OCEANSIDE, CA. — The City of Oceanside is putting the finishing touches on a full rehabilitation of the Crown Heights Community Resource Center, a nearly century-old landmark built in 1931. The domed building at 1210 Division Street was designed by renowned architect Irving Gill. Gill designed a total of five buildings in Oceanside, four of which remain. This building is arguably the most striking of the collection, merging Art Deco and Islamic architectural influences. The facility is now undergoing a $5+ million transformation that will keep it standing strong and in service for generations to come.
The site was first opened by the Oceanside Unified School District in 1931 as an “Americanization School” for 12 years, part of a national movement that required immigrant children to abandon their native language and culture at school. For the past 25 years, the building has taken on a very different role: serving as a place where Crown Heights neighbors turn for support, connection, and community. This renovation ensures that the building’s more recent legacy of service continues for generations to come.
The project, guided by a historic structure assessment report and restoration experts, addresses both the building’s structural needs and everyday functionality. Crews have constructed a new foundation, along with new flooring, plumbing, kitchen, restrooms, electrical systems, HVAC, lighting, stucco, and paint. The center’s historic windows and doors were carefully restored. Outside, the site has new concrete work, with new landscaping, irrigation, and fencing on the way.
“This building’s story hasn’t always been an easy one, but for the past several decades it’s stood for something very different: a place where Crown Heights neighbors can find real support,”
said Mayor Esther Sanchez. “”This is one of the largest investments the City has made in Crown Heights, and it’s a reflection of how much this neighborhood matters. We’re preserving a piece of architectural history while making sure the building continues serving neighbors every day. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back on August 15!”
The Crown Heights Community Resource Center is one of four resource centers operated by Oceanside’s Department of Housing & Neighborhood Services. Staff connects residents with referrals and services related to healthcare access, social services, and fair housing legal assistance. The center also coordinates food distributions and hosts community events throughout the year. Computers and Wi-Fi are available for public use, and the City contracts with Lifeline Community Services to provide after-school programs for neighborhood kids to have a safe place to complete homework, build leadership skills, and plan for successful futures.
The City of Oceanside thanks the Crown Heights community for its patience throughout construction. The renovated center will officially reopen with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, August 15, at noon. The community is invited to attend and celebrate the building’s next hundred-plus years serving Crown Heights neighbors.
What: Crown Heights Community Resource Center Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
When: Saturday, August 15, at 12 p.m.
Where: 1210 Division Street, Oceanside, CA 92054
For more information about the Crown Heights Community Resource Center and the City’s other community resource centers, visit www.oceansideca.org
About the City of Oceanside
Incorporated in 1888, the City of Oceanside is a full-service city government serving approximately 174,000 residents across 41 square miles in northern San Diego County. The largest city in the North County region, Oceanside is governed by a City Council under a council-manager form of government. The city is known for its historic Oceanside Pier, Mission San Luis Rey, and vibrant downtown arts and dining scene, and is home to the Oceanside Harbor, adjacent to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. For more information, visit oceansideca.org.oceansideca.org.
