OCEANSIDE — Work on the downtown archway sign project, slated for completion before the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics, could slow as the city weighs a list of unfunded infrastructure projects and seeks community input on spending priorities.
Although discussions about installing an archway monument bearing the city’s name as a gateway to downtown have taken place over the years, the City Council moved forward this past spring by hiring Graphic Solutions Ltd. for analysis, design and construction management.
To guide the design process, staff formed a stakeholder advisory committee with representatives from MainStreet Oceanside, the Oceanside Historical Society, Visit Oceanside, the Oceanside cultural district board, the Oceanside Art Commission, the Downtown Advisory Committee, the Chamber of Commerce and the consultant’s team.
The advisory committee will provide input, but the City Council will make the final decision on the sign’s design.
So far, the advisory committee has met twice and reviewed 11 concepts before recommending three preferred designs.
According to staff, the three preferred designs include the following:
- Concept 1 features stacked light-tube columns clustered along the sidewalk and landscaping, with light tubes illuminating the city’s name from behind.
- Concept 2 reflects the city’s Civic Center architecture with shades of dark and light blue.
- Concept 3 features two waves with colorful, translucent glass panes that come together to hold the city’s name overhead.
Several locations were reviewed before the intersection of Mission Avenue and Nevada Street was selected as the proposed site, with the sign spanning Mission Avenue.
Simon Andrews of Graphic Solutions said the sign complements the ocean view corridor and meets safety requirements at the proposed site.
“It not only preserves the ocean view, but it frames the view, making it a gateway that’s unique among all other gateways in the county,” Andrews said. “No other city in the county has such a location that it frames the view of the ocean. It really creates a truly iconic object of pride for the community.”
Andrews also said gateway signs are often among the first images that appear when researching a city online, which can help make the city appear more attractive.
Council members offered initial input on the design process and next steps, which include scheduling meetings in each council district for residents to learn more and weigh in on the sign’s appearance.
Before those meetings, the city plans to hold a workshop next month that could give other projects priority.
The city has several major unfunded projects pending, including reconstruction of the concrete pier bridge, a new Fire Station 8, a new police headquarters, the RE coastline restoration project and the San Luis Rey River Flood Control Project.
“There are so many needs that we have,” Mayor Esther Sanchez said. “I’d like to hear from the public regarding our priorities in our budget.”
Sanchez said she does not think meeting the Olympics deadline is necessary.
The mayor also prefers to keep signs out of the city’s major view corridors, including Mission Avenue and Pier View Way.
“Nothing can surpass the view of the ocean,” she said.
During public comment, Patti K. suggested using private funding to pay for the sign rather than city funds. Like the mayor, she noted the city’s list of unfunded projects, along with residents’ needs for general affordability, youth activities and other services.
“It’s a fun project, really, I like it, I just want private funding, please,” she said.
Other council members also weighed in.
Councilmember Jimmy Figueroa said he was confident in staff’s direction but wanted to hear from the community about all the designs, not just the stakeholder group’s preferred three.
Deputy Mayor Eric Joyce stressed the need for a distinctive design, saying the sign should “feel like Oceanside.”
“I would hope that whatever we choose isn’t something that you would see in IB,” he said.
Councilmember Rick Robinson asked staff to consider crash protection around the sign’s base.
