The new Hillcrest neighborhood sign was unveiled at the 2011 City Fest. It was greeted with much fanfare and praise. "Green Technology" had come to Hillcrest. Low energy costs and repair. Sounded wonderful. But then the switch was flipped. Gone was the warm, rich, and beautiful glow of the pink rose neon tubing. Instead we got a harsh glaring blue/white light. "Oh, you'll get used to it," proponents said. People get used to potholes in San Diego, but it doesn't mean we prefer them to smooth streets. But the visual unpleasantness of the new sign is only one aspect of why it deserves an Onion. A decision was made concerning a historical resource by not seeking due process before the Historical Resources Board. HRB has reviewed other signs before including the Kensington Sign. Why not the Hillcrest sign? Those of us who would have participated in public discussion of the sign's fate would have liked to have had the opportunity to do so. This new sign was really sprung on San Diego in a very surprising way. The original Hillcrest sign was built in 1940, some 70 years ago. It is one of Hillcrest's best examples of Streamline Moderne era sign artisan ship. Although it was taken down for refurbishing in 1984, the rehab was done along Secretary of Interior Standards--all like materials were used to preserve the historic appearance. This was not the case in 2011. Glass tubing was replaced by plastic. The night time glow of LED casts a different quality and character of light. But the plastic tubing also looks non historic in the daylight as well. It introduces a non-historic a tan or brownish color to the sign. Also different is the way the LED tubing is so closely mounted to the sign surface. Neon tubing was set more apart from the surface, and therefore produced a very different "floating" visual effect. Also the bright shiny metal clips and framing attaching the LED tubing is yet another added non historic visual element. Replacing the old sign was justified by saying it was no longer affordable to keep it lit and repaired. Interestingly in the bracing discussion concerning the Kensington Sign in 2009, the LED vs Neon discussion was not one that lasted very long. Everyone recognized neon's superior and irreplaceable richness of color and light was worth the exta cost. Nicer things do sometimes cost more. Clearly saving money is not always the smart choice. In terms of "going green" yes the electric bill may go down some with LED. But neon to begin with is already classified as a low energy light source. Being that historic neon is now very rare in San Diego why can't we allow what remains to live on without the threat of "progress?" People love neon because of its historic look and warm character. Certainly we can save our planet, go green, and save our historical resources at the same time. And recognize the value of an investment from the richness of its return both culturally and aesthetically.

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What was once an intersection with horse-drawn carriages and the smell of freshly baked bread is now a historic landmark in East Village, San Diego. This brick bakery building went through several transitions during the past 100 years, unfortunately falling into a state of despair and neglect. The current owners took it upon themselves to do an adaptive reuse that included taking the building back to its original brick façade and restoring the corner entry based on historical photos. Even the original Snowflake Bakery sign was repainted across the top of the building. A complete seismic upgrade was completed and the building is now home to AVRP Studios.

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This is a different type of nomination under the category of Historical Preservation. Dan is a documentary film maker, photographer, video artist, and blogger who has contributed to KPBS, SOHO, among others. His work is incredible because it is used in mass media, educational, and political discourse. It is always well-researched and well produced. Since the San Diego Union Tribune no longer has a focused reporter on architecture and historical preservation, Dan Soderberg's body of work has filled a void. (Roger Showley seems to report only on the Business section). To advance architectural preservation San Diego needs talented people like Dan. Dan brings architecture and historical preservation from eras of the late 1800's to mid-century modern, including niches such as neon signs, theaters, dining establishments, adobe, master architects of San Diego.

The Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant (formerly the Casa de Bandini) is one of San Diego’s most important and unique historic resources. Originally constructed as a one-story adobe residence for Don Juan Bandini in the late 1820’s, it was renovated in 1869 to add a wood framed second story. The building had suffered from differed maintenance and extensive remodeling, diminishing its historical integrity and functionality. By 2005, non-historic stucco had covered over the second floor wood clapboards and other “Mexican-style” alterations had severely altered the historic appearance of the building. The roof, railings, interiors, and colors were also modified. The restoration reversed all of these changes and also included seismic retrofitting, adobe repair, full disabled accessibility, a new detached kitchen, fire sprinklers, new HVAC, new outdoor bar and restroom structure, and recreation of many missing historic features like the rooftop sign. Delaware North Companies Parks and Resorts paid for the meticulous restoration and rehabilitation along with grant funding acquired by California State Parks. The restoration followed The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties in order to maintain the historical, cultural, and architectural value of the building. When construction was completed the “Cosmo” faithfully represented the interpretive period of Old Town State Historic Park from 1821-1872. Add'l info: http://www.oldtowncosmopolitan.com

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Opened in 1946 as Imig Manor, the Lafayette Hotel property comprises one-city block along El Cajon Boulevard, Old Highway 80, and was designed by Master Architect Frank L. Hope in an eclectic style with a Colonial Revival exterior and Streamline Moderne interior finishes including the 'Imig Manor' terrazzo star flooring at the hotel lobby. Perhaps one of the most unknown features of the main hotel building is the Seashell Bandstand at the hotel's famous 'Mississippi Room' which hosted musicians and other entertainments acts from 1946 forward. Many older generation San Diegans recall holding or attending important personal events like weddings, fashion shows, graduation and birthday parties at the historic hotel ballroom. At the opposite corner of the main hotel building is the Red Fox Room, opened at the property in 1949. Through the decades the property has been owned and occupied by notable San Diegans including Master Builder Larry Imig, and Conrad Hilton, who moved the Los Angeles Chargers to San Diego. The corporate headquarters and ticket office for the San Diego Chargers remained at the hotel until the construction of the present-day Qualcomm Stadium. At the threat of demolition, the hotel property was designated by the City of San DIego Historic Sites Board (present-day Historical Resources Board), and subsequent to the local designation, the hotel complex underwent several decades of remodel and often insensitive design choices that detracted from the building's historic character-defining features. From 2009 forward the hotel has been rehabilitated pursuant to The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation with all projects subject to review by the California State Office of Historic Preservation and the National Park Service as part of a larger Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit process. This proper technical Rehabilitation has ensured that this important local landmark is a viable property along El Cajon Boulevard, and will continue to contribute to San Diego's social and architectural history in the mid-century period.

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