HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4a. Presentation about the Chong's Homemade Candy Sign Restoration Project Item 4a
Human Relations Commission
Agenda Report
For Agenda of: 3/6/2024
Item Number: 4a
FROM: Nestor Veloz-Passalacqua, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager
Phone Number: (805) 781-7073
E-mail: nveloz@slocity.org
SUBJECT: RECEIVE A PRESENTATION ABOUT THE CHONG’S HOMEMADE
CANDY SIGN RESTORATION PROJECT
RECOMMENDATION
The Human Relations Commission (HRC) to receive an update on the Chong’s
Homemade Candy Sign Restoration Project Phase I and provide feedback to staff
regarding Phase II.
BACKGROUND
Several years ago, the City of San Luis Obispo was donated an original neon sign that
once stood at Chong’s Homemade Candy store located at 798 Palm Street. The store
was operated by Richard Chong (Gin Quong – Chinese name) for 28 years from 1950 to
1978. The sign was donated by a family friend of Mr. Chong, Mr. Brian Lawler. In an effort
to commemorate and highlight the rich Chinese history of the City, a project was initiated
to restore and reinstall the sign and engage the community in participating in the
celebration. Given the complexities of the project and importance of getting the history
correct, it was broken into two phases:
Phase 1: Installation of sign and surrounding improvements including addition of
the Chinatown emblem, painted lettering, and a neon light border.
Phase 2: Installation of interpretive panels designed to provide context and
information about the sign and place.
Outreach
In early June, the DEI Manager was tasked to do community and expert
outreach/engagement to ensure the design process and development of the project
maintained cultural and language significance to the Chinese community.
In July 2023, the DEI Manager had met with Dr. Andrew Morris, current Interim Director
for the Office of Academic Programs and Planning at Cal poly, and a professor and expert
in the East Asia, Modern Chinese, and Taiwanese history fields. Dr. Morris provided
context in understanding cultural implications from the Chinese experience , and
considerations on language usage highlighting the blooming of the Chinese Empire that
marked cultural identity. On going conversations took place until December 2023. In
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August 2023, the DEI Manager had also met with Dr. Grace Yeh, Professor at Cal Poly
San Luis Obispo under the Ethnic Studies Department, whose areas of concentration
highlight Asian American Studies, Comparative Ethnic Literature, and Representations of
race, gender, and sexuality among others. Dr. Yeh provided critical feedback on concepts
and implications that are essential to the proper representation and narrative -building of
the Chinese experience, and provided additional resources and research for
consideration, which included direct contact with L aura Sorvetti, a Special Collection
Archivist who shared news articles, one thesis highlighting Chinese history in SLO
Chinatown, and photographic archives from the Chong’s family.
In the month of October, additional outreach was conducted with founder an d president
of the Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) of San Luis Obispo County, Mia Shin,
who provided cultural context about the intention and outcome of such project, and who
is mainly impacted by the restoration of the sign, and the proper ways in which to
celebrate and honor the Chong’s legacy. Likewise, Mrs. Shin highlighted potential
concerns about the installation as it pertains to community reception. City staff took into
consideration all outreach and feedback provided, which ultimately led to the completion
of phase I of the project.
Project Status
Although the sign could not be installed back in the original location (which is private
property), the City was able to install it less than one block away on the Palm Street
Parking Structure, also part of the historical Chinatown district. The final design for the
Phase 1 of the project was informed by the input received during outreach and was
reviewed by the Cultural Heritage Committee on July 24, 2023. The installation began in
was completed on February 8, 2024, with an informal “unveiling” that coincided with the
2024 Lunar New Year celebration held on February 10, 2024. The installation of the sign
along with the Lunar New Year celebration highlighted the importance of honoring the
Chinese history, influence, and contribution to the City, and the community perception
and reception of the event was positive, which indicated the efforts made by the City to
create cultural events and spaces is critical to build a positive, inclusive, and welcoming
community for all.
A temporary informative sign was installed below the restored sign to provide context on
why the sign is there and includes several original photographs of Mr. Chong and the
original store location. Phase 2 of the project will be to install two to three permanent
interpretive panels that tell a more in-depth history of the sign and the Chinatown district.
The interpretive panels component of the project will include engagement with the
Cultural Heritage Committee, local community, and stakeholders.
NEXT STEPS
As a first steps toward initiating Phase 2, the Human Relations Commission is to receive
an update on the Chong’s Homemade Candy Sign Restoration Project Phase . Staff
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anticipates the Cultural Heritage Committee will form a subcommittee, an expert/historical
consultant will be retained, and welcomes any comments or feedback from the HRC.
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