Jobs vs preservationists

Steve Jobs is set to make yet another attempt to demolish his historic house in Woodside, California, according to the San Jose Mercury News. Previous attempts to destroy the "Jackling House" met with resistance from a preservationist group, Uphold Our Heritage, that argued the 85-year-old property should be restored or sold to a buyer willing to renovate. The home sits on six acres of wooded land, with 30 rooms, 14 bedrooms and 13.5 bathrooms. The original architect, George Washington Smith, utilized the Spanish Colonial Revival Style.

Jobs successfully applied for a demolition permit in 2001, as the Woodside Town Council agreed that restoration was impractical. Uphold Our Heritage sued the Apple executive and the council, claiming the decision was not based on solid facts regarding the cost of repair work. An appeals could agreed with the preservationists, effectively blocking demolition.

"If you had the opportunity to correct the record, and you really wanted to demolish the house, as I assume Mr. Jobs does, you'd want to try it again," said Susan George, Town Manager.

The town council will review the permit application again Tuesday evening. Jobs has included a detailed cost estimate this time, comparing approximately $8.2 million spent for a new home against $13.3 million in restoration costs.

"If you had a third party, for instance, who was willing to share some of the cost, it seems to me insufficient to say, 'Well, it will cost $13 million,' " argued Doug Carstens, an attorney representing the preservationists. The group claims Jobs and his lawyer, Howard Ellman, exaggerated their efforts to find a buyer. [via AppleInsider]

by MacNN Staff