Castle City Consultants
Present
“If you Restore It – They Will Come”
An informal luncheon and discussion with president
David J. Schleich of the National College of Natural Medicine
Monday August 10 beginning at 12:00 Noon
At Clarks Corners in The Castle City
Since closed in June 2011 historic Preston School of Industry has
stirred intriguing conversation about what will become of this fabled
121 year old juvenile reformatory. Some thought that state departments would
have a new use for the site. Others believe that it could be taken by local
government and re-developed by the private sector. There are issues about
whether the historic campus could even be at risk of being razed –
as the Castle was first considered for the wrecking ball in the 1960’s.
President Dr. David Schleich is an educational administrator in Portland, Oregon for the
National College of Natural Medicine. He has recently shared about the growth of both
traditional and alternative health care services – by teleconference with our new Ione city
manager and a committee led by local colleagues, Castle City Consultants. Through those
discussions, Dr. Schleich has shared the impression that the historic site has potential for
developing advanced education programs in combination with health clinic services.
Clarks Corners staff will provide
the luncheon at $8.00 to cover catered food
in the conference dining room. Patrons may ask for
additional menu items that staff will bring into the dining room.
A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF IONE – THE CASTLE CITY –
REGARDING THE PRESERVATION OF
HISTORIC PRESTON SCHOOL OF INDUSTRY
WHEREAS – Historic Preston School of Industry is of significant cultural heritage in
the foothills region of northern California since first operated as a juvenile reformatory
in 1894, and Ione City Council Resolution 1818 of 3 May 2011 – requested an executive
order that Preston School of Industry be managed as utility operational – until donated by
legislation to local government or retained by the state for an alternative purpose;
AND WHEREAS – That Resolution was well esteemed by the Governor and an
executive order was issued for the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to
continue to maintain the historic site, and the original wastewater system of the institution
requires replacement to keep the facility utility operational, and repairs to the water and
electrical systems should meet current safety code requirements;
AND WHEREAS – More than 100 exotic trees and plants were brought to the Preston
historic site from State Capitol park at the time of the World’s Fair in Sacramento in
1932, and most of these exceptional trees including rare Dawn Redwoods and tall
Mexican Palms – are either seriously drought stressed or lost altogether because several
departments have followed a stringent water conservation policy related to the current
drought;
AND WHEREAS – There are several satisfactory specialized hydroponics measures
that can preserve valued plants and trees with selective use of water while continuing to
conserve the water supply, and water conservation measures have thus rightly exempted
State Capitol park from allowing even seasonal grasses to be lost in the drought;
AND WHEREAS – A preliminary study for the City of Ione has shown potential for
development of Historic Preston School of Industry as a primary health care facility and
residential college, and there is a significant need in this region for an urgent care and
medical clinic that will function well in combination with a residential college, and a
graduate college president has visited the Castle City in order to be better informed for
consultation with other educators;
AND WHEREAS – The 1983 Historic Preservation Act provides for all state
departments to preserve the original operating features of historic resources that are
associated with a California Historic Landmark – prior to the transfer or disposition of
those resources, and prohibits razing such historic resources when an alternative purpose
is identified;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
The City Council of the City of Ione requests the Governor issue an executive order to
the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation – to provide for restoration
of the utilities infrastructure of the institution, and to restore or replace and maintain the
trees and plants of Historic Preston School of Industry – until sources of private and
public sector sponsorship funding are identified by state or local government for
repurposing the facility.
