HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 10 - Public Artworks by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O’Cadiz Moctezuma, & Additional Artists Planning and Building Agency
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www.santa-ana.gov/pb
Item # 10
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
August 4, 2026
TOPIC: Public Artworks by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O'Cadiz Moctezuma, and Additional
Artists
AGENDA TITLE
Status Report on the Identification and Historic Evaluation of Public Artworks by
Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O'Cadiz Moctezuma, and Additional Artists
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Receive and file this report.
GOVERNMENT CODE 484308 APPLIES: No
DISCUSSION
Executive Summary
On May 5, 2026, the City Council considered a Councilmember-Requested Item directing
staff to identify and evaluate public artworks by Emigdio Vasquez and Sergio O'Cadiz
Moctezuma, and other noteworthy artists for potential designation to the City Register of
Historical Properties ("Register"), coordinate with property owners and stakeholders,
prepare nomination materials for eligible artworks, and return to the City Council with a
status report. On July 21, 2026, the City Council directed that staff should also consider
and analyze public artworks by other artists for listing on the Register.
Since that time, staff has initiated implementation of the City Council's direction by
developing an inventory of known public artworks, coordinating with the artists' families
and other stakeholders, and evaluating the process, anticipated costs, schedule, and
implementation considerations associated with historic evaluation and potential
designation. This report provides a status update on those efforts and outlines the work
that will continue as staff advances the project.
This report is informational only and does not designate any mural, sculpture, or public
artwork as a historic resource. The inventory included in this report is preliminary and
identifies resources that may warrant additional research and historic evaluation.
Inclusion in the inventory or completion of a historic evaluation does not establish that a
resource is eligible for designation to the Register. Any future nomination would be
Public Artworks by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O'Cadiz Moctezuma, and Additional Artists
August 4, 2026
Page 2
considered individually by the Planning Commission through a separately noticed public
hearing in accordance with Chapter 30 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code (SAMC).
Proiect Background
Santa Ana is home to one of the largest concentrations of Chicano public art in Southern
California. The murals and public artworks created by Emigdio Vasquez and Sergio
O'Cadiz Moctezuma are widely recognized as important representations of Chicano
history, culture, and artistic expression. Additionally, Santa Ana is also home to a number
of public artworks from various artists that reflect the city's cultural heritage, community
narratives, and evolving visual landscape. Those works range from historic tile mosaics
to contemporary neighborhood murals. Over the past several decades, concerns have
grown regarding the potential loss or deterioration of significant murals in Santa Ana due
to demolition, redevelopment, alteration, and deferred maintenance, resulting in
increased community interest in long-term preservation strategies.
On May 5, 2026, the City Council considered a Councilmember-Requested Item
requesting that staff identify and evaluate remaining works by Emigdio Vasquez and
Sergio O'Cadiz Moctezuma and prepare nominations to the City Register of Historical
Properties for eligible works. The requested action specifically included:
1. Identification and documentation of extant murals, sculptures, and public artworks;
2. Evaluation under the criteria of Chapter 30;
3. Coordination with property owners and stakeholders;
4. Preparation of nomination materials; and
5. Returning to the City Council with status updates and recommendations.
Moreover, on July 21, 2026, the City Council directed staff to also consider and analyze
public artworks by other artists for listing on the Register. Since receiving the City
Council's direction, staff has initiated evaluation and implementation of each of the
requested tasks. The following discussion is organized consistent with the City Council's
direction and summarizes work completed to date, implementation considerations, and
the remaining steps necessary to continue the historic evaluation and potential
designation of the identified public artworks.
1. Identification and Documentation of Public Artworks
Staff has identified all intact and surviving murals, sculptures, and public artworks by
Emigdio Vasquez and Sergio O'Cadiz Moctezuma located throughout Santa Ana. Staff
has also documented several public artworks that have been completely removed or
destroyed and that are not recoverable for designation or preservation, further
demonstrating the need to preserve and protect extant artworks in the City created by
these artists. The inventory includes works on City-owned properties, educational
campuses, and other public and private properties. Additionally, staff has identified seven
additional artworks by various artists that may meet the criteria for listing on the Register,
Public Artworks by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O'Cadiz Moctezuma, and Additional Artists
August 4, 2026
Page 3
as well as 23 contemporary artworks whose initial review does not suggest eligibility, but
will still be evaluated for potential designation.
