| IzmirLB's Vision Regarding LB Sister Cities "Bandshell Gallery" | | Historic Landmark Designation of the Bandshell | 16.52.740: The Recreation Park Bandshell  Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 2.63 and with the recommendation of the planning commission, the city council designates the following building as an historical landmark in the city: The Recreation Park bandshell. Location, Description and Reasons for Designation
Located in Recreation Park at 4901 East Seventh Street in the city of Long Beach, the bandshell was the location of numerous public events, reflecting many elements of the cultural, social and political history of Long Beach. It was a location of the all-state picnics, including many of the famous Iowa picnics. School performance and drama festivals took place there. Graduation exercises for Long Beach City College were held there. After the 1933 earthquake, it was used as temporary classroom space. One of Long Beach's parent cooperative nursery schools used this facility from 1952. It was also the site of political gatherings, such as an appearance by Richard Nixon during his early political career. The bandshell was also the site of the Municipal Band's regular concerts. Long Beach's Municipal Band was thought to be the only city that supported year-round band concerts from 1912 through 1940, and was a source of civic pride. The Spanish Baroque Revival style used here appears rarely in Long Beach. This is the only public building in that style, which was popular in the early 1920's. This style was launched by the eminent architect Bertram Goodhue in buildings designed for the Panama-California Exposition of 1915 in San Diego, and became popular throughout Southern California. The rich plasterwork, the elaborate curvilinear design of the central arch, the broad border of colorful Malibu tile, the stucco walls and red tile roof are all features of this style. The bandshell has been identified as an important historic resource by a professional architectural historian hired by the city as a consultant, who determined that the building might be potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The richly ornamented historic architectural style plus the multifaceted community historic significance of the building more than amply constitute qualifications for designation as a city landmark. | Bandshell Gallery Project Status | In October 2009, Long Beach Parks Department Director Phil Hester suggested the use of the historic bandshell building by the SCLB, Inc. as a cultural and information center for a nominal rental fee of $1/year. One of the primary uses for the building will be the hosting of the IzmirLB Library Collection and display items typical to Izmir. Following other sister cities committees showed interest in sharing the building as a cultural center: Phnom Penh (Cambodia)
Sochi (Russia)
Mombasa (kenya) All particip[ating sister cities organizations will be encouraged to contribute their own book collections and display items typical to the cities they represent. At the present time, IzmirLB is in process of preparing a project description for the Parks Department review, which will include: - the intended use,
- opening hours for the public,
- volunteer availability for regular opening and closing,
- renovation (inside),
- furniture (book shelves,display cases, office and meeting tables, etc),
- housekeeping,
- electricity,
- phone and WIFI availability,
- expenses.
IzmirLB Design Team visited the bandshell building and is currently in process of preparing a concept and a budget for renovations.
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