Public Works

City Place Garage Mural Restoration

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Background

The glazed tile mural, “Typical Activities of the Beach and Harbor City,” measuring 38 feet tall by 22 feet wide, was completed in 1938 with funding from the Work Progress Administration (WPA), Federal Art Project (FAP). It was originally installed on the arched facade of the Municipal Auditorium and raised in 1979. The mural was saved by a community effort and installed at its current location in 1982. The site was commemorated as Harvey Milk Promenade Park in 2013.

The City of Long Beach completed an award-winning restoration of the mural and upgrade of the surrounding area in February 2025, including the installation of commemorative plaques to showcase the mural’s history. Enhancements throughout the site preserve and celebrate the park’s artwork, ensuring visitors can enjoy it for years to come.

This project was part of the Elevate ’28 Infrastructure Investment Plan, a historic initiative dedicated to enhancing Long Beach parks, community facilities, mobility access, and streets. Learn more at lbelevate28.com.

Timeline

Objectives

• Restore and showcase a historical Long Beach art piece
• Beautify the area surrounding the mural
• Enhance the Harvey Milk Promenade Park visitor experience
• Extend the life of the mural
• Commemorate the mural’s historical significance

Project Features

• Repaired the historic mural titled “Typical Activities of a Beach and a Harbor City” located at City Place Parking Structure “C” in Harvey Milk Promenade Park
• Restoration efforts included:
  • Waterproofing the arch structure
  • Repairing weather-damaged tiles
  • Restoring sandstone grout
  • Waterproofing intricate glazed tile to extend the mural’s lifespan
• Surrounding site improvements included:
  • Bench repairs
  • Restoration of rainbow floor tiles
  • Repairs to the Harvey Milk Honorary Wall
  • Installed two new plaques to share the mural’s history with visitors
  • Completed additional hardscape enhancements throughout the site

Project Funding

City Place Garage Mural Restoration is funded with $ $90,661 from City’s General Fund and supplemented with $400,000 in funds from Measure A.

Total project cost is estimated to be $900,000.

Project Contact

Monica Der Gevorgian, Capital Projects Coordinator

monica.dergevorgian@longbeach.gov | (562) 570-7211

More Information

• City Place Garage Mural Restoration Project Construction Notice (English, Spanish, Khmer, Tagalog)     

Project Updates

May 2025 Update

On May 21, 2025, the City of Long Beach Department of Public Works’ Project Management Team was honored at the 37th Annual Preservation Awards for their restoration of the historical “Typical Activities of the Beach and Harbor City” mural.

February 2025

The City Place Garage Mural Restoration project has been finished. The project was completed in collaboration with the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine, along with the Community Development Department, Dewberry Design group, Group Delta, Horizons Construction, KC Restoration and John Thommas Historic Preservation Consultant.

June 2024

The City’s Contractor, Horizons Construction Co. Int’l, Inc., is scheduled to begin construction in the area in the Summer 2024 with a scheduled completion, barring weather or other unforeseen delays, by Fall 2024.

The improvements will include:

• Restoration repairs to tile mural 
• Improve infrastructure quality
• Increase useful life of the Mural
• Minor onsite improvements

The contractor is scheduled to perform work Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. A Minimum of 4-6 public parking spaces will be used at the top level of the City Place Parking Structure “C” for construction purposes with minimum impacts for residents. Efforts will be made to minimize inconveniences and minimize construction activities to the parking garage and Harvey Milk Promenade Park patrons.

The contractor encourages park patrons to keep children away from the construction areas and activities.