HomeMy WebLinkAboutGolden Bear Plaque - content and location on the Pierside PaDept. ID PL14-015 Page 1 of 1
Meeting Date4
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
REQUEST FOR. CITY COUNCIL ACTION
MEETING DATE: 9/2/2014
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Fred A. Wilson, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Scott Hess, AICP, Director of Planning and Building
SUBJECT: Approve content and location of the Golden Bear Plaque on the Pierside Pavilion
Statement of Issue: Transmitted for your consideration is the approval of the Golden Bear plaque.
Financial Impact: Not applicable.
Recommended Action: Motion to:
Approve the content and location of the Golden Bear plaque (Attachment No. 1) and its placement
on the Pierside Pavilion property.
Alternative Action(s): The City Council may take alternative actions such as:
1. Approve the content and location of a different Golden Bear plaque (Attachment No. 2) and its
placement on the Pierside Pavilion property as recommended by the Historic Resources Board.
2. Continue the item and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
At the March 17, 2014, City Council meeting, the City Council directed the City Manager and the
Historic Resources Board to research options, location, and cost of installing a plaque dedicated to
the former Golden Bear restaurant/nightclub. The City had the plaque manufactured and it is now
ready to be installed on the Pierside Pavilion property. Attachment No. 1 is the proof of the
manufactured plaque. The Historic Resources Board recommends a different copy for the plaque
(see Attachment No. 2).
Environmental Status:
The project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15303
Class 3, because the plaque is a minor accessory to an existing development.
Strategic Plan Goal: Enhance quality of life
A++arhmpnt-
1. Golden Bear Plaque Proof
2. Golden Bear Plaque as recommended by the Historic Resources Board
Item 14. - 1 HB _;0?-
250% 2698717 lb 0703/14 07/10/14 20X24 SL 15.333x9.gold
FIB -303- Item 14. - 2
The Golden Bear
This plaque marks the entrance to the Golden Bear Cafe, the star-studded restaurant and
architectural wonder turned rock'n' roll nightclub and legendary landr-nark.
In 1923, Chef Harry Bakre opened the Golden Bear Caf6, on Main Street.
but shortly outcyrew his small location. By 1929, Bakre had commissioned famed. architect,
17 Horatio W. Bishop, to create the California Eclectic/Spanish Revival masterpiece
memorialized here today. Soon after, silver screen legends like Mary Pickford, Errol Flynn
and John Barry'more dined alongside oil barons and prominent politicians of the era.
In 1963, Del Kauffman re-established. the Golden Bear as a folk music club.
Despite having a young David Crosby as the first of many acts, Kaufmann. was closed
by 1966. George Nikas reopened the club the same year and. booked diverse acts
that included Janis Joplin, Nell Young, and Lenny Bruce.
In 1974, Richard, Carol and Charles Babiracki purchased the Golden Bear.
The Babirackis kept the music alive with. an eclectic list of stars, including Patti Smith,
Van Halen, Linda Ronstadt, the. Ramones, Robin Williams, Steve Martin
and Charles Bukowski. Wyland, then an unknown local artist, created a vibrant mural of
famous faces painted inside large music notes on the outside wall of the Bear in 1979.
The last performer, guitarist Robin Trower, rocked the Golden Bear into history
on January 29, 1986. Later that year, the beloved Bear was demolished to make way
for downtown redevelopment.
Dedicated by the City of Huntington Beach and
the Historic Resources Board of Huntington Beach
2014
Item 14. - 3 14B -304-
A
An advisory boars to the hunting.ton Beach City Council
August 28, 2014
RE: September 2, 2014, Council Agenda Item # 14 Golden Bear Plaque
Honorable Mayor and City Council;
The Historic Resources Board strongly recommends that the Council reject the
recommended action and approve the Golden Bear plaque submitted under
Alternative Action #1 and Attachment #2 of the: RCA.
This original version (Attachment #2) was prepared in response to a March 10;; 2014
Directive to the HRB to "develop plaque options for the site ,including size, plaque text,
material and placement." This version resulted from many hours of research and the
combined expertise of the HRB. It was approved by a vote of the full HRB and was
very well -received outside of the Board as well.
Subsequently, a different version of this plaque appeared. The HRB finds that version
(Attachment#1 of this RCA) historically inaccurate and grammatically incorrect.
Furthermore, it contains an unnecessary and inappropriate reference -to the personal:
bankruptcy of a former owner of this legendary venue. -
The Golden Bear was a sonic temple for music,. ideas and laughter. Music is said to
be the universal language, a language that speaks loudly to our youth. What will they
learn. from that subsequent version of the plaque? That it is OK to write poorly
because "it's not that bad?" That it. is OK to honor one of the greatest losses in Orange
County music and architectural history with dishonorable and sloppy work?
Let us give this landmark, this city and our children the accurate and honorable tribute
they all deserve. Please approve Alternative Action #1. and Attachment #2 the version
prepared with the expertise; of the Historic Resources Board:
Respectfully submitted,
PyLEMENTAL
GO UNICATdQN
Duane Wentworth
Chair, Historic Resources Board Meeting Date:, A�
Agenda Item No. A7
000 Main S reetl 6 _untin.,gton Beach, Caii.f0r--a 4 926 S
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