Conservancy Razing Historic Avalon Waterfront Hotel

Byline: Taylor Hill AVALON – After purchasing the Catherine Hotel earlier this year, the Catalina Conservancy – in charge of preserving nearly 88 percent of the island – has decided to raze the 100-year-old structure to make way for a new visitors service center. Located on Crescent Avenue along Avalon Harbor’s waterfront, the Catherine Hotel was known as the “first hotel off the ferry” and the “cheapest place to stay with the coldest beer.” The conservancy had originally planned to refurbish the 1911-built structure as their new visitors service headquarters, but after a full inspection of the site, the decision was announced Aug. 28 to demolish the hotel and build a new structure at the site. According to conservancy spokesman Bob Rhein, the structure is expected to be taken down this fall, with the exact timeline to be determined. “After a full inspection of the building and property, consultation with various contractors, and a full financial analysis, staff recommended and the conservancy’s board of directors concurred that it would not be cost effective or otherwise desirable to refurbish the existing structure,” said conservancy president Ann Muscat in a statement. Rhein declined to comment on when or if the demolition and construction project along Avalon’s waterfront...