Pause King Harbor sign redesign in Redondo Beach

Recent signers:
JOEL SCHNEIDER and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

Growing up in Redondo Beach, I've always cherished its unique charm and heritage. As a graphic designer and lifelong resident, I have a deep appreciation for the city's historical elements that make our home special. That's why I'm concerned about the sudden push to redesign the iconic King Harbor sign without adequate community input. Our King Harbor sign is more than just a marker; it's a part of our identity, a symbol of the community's rich past. It connects us with the stories of yesteryears and keeps the essence of old Redondo alive. The recent proposal to redesign this beloved landmark seems rushed and out of touch with what many locals want—to preserve our heritage and consult those of us who live here before making changes. According to the American Planning Association, involving communities in urban redesign projects results in more sustainable and successful outcomes. The ongoing rush doesn't give us this chance. Instead, it threatens to erase a piece of our history without giving locals a voice. I am calling on the Redondo Beach City Council and involved parties to put a pause on the King Harbor sign redesign process. We need greater transparency and more opportunities for public consultation, ensuring that any changes truly reflect our community's wishes. Our voices deserve to be heard, and our historic treasures deserve to be preserved. Let's take the time to plan this thoughtfully, with input from residents and experts who respect the importance of our cultural landmarks. Please join me in advocating for a pause in redesigning the King Harbor sign. Sign this petition, and help protect the identity, history, and charm of Redondo Beach for future generations.

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2,077

Recent signers:
JOEL SCHNEIDER and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

Growing up in Redondo Beach, I've always cherished its unique charm and heritage. As a graphic designer and lifelong resident, I have a deep appreciation for the city's historical elements that make our home special. That's why I'm concerned about the sudden push to redesign the iconic King Harbor sign without adequate community input. Our King Harbor sign is more than just a marker; it's a part of our identity, a symbol of the community's rich past. It connects us with the stories of yesteryears and keeps the essence of old Redondo alive. The recent proposal to redesign this beloved landmark seems rushed and out of touch with what many locals want—to preserve our heritage and consult those of us who live here before making changes. According to the American Planning Association, involving communities in urban redesign projects results in more sustainable and successful outcomes. The ongoing rush doesn't give us this chance. Instead, it threatens to erase a piece of our history without giving locals a voice. I am calling on the Redondo Beach City Council and involved parties to put a pause on the King Harbor sign redesign process. We need greater transparency and more opportunities for public consultation, ensuring that any changes truly reflect our community's wishes. Our voices deserve to be heard, and our historic treasures deserve to be preserved. Let's take the time to plan this thoughtfully, with input from residents and experts who respect the importance of our cultural landmarks. Please join me in advocating for a pause in redesigning the King Harbor sign. Sign this petition, and help protect the identity, history, and charm of Redondo Beach for future generations.

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The Decision Makers

Redondo Beach City Council
5 Members
2 Responded
Brad Waller
Redondo Beach City Council - District 1
Thank you for raising this issue. As a Council member, I want to clarify a few facts about the King Harbor Gateway Sign in Redondo Beach. The original arched sign was installed between 1967 and 1969 by the Harbor Tenants Association, well before the City assumed control. In 2003, the sign’s structure and lighting housings had deteriorated, prompting the City to take responsibility. A full repair/replacement was approved in 2004. Since then, updates have replaced faded plastic panels, altered the center sailboat graphic, adjusted the sky/background artwork, changed the font several times, and revised the wording and background color of the lower panel. These changes reflect evolving maintenance needs and design updates over decades. The current proposal does not alter the shape of the arch. Only the lettering, center graphic, and amenity listings below the arch are under consideration. Funding for repainting and refurbishing the sign has already been approved in the fiscal year 2025–26 budget (approximately $134,000), so maintenance will proceed regardless of final design choices. Because this is fundamentally a maintenance and refurbishment effort, not a complete rebuild, it seems reasonable to consider applying the City’s official branding so that the sign aligns with other public signage, documents, and materials. Consistent visual identity across signage, municipal communications, and public assets helps a city communicate clearly and professionally. When logos, fonts, colors, and design elements match across platforms, it creates cohesion and makes it easier for residents, businesses, and visitors to immediately recognize official city assets. Using the trademarked city logo on the King Harbor sign does not conflict with preserving history. Instead, it can reinforce that the Harbor remains a defining part of our community while positioning the city as unified, well-managed, and forward-looking. A cohesive city brand helps strengthen civic pride, enhance recognition, and support clarity in way-finding and public information. My view is that we should aim for a design that merges respect for King Harbor’s maritime heritage with the benefits of a coherent city-wide brand. That means using the official logo and ensuring the sign clearly reflects harbor-specific amenities while still providing space for community input, especially from longtime residents who remember earlier versions. I am open to using the serif style font that has been on the sign for many years. Thank you for engaging in this conversation. I believe that thoughtful design, honoring both our past and our shared future, can create a King Harbor sign that feels authentic, unified, and representative of Redondo Beach as a whole. Brad Waller (he/him) Redondo Beach City Council District 1 310.318.0689 415 Diamond St., Redondo Beach, CA 90277 redondo.org
Zein Obagi
Redondo Beach City Council - District 4
The Redondo Beach City Council will discuss refreshing the King Harbor sign on Tuesday December 9th at its regular City Council Meeting which starts at 6 pm. The item will not likely be discussed before 6:30, or 7:00 pm. We welcome all civil dialogue and diverse views on the subject. Zein E. Obagi, Jr. Council Member, District 4 City of Redondo Beach
Chadwick Castle
Redondo Beach City Council - District 2
James Light
Redondo Beach City Mayor
Joy Ford
Redondo Beach City Attorney
Eleanor Manzano
Redondo Beach City Clerk

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Petition created on November 16, 2025