To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: JANE CHUNG, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER
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DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING FINAL DESIGN OF THE KING HARBOR GATEWAY SIGN REPLACEMENT
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On November 4, 2025, staff presented design options for the replacement of the King Harbor Gateway Sign to the City Council. Following the presentation, City Council directed staff to consult with Stellen Design LLC to help finalize the preferred design, incorporating the feedback provided at the meeting, and to return for final approval prior to initiating sign procurement.
BACKGROUND
Per City Council direction, staff worked with Stellen Design LLC to develop refined design options for both the main gateway sign and the lower signage wording, which are attached to this report for consideration. For the lower signage wording, Stellen Design LLC recommended selecting a design option that utilizes a character count ranging from 53 to 57.
To further help inform the design consideration, staff examined the history of the King Harbor Gateway Sign, which has undergone several changes and replacements over its history. Prior to the current version, there were iterations dating back to the late 1920s, 1941, and 1969. Images of these earlier versions are included as an attachment to the report. The arched gateway sign was originally funded by the King Harbor Lessees Association through an agreement with the City to install it on public land. In 2003, the City assumed full responsibility for the sign, after it required major repairs from a windstorm that the Lessees Association could not afford.
Following this transition, the sign was updated when the structural poles were repaired and repainted by the City. In the 2010s, the plastic components of the sign were replaced, resulting in the version that remains in place today. It is important to note that the sign must be replaced regardless of the graphic or wording ultimately selected to ensure sa...
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