City Council Meeting – Council Member Items Report
To: City Council
From: Casey McKeon, Mayor Pro Tem
Pat Burns, Mayor
Gracey Larrea -Van Der Mark, Council Woman
Date: July 1, 2025
Subject: POTENTIAL CO -LOCATION OF THE HUNTINGTON BEACH
INTERNATIONAL SURF MUSEUM AT THE MAIN STREET BRANCH
LIBRARY
2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 | www.huntingtonbeachca.gov
ISSUE STATEMENT
The Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum (HBISM) has approached the City to explore the potential co -location of the museum within the downtown Main Street Branch Library.
HBISM has been located on Olive Avenue since 1990 but has outgrown its current facility.
The limited size of the existing location has prevented the museum from displaying many of its larger and more significant surfboards, some dating back to the 1930s, as well as other archival materials. HBISM also maintains a collection of historic documents, publications, and surf culture artifacts that are currently not accessible to the public due to a lack of storage, cataloging capacity, and archival infrastructure.
A shared space could allow for the creation of a specialized research collection housed within the library building. Additionally, co -locating the museum in vacant areas of the library may open the door to future collaboration with the Huntington Beach Art Center, helping to establish a cohesive cultural district along Main Street that highlights the City’s history and identity as an international surf destination.
The museum’s leadership has expressed interest in establishing a collaborative partnership with the Main Street Branch Library to enhance the visibility and accessibility of its collection, while also activating underutilized office space within the library building.
Visit Huntington Beach has indicated preliminary support and may assist in underwriting relocation and ongoing operational costs, pending further discussion.
Before further consideration, a full review of the site’s compatibility, operational impacts, and required land use entitlements—including a potential Conditional Use Permit—will be necessary.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Direct staff to evaluate the feasibility of co -locating the HBISM within the underutilized space at the Main Street Branch Library. This review should include an assessment of
2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 | www.huntingtonbeachca.gov
available space, operational compatibility, potential collaboration benefits and impacts, entitlement requirements (such as a Conditional Use Permit), and coordination with HBISM and Visit Huntington Beach regarding relocation and funding roles. Staff shall return to City Council within 90 days with findings and next steps.
ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS
Not Applicable
STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL
Non Applicable - Administrative Item