Staff also initiated coordination with representatives of the Vasquez and O'Cadiz families
to assist in identifying and documenting the artists' public artworks within Santa Ana. Staff
met with Rosemary Vasquez Tuthill, daughter of Emigdio Vasquez, and Maria del Pilar
O'Cadiz, Ph.D., daughter of Sergio O'Cadiz Moctezuma, who provided historical
information, artwork inventories, biographical materials, and other reference documents
that assisted staff in verifying artwork titles, locations, and historical context. Information
provided through this coordination informed the inventory presented in this report and will
continue to support future historic evaluations and potential nominations. Staff will
continue coordinating with the Santa Ana Community Artist(a) Coalition, affected property
owners, and other stakeholders as the historic evaluation process moves forward.
The inventory is intended to provide an initial understanding of the potential scope of
artworks that may be evaluated and does not constitute a determination of historic
eligibility. Additional archival research, site surveys, and stakeholder outreach may result
in refinement of the inventory or identification of additional works by the artists. As staff
continues implementing the City Council's direction, staff will refine the inventory, verify
ownership and accessibility, and determine which works warrant preparation of California
Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) documentation and potential nomination.
The inventory of known public artworks is summarized below, and the locations of the
identified works by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O'Cadiz Moctezuma, and additional artists
are depicted on the Inventory Maps included as Exhibits 2, 3, and 4. Table 1 summarizes
the known public artworks identified to date and the potential scope of future evaluations.
Table 2 identifies the extant public artworks that may warrant additional research and
consideration for historic designation.
Table 1 —Inven ory Summary of Public Artworks
Known Potentially
Artist Known Works Extant Works Demolished/Lost Accessible for
Works Evaluation
Emigdio Vasquez 12 8 4 41
Sergio O'Cadiz 7 6 1 6
Moctezuma
Various Artists- 30 30 0 30
Citywide
Staff continue coordinating with respective property owners to verify current conditions of these
artworks.
Public Artworks by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O'Cadiz Moctezuma, and Additional Artists
August 4, 2026
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Table 2—inventory of Public Artworks Identified for Further Evaluation
Artist Title Location Ownership Year Preliminary Address
Status
Emigdio Chicano Memorial City of 2102 S.
Vasquez Gothic Park Santa Ana 1987 Extant Flower St.
Children, 1528 S.
Emigdio Yesterday, Madison Park City of 1988 Extant Standard
Vasquez Today and Santa Ana
Tomorrow Ave.
El Tapatio El Tapatio
Emigdio Recuerdos de Dos Dos 1990 Extant 1214 E.
Vasquez mi Pueblo Mexicanos Mexicanos Pomona St.
Grill Grill
Spanish,
Indians and Heritage Heritage
Emigdio 3101 W.
Vasquez Today's Museum Museum 1989 Extant Harvard St.
Hispanics
Santa Ana 1530 W.
Emigdio The Legacy of Santa Ana Seventeenth
Vasquez Cesar Chavez College College 1997 Extant St.
The Strongest Santa Ana 1530 W.
Emigdio Santa Ana Seventeenth
Vasquez Bond of College College 1986 Extant St.
Humans
Visions of 400 W.
OCTA Transit
Emigdio Orange Terminal OCTA 1991 Extant Santa Ana
Vasquez County Blvd.
Emigdio Visions of Angels City of 300 N.
Vasquez Santa Ana Community Santa Ana 1987 Extant Flower St.
Park
Fremont Fremont Santa Ana
Sergio Unified 1930 W.
O'Cadiz Elementary Elementary School 1974 Restored Tenth St.
School Mural School
District
Monroe Monroe
Santa Ana
Sergio Unified Under 417 E.
O'Cadiz Elementary Elementary School 1973 Restoration Central Ave.
School Mural School
District
Native Willard Santa Ana
Sergio American Intermediate Unified Unknown Extant 1342 N.
O'Cadiz Chief School School Ross St.
District
Public Artworks by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O'Cadiz Moctezuma, and Additional Artists
August 4, 2026
Page 5
Artist Title Location Ownership Year Preliminary Address
Status
Santa Ana City
Sergio Santa Ana City of Partially 20 Civic
O'Cadiz Hall Concrete City Hall Santa Ana 1972 Extant Center Plaza
Relief Mural
Lathrop Santa Ana
Sergio Spartan Intermediate Unified Unknown Modified 1111 S.
