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SOHO President's Message
By David Goldberg
November/December 2018
After 40 years of active SOHO membership, including serving the board of directors the last few years and in the 1980s, I always figured that at some point it would be my turn to step up and take on the job of president. I have always been very proud to be a part of SOHO, it's an integral part of who I am. Plus, I'm one of the relics in the organization!
I'm excited to take on this new role, and it's an honor to follow in the footsteps of those who have helped make SOHO one of the preeminent preservation organizations not only in California, but in the entire United States. What SOHO has accomplished in its nearly 50 years of existence is nothing short of amazing.
When I first became a member in late 1978, after graduating from business school and returning to San Diego to start my first real job, SOHO was a very different organization than it is today. Many of the founding and early members were still involved. SOHO worked out of a small office on Market Street in what is now known as the Gaslamp Quarter. It was strictly a volunteer group focused on saving threatened Victorian era buildings. To be interested in historic preservation at that time meant you were something of an outlier or oddball. Preservation was not mainstream, and preservation issues were only starting to become—albeit grudgingly—part of the conversation.
Much has changed since then, much of it good, with SOHO there every step of the way. Through education, advocacy, strategic risk taking, and sheer determination, SOHO has helped forge a greater appreciation and understanding of the historic built environment, and cultural and archeological resources. Historic preservation is now part of the conversation and has a seat at the table.
Many of the buildings, public spaces, landmarks, and cultural landscapes that add so much to our daily lives—several of which have been saved more than once!—are here because of SOHO's advocacy and preservation efforts. I am greatly heartened by the remarkable renaissance many of our historic pre-World War II neighborhoods have experienced. It wasn't that long ago that you were called an urban pioneer if you moved into an older neighborhood south of Interstate 8.
Now Kensington, Mission Hills, North Park, South Park, University Heights, Hillcrest, Burlingame, Bankers Hill, Sherman Heights, Golden Hill, and others are some of the most desirable and vibrant places to live and work. What were once considered risky financial investments and questionable personal commitments we now know to have been foresighted and smart moves. Time has validated the SOHO message.
2019 is shaping up to be a very exciting year! Much is being planned to celebrate SOHO's first 50 years. It will be a time to look back on many significant victories, reflect on tragic losses, and plan for the future. More to come in upcoming issues of Our Heritage eNews, when we'll invite your input and participation.
SOHO is a strong, focused, and effective organization. It is also financially solvent—very important to a "recovering" accountant such as myself—beholden to no one, and always true to its mission. Few organizations can honestly make this claim. SOHO can. When you get right down to it, that's a pretty impressive achievement!
On behalf of the SOHO board of directors, staff, and volunteers, I wish everyone a very happy, healthy, and safe holiday season! And remember always, that year-end (or anytime) contributions to SOHO and gift memberships are always appropriate and in the very best of taste. By supporting SOHO, you are helping preserve our history, heritage, and most fragile art form—architecture.
Hope to see you at upcoming SOHO events and in the anniversary year ahead!
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