Historic and Design Review Commission approves permanent plaza pavilion after questions on height, shade and access

The Historic and Design Review Commission approved a proposal to add a permanent pavilion, public dining area and other upgrades to a downtown plaza after commissioners pressed the project team on scale, shade, accessibility and maintenance.

The project team, represented by Elaine Courtney of EG Partners, said the pavilion responds to 20 years of temporary uses and would provide consistent infrastructure for free public events, electricity for food trucks and a smaller, full kitchen to serve events. Architect Alison Chambers said the pavilion's roof structure reaches about 22 feet, 4 inches and that designers plan to protect existing trees and add new plantings to soften the structure's visual impact.

Commissioners debated the pavilion's scale. One commissioner said the pavilion as drawn appeared large relative to the plaza and suggested a two-level roof (higher over the stage, lower over food-service areas) to reduce perceived bulk and preserve views toward the cathedral from Commerce Street. Courtney and the design team said they have prepared view studies and can explore alternative roof profiles and additional analyses requested by the commission.

Accessibility and circulation were recurring concerns. Commissioner Mizuka asked whether the design is single-story and how it meets the Americans with Disabilities Act; the applicant said the proposal restores a gentle slope to reduce steps and improve wheelchair access, and that they will continue to study direct center access from the plaza to the stage and service areas.

Design details still under development include pavement patterns and a central granite element intended to convey the plaza's historical narrative. The team said drawings do not yet finalize pavement patterning and that a range of durable materials is being evaluated for heat mitigation. For landscape areas the designers proposed artificial turf in high-traffic locations for durability, and said maintenance plans call for an on-site porter or caretaker to manage cleaning and repairs.

On lighting, the team said the plan includes varied fixtures (elevated lamps, step lighting and performance lighting) and an "intelligent" control system that will allow dimming and scene management during events. Presenters also said electrical hookups will support typical festival loads and food-truck power needs; a separate street-improvement project for De La Rosa was described as providing additional utility access.

After discussion the commission voted to approve the project with staff conditions. The record shows a roll-call vote with commissioners present recording affirmative votes. Several commissioners asked the project team to return with additional drawings and elevation studies addressing the commission's comments.

The commission's action permits the applicant to proceed with final design revisions and coordination with staff on the items requested during the hearing.