Councilmember Item Follow-Up:
Co-Location of the Huntington
Beach International Surf Museum
at the Main Street Branch Library
December 16, 2025
Background
• On July 1, 2025, Mayor Burns, Mayor Pro Tem McKeon and Council Woman Van Der Mark brought forward a Councilmember Item directing staff to evaluate the feasibility of co-locating the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum (HBISM) within the underutilized space at the Main Street Branch Library. • The review of the assessment should include:
• An assessment of available space
• Operational compatibility
• Potential collaboration benefits and impacts
• Entitlement requirements, such as a Conditional Use Permit • Funding Roles
• Potential Next Steps
Current Conditions
• The Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum (HBISM) has been located at 411 Olive Avenue since 1990.
• The building is 2,033 sq. ft. with 1 ADA and 3 onsite parking spots.
• Low ceilings & lack of wall space inhibit display of historical surfboards.
• Deferred maintenance, including a leaking roof, have potential to compromise exhibitions.
• HBISM operates varied seasonal hours:
• Fall/Winter:
• Thursday – Sunday, 11am – 5pm, closed Monday –
Wednesday.
• Spring/Summer:
• Tuesday – Sunday, 11am – 5pm, closed Monday
Main Street Library Floor Plan
Current: The second
floor will be utilized as
storage space for Library
and HBISM.
Future: Proposed
public use of the
second floor requires
ADA improvements.
Assessment of Available Space
• Main Street Library is a 9,475 sq. ft., two story building • HBISM First Floor Dedicated Footprint (1,184 sq. ft.)
*Currently vacant space
Museum Office* 8’ x 12' 115 sq. ft.
Museum Storage* 8.5' x 15' 125 sq. ft.
Display Area/PT Collection
Research Area*
21' x 34' 714sq. ft.
Art Gallery 10' x 18' 180 sq. ft.
Restroom 5' x 10' 50 sq. ft.
Research Section Walls N/A floor square
footage is included in
book stacks
information on next
line.
74 lin. ft. (w) x 20 lin. ft. (h)
For wall static surfboard
display
Assessment of Available Space
• Library First Floor Dedicated Footprint (3,807 sq. ft.) *Walls in the Research Section will feature HBISM static history of surfboards display and portable exhibition kiosks (pictured).
The Research Section ceiling height of ~20' compliments the longer surfboards that cannot be displayed in the current HBISM.
Office 10’ x 13' 130 sq. ft.
Library Storage 15’ x 9' 142 sq. ft.
Book Stacks & Research
Section*
55’ x 64' 3,235 sq. ft.
Computer Lab 15' x 20' 300 sq. ft.
Assessment of Available Space
• Shared Space (3,608 sq. ft.)
Remaining ~875 sq. ft. is allocated to storage and mechanical rooms Reception Area 10’ x 40' 400 sq. ft.
Museum Gift Shop/Friends Book Store 10’ x 19' 190 sq. ft.
Kitchen/Lounge 10’ x 14' 143 sq. ft.
Restrooms 225 sq. ft.
Blue Room 26’ x 48' 1,300 sq. ft.
Second Floor Storage 31' x 49' 1,350 sq. ft.
Proposed Improvements
& Relocation Costs
Clean-up and moving $18,000
Repair restroom & kitchen/lounge $10,000
Prep office & storage area $7,500
Patch & paint $12,000
Check electrical system $1,500
Enhance sales area $3,500
Temporary signage $500
Create museum displays for reading section of library $10,000 Architectural/Engineering/Consultants $12,000
Total $75,000*
*All costs covered by HBISM in partnership with Visit HB Main Street Library Photos
Friend's Bookstore and HBISM Gift Shop
Surf Art Gallery and Entrance to
Research Library/PT Collection
Main Street Library Photos
PT Collection/Research Library
Storage
Office
Operational Compatibility
• Benefits:
• Operational hours will be the same for both organizations. • New foot traffic for both organizations from visitors. • Opportunities for educational collaboration.
• Donation of "PT Collection" as a non-circulating collection and enhancement of a unique research collection that is
currently stored in an offsite, inaccessible location.
• Expanded access to surfing history.
• Collaboration on events such as author talks, surf guitar and ukelele lessons and arts and culture classes.
• Opportunity to provide an "anchor" and cultural hub to Main Street, drawing more patronage up through the 5th block. • Strengthening the city's branding as "Surf City USA." • No entitlements would be required - Surf Museum would be integrated into existing library use.
Operational Compatibility
• Impacts:
• Exhibition viewing and patron library use may conflict based on desired noise levels and foot traffic for each use.
• May need to adjust or expand facility hours in peak season to accommodate weekend visitation.
• Triangle Park has limited parking. Increased visitation could strain existing parking, especially during peak hours and events.
• Increased foot traffic and use of Main Street Library may generate additional maintenance needs.
• Any proposed building enhancements will need to comply with historical regulations.
Funding Roles
• VHB is partnering with HBISM for relocation and improvement funding. • HBISM will continue to fund their staffing, events and exhibitions. • A MOU will be drafted, establishing further funding responsibilities. • Future collaboration on grants may be possible.
Next Steps
• Develop a MOU and bring back to City Council for consideration. • If the MOU is approved:
• Develop a timeline for improvements, relocation and opening. • Determine logistics for cataloging and access to the "PT Collection."
• Collaborate on an event calendar and use of shared spaces.
Questions?