City of Carmel-by-the-Sea's General City Meeting
[September, 2024] Carmel Outlands Public Announcement
In the quiet hills where the winds sweep through the cypress groves and the ancient stones of Carmel rest, we stand at the threshold of rediscovery. The Flanders Mansion, a forgotten sentinel of our shared heritage, beckons for restoration. Not merely as a structure of stone and timber, but as a vessel for the stories yet untold, the history yet unclaimed. In this edition of the Outlands Journal, we invite you to witness the unveiling of our vision. To restore is to remember; to remember is to honor. Let us begin this journey together, not in haste, but with the reverence these grounds deserve. As the sea carves the cliffs and time etches the earth, so too shall we carve a place for the Flanders Mansion in the heart of Carmel's future.
Brief Summary
At the Sept. 10 City Council General Meeting, we presented Part 1 of our video series, "The Carmel Outlands at the Flanders Mansion."
In this post we're unveiling both Part 1 and Part 2 of our video series:
Part 1: Join Us to Rediscover the Flanders Mansion
Part 2: Our Proposed Function for Carmel Outlands at the Flanders Mansion
Watch the videos and apply to get involved here.
Attempting to create a new space has not been easy. Carmel Outlands Founder, Mike Buffo, poured through footage from the last seven years on this project to help make this organization a reality today. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and we want to share some quotes from people who have viewed the videos:
This is the best vision I have seen for the Flanders property. The project considers the neighborhood, embraces the community, showcases nature, and respects the history.
Restoring Flanders Mansion as a public asset is a forward-thinking and innovative approach. The plan to turn it into a private home as a primary function with a secondary function for public use is not only viable, but essential. I’ve seen the property up close, and while it’s going to take a lot of money and effort, the fundraising strategy they've outlined will help keep costs down. It’s a project that will require the whole community to come together, but the result will be something we can all be proud of and enjoy.
Mike Buffo and his Charter Committee Members have spent a considerable amount of time and effort in spelling out a detailed plan that would restore the Flanders Mansion to an attractive historical structure that would make the community proud.
The public benefit model isn’t just viable; it’s inspired. As a multipurpose, hybrid-enabled venue, it can become a center of community pride: offering diverse activities that fall within the restrictions of small in-person events. This proposal gives Flanders a future that respects its past while inviting renewed involvement.
I can see Flanders Mansion becoming a vital resource for our nonprofits, providing an innovative venue with hybrid options rooted in preserving our storied cultural legacy. We need to innovate and use all available resources to secure the future of our city and its beloved organizations. If this committee can successfully raise the funds, I’m all for it.
We toured the site and interior, and while it’s in good condition, it does require basic system upgrades and some refinishing. The committee’s approach of aligning fundraising efforts with phased construction makes a lot of sense. Our firm is considering contributing at a discount to maximize donor contributions and help get the project off the ground. We’re confident that by highlighting the work, our vendors and trade partners will take pride in being part of restoring the mansion as a valuable public resource.
Previous
Next