§ 16.52.730. 278 Alamitos Avenue (skating rink).

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: 278 Alamitos Avenue (skating rink).

A.

Location, Description and Reasons for Designation. Located at 278 Alamitos Avenue in the City of Long Beach, the original use of this building as a roller rink was important to the recreational history of Long Beach, and served as a social center for several decades. It was a place of public assembly and recreation and is remembered fondly by many residents of the City. Its closure as a skating rink reflects changes in the recreational lifestyles of Americans, and changes in the economic profitability of that activity. Its use for modeling the Long Beach Marina was significant for the development of the Long Beach waterfront in the late 1970's.

It is an intact example of Art Deco architecture in its ZigZag phase, with stepped pilasters, chevrons, and geometric ornament. It is relatively unusual to find this style translated into masonry material. The original marquee with chevrons is still in place. The design quality of the facade makes it an excellent example of that style.

The roof is a fascinating example of historic engineering used for spanning large spaces. Called "lamella" in the construction drawings, it is a wooden arched roof uninterrupted by interior supports, pierced by skylights. The arches consist of a web of diamond-shaped wood supports surmounted by wood boards, anchored by slender horizontal metal tie-rods. This roof structure is unique in Long Beach, and the design of the open span roof represents a significant engineering innovation and was a precursor of the geodesic dome.

Its location at the crossing of two (2) major streets, Alamitos Avenue and Third Street, and the lively, vibrant design of its Art Deco facade, make it a prominent visual feature of its neighborhood. It has been a feature of the Long Beach Cityscape for more than sixty (60) years.

B.

General Guidelines and Standards for Any Changes. The "Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings" prepared by the Secretary of the Interior (Revised, 1983), as amended, are incorporated by reference, and they, along with the following additional guidelines and standards as recommended by the Cultural Heritage Commission shall apply to the landmark:

Any alterations, modifications or repair of the structure shall be done so in keeping with its historic architectural character, and any alteration, modifications or changes shall follow the Secretary of the Interior's standards and guidelines. All exterior changes, including exterior materials and color, shall require a certificate of appropriateness from the Cultural Heritage Commission. Structural alterations and the removal of any original historic materials or architectural fabric from the interior shall require a certificate of appropriateness from the Cultural Heritage Commission.

(Ord. C-6928 § 1, 1991)