Memorial Gardens Building Preserved And Moved to A Safer Haven

Last Tuesday, September 24, an important Costa Mesa historical structure was extracted and moved towards safety. 

(source: Christine Cotter, OC Register)

The Memorial Gardens Building, a nearly 70-year old structure that also happens to be one of the very few remaining structures of Santa Ana Army Airbase left at fairgrounds property, was hoisted and slowly moved from its location beside Pacific Amphitheater towards a temporary location on the Orange County Fairgrounds. A year ago Costa Mesa Historical Society president, Bob Palazzola, was told that the 4,800 sq. ft. historical structure was going to be demolished to make room for a new entrance plaza for the Pacific Amphitheatre, to better connect the summertime fair and the outdoor concert venue, board officers say. But due to the public’s concerns, the enforced value of the building’s historical significance, and Orange County’s Supervisor, John Moorlach’s personal interest in the matter, the Fair Board voted to save the building with an allotment of $112,000 toward the project. Receiving its name after a veterans memorial garden that was torn out in the 1980’s because of the Pacific Amphitheatre construction, the Memorial Gardens Building has received a number of modifications since its original construction during World War II. The building had various uses through the years, one being the first location for the Santa Ana Army Base reunion in 1972, and has also been a regular meeting place for the Fair Board and its various committees. It’s been stated that the area around the building, not including the building itself, is considered a California Point of Historical Interest. It’s also been cleared that the historical accolades and state designation would not have helped in saving the building but that the fairgrounds’ project has been made susceptible, through the California Environmental Quality Act, to an environmental review. Vietnam-era Marine veteran and Fair Board Member, Nick Berardino, wishes to preserve the Memorial Gardens’ history and hopes that it soon becomes a military museum for the county. He states, "It's just a really wonderful thing for all the veterans and myself," Berardino said. "I'm gonna stay on this project. I'm a former Marine, which is a devil dog. I'm gonna be that Marine Corps bulldog till this project is completed. "This is just a wonderful journey that we're all gonna be on together."