In a development in time for Pearl Harbor Day, the City of San Diego has concluded that any renovation of the historic North Chapel at Liberty Station will have to follow strict historic preservation guidelines.
A memo sent Thursday to the mayor and city council by Erik Caldwell, interim deputy chief operating officer for smart and sustainable communities, states that “adaptive reuse of the North Chapel for any use other than a place for religious gatherings or an assembly of people or other similar events would be highly improbable.”
The memo cited the pews, altar and pulpit as major historical features that cannot be removed or altered and said issuance of a building permit would be subject to detailed historic preservation requirements.
The company hired by new Liberty Station owner Pendulum Property Partners to manage the chapel said plans to rehabilitate the building would be put on hold pending a legal challenge.
“The North Chapel and its progress will now be put on hold. This is incredibly unfortunate, as we were optimistic this would be a win-win-win for everyone involved,” wrote 828 Venues CEO Tim Wirick in an email obtained by Times of San Diego.
Earlier Wirick had promised that Our Lady of Fatima Parish and St. John Bosco Mission could continue to hold religious services in the chapel.
Supporters of the historic building have been concerned that it could be converted into a restaurant or other commercial use.
North Chapel was built in 1942 in memory of those who were lost in the Pearl Habor attack. It was also the place where many World War II sailors had their last service. Many did not return from the war.
Updated at 4 p.m., Friday, Dec. 7, 2018
