LIGHTED MARQUEE

AT THEATER ENTRY FOR

HERMOSA BEACH PLAYHOUSE

 

Recommendation

The Parks, Recreation and Community Resources Commission recommends that Council:

1. Approve the design and authorize the purchase of a marquee for the Theater entry (Attachment A) with amendments as listed in the analysis below.
2. Appropriate up to $17,000 from CIP account #99-627 (Community Center Improvements) to purchase the marquee.
3. Authorize the entry name of "Hermosa Beach Playhouse" for the Civic Theater.

Background

The Parks, Recreation and Community Resources Commission approved a Master Plan List for the Community Center at their June 1, 1999 meeting. At that time, signage for the entry to the theater was approved as a #2 priority.

James Blackman, Executive Director for the South Bay Civic Light Opera in cooperation with the Community Center Foundation will open the second season of the "South Bay Playhouse" in October. To enhance the presence of the Theater in the Community Center complex and to identify the program more closely with the City, at the September 7 meeting, he presented a proposal to the Commission to:

1. Change the name of the South Bay Playhouse to the "Hermosa Beach Playhouse."
2. Provide a lighted and changeable marquee for the entrance to the Theater, identifying the facility as the "Hermosa Beach Playhouse."

Analysis

The Commission approved design of the marquee with the following amendments:

1. Reduce the scale of the sign so the top is lower or flush with the top of the building (current plan includes art deco detail above building height),
2. narrow the width of the sign to allow space between the column details,
3. allow adequate space between the bottom of the sign and the entry door to retain all building details, and
4. replace the "Playhouse" script with art deco lettering.

The Commission also recommended approval for the appropriation of funds for this project, as the marquee’s use would exceed that of the Playhouse. With changeable marquee letters, other Theater users would be able to use the marquee to advertise their events.

During the Master Plan process, one of the key issues addressed about the building was how difficult it is to identify that a theatre exists within the complex because there is no visible separation between the theater and the rest of the Community Center. As such, the Commission envisioned addressing this with landscaping, paint, and entryway signage. If approved, this minor change to the building may greatly enhance the visibility and use of the Theater and add excitement to upcoming events.

Fiscal Impact: $17,000 from CIP # 99-627. Current balance in the account is $270,264. Remaining balance after this appropriation 253,264.

Back     Top of Page     Agendas / Minutes Menu