Signal Hill releases new survey, designs for Civic Center Master Plan

Three options were designed; residents asked to choose which they prefer.

The City of Signal Hill is asking residents to share their opinions on what the new civic center should look like. The City has narrowed its options down to three proposed plans, and is asking the public to give feedback on them by taking an online survey.

In July, the Signal Hill City Council approved a contract of over $218,000 with John Kaliski Architects, Incorporated (JKA Inc.) to develop the Civic Center Master Plan. The plan will outline updates made to the area including the existing community center, City Hall and its parking lots, Signal Hill Park, Signal Hill Public Library, Spud Field and certain properties along 21st Street.

The City put out its first survey for the Civic Center Master Plan in August, and held multiple in-person public meetings in October in order to gauge what amenities and resources the community wanted to see in the revamped civic center.

The information gained during this time was used to create three potential plans for the civic center, and the new survey aims to find out which one residents prefer.

Descriptions of the three different plans are as follows:

“The Campus” – Option 1 proposes the construction of a new amphitheater near the park’s center, with sports courts and a play area positioned to the west, near the existing Spud Field. A new Civic Center facility, housing City Hall and a community center with various activity spaces would be situated west of the Signal Hill Library. The existing City Hall would be renovated to accommodate cultural activities, and Kelley Drive would be widened and enhanced with a cul-de-sac for improved access to the community center and neighboring residential properties.

Option one of Signal Hill’s proposed master plan for the renovated Civic Center, titled “The Campus.” (Courtesy of Signal Hill)

“The Terrace” – Option 2 suggests placing the new amphitheater just west of the existing Bruce May Memorial stage, which is currently used for summer concerts. This option envisions additional park land and walking paths replacing Spud Field. A new Civic Center facility, combining City Hall and the community center with various indoor and outdoor activity spaces, would be located north of the new park space and south of an expanded Hill Street parking lot. Kelley Drive would undergo improvements as an alley south of 21st Street. Jessie Nelson Circle would be transformed into a pedestrian plaza facing City Hall, which, in this plan, would be renovated for cultural activities and incorporate various art opportunities.

Option two of Signal Hill’s proposed master plan for the renovated Civic Center, titled “The Terrace.” (Courtesy of Signal Hill)

“The Green” – Option 3 proposes placing the new amphitheater to the west of Spud Field, with a southerly extension of Kelley Drive connecting it to 21st Street. A new community center with activity spaces for seniors, adults, teens and children would be constructed just north of the amphitheater. The plan includes an enlarged sports court and children’s play area adjacent to Hill Street, connecting south to the community center. A City Hall annex would be built east of the existing facility, and Jessie Nelson Circle would be replaced with an extension of the park.

Option three of Signal Hill’s proposed master plan for the renovated Civic Center, titled “The Grren.” (Courtesy of Signal Hill)

The survey consists of 10 questions, some of which are:

Do you live in Signal Hill?
What is your age?
How should the existing City Hall building be reimagined?
Would you be supportive of a voter-approved bond measure to help fund a specific improvement?

To take the online survey, visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/signalhillCCMP1.

To keep up with the Civic Center Master Plan, or to learn more, visit the City’s website or call 562-989-7343.