HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4a. Update on Phase 2 of the Chong's Homemade Candy Sign Restoration Project Item 4a
Human Relations Commission
Agenda Report
For Agenda of: 12/4/2024
Item Number: 4a
FROM: Nestor Veloz-Passalacqua, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager
Phone Number: (805) 781-7073
E-mail: nveloz@slocity.org
SUBJECT: UPDATE TO THE CHONG’S HOMEMADE CANDY SIGN RESTORATION
PROJECT
RECOMMENDATION
The Human Relations Commission (HRC) to receive an update about the Chong’s
Homemade Candy Sign Restoration Project 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. Due to the project's complexity, it was divided into two
phases. Phase I involved installing the sign and making surrounding improvements,
including the addition of a Chinatown emblem, painted lettering, and a neon light border.
Phase II will install a permanent interpretive display (made up of three panels) that tell a
more in-depth history of the sign and the Chinatown district.
The neon sign installation was completed on February 8, 2024, with an informal
"unveiling" during the 2024 Lunar New Year celebration on February 10, 2024. The
installation, paired with the festivities, underscored the significance of honoring the
Chinese community’s history, influence, and contributions to the City. The positive
reception from the community highlighted the importance of the City’s efforts to create
cultural events and spaces, reinforcing the goal of building a positive, inclusive, and
welcoming environment for all.
While Phase II was underway, a temporary informative sign was installed below the neon
sign to provide context on why the sign is there and includes several original photographs
of Mr. Chong and the original store location.
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Item 4a
Phase II – Status Update
Over the last six months, City staff worked in close partnership with consultant Pierre
Rademaker, who was responsible for designing the panels and conducting extensive
historical research to create the content. Many drafts of the display underwent review and
editing and were distributed to subject matter experts and stakeholders for feedback.
The purpose of this display is to not only contextualize the neon sign located on the
Parking Garage but also to offer passersby an insight into the cultural heritage of that
section of the City, along with the historical background of the Chinatown area. While it is
an impossible endeavor to encapsulate the entire history within merely three panels,
significant efforts have been made to highlight the key elements. Additionally, a variety of
historic photographs were included to engage the interest of those passing by and to
enhance the storytelling experience.
Outreach and Feedback
In early June 2023, 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. On July 24,
2023, staff presented Phase I to the Cultural Heritage Committee (CHC) for feedback and
recommendations.
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 highlighting the blooming of the Chinese Empire that marked
cultural identity. Ongoing conversations took place until December 2023. In 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 Laura 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 October 2023, additional outreach was conducted with founder and 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 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.
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Item 4a
City staff took into consideration all outreach and feedback provided, which ultimately led
to the completion of Phase I of the project and an outline for Phase II of the project.
The draft interpretive panels (Phase II) were sent to the following stakeholders or subject
matter experts for review in October 2024:
Brian Lawler - Mr. Chong’s Family Friend, sign donor
Mia Shin - AAPI SLO County President
Dr. Morris - Cal Poly, Ph.D, Modern Chinese History
Dr. Grace Yeh - Cal Poly, Ethnic Studies Professor, Asian American Studies
Alice Loh - Retired Cal Poly Professor, local landscape architect (Cheng Park)
Scott Lathrap/Mona Tucker - YTT Contacts
Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) Tribal Contact list
Dr. William Watson - Ah Louis Family
Frank DuFault - Close family contact of Chong Family, helped manage estate
Paul Kwong & Russell Kwong - Owners of Mee Heng Low Noodle House
Amber Karson - Ah Louis store tenant, Lunar New Year celebration contact
All of the feedback received was thoughtful and supportive, with many expressing
gratitude for the recognition of the Chinatown district. Several individuals offered
thoughtful suggestions regarding language and verbiage, and these insights were
incorporated into the final draft.
Staff provided the final draft of Phase II of the project to the CHC on November 18, 2024
receive any final feedback or recommendations. The CHC asked several clarifying
questions about the sign content and photo selection and was ultimately supportive of the
final project draft.
The goal is to have the panels finalized and installed by the 2025 Lunar New Year
(January 29, 2025). It takes about eight weeks for the manufacturer to fabricate the signs,
so the final draft of the panels was sent to the contractor in late November 2024.
RECOMMENDATION
Receive the update to the Chong’s Homemade Candy Sign Restoration Project Phase II.
ATTACHMENTS
A – Chinatown Panels
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B – Neon Sign and Display Panel – Combined Concept
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