TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Talyn Mirzakhanian, City Manager
FROM:
Mark Leyman, Parks and Recreation Director
Eric Brinkman, Senior Recreation Supervisor
SUBJECT:Title
Selection of Memorial for the Fallen Design, Honoring Manhattan Beach Service Members Who Lost Their Lives in Active Duty (No Budget Impact) (Parks and Recreation Leyman).
(Estimated Time: 45 Min.)
A) DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
B) APPROVE
Body
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RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council select James Dinh’s Portal of Honor proposal, consistent with the recommendations of both the Arts in Public Places Committee (APPC) and the Cultural Arts Commission, and select one of the three viable locations.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
On October 7, 2025, the City Council allocated $150,000 from the Public Arts Fund for a memorial to honor Manhattan Beach service members who lost their lives in active duty. Funds currently allocated are sufficient for the project.
BACKGROUND:
On October 3, 2023, the City Council directed the Parks and Recreation Commission to develop a commemorative program honoring Manhattan Beach service members who died while on active military duty. The project was initially referred to as the Fallen Soldier Memorial and was subsequently renamed Memorial for the Fallen to recognize service members across all military branches.
Community member Gary McAulay helped initiate the project, develop proposed eligibility criteria, and compile a preliminary list of 21 service members connected to Manhattan Beach.
In Fall 2024, the project transitioned to the Cultural Arts Commission (CAC), where the Commission applied its expertise in public art and guided the artist selection process. The ad-hoc Arts in Public Places Committee (APPC), established in May 2025, provided an additional forum for community input on public art projects.
The City issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to solicit proposals from qualified artists. Three finalists were selected to develop concepts for a permanent memorial at the Manhattan Beach Civic Center Plaza.
DISCUSSION:
The Memorial for the Fallen is envisioned as a permanent public artwork honoring Manhattan Beach service members who died while on active military duty. The Civic Center Plaza provides a visible and accessible civic setting for remembrance, reflection, and future commemorative activities.
Three finalists presented their proposals to the APPC on September 14, 2026, at the Manhattan Beach Art Center:
• James Dinh, Studiofolia - Portal of Honor: A traditional memorial composed of two granite walls that open like the pages of a book or the wings of a military chevron. A soldier-shaped opening at the center creates a passage for reflection. The design incorporates the names of fallen service members, military branch seals, and space for future names.
• Team Sonarta - We Remember: A bronze hand reaching upward while holding a gold-patina dog tag, symbolizing sacrifice, honor, hope, and the enduring connection between fallen service members and their loved ones. The sculpture rests on a pentagon-shaped granite base representing the military branches.
• BJ Krivanek and Joel Breaux, Krivanek+Breaux/Art+Design: An immersive memorial formed by curved, perforated metal panels arranged in a circular structure. Openings invite visitors into the space, while connecting elements symbolize the relationship between the community and those who serve.
Following its review of the proposals, the APPC recommended James Dinh’s Portal of Honor. The CAC subsequently reviewed the finalist proposals and also selected Dinh’s design.
Both advisory bodies expressed a preference for a traditional memorial approach using enduring materials such as stone and bronze, with a design that conveys dignity, permanence, and remembrance. Dinh’s proposal aligns with this direction through its use of granite, military symbolism, and dedicated space honoring the fallen.
The Civic Center Plaza was identified as the preferred location due to its visibility, accessibility, and suitability for ceremonies. Its existing ADA compliance also reduces installation costs. Within the Civic Center Plaza, the APPC considered potential conflicts with the Farmers’ Market and other community activities and identified four locations that would minimize disruption. These were presented to City Council on October 7, 2025, at which time City Council directed staff to explore additional options. Following further evaluation, the APPC narrowed the options to two viable locations based on ADA accessibility and the proposals received. The APPC subsequently identified a third potential location for consideration. All three locations are identified in the accompanying PowerPoint presentation (see attached). If Location No. 1 is selected, the Memorial for the Fallen would replace the sculpture garden “Remember” art piece, which would have to be relocated elsewhere. Staff will present alternative locations for City Council’s consideration in the future, if Location NO. 1 is selected.
Staff recommends that the City Council select Dinh’s proposal, consistent with the direction provided by both the APPC and the CAC and select one of the three locations identified in the attached PowerPoint. Following City Council approval, staff will coordinate with the selected artist to refine the design, confirm the project scope, and advance engineering, permitting, fabrication, and installation within the approved budget.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
Community input has been incorporated throughout the project. The Parks and Recreation Commission discussed the initiative from November 2023 through May 2024, followed by the CAC's consideration from September 2024 through July 2025. The APPC met from May through August 2025 to provide community input and help guide the project. The three finalist proposals were presented to the APPC on September 14, 2026. The Commission subsequently recommended James Dinh of Studio Folia for the project.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the proposed project for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the project qualifies for a Class 11 categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15311, Accessory Structures, of the State CEQA Guidelines, as it consists of a public art installation intended as an ancillary use within the Civic Center Plaza. Thus, no further environmental review is necessary.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. PowerPoint Presentation
2. Proposal - Studiofolia
3. Proposal - Krivanek + Breaux
4. Proposal - Sonarta