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Citizen Activism at Its Best!
November/December 2023
 The two charming bungalows at 3729 and 3733 10th Avenue that had been cleared for demolition. Courtesy Google streetview
 Gregory May at the site of the historic Navy Broadway Complex as it is being demolished. Courtesy himself |
In 2015, SOHO lauded Gregory May with a People In Preservation In the Trenches award as a preservation watchdog. He seems to be on guard 24/7, detecting threats to our precious historic resources.
Gregory, a longtime SOHO supporter, is the epitome of the citizen activist. He regularly alerts SOHO and the City of San Diego whenever he sees suspicious activity or notices damage or neglect at venerable and vulnerable sites and buildings throughout the city.
In January 2023, when Gregory found that two charming bungalows at 3729 and 3733 10th Avenue had been cleared for demolition, he took it upon himself to contact house mover Garnell Fitz. Fitz, as he is known, has saved many a historic house from the landfill by finding new sites for them, when possible. Gregory communicated that the wood-framed homes were the “perfect little size for moving” on a flatbed. He kept up the correspondence with an urgent “the clock is ticking” message. Meanwhile, the mover was procuring permits and preparing to move the sturdy cottages.
The happy ending: Both houses were saved and are living their second lives in Chula Vista.
We all can use excellent preservation news like this. Thank you yet again, Gregory and Fitz!
Here is Gregory’s video of one home’s commendable, successful move. Make sure your sound is on, because this is a preservation sound-and-light show to celebrate!
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