TITLE
Recommendation to request City Attorney to prepare an ordinance and resolution to designate the property located at 210 The Promenade North as a Long Beach Historical Landmark.
(District 2)
DISCUSSION
On January 4, 2016, an updated Cultural Heritage Ordinance No. 15-0038 took effect and streamlined the process for designation of new landmarks within the City. Among other changes, the updated Ordinance uses the four California Register criteria for landmark dedications and allows nominations to proceed directly from a Cultural Heritage Commission recommendation to the City Council for consideration.
On October 10, 2016, the Cultural Heritage Commission recommended that the City Council designate the property located at 210 The Promenade North as a local historic landmark (Exhibit A - Cultural Heritage Commission Staff Report). The two-story commercial building has been vacant in recent years but is now undergoing renovations, including façade improvements and restoration work. In September 2016, the Planning Commission approved a Conditional Use Permit to allow a high end tattoo parlor, with an accessory art gallery, to open on the second floor. A new ground-floor tenant is being sought as well.
Staff has consulted with, and assisted, the property owner regarding the benefits and regulations associated with this designation. Landmark status protects the structure from future demolition or alteration, and enriches the City’s rich cultural and architectural history. Also, this designation qualifies the property for application of a Mills Act contract and other incentives for restoration and maintenance of the historic structure.
The building is located on The Promenade, between Broadway and Third Street (Exhibit B - Location Map). The building features elements of both Art Deco and Streamline Moderne styles. All character defining features are located on the front façade and include the smooth plaster wall finish, second floor vertical fins, horizontal grooves, stepback parapet walls, steel casement windows, and curved building corners. The shape of the building is primarily rectangular with a flat roof. The two vertical fin features on the second floor front façade extend vertically above the roof line and wrap around and over the stepback parapet wall. The vertical fins flank a set of centered metal casement and fixed windows, which are oriented in a narrow vertical position that emphasize the vertical features typically associated with the Art Deco style. The top of the windows are capped with horizontal grooves, a feature associated with the Streamline Moderne style.
The updated Cultural Heritage Ordinance contains four California Register criteria for designation: Criteria A - associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; Criteria B - associated with the lives of persons important to the City’s past; Criteria C - embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region or method of construction or represents the work of a master or possesses high artistic values; or Criteria D - has yielded, or has the potential to yield, information important in prehistory or history.
The subject property is eligible for Long Beach Historic Landmark designation under Criteria A and C. The building is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of the City’s history. The 1933 Long Beach Earthquake caused extensive damage to many masonry structures. As the reconstruction of the earthquake-damaged buildings began, many buildings in Long Beach were rebuilt with new Art Deco style facades. The architectural firm of architect Cecil Schilling and engineer Arthur Schilling designed several important Art Deco buildings, including 210 The Promenade North and the Hancock Motors Building, the first Art Deco building in the Long Beach area in 1928. 210 The Promenade North represents a design aesthetic that characterized the post depress chapter of the City’s development that resulted in a lasting contribution to the City’s broad patterns of history.
The building is also eligible under Criteria C as it embodies the distinctive characteristics of an architectural style (Art Deco and Streamline Moderne) and period of Significance (1933). The structure is a unique and notable example of this 1930s stylistic transition from 1920s and 1930s Art Deco to Streamline Moderne style in the 1930s, and retains its architectural character.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda T. Vu on November 10, 2016 and by Budget Analysis Officer Julissa Jose-Murray on November 14, 2016.
In accordance with the 15331 Guidelines for Implementation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), environmental review is not required for actions taken for the preservation or restoration of historic structures. Establishing 210 The Promenade North as a Long Beach Historical Landmark will assure its continued use and existence, reducing construction waste as compared to new construction.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is not time critical.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal or local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
AMY J. BODEK, AICP
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER