In an article by the City of Salinas, “Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust, A Building is Remodeled from Rubble and Rust,” the city described a recently approved remodel of a key building in its historic downtown:
“After a catastrophic structure fire on February 13, 2016, the Bruhn building located at 300 Main Street was ravaged by a fire that cost everything. …The building, formerly known as the Bruhn Building, would take on a new life and purpose. On October 25, 2022, the building passed a final inspection for the remodel adaptive re-use of a 3-story retail, restaurant, office, service business, and (11) one-bedroom units and (8) two-bedroom units, making it ready for occupancy.”
This project was pioneered by a local developer, but how did the redevelopment get spurred?
Civica Law’s partner Valerie Escalante Troesh, in working with the City of Salinas, had instituted a receivership action in 2020 while with a former law firm against the former owners of the property to ensure it was safe and brought up to code.
The Bruhn Building had sat dilapidated in the historic downtown of the City for over a decade, and most recently, as a dangerous shell of a building after a fire destroyed it and left it in disrepair in 2016.
Through successful negotiation and limited litigation, our Partner facilitated the owner’s desire to sell the property to a local developer who committed to rehabilitating the property and putting it to beneficial use. Valerie also ensured the City recovered its code enforcement costs and legal fees for its efforts to gain compliance to protect taxpayer dollars.
Civica Law continues to serve the City and is so pleased to see and share the outcome of this resolved receivership: a beautifully renovated—and most importantly safe—property giving back to the community.
