The words spoken by Mr. Bourke of City Corp. and a consultant hired by the city and county downtown revitalization committee has suggested that Seccombe Lake may become a focal point for upscale condominium and apartment development. (09/30/1984,B-5,Sun.) The experts of the North Lake found the project  ideal for revitalization, upscale development, and a destination.

The goal of Secommbe Lake Park is to provide a variety of recreation for  both local citizens and visitors. The first phase included a deeper lake stocked with fish, a bandstand that will featur free concerts, two softballfields, tot lots, picnic areas and arts and crafts workshop. The second phase, to begin in January and continue through 1985, will add a swimming lagoon and a cultural arts center feature dance and music  studios. (Ramos,09/30/1984 Sun)

 The nature of Seccombe is similar  of the North Lake in promising a realized benefit to limit blight, upscale development, pleasant aesthestics body of water, jobs, and destination. All promises were not met in the Seccombe Lake project (DEIR.June1979) and as of today the citizens are waiting for the fulfillment of the project.

The Seccombe Lake "conceptual design plan" was approved on June 30, 1980. The 60 acre plan includes a wave pool, which produces an artificial three to five foot waves for raft riding and body surfing, a cultural arts complex with a theatre, batting cages, a restaurant with a view of the Lake, an improved Lake pavillion, and the parking for 700 cars. (07/01/1980 Sun)

Finally, a curtain  for Seccombe Lake was drawn after nearly nine years of bickering over its development, Seccombe Lake had the  grand opening June 20, 1987. The  planners  of  1979 were optimistic; however, as it turned out the Lake and pavillion were all they got. This beautiful Lake with its island and connecting bridges was a marvel and living in a hectic city, to have a place of peace and tranquility people can come was the crown of the project.

Assemblyman Gerald Eaves said "it's a real showplace," "I don't know of very many other places in the state that are much  nicer than this place". 06/20/1997,Sun) Director Annie Ramos and 150 park supporters attended ceremonies under the park's new pavilion. Councilman Michael Maudsley point out   Seccombe Lake will fulfill a lot of  needs and is very comforting.(06/20/1997,Sun)  Finally, Mayor Wilcox praised the accomplishment along with descendents of former mayors W.C.Holcombe and Ormond Seccombe, in whose honor the park was named and assured unpleasant elements do not get back and take control again. (06/20/1997, Sun)

In the downtown update, Mayor W.R.Holcomb encouraged the people there will be an increase of 400 new jobs which bring tens of millions of dollars to the "super block: of the San Bernardino County Government Center. Downtown update from former Mayor Bob Holcomb ask the citizens for patience because growing up is no easy task. "Our new downtown is at a difficult" stage of development". "Both government and private industry say  the Inland Empire is the fastest growing area in North America, with San Bernardino as the regional hub of development". (Downtown update, April.1984)

In the Seccombe Lake park conceptual development plan it was determined  the Seccombe Lake Park project is only one of many determined to make the downtown  a pleasant place. In the master of ceremonies  program offered by the State of California and City of San Bernardino the completion of Seccombe will bring to San Bernardino and surrounding areas a facility designed for a multitude of activities and interest in a unique setting. The plan is believed to be attractive to each component of the regional population.

So, what happened to that project whixh promised revitalization, upscale, and destination? Seccombe Lake is far removed in aesthetics and pleasant body of water to enjoy, swim, and fish. After years of decay Seccombe Lake is a far cry from the lush San Diego paradise once envisioned by the JPA. The plan to re invent Seccombe Lake as the first urban state park didn't go anywhere, because the promise of state funded maintenance and a park ranger fizzled. Once the pollutted Lake was cleaned up two decades ago, the city did not have the money to keep it up. What  was once a popular fishing spot and family gathering place Seccombe Lake has been marred with algae-covered Lake, piles of debris, graffiti and the stench of rotting refuse. The City should get an handle of taking care of Seccombe Lake before it tackles an even more arrogant project like the North Lake. The City is unable to handle the basic, and it's hard to imagine  having better results with something on a grander scale. Afterall, the City was aware that after five years of maintenance by the State the City would assume the responsbility. The City failed to recognize rising cost coupled with social issues regarding the up keep and finding a way to profit from the investment.

This joint project failed to realized the benefits noted in the Environmental Impact Report. A failed project at the expense of the taxpayers. The author must point out  one can not master a broader plan unless the smaller plan is realized: thus, mastered. The City yet has to provide the citizens the promise of realized benefits in the DEIR,June 1979. Surely to earn any respect and recognition of good government, the officials who approved the flawed plan must be held accountable for their vote because voting without risk  and  expertise  goes  against the public good. In short, the officials  who approved  the plan had nothing to lose and looked at the project as an adventure and walked assuming no risk or consequences. The end result is unrealized benefits, an ill project, and social problems unforeseen. 

