Is the clock ticking for Franceschi House?

Looks that way.

The city of Santa Barbara is proposing to demolish the iconic structure of merit to build an interpretive garden terrace.

City officials also want to salvage commemorative features, build a new parking lot, add interpretive signage, install new landscaping and create accessible pathways.

The topic will go before the city’s Historic Landmarks Commission on Wednesday.

“In its current condition, the Franceschi House and Park are dilapidated, unsafe for visitors, and pose fire hazards in the area, but still draw visitors for the beautiful views and historic significance,” said councilwoman Kristen Sneddon. “The proposed plans are respectful of community input and historic significance, while also improving access, safety, and enhancements to the viewing veranda.”

The Franceschi House is a treasured home at the top of a hill on Santa Barbara’s Riviera. The Craftsman-style house was once the home to Francesco Franceschi and his wife, Cristina, who purchased the property in 1903, along with the surrounding 40 acres. Franceschi, a botanist, built the house in 1907.

In 1927 the couple sold the home to Alden Freeman, who later donated the property to the city. Freeman, an eccentric socialist millionaire from New Jersey, remodeled the house into a Mediterranean style, adding dozens of cherished medallions to the house. 

But the house has faced neglect, and conflict over its future. After years of trying to restore the house, the city, and many of the people who fought to preserve it, agreed in 2018 to demolish it and start over.

It is also seismically unsafe and dilapidated.

The city tried several times to save the house but was never able to fund a restoration project through grants, general fund money or efforts to secure a public-private partnership, including with the Pearl Chase Society.

“The project will safely restore public access to the park, increase its sustainability and resiliency, and provide historical value to the community by commemorating the site’s historical significance,” according to a staff report for the meeting.

Franceschi House is a structure of merit. Considering its dilapidated state, it’s mostly used as a lunch spot or for romantic sunset or ocean viewing.

The city of Santa Barbara held a public meeting in February, which was attended by more than 100 people. The fate of the house has drawn great community conversation.

“I am excited for plans to move forward after important input from the Historic Landmarks Commission,” Sneddon said.

The city of Santa Barbara is the applicant, and the meeting starts at approximately 3:30 p.m. at the David Gebard Room, 630 Garden St. It’s a pre-application review.