation, October 30, 2007, and History of the Point Richmond Gateway >>.

I just came from the annual Point Richmond Business Association holiday party hosted by Mechanics Bank at its Point Richmond Branch, which drew a crowd of well over a hundred celebrants. The building and its magnificent plaza have transformed the entry to Point Richmond. This is an example that can be replicated anywhere in Richmond.

Moving just few hundred feet from its previous location at the end of October, Mechanics bank has seen its ATM use double and its new accounts triple in just matter of weeks. This is the payback from investing in historic preservation in Richmond, reaping the reward of that intangible but very real connection people have with the physical remnants of a colorful history that belongs to all of us.

On October 25, the Point Richmond Gateway Foundation, which owns the building, announced its annual grants, paid for by rent for the building paid by Mechanics Bank:

Project: Point Richmond History Association Cabinet for their museum Point Richmond Neighborhood Council, Council Website Point Richmond Methodist Church Restoration of the church grounds’ brickwork Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church New hand carved wooden sign for front of church Linda Newton – “The Village” Based on Boston’s Beacon Hill project to establish a clearing house for services for senior and the disabled to allow them to stay in their homes longer Judy Rattner Mural on “physical activity” to compliment the previous mural on “healthy eating” at Washington Elementary School’s multi-purpose room Point Richmond Business Association Crime Prevention activities such as signage, security lighting, outreach and education Point Richmond Landscaping Advisory Committee Plants and trees for the Indian Statue/Fire Station/Community Center triangle area Parents Resources and More (PRAM) Operational costs for pre-school children’s activities at the Washington Field House Women’s Westside Improvement Club Wooden protective arch and plants for Point’s Street Directory Map

I admit that I have a deep and abiding interest in preserving Richmond”s history ” maybe even an obsession. I am always looking for converts, usually with mixed success. Many believe that in a city wracked with violence, crumbling infrastructure and social needs too numerous to mention, historic preservation is simply a frivolity we cannot afford to indulge in.

But I believe it is an effective tool we can use to rise above all of these challenges. The Point Richmond Gateway Project is making more money for Mechanics Bank while at the same time funneling thousands of dollars into projects for crime prevention, seniors and disabled people, pre-school children (many from the Iron Triangle) and blight abatement ” all at no cost to taxpayers.

Historic resources are all over Richmond, and they are huge assets for the neighborhoods in which they are located. They are virtual money machines. Some examples include:

The Maritime Child Care Center, located in the Coronado Neighborhood, received a $2 million grant from the State of California that was leveraged into a $6 million rehabilitation for the Richmond Children”s Foundation College Preparatory Charter School serving hundreds of children from the Iron Triangle, Santa Fe and Coronado neighborhoods. The East Bay Center for Performing Arts received a $1 million grant from the State of California for rehabilitation of the Historic Winters Building, which will be leveraged to several times that amount. The East Bay Green Corridor Project was launched this week at the historic Ford Assembly Plant (East Bay Green Corridor Partnership Launched in Richmond’s Historic Ford Building, December 4, 2007). Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park has attracted millions of dollars to Richmond to enhance programs, trails, exhibits, research and visitor attractions. Travel and tourism is big business (See Richmond Convention and Visitors Bureau Cites National Park as Richmond’s No. 1 Draw, July 20, 2007), bringing over $32 million to Richmond annually.

Exploiting our fascinating history and its abundant physical remnants is not the answer to all Richmond”s problems, but it can play a major role. We need to make sure it remains a high public policy priority.