The Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO) two weeks ago listed Salk Institute as one of the 12 most endangered resources in San Diego County, joining five other organizations that oppose the facility’s master plan expansion project because it threatens to block the property’s iconic view and more than double its building space.
On June 6, the property was named to the international 100 Most Endangered Sites watch list by World Monuments Fund, a New York-based private, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving architectural and cultural resources around the world.
The nominations come during the public comment period for Salk’s initial draft environmental impact report (EIR), which garnered critical feedback from members of Coalition to Save the Salk, according to attorney Courtney Coyle, who represents La Jolla Farms Home Owners association.
“From all indications that we have seen, they [Salk] are moving forward with the project as proposed and appear to be unmoved by the public outcry,” Coyle said. “Many entities are calling for additional alternatives to be studied to lessen project impacts. Salk has quite a bit of work cut out for themselves in addressing those concerns.”
Founded in 1959 by Dr. Jonas Salk, developer of the polio vaccine, the Salk Institute serves as a biological research facility, employing about 850 scientists, postdoctoral fellows and graduate students.
In an official statement issued by the institute in response to placement on the World Monuments Fund list, Salk called the organization’s claim that the master plan update would partially obscure and destroy the iconic view of the ocean from the courtyard “grossly erroneous and irresponsible.”
The institute worked with environmental groups, historic preservationists and neighbors to gather input and modify the plan in accordance with the founders’ original vision for the property, the statement said.
Three main areas of concern for the coalition are Salk’s proposal to build a daycare facility on the property’s southern mesa, a community building that exceeds the 30-foot height limit on the northern mesa and a scientific facility along Torrey Pines Road that could potentially block views of the Louis Kahn-designed laboratory buildings and courtyard, Coyle said.
“You can see the Kahn building when you’re driving along Torrey Pines “” you can look through,” Coyle said. “It’s very compelling, and to kind of wall that off ” many are finding it to be very offensive.”
The coalition ” which includes San Diego Sierra Club Coastal Committee, Friends of Rose Canyon, Friends of Salk Coastal Canyon, La Jolla Home Owners, Friends of Carmel Mountain Preserve, Save Our Heritage Organisation and 2,000 San Diego residents ” hopes that these issues will be addressed in the institute’s response to the draft EIR, according to Coyle.
“I don’t think any of those three things are deal-breakers,” Coyle said of the coalition’s wishes. “They still give Salk practically everything they want ” it’s just about how to respect the resources that are on that property.”
For more information about the Salk Institute’s master plan update, visit www.salk.edu/master_plan/master_plan.php. For more on SOHO, visit sohosandiego.org; to learn more about the World Monuments Fund, visit www.wmf.org.