Fullerton Redevelopment History, The Gift That Keeps on Giving; The North Platform Fiasco – Introduction & Allegro
A few months ago when we were running our award eligible series on the manifold history of Fullerton Redevelopment boondogglery, we promised our Friends that we would relate the biggest mess of the whole kit and caboodle. We have been a bit dilatory about this and so we apologize for being remiss. But now the time has come to tell the tale of The Great North Platform Disaster.
Way back in late 1992 and early 1993 the Fullerton Redevelopment Agency, under the management of Terry Galvin and the direction of brand spanking new Director Gary Chalupsky, began construction on the north platform at the Santa Fe train depot. The work was “designed” by one Steve Rose, a well-connected local landscape architect, and was intended to “improve” the platform area for the increasing number of train commuters. The design passed through the process of staff review by Galvin as well as the scrutiny of the Fullerton Redevelopment Design Review Committee. The budget for construction was in the neighborhood of a million bucks.
The project was bid, the contract was awarded. But as construction proceeded it became very apparent that something had gone wrong. Terribly, terribly wrong.
I remember this project very well. It was the first phase of an overall station remodel that included the railroad’s third rail project. It was screwed up by Galvin and Rose, all right. I can’t wait for more.
Steve Rose was also on the RDRC at the time which is why he got the job in the first place.
Are you going to tell the story of how the city tried to sandblast the historic plaster off the walls?
Yes, TB, but that’s a story all by itself.
I like that new wall. It helps give the depot area sense of enclosure. I’ve never met Syteve Rose, but he must have been qualified or city staff would never have hired him.
Chamber Star, you are such a butt kisser.