RAC Moves Ahead with Clemente Inn Purchase

Though the former Clemente Inn is an eyesore of rubble and bricks, the Redevelopment Advisory Committee is fast-tracking measures to ensure that the Springs property gets some much needed upkeep.

On Thursday, the RAC cleared a proposal to use up to $175,000 worth of funds designated for the Highway 12 improvement project, to fund preliminary studies towards purchasing the property, which sits on Highway 12 and Mountain Avenue in the Springs

According to a staff memo, written by Redevelopment Associate Al Lerma, these activities include "real estate appraisals, environmental and traffic studies, relocation costs, legal and staff costs and any other activities necessary to negotiate a purchase agreement at fair market value."

The funds for the property, which the seller values at $325,000, are currently slated to come out of funds earmarked within the Highway 12 improvement project to provide parking.

"Parking is the first thing we thought of," said County Redevelopment Manager John Haig.

The property has been assessed as urban blight, and locals have issued complaints over the rubble-filled space.

Conversations with the property owner, who says that she cannot afford to clean up the space, have not led to changes.

The RAC has designated the purchase a fast track item, saying that buying the property would suit both the needs for a parking space in the Highway 12 renovations, and the need to cleanup the Clemente Inn property.

Built in 1912, the Clemente Inn was demolished over a year ago after the Permit Resource and Management Department marked the property as unsafe.

According to the Sonoma Index-Tribune, the property has been vacant "for more than 40 years."

"What we know is we don't like the situation we have, and we would like to acquire it for whatever is its best and highest use," said Haig.