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A Message From Preservation Commissioner Dean Francois: Have you ever driven up Pacific Coast Highway in Redondo Beach and noticed a beautiful neon sign with a fish on top directing travelers to Millie Riera's Sea Food Grotto, a restaurant which has always been hard to find? Well we are still trying to save this sign and register it as a landmark. We originally thought that ... hay ... no problem ... right? Well, on August 3, the Redondo City council voted to appoint councilmember and former preservation commissioner Mike Gin and councilmember Gerard Brisignano to work it out with the Riviera Association who is attempting to get the sign torn down. Gerard needs to be convinced that we need to keep that sign here. We need people to get to their counclmember or get to some of those businesses, convince them to support us, and tell their leaders to go with us!! The association meets the first Wednesday of the month in the morning so if you are a member go to that meeting. The restaurant - Millie Riera's Sea food Grotto - is gone, but the sign represents the old art deco of the time. The sign represents the classic, neon design from the 40's that is so typical of early auto-driven development. Some may argue that it directs people to a restaurant that no longer exists. This is not an important issue as travelers can easily be directed to other fine restaurants. The neon fish simply points in a direction that is not specific. Others say it is old and ugly. The sign is fine the way it is. To make it look better it should be restored with some nice landscaping. Our preservation commission is trying to save it and we may not get a county grant to restore it but please show your support. If you are interested in helping, please send an email to "MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL" and tell them you want it saved. The most important email addresses are the secretary thelma.guerreva@redondo.org and City Clerk sandy.forest@redondo.org They should make copies for everyone if you put "to: mayor and city council" at the top of the email. Include as the subject "Future council agenda item - millie sign" If you want to address the mayor or individual council members directly, their email addresses include: BPINZ@aol.com The more emails the better. Spread the word. Here is a sample and to make it simple, you could just forward it and delete the headers, put your name at the bottom, maybe change a word or two or copy it and send it if you want. Thanx your friendly preservation commissioner TO: MAYOR AND REDONDO BEACH CITY COUNCIL SUBJ: SAVE THE MILLIE RIERA'S SIGN - AGENDA ITEM I am writing to you in support of your preservation commission and urge you to vote to keep the sign and begin the process to designate it a landmark. As a longtime resident of Redondo Beach, I believe it is the responsibility of elected officials to do what it takes to preserve our past. The sign represents the classic, neon design from the 40's that is so typical of early auto-driven development. Some may argue that it directs people to a restaurant that no longer exists. This is not an important issue as travelers can easily be directed to other fine restaurants. The neon fish simply points in a direction that is not specific. Others say it is old and ugly. The sign is fine the way it is. To make it look better it should be restored with some nice landscaping. Please vote to keep the sign and preserve our past. |