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Design review panel previews pergola-style concept for San Gabriel Veterans Memorial
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Summary
On March 23 the city’s Design Review Commission reviewed Concept 2 for a proposed San Gabriel Veterans Memorial in Plaza Park — a pergola-linked memorial intended to display roughly 400 names — and urged refinements on lighting, materials and name‑addition methods before it returns to City Council.
The Design Review Commission on Monday reviewed conceptual designs for a proposed San Gabriel Veterans Memorial at Plaza Park and provided high‑level feedback focused on lighting, materials and how names will be added over time. Community Services Director Rebecca Perez and the project architect presented Concept 2, which the City Council previously selected for further refinement.
The commission heard from Gary Vasquez, director of design at DVDC, who described Concept 2 as a pergola about 80–86 feet long linking the sidewalk to the park walkway, anchored by a vertical memorial wall flanked by two large columns and a system of lower wing walls for sculptures and displays. Vasquez said the design responds to the Veterans Coalition’s wish list: Spanish‑mission–inspired details, recognition of the six U.S. military branches, an honor column for three locally significant veterans, benches, a stage area for events and provisions to add names in the future. Vasquez said the current list contains approximately 400 names and the design must be flexible to accommodate future additions.
Commissioners praised the exploratory nature of the pergola concept but repeatedly emphasized safety and legibility. Commissioner Ron said he favored Scheme 2 and compared it to the FDR Memorial, but warned that the pergola ‘‘looks very confining and it looks kind of dark’’ and said ‘‘lighting will be very important’’ to ensure the space feels safe at night. Multiple commissioners asked the design team to lower some wing walls, create sight lines for ceremonies, and consider local stone (river stone or sandstone) or simpler stucco to better match the adjacent Mission architecture. Vasquez agreed to explore lowering wall heights, alternative vine or planting choices, and lighter pergola lattice to increase daylight penetration.
The commission also questioned how names would be displayed without disrupting the composition. Vice Chair Salove asked how the team would ‘‘add names to the project’’ over time; Vasquez said the team is leaning toward etched stone panels (granite or similar) and modular pieces that could be removed and replaced to add names as the roll grows. Commissioners urged a layout that reads as intentional and balanced even as names are added.
Members of the Veterans Coalition spoke during public comment in strong support of the proposal. Michael Cervantes, president of the Veterans Coalition, said the group has worked on the project for more than six years and expects the names list to grow as public awareness increases. Ray Diaz, a founding director, suggested an ‘‘eternal light’’ as a commemorative element. Coalition members asked that the city move the design forward to construction once the Commission’s refinements are addressed.
Next steps: staff and the design team will refine materials, lighting and name‑panel details and the item will return to City Council for final action following DRC review.
