City will delay ‘Surfhenge’ construction

Eron Ben-Yehuda

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- Concerned that a sculpture planned as a centerpiece

for a $6-million south beach make-over may be too controversial, the city

has decided to delay its construction so residents can offer their

opinions on its value.

Reminiscent of England’s Stonehenge, the artwork is a collection of

18-foot stones shaped like surfboards set in a circle of sand. Referred

to by some as “Surfhenge,” the sculpture would stand at the corner of

Beach Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway -- the “gateway” to the coast

for many visitors, said Ron Hagan, the city’s director of community

services.

The sculpture was supposed to be built in conjunction with other

improvements to the beach area between 1st Street and Beach Boulevard.

The plans include two miniature plazas -- one by Zach’s Too concession

stand, the other by Beach Hut concession -- with floor designs shaped

like seashells. In addition, the city plans to resurface and widen the

bicycle and pedestrian trails, as well as add new restrooms, showers,

security lights and palm trees, Hagan said.

The first phase of construction is expected to begin next summer, he

said.

Councilwomen Shirley Dettloff and Pam Julien worked with a volunteer

committee that approved the sculpture, estimated to cost $40,000. But

other council members felt more public debate is needed.

“Art is terribly controversial,” City Councilman Ralph Bauer said.

Until a final decision is made on the sculpture, the city plans to move

ahead with the rest of the project, approved by the council in October

1998, Hagan said.

“We can always put that in after we’re done,” he said.

Out of the $6-million cost for the upgrades, about $4 million will be

paid out of a settlement reached earlier this year in a lawsuit stemming

from the 1990 oil spill caused by the tanker American Trader, Hagan said.

About $1.5 million will come from issuing a 25-year bond that will be

repaid from parking revenues, he said. The city also received a $500,000

grant from the Orange County Transportation Authority to improve the

bicycle and pedestrian trails, he said.

Assuming no delays, the project could be completed as early as the summer

of 2002, he said. And the changes will make a major difference to the

rundown beach area, he said.

“It will look spectacular,” he said.

But a self-professed “old-timer” wishes south beach would stay the same.

“Yes, it’s a little shabby looking, but so what?” said resident surfer

Duane Heppner, 51. “I like it just the way it is.”

QUESTION

“Surfhenge”

What do you think of the city’s idea to erect a “Surfhenge” sculpture at

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