A SusanvilleStuff Photo Feature
by Jeremy Couso
The committee tasked with finding the best location for Susanville’s proposed community pool toured the top sites on the list Tuesday afternoon, weighing the pros and cons and getting a first-hand look at each property.
City Administrator Jared Hancock, who also serves as the recreation authority’s Executive Officer, led the tour which included the old Roosevelt Pool site on South Street, the former Credence High School property on Cottage Street, a county owned parcel on North Mesa Street and a site adjacent to Riverside Park on the old Sierra Pacific mill site.
The sites were whittled down by the committee from 19 originally proposed by a point system using 12 criteria which scored potential locations on acreage, access to roads and existing public facilities, length of time needed to acquire the property, site preparation costs and utility extension costs.
The ranking of the sites also took into account permitting, time costs and adjacent property complaints.
If at any point one of the top contenders is ruled out an alternate will move up into its place.
Roosevelt Pool Site – 800 South Street
The first stop on the committee’s tour was the site of the old Roosevelt Pool on South Street. This shuttered building is located on South Street adjacent to the city’s Public Works yard and office and Lassen County offices in the Roosevelt School building.
The site would incorporate the rear portion of the county owned parcel and the old Roosevelt Pool site which is owned by the Susanville Elementary School District. By utilizing the center portion of the property it would not require demolition of either of the structures but would likely require relocation of county staff from the Roosevelt School building.
The site, which is situated near residential neighborhoods and Diamond View school, would require acquisition from the school district and a lot line adjustment.
The site has geothermal resources available and excavation costs would presumably be reduced to some extent depending on the design of a new pool.
The committee toured the inside of the 75 year-old Roosevelt Pool building. Graffiti lines the walls, broken glass litters the interior and on Monday the building had been opened up to find a basement leak in the geothermal supply line.
Under the pool is a maze of plumbing and cramped walkways, a strange conglomeration of old and new pipes and systems that were repaired, replaced and reconfigured time and again over the years.
Because the structure is no longer sound it must be abated explained Hancock. Every dollar spent to acquire and abate is taken away from construction and that is figured into the committee’s analysis.
Former Credence High Campus on Cottage Street
This site is located between Cottage, Mill, Gay and Weatherlow Streets in uptown Susanville. It was formerly home to Credence School and has recently served as the meeting facility for the Lassen High School Board and is now rented to Lassen Community College for nursing and fire science classes.
The site is centrally located with the potential for multiple access points and is within walking distance of residential neighborhoods, commercial uses in the uptown area and the High School.
The old Washington School building on the site could remain with sufficient acreage to accommodate the pool facility. Desired utilities including geothermal resources are in close proximity to the site.
According to the HLVRA analysis the high school district has indicated that they are not currently interested in relinquishing the site and acquisition timing and costs could be lengthened as a result of title constraints.
East Side of North Mesa Street
At one point this 6-acre Lassen County owned property was the site of a proposed community park. It’s level and is currently undeveloped; demolition and remediation costs would be low, as well as acquisition cost.
The site is well situated near McKinley Elementary School and would provide a recreation resource for the area.
The property would need to be rezoned, requiring a General Plan amendment and potential conflicts could occur with the senior housing complex to the south and nearby residential uses.
Access is via a local residential street and there are no commercial services are in the immediate vicinity.
Sierra Pacific/Riverside Park Site
This site is part of the Sierra Pacific Industries holdings and is located off of Riverside Drive adjacent to Riverside Park.
In their analysis the committee noted that this site has very good visibility and access, and is centrally located.
The proposed  site is adjacent to residential neighborhoods and is in close proximity to a proposed activity hub for the Susan River Parkway. Road improvements and planned pedestrian improvements in the area will provide additional connections to the site.
The site is privately owned and will require a land division to create the desired parcel. Length of acquisition and acquisition costs are currently unknown. The site has access to required utilities however; funds would need to be budgeted for the optional extension of geothermal resources to the site.
The next step for the committee according to Hancock is to look at the analysis and judge each site on its merits.
