Construction on Providence’s Satellite Health Center to Ramp Up Soon

BY C. JAYDEN SMITH

Construction on Providence’s approximately $15 million San Clemente satellite health center, to be located across from the Chick-fil-A at the Outlets at San Clemente, is expected to resume within the next two months following delays, according to Providence officials.

Carrie Arneth, Providence Mission Hospital director of communications, told San Clemente Times in an email that development on the site, owned by Craig Realty Group as part of the property at the Outlets, has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and financing complications.

“Outlets at San Clemente is approximately 45 days from completing a refinancing of the project with a permanent lender,” Arneth said. “The new loan above and beyond.

“The vision from the beginning was to create a place for the people, and I just knew that’s what he’s all about,” said Rose. “With his business acumen, it was a perfect partnership.”

For more than 15 years, the two had a vision of bringing an event space to South Orange County, and in 2019, they started searching for a building where they could realize their dreams. The space at 1531 N. El Camino Real opened, but quickly looked to have been snatched up by another buyer or tenant.

Once they saw the property became available again, Bowman and Rose jumped at the opportunity to utilize the historic property that was built in 1928, and to make a valuable contribution to the North Beach area.

“Everybody in our executive team are longtime San Clemente residents, (as are) our designer and architect,” Bowman said. “It’s perfect. Everybody was just like,‘This is awesome,’ and everybody wanted to get on this project, because the building speaks for itself.”

Both co-owners have an appreciation for vintage, historic pieces, which sparked their desire to restore the property that had been significantly altered through its nearly 100-year existence.

The renovations were extensive and expensive, as the team was required to bring every aspect up to code in addition to reengineering compromised portions and design the two add-ons within the city’s Spanish Colonial Revival look. Despite Bowman’s experience in the hospitality and service industry, the two weren’t hesitant to bring in designers, wedding professionals and others who could help make the space the best it could be with their advice.

All the contributions helped them keep the building’s historic nature intact while creating a viable facility that could serve potential clients’ needs.

“So far from the community, (the feedback we’ve received) from everyone has been extremely positive,” said Bowman.

Since Agápe 1928’s June opening, the facility has been well-received, according to Bowman, as the whole team attempts to keep up with the demand in the summer season.

Clients and those who have toured the establishment have raved about the property’s large courtyard, its flexibility, and how the renovation has opened up the interior, even as the building has the same square footage as when it was an art supply store.

Bowman said they’ve succeeded in their approach to provide clients with a “blank canvas” for people to use creativity in envisioning their event.

“That’s the goal; that’s what we want to do,” he added.“We want to make people happy; we want people to love the place (and to) be able to have a great night or great day, whatever they booked, and create their own space, their own memory.”

Rose said that having a capable and talented staff to work with, as well as suppliers and others in the community that they know well and trust, makes operations easier. That includes venue manager Heather Pruitt, whom Bowman has known for years through their work together at another organization of Bowman’s.

Bowman called Pruitt an “incredible human being” and the “perfect person for the job,” especially with her experience as a wedding planner.

“When this opportunity became available, she was the perfect fit,” he said.“She’s lived in San Clemente her whole life, and she loves the area, and she’s just a great teammate.”

Nailing down the customer service aspect is “extremely important” for the whole team, Bowman added, especially with their goal to give clients the ability to imagine the event they want.

The team must be flexible and open to ideas, and the executives must additionally provide a good environment for their employees, Bowman said, as the hospitality industry continues to readjust following the harsh effects of COVID-19.

Rose added that what they do extends further into the community, as a lot of people who book tours with Agápe 1928 come in based on positive word-of-mouth recommendations.

The duo has also enjoyed their ability to host community events for local organizations.

“It feels good to be where we’re at … which is a place for the people where we feel like we’re still able to care for people,” said Rose.“It’s more than just a business. It’s a way to love people.” will include loan proceeds that will be sufficient to complete all work associated with the Providence Mission Hospital building, as well as all other landlord obligations related to that building.”

Learn more about the venue at agapesanclemente.com.

Providence announced in September 2022 its intentions to construct two satellite facilities in San Clemente and Rancho Mission Viejo, as part of a $712 million expansion plan.

Each center will provide urgent care services, imaging, and necessary outpatient ambulance services to Providence’s hospitals in Laguna Beach and Mission Viejo from a clinic staffed by primary care physicians, OB-GYNs and other specialty providers.

Chief Executive Seth Teigen said at the time of Providence’s announcement on the subject that the company considered both San Clemente and Rancho Mission Viejo part of its coverage area in South Orange County.

“We really consider those our communities to serve,” Teigen told SC Times “We felt a responsibility to go out to where they are.”

The official announcement came years after the health care provider signed a lease with Craig Realty in July 2020, according to Arneth.

She added that Craig Realty informed Providence of the need to receive a variance from the California Coastal Commission shortly after the lease was signed, as 75% of the property is located within the city’s coastal zone.

After Craig Realty worked with the CCC for two years to earn the regulatory group’s permission, impacts from the pandemic “took a toll” on available resources in the form of material delays and other issues.

“These delays have been very unfortunate, but it hasn’t deterred our commitment to serve San Clemente and to provide exceptional care for our coastal communities,” Arneth said in the email. “We are eagerly awaiting a 2025 grand opening of our health center.”

PUBLISHER’S LETTER | By Picket Fence Media Founder Norb Garrett

his team as they absorb Picket Fence Media and our amazing staff into his organization (which owns hyper-local newspapers and magazines in the greater Los Angeles area and Arizona).

34932 Calle del Sol, Suite B, Capistrano Beach, CA 92624 phone 949.388.7700 fax 949.388.9977 sanclementetimes.com

I’m thrilled to announce that as of Aug. 1, Picket Fence Media’s newspapers are now part of the Times Media Group.

After launching and running our hyper-local media group since 2006, we’ve reached a point where we felt it was important to join forces with an independent (non-corporate, non-private equity) publisher who shared our editorial values and principles.

We also wanted to find a person/company who could leverage their resources to help PFM’s publications grow while embracing new opportunities and adapting to changing and challenging market conditions.

TMG President Steve Strickbine is the perfect person with whom to trust “our baby.” He and his wife also started a local paper from scratch in Arizona, so he also “bleeds black ink” and shares my passion and belief in the critical role local community journalism plays in informing and celebrating our special communities of San Clemente, Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano.

I’ve gotten to know Steve well over the past eight months or so and have come to respect and like him very much.

My wife, Alyssa (who, as our general manager, has been keeping business cranking since its inception), and I are 100% committed to helping Steve and

GUEST OPINION | Laurie’s Latest by Assemblymember Laurie Davies