Some of Casa Romantica’s buildings and grounds could be open again for public use by the end of May, after being completely closed by the collapse of a steep slope that pulled part of ocean-view terrace down a hill toward the railroad tracks below.
The historic casa in San Clemente was closed on April 26 by city officials in an abundance of caution, prompting the cancellation of at least nine private events planned for the month of May. Passenger train traffic has also been halted through the area since then and a condominium complex on the hillside below and to the north was red-tagged.
Small cracks were first discovered in the bluff-top patio on April 16 and the city hired a geology firm track down the cause and extent of the land movement.
Recently, city officials gave the green light for the use of some of the casa’s 2.5-acre estate, but the damaged terrace, some rooms on the west end and the slope remain off-limits.
Today, May 15, work is expected to start on an emergency repair of the slope, which will include stabilizing a near vertical area under the casa and close to the three condo buildings, said Kiel Koger, San Clemente’s director of public works.
Red tags were removed in recent days from 20 of the 24 condos in the Reef Gate community.
The emergency stabilization work, which will cost about $200,000, will take at least two weeks and is expected to be the first of two efforts to get the slope and the historic landmark, once home to the town’s founder, Ole Hanson, on solid footing. Koger said the second phase will include a more permanent solution to reinforce the city-owned property on the slope. Design plans on that have not been finalized, but he said it could cost as much as $10 million.
Passenger train service has been stopped at Oceanside to the south and Laguna Niguel, or at times San Juan Capistrano, to the north for both Metrolink and the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner.
Freight trains have been allowed to run with restricted speeds, said Scott Johnson, a spokesperson with Metrolink. The company which oversees the train traffic is working closely with city officials and the Orange County Transportation Authority, which owns the tracks through Orange County, to coordinate on slope safety. There is a plan to build a retaining wall in the area, to ensure the tracks are not compromised.
“Passenger rail service will only begin once the slope is stabilized,” Johnson said. Service only resumed last month after being halted since September by damage to tracks from land movement further south in San Clemente.
Meanwhile, the nonprofit operators of Casa Romantica are scrambling after taking such a financial hit from having to cancel bookings and close the cultural and events center to the public.
“The impact has been enormous,” said Amy Behrens, executive director, adding that canceling at least nine scheduled events planned for May caused a $250,000 loss. “That comes from the one week when it was unknown when and if we would reopen. We’ve received refund requests for weddings, birthdays and corporate events. Most people just chose to book elsewhere. It’s created a significant amount of financial strain.”
The landmark has also lost money from general admission ticket sales, underwriting from other businesses that support the casa and revenue from the gift shop, she said. There have been weddings planned as far out as June 2024 that have also been canceled.
Behrens said she is hopeful the partial reopening of the property will help with the lost finances. An art exhibit scheduled to close this summer will be extended, but another show planned to open will be canceled because it would have required shipping art to and from Mexico City, which wouldn’t be a prudent use of the organization’s funds, Behrens said.
“We’ve also modified other programs to make sure we remain sustainable,” she said.
There is still lots to see and do at the estate, Behrens said, and she hopes the community will embrace the casa, even if it’s not fully open.
The main salon, which leads out to the damaged ocean-view terrace, remains yellow-tagged and is not accessible to the public. But, the courtyard, a place where receptions are typically held, is still open to use. It will continue to host weddings and will also be a place for theater performances and concerts.
“We still plan to have summer concerts, a film series, classes and workshops,” Behrens said. “You can also have ceremonies in the courtyard and then use the space for weddings and receptions.”
To create an incentive, the fees to rent the facility have been reduced by at least 30%.
The staff has also added more flowers and is refreshing the property with new paint in the areas that can still be used.
Behrens is asking for the community to support the facility. A recent fundraising concert at the Franciscan Gardens in San Juan Capistrano drew 70 people. She is also extending an annual email and direct mail fundraiser, with a goal of $250,000.
“We really need that to maintain stability for our organization,” she said. “We know we’ll continue to provide a fantastic experience, but we need people’s faith.”
