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Crown Heights Resource Center Project

The City of Oceanside has embarked on a project to rehabilitate the Crown Heights Community Resource Center, located at 1210 Division Street behind Oceanside High School. The facility is a historic and unique domed structure built nearly a century ago in 1931, designed by renowned architect Irving J. Gill. See more on its history down below.

The first phase of the project developed a Historic Structure Assessment Report to guide the architectural and engineering designs in Phase 2. Now, we're in Phase 3 -- the actual construction, which is expected to be complete this summer. Some progress updates:

The renovations include a new foundation, seismic retrofitting, flooring, restrooms, new electrical, HVAC system, lighting, stucco, and paint. The beautiful historic windows and doors are being carefully restored.

This $5 million+ rehabilitation project was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), a federal Community Development Block Grant, with the remaining amount by the city.

We want to thank the Crown Heights neighborhood for their patience as we work to complete the renovation of this gem. It will soon be ready for the next hundred years of community visitors!

Community Center Resources

The City's Housing & Neighborhood Services Department staffs the Crown Heights Community Resource Center to assist residents and provide referrals and services that address access to healthcare, mental health needs, social services, legal needs regarding fair housing, safety concerns, and overall well-being. They coordinate food distributions, medical and transportation assistance, job training opportunities, and community events. Computers and Wi-Fi are also available for community use. The City has four Community Resource Centers around town.

Stop by the temporary Crown Heights Community Resource Center site at Division & Brooks while this construction is underway. The revamped facility will reopen this summer.

The facility, constructed in 1931, was initially intended as an assimilation school where immigrants would be taught English and Civics. The site, originally known as the "Americanization School," was designed by architect Irving Gill, and it was one of his last works.

The Americanization School closed in the 1940's, and then was known as the Division Street Elementary School for about a decade, before it was boarded up.

In 1992, the City began a restoration project on the building, and years later, moved staff over to join with multiple agencies and organizations to work collaboratively to assist residents in the neighborhood. In 1994, the building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Now, over 30 years later, this gem of a building will be fully rehabilitated with historic preservation at the forefront of the effort.