Lawsuit targets historic home owner

"We have been working with them since they bought the house six months ago. Since that time, there's been nothing done. We can't sit back and watch it deteriorate," Mason said.

Mason was in contact with Abrazos and Books' founder Rigo Chacon, a former television reporter, this week. Chacon will be contacted again soon with the news that the council authorized legal action against him. Chacon did not return late calls to his home yesterday.

First of all, Mason said the city is interested in buttoning down the house with weatherproofing and a new roof, among other improvements, before the onslaught of winter storms strikes. Mason said he is confident either Chacon will comply or a court will order him to do so. The lawsuit is similar to any other code enforcement action in which the city seeks compliance from a property owner, Mason said.

The house in question, at 20 El Cerrito Ave., may be modest in size but it has a wealth of history. Giannini lived in it during the 1906 earthquake and used its fireplace to hold gold bricks he used to make the loans that helped rebuild San Francisco. Giannini also helped finance the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge and at Bank of America, founded the concept of branch banking. He is considered the most important historical figure in San Mateo history.

However, that legacy was in danger of collapsing in neglect after his granddaughter Claire Giannini Hoffman died and willed that the house be destroyed.

The city has fought to preserve the house for years and recently, the estate donated it to Abrazos and Books. The nonprofit was pleased with the donation but does not have the resources for a full restoration. Recently, the city began discussions on whether it can buy the house, then turn it around and sell it at a higher price to someone willing to restore it. The three-bedroom house has been assessed at $1.1 million, but repair estimates have been placed at around $6 million.

Despite the possibility of being on the opposing ends of a legal issue, the city is still interested in working with Chacon and his organization to save the house from destruction, Mason said.

"We are still interested in creative ways to save the house," Mason said.

Jon Mays can be reached by e-mail at jon@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 107. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.