O'Cadiz School School Broadway
District
Sergio The History of Santa Ana Santa Ana 1530 W.
O'Cadiz the Chicano College College 1974 Unknown'
Seventeenth
St.
Home Savings
Millard Santa Ana Chase Bank JP Morgan 1300 N.
Sheets Chase 1967 Extant
(mosaic) Main St.
Home Savings
JP Morgan
Renzo G. Santa Ana Chase Bank 1300 N.
Genci (sculptures) Chase 1967 Extant Main St.
Orange
Tom Van Celebration of County The Legacy 1010 N.
Sant and Life School of the 1972 Extant
Tony Sheets Arts Fund Main St.
George Ruiz,
Gilbert
Rodarte,
Steve Street-side
Indio and 2034 and
Martinez, India Residential City of 1991 Restored 2038 Alco
Roger Rear Wall Santa Ana
Ave.
Montenegro,
and Jaime
Varella
George Ruiz,
Gilbert
Rodarte,
Steve Street-side
La Bomba and
Martinez, Lady Santana Residential City of 1991 Restored 2034 Alco
Roger Rear Wall Santa Ana Ave.
Montenegro,
and Jaime
Varella
Public Artworks by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O'Cadiz Moctezuma, and Additional Artists
August 4, 2026
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Artist Title Location Ownership Year Preliminary Address
Status
George Ruiz,
Gilbert
Rodarte,
Steve Street-side
Martinez, La Raza Residential City of 1991 Restored 2034 Alco
Roger Rear Wall Santa Ana Ave.
Montenegro,
and Jaime
Varella
George Ruiz,
Gilbert
Rodarte,
Steve Quetzalcoatl Street-side
Martinez, and Aztec Residential City of 2038 Alco
Roger Calendar Rear Wall Santa Ana 1991 Restored Ave.
Montenegro,
and Jaime
Varella
Staff continue coordinating with respective property owners to verify current conditions of these
artworks.
2. Evaluation Under Chapter 30
Pursuant to Chapter 30 of the SAMC, the City may designate buildings, structures,
objects, and sites to the Register if they satisfy one or more of the City's historic
significance criteria. The SAMC specifically contemplates the designation of "objects,"
which may include murals, sculptures, and other public artworks.
Staff will be responsible for completing and preparing inventories, historic evaluations,
DPR forms, and nomination materials. These materials are advisory and do not establish
historic significance or eligibility for designation. The Planning Commission must
independently evaluate the evidence presented, apply the historic designation criteria
contained in Chapter 30 of the SAMC, consider testimony received during the public
hearing process, and determine whether each nominated resource qualifies for
designation.
The City may initiate nominations for works located on City-owned properties and may
also initiate nominations for works located on other public or private properties, subject to
the owner notification requirements contained in Chapter 30. Historic designation would
not prohibit future restoration, alteration, relocation, or demolition of a mural. Rather, it
would ensure that any such actions are subject to a public review process and
Public Artworks by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O'Cadiz Moctezuma, and Additional Artists
August 4, 2026
Page 7
consideration of the resource's historic significance. Implementation of the City Council's
direction also requires ongoing coordination with property owners, artists' families,
community organizations, and other stakeholders, as discussed in the following section.
3. Coordination with Property Owners and Stakeholders
Implementation of the City Council's direction requires ongoing coordination with property
owners, public agencies, artists' families, community organizations, and other
stakeholders. As the project advances, staff will continue verifying ownership, obtaining
site access where necessary, and coordinating with affected property owners throughout
the historic evaluation process. Moreover, several implementation considerations may
affect staff's ability to evaluate and potentially nominate identified artworks. Listed on the
following page are considerations for implementation:
• Accessibility and Site Documentation - The City's inventory includes murals and
artworks located on City-owned properties, educational campuses, and private
properties.
• Murals Located Within Building Interiors- Several known murals are located within
building interiors. While Chapter 30 permits the designation of "objects," including
public artworks, the SAMC provides limited guidance regarding the regulation and
protection of interior murals.
• Property Owner Participation and Consent- Chapter 30 does not require property
owner consent for the designation of a historic resource. However, property
owners must be notified of a proposed nomination. The public hearing process will
also provide an opportunity for owners and interested stakeholders to participate
in the decision-making process.