 Seccombe  Lake                             North Lake

JPA                                               JPA

limit blight                                       limit blight

destination                                     destination

revitalizing downtown                      revitalizing downtown

upscale development                      upscale  development

jobs                                               jobs

aesthestics of  pleasant water         aesthestics of pleasant water

San Diego Paradise                       San Antonio Riverwalk

all buildings destroyed                    all buildings destroyed          

no other alternatives                      no other alternatives

displaced people                           displaced people

displaced businesses                    displaced businesses  

experts praised the project           experts praised the project

Did the Seccombe Lake project limit blight, provide upscale  development, created jobs, and delivered an aesthestics of pleasant water? Is Seccombe Lake a destination for people to  flock? What about  the experts that praised and promoted the project? The City is responsible for maintenance -- what happened?  The  answers of the questions above are  the fate of the North Lake project.

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Important factors pertaining to the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the reader to examine the proposal  and actual outcome of the Seccombe Lake project.

                California Department of  Parks and Recreation

                     Draft Environmental Impact Report for

                           Seccombe Lake Park Project

                                      June 1979 

The purpose of the author to detail the Draft Environmental Report is to point out a pattern in planning, acquisition of lands, demolition of structures, displacement of  people and businesses, mitigation measures, relocation, and alternative to proposed action.

The Central City Mall project and the North Lake project is similar in duplicating a pattern. The only difference is that the North Lake project is more sophisticated in documentation; however, the pattern of thinking, razing, and eliminating remains the same. The author find the pattern similar and obviously primitive and unintelligent. Surely, the authors find a real satisfaction creating Environmental Impact Reports that intimidate. Armed with degrees and skill of preparing impressive reports the target of the North Lake project  is  to raze  and pave  a road  for the more  affluent.  This obviously  violates "Justice" because "Justice" is "Truth"  independent of  political interest.

 "Because a person  adopted more  sophistication in method   the brain  is ever active in exploiting, plundering, and regard for Intelligence is void. The evidence of his or her primitive behavior is the implementation of a project delivering tactics of displacing citizens, profiteering, and exploiting".Deanna  

"Surely, the condition of Man has remained unchanged in exploiting and profiteering. Outwardly he seems polished and intelligent but inwardly his thoughts is just as rampant and more to entertain his primitive brain. The Truth is, that the exploit becomes the exploited and is condemned to repeat the past". Deanna

Project Proposal, Description and Purpose:

• The Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Seccombe Lake Project clearly point out the expansion of park facilities would benefit the entire community and would afford relief to the existing park which is heavily used by residents of the Central City Community.
• The proposal; therefore, would complement existing HUD programs in the Central City area. The proposal is also adjacent to the City, County, State, and Federal Civic Center Complex.
• The proposal is consistent with the City’s projected renewal plans which radiate outward from the central core to the peripheral areas of Central City.
•  The proposal will be within easy access of Norton Air Force Base, so service men and their families can benefit from the convenience of the park.
• The California Department of Parks and Recreation is authorized to participate in the acquisition of lands and development of a park project at Seccombe Lake in the City of San Bernardino.

                                   Project elements are:

• Acquisition of lands
• Demolition of structures
• Construction of new facilities
• Rehabilitation of existing facilities

1. The plan prepared for the City of San Bernardino indicated ALL buildings will be demolished.
2. The park project will be an expansion of the existing park and an expansion of existing new patters. The major new facilities will be a swimming lagoon.
3. The purpose of the project is the provision and expansion of recreation opportunities for people in San Bernardino.
4. The project proposes the closing of Seventh Street.
5. The project proposes to displace people and businesses. The effects of relocation will be mitigated be measures undertaken in accordance with State and Federal relocation laws and procedures.

Additional highlights:

• No project: Principal effect would be a loss of recreational opportunities at this location.
• This proposal demonstrate that the plan is consistent with overall planning for the Central City area and that the park is a significant physical and socio-economic factor in developing the Central City area to its greatest potential.

To summarize: The Seccombe Lake project and North  Lake project is similar in language, desired benefits, and outcome. The  author point out  similiarities and  suggest improving the  infrastructure  and renovate  the historic district  in distress of Seccombe Lake and North Lake. This is  a realistic solution to  Seccombe Lake  and North Lake; then perhaps downtown  has a chance to inspire people  to come.