America 250 Plaque
at Pier Plaza
September 1, 2026
Background
At the July 21, 2026, meeting, City Council approved
Councilmember Item 26-638, setting aside Resolution No. 2017-25 and directed staff to create an engraving template memorializing the Huntington Beach America
Semiquincentennial celebration for one of the black granite panels located at the Pier Plaza monument, with a final draft brought back to City Council for consideration at the August 18, 2026, meeting.
Staff were also directed to collect input from the Historic Resources Boad and the Community & Library Services
Commission.
Additional Background
Working with Mayor McKeon and
Councilmembers Burns and Kennedy the first
iteration of the plaque is 24” x 36” and includes the
following:
• Huntington Beach America 250 Logo
• Placeholder for a Commemoration Date
• “Huntington Beach celebrates America’s 250th
Birthday as a patriotic city, proudly honoring
and thanking all those who served our great
nation, who remind us that freedom is not free.”
• City Council and City Manager names
• Two cannons
• City Seal
Historic
Resources
Board Edits
On Monday, August 10, 2026,
the Historic Resources Board
(HRB) reviewed and provided
suggested edits to the plaque.
Community &
Library Services
Commission
Edits
Wednesday, August 12, 2026, the
Community & Library Services
Commission (Commission)
reviewed and provided suggested
edits to the HRB iteration of the
plaque.
City Council Edits
At the August 18, 2026, City Council
meeting, City Council suggested
edits are to add Medal of Honor
Recipient names to the plaque.
Financial Impact
Estimated costs for design, production and installation of the plaque is as follows:
• Design – $12,000
• Production (up to) – $3,000
• Not to Exceed – $15,000
Recommendation
All components of the first iteration of the plaque designed by Mayor McKeon and Councilmembers Burns and Kennedy,
along with the Historic Resources Board and Community & Library Services Commission of the plaque are included in subsequent iterations.
Suggested edits by City Council include adding Medal of Honor Recipient names to the plaque.
Approve the design and inscription for the America 250
Celebration plaque at the Pier Plaza Memorial.
Questions?