• Existing Protections Against Repainting or Alteration - Staff is currently evaluating
potential amendments to Chapter 30 to expressly address the treatment and
protection of designated murals.
• Future Modifications, Relocation, and Demolition - The applicability of historic
review requirements to relocated murals or substantial modifications would require
a case-by-case analysis based on the scope of the proposed work, the significance
and integrity of the artwork, and the potential impacts to its character-defining
features. Designation itself does not prohibit future restoration, relocation,
alteration, or demolition, but designation provides an opportunity for public review
and consideration of a mural's significance.
4. Preparation of Historic Evaluation and Nomination Materials
Staff is implementing the historic evaluation process in several phases. While work has
begun on the inventory and stakeholder coordination, additional research,
documentation, and historic evaluations will continue. The anticipated process includes
the following phases:
Public Artworks by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O'Cadiz Moctezuma, and Additional Artists
August 4, 2026
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1. Finalize Inventory and Identification, including known extant murals, sculptures,
and public artworks by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O'Cadiz Moctezuma, and other
notable artists within Santa Ana; confirmation of ownership and accessibility; and
outreach to affected stakeholders, including owners.
2. Site Survey and Documentation, including field surveys, photo-documentation,
identification of character-defining features, and assessment of the physical
integrity and condition of each identified mural, sculpture, and public artwork.
3. Historical Research, including preparation of a comprehensive historic context
statement, as well as archival research that includes visits to repositories and
interviews or outreach with individuals possessing knowledge regarding the artists
and their work.
4. Preparation of DPR Forms using the standard City template for all other historic
designations.
5. Historic Designation Proceedings, including public notices, stakeholder
engagement, and Planning Commission public hearing for each nomination.
Estimated Timeline and Resources
• Timeline - Based on the current scope of work, the overall evaluation effort is
anticipated to require approximately 12 months.
• Outside Resources
o Specialized Consultant Assistance - For the more technical components of
mural research, photo-documentation, material science, and archival
research, the City's historic preservation consultant, Rincon Consultants,
provided a preliminary cost estimate for the preparation of historic
evaluations and DPR documentation. Based on the preliminary inventory of
approximately 21 extant murals, sculptures, and public artworks identified
to date, consultant costs associated with preparing historic evaluations and
DPR documentation are estimated at approximately $153,300. This
preliminary estimate is based on the consultant's unit cost of $7,300 per
artwork and assumes the evaluations would be completed as part of a
coordinated effort, with City staff leading all project management, research,
coordination, public outreach, environmental review (if required),
preparation of staff reports, and public hearing support.
o Public Notification - Chapter 30 requires public notice to affected property
owners prior to consideration of a historic designation; staff obtained an
estimate of approximately $8,667 for the preparation of mailing labels,
owner/occupant lists, and assessor parcel maps for the identified sites.
Although the inventory includes 21 extant artworks, the noticing estimate
is based on 16 sites, as three of the identified artworks are located on the
Santa Ana College campus and at the Chase Bank, and therefore
correspond to a single noticing location rather than three separate sites.
Public Artworks by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O'Cadiz Moctezuma, and Additional Artists
August 4, 2026
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• Staff Resources - The City's historic preservation program is presently
administered by a principal and an associate planner. It is estimated that the work
effort for this project will require up to 12 hours of work per week for each position
during the anticipated 12-month completion period, which amounts to
approximately $130,800 in staff time over the 12-month period.
5. Status Update and Next Steps
Since receiving direction from the City Council, staff has completed a preliminary
inventory of known public artworks, initiated coordination with the families of Emigdio
Vasquez and Sergio O'Cadiz Moctezuma, and community stakeholders, established an
implementation strategy for historic evaluations, identified anticipated consultant and
public noticing costs, and begun evaluating policy considerations associated with the
long-term preservation of designated murals.
The inventory of murals, sculptures, and public artworks presented in this report is
intended to serve as a starting point for future historic evaluations and may continue to
evolve as additional information becomes available. As implementation progresses,
additional archival research, stakeholder outreach, and site investigations may identify
additional works by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O'Cadiz Moctezuma, or other artists, or
provide new information regarding the condition, ownership, accessibility, or historical
significance of currently identified artworks. Conversely, some works included in the
preliminary inventory may ultimately be determined ineligible for historic designation, may
not warrant nomination following completion of the historic evaluation process, or may not
be designated by the Planning Commission after consideration of the applicable
designation criteria.
