Council puts historic arches on hold

Plans to reconstruct a pair of historic arches at Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway were put on hold this week after City Council members saw the price tag.

At a study session Monday, council members said they generally supported the idea of a nod to history in honor of the city’s centennial in 2009, but balked at spending up to $250,000 for a single arch or $500,000 for double arches. The city would likely have trouble getting much financial support from private sponsors who were already donating to other centennial efforts, Economic Development Director Stanley Smalewitz said.

In the early years of Huntington Beach, electrically lit arches stood over the intersection of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway, but blackouts during World War II shut them down.

Councilman Gil Coerper had proposed rebuilding the arches at the council’s March 13 meeting. While council members were generally enthusiastic about the idea, they were doubtful that it could be finished by next year’s Fourth of July Parade. Members had voted to have city staff check on whether such a short timeline would be feasible, and to study the costs.