TITLE
Recommendation to request City Attorney to prepare an ordinance and resolution to designate the VIP Records sign located at 1014 East Pacific Coast Highway as a Long Beach Historical Landmark.
(District 6)
DISCUSSION
On November 13, 2017, the Cultural Heritage Commission recommended that the City Council designate the sign located at 1014 E. Pacific Coast Highway as a local historic landmark (Exhibit A - Cultural Heritage Commission Staff Report). The roof-mounted sign is known as the VIP Records sign, and is associated with the VIP Records store and its proprietor, Mr. Kelvin Anderson.
The sign is located on the roof of a commercial strip mall located at the southeast corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, directly over the tenant space at 1014 E. Pacific Coast Highway, which is closest to the Pacific Coast Highway side of the property. A portion of the sign extends over the sidewalk and due to its height and design, is highly visible from Pacific Coast Highway.
In the 1980’s, rap music saw huge growth in popularity throughout the country including Long Beach. Future rap artists such as Snoop Dogg, Warren G, and Nate Dogg were growing up in this area of Long Beach at the time. Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, and Warren G purchased music from VIP Records, food from the fish market, and had their hair cut at the local barbershop, all of which were in the subject shopping center. VIP Records, owned by Mr. Kelvin Anderson, was expanding during the 1980’s and 1990’s when gang violence escalated in the area. Mr. Anderson purchased music-recording equipment, a drum machine and sampler with the assistance of acclaimed record producer Sir Jinx and built a recording studio and small stage within the rear of his store. He offered up the space to local youth as a way to help young people in the community escape gang violence.
The Cultural Heritage Ordinance contains four California Register criteria for designation: Criteria A - associated ...
Click here for full text