Accordingly, the final number of artworks evaluated and nominated may differ from the
preliminary inventory presented in this report and could affect the overall project scope,
schedule, and consultant resources necessary to complete the initiative.
Staff will continue implementing the City Council's direction by refining the inventory,
conducting historic evaluations, preparing DPR documentation, coordinating with
property owners and stakeholders, and, where appropriate, preparing nomination
materials for consideration by the Planning Commission through separately noticed
public hearings in accordance with Chapter 30 of the SAMC.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The action before the City Council is informational only and does not constitute a project
pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA
Guidelines Section 15378 because it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable
physical change in the environment. Future historic designation actions, if pursued, will
be evaluated independently for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA).
Public Artworks by Emigdio Vasquez, Sergio O'Cadiz Moctezuma, and Additional Artists
August 4, 2026
Page 10
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with receiving and filing this report. Staff
is continuing implementation of the City Council's prior direction to evaluate public
artworks by Emigdio Vasquez and Sergio O'Cadiz Moctezuma. If necessary, staff will
return to the City Council, with any future budget amendments, professional services
agreement amendments, or other actions required to support consultant services, public
noticing, and related implementation costs.
Consultant costs are currently estimated at approximately $153,300 for the preparation
of historic evaluation and DPR documentation. In addition, public noticing costs are
estimated at approximately $8,667 for mailing labels, owner/occupant lists, and
assessor parcel maps. Accordingly, the currently estimated direct consultant and
noticing costs total approximately $161,967. Additional City staff costs associated with
project management, stakeholder coordination, environmental review (if required),
preparation of staff reports, public hearings, and quality assurance have been quantified
and are estimated to be $130,800 over the 12-month completion period.
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Councilmember-Requested Item dated May 5, 2026
2. Inventory Map of Public Artworks by Emigdio Vasquez
3. Inventory Map of Public Artworks by Sergio O'Cadiz Moctezuma
4. Inventory Map of Public Artworks by Additional Artists
Submitted By: Ali Pezeshkpour, AICP, Executive Director, Planning and Building
Agency
Approved By: Alvaro Nunez, City Manager
EXHIBIT 1
CITY OF SANTAANA
Councilmember-Requested Item Report
DATE
May 5, 2026
TOPIC
Historic Designation for Sergio O. Cadiz and Emigdio Vasquez Public Artworks Located
in Santa Ana
COUNCILMEMBER-REQUESTED ITEM TITLE
Discuss and Consider Directing the City Manager to Direct Staff to Identify, Evaluate,
and Prepare Nominations to the City Register of Historical Properties for Public
Artworks by Sergio O. Cadiz Moctezuma and Emigdio Vasquez Located Within the City
of Santa Ana
DISCUSSION
Background
Santa Ana is home to one of the largest concentrations of Chicano public art in
Southern California. Among the most significant artists whose works define this cultural
legacy are Sergio O. Cadiz Moctezuma (1934-2002) and Emigdio Vasquez (1939-
2014). Both artists produced works of regional, state, and national significance, and
several of those works are located within Santa Ana on City-owned, other public, and
private property.
About Sergio O. Cadiz Moctezuma
Sergio O. Cadiz Moctezuma was a Mexico City-born architect and muralist who studied
painting under Diego Rivera before immigrating to California in 1961. His work is
documented by the Getty Conservation Institute's America Tropical Interpretive Center
and was featured in the California Historical Society's traveling exhibition Murales
Rebeldes: L.A. Chicana/Chicano Murals Under Siege, organized as part of the Getty's
Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA initiative. Within Santa Ana, his works include a concrete
relief mural at City Hall (1972), the History and Evolution of the Chicano in the United
States mural at Santa Ana College (1974, in collaboration with MEChA students), and a
mural at Fremont Elementary School (1975). His Raitt Street mural, created in 1994
with community youth through the City's Safe Haven Youth Program, was whitewashed
in July 2019 — an event that prompted national attention and helped catalyze ongoing
community advocacy for mural preservation policy in Santa Ana.
