Queen Bee's Art & Cultural Center, a vibrant community space in San Diego’s North Park, is facing an uncertain future due to legal disputes and redevelopment plans.
Founded by Alma Rodriguez in 2008, Queen Bee's Art & Cultural Center has served as a hub for artists, musicians, dancers, and community members. Located in a building with a rich history, the center has become a cherished part of the North Park neighborhood. However, recent changes in ownership and ongoing legal issues have cast doubt on its continuation at its current location.
The center occupies a building that once housed Dixieline Lumber, a company integral to the construction of the surrounding neighborhood. In 2018, artist Andrea Rushing created a series of paintings depicting the journey of Alma Rodriguez and the community that has formed around Queen Bee's. These artworks symbolize the cultural and artistic contributions of the center to North Park.
The building's original owner, Allen Hitch Jr., passed away last year. Hitch, who had inherited the property from his father, had a close relationship with Rodriguez and supported her vision for Queen Bee's. He had previously rejected offers to sell the property, valuing the center's role in the community more than financial gain. However, following his death, legal disputes arose between Rodriguez and Hitch's heirs. Rodriguez believed she had an agreement to purchase the property for $500,000, significantly below market value, a claim that Hitch's heirs dispute. They have accused Rodriguez of manipulating Hitch into signing the agreement, alleging financial elder abuse and fraud.
In addition to the dispute over the building, Hitch's heirs have accused Rodriguez of improperly taking items from Hitch's home and receiving over $400,000 from his bank account as a beneficiary. Rodriguez has denied these accusations, stating that the funds were part of Hitch's wishes and that the allegations against her are unfounded.
The administrator of Hitch's estate recently sold the property to a company owned by Ronald Schottland, a former tenant of the building. Schottland's purchase agreement dates back over two decades and was updated about ten years ago as part of a legal settlement. The new owners plan to demolish the existing structure and replace it with retail space and townhomes. Schottland has expressed his intention to proceed with redevelopment and has indicated that he will oppose any efforts to obtain historic designation for the building, which would prevent its demolition.
In response to the sale and potential redevelopment, Rodriguez and her supporters are pushing for a historic designation for the building. This designation, based on the structure's age, unique craftsmanship, and role in the community, would protect it from being demolished or significantly altered. However, this is seen as a longshot effort, and Rodriguez is preparing for the possibility of relocating Queen Bee's to a new venue.
The possible closure of Queen Bee's has been met with concern from the local community. The center hosts a variety of events and serves as a gathering place for diverse groups. The loss of Queen Bee's would be a significant blow to the cultural landscape of North Park, removing one of the few remaining spaces dedicated to the arts and community engagement. Advocates for the center argue that its closure would contribute to the ongoing trend of gentrification, which threatens the unique character of the neighborhood.
While the legal battles and efforts to preserve the building continue, the future of Queen Bee's remains uncertain. Rodriguez has expressed her determination to continue her work, whether at the current location or elsewhere, and is exploring all options to keep the spirit of Queen Bee's alive. The community that has formed around the center stands ready to support her, underscoring the lasting impact of Queen Bee's on North Park and the broader San Diego arts scene.
As the situation unfolds, Queen Bee's faces challenges that are emblematic of broader issues affecting cultural spaces in urban areas. The outcome of this dispute could have lasting implications not only for Queen Bee's but also for the preservation of community-centered venues in cities across the country.
Queen Bee's Art & Cultural Center is located at 3925 Ohio Street in San Diego's North Park. For more information, visit queenbeessd.com.
