San Gabriel commission reviews pergola-centered concept for veterans memorial; coalition prefers Concept 2

San Gabriel’s Historic Preservation and Cultural Resource Commission on Tuesday reviewed conceptual plans for a veterans memorial centered on a pergola and plaza in Plaza Park, with staff and the memorial coalition urging a design that can grow to accommodate hundreds of names.

The commission heard a presentation from Gary Vasquez, director of design at David Volts Design Creative, who said the coalition’s “wish list” favors Spanish-colonial or mission-style architecture, a flagpole for the American and POW flags, seals for the six military branches and space for events. Vasquez read an inspirational line the coalition proposed: “The soldier above all others prays for peace,” attributed to Gen. Douglas MacArthur.

Why it matters: City council previously selected concept 2 and asked the commission to review it; the commission’s design guidance will shape materials, lighting and placement decisions before the project moves to construction documents and the design review commission.

Vasquez walked commissioners through two options included in the packet and focused discussion on the coalition’s preferred concept, which places a pergola over a diagonal walkway and integrates columns for inscriptions and reliefs. He said the pergola is roughly 46–48 feet long and the scheme is intended to allow the memorial to grow over time to accommodate names the coalition expects could number in the “300–400” range.

Commissioners and staff pressed for additional detail on several fronts. Chair Lubosic asked whether the design team consulted the Mission District specific plan on materials and urged that the memorial’s massing, sightlines and finishes be tailored to the nearby Mission San Gabriel. Vasquez said the team had not yet done a materials review with that plan and agreed to re-check it.

The commission’s architectural historian recommended design changes to emphasize Spanish/Mission character — for example, using a parapet rather than a classical pediment and paying close attention to stucco finish and grout lines — and flagged safety and flexibility for gatherings. She also suggested native stone from the San Gabriel Mountains as an option for vertical elements and urged that the design avoid creating enclosed hiding spaces behind the monument.

Vice Chair Mahara and other commissioners asked for discreet, mission-appropriate lighting; Mahara suggested pendant-style lighting under the pergola if practicable. Commissioners also discussed seating and whether permanent benches might obstruct temporary event setups; the historian recommended leaving space for folding chairs at ceremonies.

On sculptural elements, Vasquez described a proposed battlefield-cross sculpture and said an archangel figure that had appeared in earlier imagery was removed at the coalition’s request. The designer said the city could commission custom sculpture if the budget allows, but cautioned that some pieces (such as a nurse’s figure) might be harder to source than generic battlefield-cross statues.

Michael Cervantes, president of the Veterans Coalition, thanked the design team and asked that communication remain open between the coalition, the city and the architect as design work proceeds. “We wish for the best, and we hope that communication is open from the city and from the architect,” Cervantes said.

No votes were taken on the memorial at the meeting; the commission offered feedback and will transmit comments as the design advances to the design review stage. Earlier in the packet staff noted that the city council selected concept 2 at a February meeting and asked staff to bring the preferred concept to the HPCRC for review.

The commission adjourned at 7:29 p.m.; staff indicated the next regular HPCRC meeting is scheduled for June 10 at 6:30 p.m.