San Gabriel council directs revisions to veterans memorial, favors pergola-style concept

San Gabriel city officials directed staff and the project architect on Feb. 17 to revise a proposed veterans memorial at Plaza Park, signaling a preference for a pergola-style design with several changes requested by the San Gabriel Veterans Memorial Coalition.

Community Services Director Rebecca Perez presented two conceptual options developed by David Waltz Design Creative: Option 1, a bell-tower-focused design with flanking walls, and Option 2, a pergola with wall panels designed for a walk-through, museum-like experience. Gary Vasquez, director of design for DVDC, said both concepts would display veterans’ names, recognize six military branches (including Space Force) and include space for plaques and quotations.

Rebecca Perez said the coalition favored Option 2 and proposed edits including lowering the height of the towers, moving benches farther from the memorial to create event space, softening pointed arches into rounded forms and adding a statue honoring military nurses. Perez told the council the coalition “prefer design concept two” and supplied text and contact information for veteran records.

Teresa Olivas Houstiani, a founding director of the San Gabriel Veterans Memorial Coalition, described the memorial as a way to honor local veterans and their families: “For my family, this monument is not just about remembering the past, it's about honoring a life of love, service, and sacrifice.” Michael Cervantes, president of the coalition, said volunteers have compiled “almost, I believe, close to 400 names of veterans” the coalition hopes to recognize on the wall.

Council members pressed designers on practical details: whether a bell could be made ringable (Gary Vasquez said it could); plant choices for the pergola (drought-tolerant vines such as wisteria or grapevine); lighting and anti-graffiti finishes; and how names would be arranged and expanded over time. Council members discussed ordering names chronologically to avoid later re-chiseling, adding a digital directory or QR code for easier searching, and including a small stage or canopy for ceremonies.

Vice Mayor Chan and other council members voiced support for Option 2 with the coalition’s edits while suggesting elements from Option 1 — such as a smaller bell tower or more vertical presence — be incorporated where appropriate. Rebecca Perez and Gary Vasquez said they could deliver updated three-dimensional renderings and incorporate the requested changes. DVDC estimated a revised design could be ready in two to three weeks; construction drawings and bidding would come later, with a construction window estimated at roughly six months and an overall project timeline of about a year from final design, depending on budget and permitting.

The council did not take a formal final vote on the memorial’s design tonight. Instead, members directed staff to have DVDC update the preferred concept, send the revisions to the design review and cultural resources/historic preservation commissions for advisory review, and return to council with a final concept and a cost estimate. Several councilmembers urged staff to expedite the process so the Veterans Coalition can begin fundraising for installation and name recognition.

The next steps outlined by staff include producing updated design drawings (3-D renderings), a preliminary cost estimate, a plan for name placement that accommodates future additions, and recommended lighting and anti-graffiti measures. Staff also agreed to coordinate with police and fire on security and safety considerations near the plaza and mission.

The council’s direction leaves open specific technical decisions — such as final materials, final tower height and whether to include an electronic name board — which will be resolved in the revised plans returned to the council after advisory commission review.