About Emigdio Vasquez
Emigdio Vasquez, widely recognized as the Godfather of Chicano Art in Orange
County, created more than 400 paintings and over 22 murals throughout the region. He
CITYATTORNEY CITY MANAGER CITY CLERK
Sonia R.Carvalho Alvaro Nunez Jennifer L.Hall
20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA-P.O.BOX 1988, M31 -SANTA ANA,CALIFORNIA 92702
TELEPHONE(714)647-6900- FAX(714)647-6954-www.santa-ana.org
Emigdio Vasquez, widely recognized as the Godfather of Chicano Art in Orange
County, created more than 400 paintings and over 22 murals throughout the region. He
Emigdio Vasquez, widely recognized as the Godfather of Chicano Art in Orange
County, created more than 400 paintings and over 22 murals throughout the region. He
was the first Orange County resident to receive the Maestro Award from the Latino Arts
Network, and his work was the subject of Chapman University's Pacific Standard Time:
LA/LA exhibition My Barrio: Emigdio Vasquez and Chicana/o Identity in Orange County.
His Santa Ana works include Chicano Gothic (1987) at Memorial Park; Visions of Santa
Ana (1987) at Angels Community Park; Children, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
(1988) at Madison Park; The Strongest Bond of Humans (1986), an untitled mural
(1988-89), and The Legacy of Cesar Chavez (1997) at Santa Ana College; and Visions
of Orange County(1991) at the OCTA Terminal. Chicano Gothic in particular has been
the subject of a recent multi-year restoration effort led by the Santa Ana Community
Artist(a) Coalition in collaboration with the Vasquez family, MuralColors, and the City,
and is now preserved as a free-standing wall as part of the Memorial Park aquatic
center renovation.
Lost Art
Despite the artistic, historical, and community significance of these works, the City has
lost meaningful examples of Chicano public art over the years, including Vasquez's
Visions of Orange County at the Bowers Museum (demolished c. 1991), Towards the
Solidarity of All Peoples at the Jerome Center, and La Juventud, Nuestras Raices y el
Futuro at the El Salvador Center, alongside O. Cadiz's whitewashed Raitt Street mural.
These losses underscore the need for durable legal protections for the works that
remain.
Designating Historic Properties
Chapter 30 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code provides such a framework. Under § 30-1
and § 30-2, the Historic Resources Commission, by resolution and at a noticed public
hearing, may designate buildings, structures, objects, or sites as historical properties on
the City Register. Designation criteria include works associated with notable artists or
designers whose style influenced artistic development (§ 30-2(a)(2)) and objects or sites
of historical significance associated with important political, social, economic, or cultural
activity (§ 30-2(a)(4)(d)). While § 30-2(a) generally requires that nominated works be at
least 50 years old, § 30-2.1 expressly allows the designation of younger works "of
exceptional significance" meeting one or more of the same criteria. The works of O.
Cadiz and Vasquez located in Santa Ana satisfy these criteria, with several of the older
O. Cadiz works (1972, 1974, 1975) meeting the 50-year threshold and the Vasquez
works qualifying under the exceptional-significance exception based on documented
academic, curatorial, and community recognition.
Historic Designation Filing Fees
Pursuant to § 30-2.4, governmental agencies are exempt from designation filing fees.
The City may therefore initiate nominations for works it owns, and may also initiate
nominations for works on other property subject to the owner-notification requirements
of§ 30-2(b). Designation does not preclude further restoration, modification under § 30-
6 (certificate of appropriateness), or future demolition where warranted under § 30-7,
but it ensures that any such action proceeds through a public, transparent process with
appropriate review.
CITYATTORNEY CITY MANAGER CITY CLERK
Sonia R.Carvalho Alvaro Nunez Jennifer L.Hall
20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA-P.O.BOX 1988, M31 -SANTA ANA,CALIFORNIA 92702
TELEPHONE(714)647-6900- FAX(714)647-6954-www.santa-ana.org
Arts and Culture Commission; Public Art and Preservation Policy
Initiating these nominations also complements the Public Art and Preservation Policy
currently under development through the Arts and Culture Commission and supports
the broader community advocacy that has driven recent mural preservation successes
in Santa Ana, including the 2024 restoration of the La Raza murals on Civic Center
Drive and the recent preservation of Chicano Gothic.
Historic Resources Commission
The Historic Resources Commission (HRC), not the City Council, holds the authority to
designate properties to the City Register. The action recommended through this
council member-requested item is limited to directing staff to identify eligible works,
coordinate with stakeholders, prepare nomination applications, and bring those
applications forward for HRC consideration through the established process under
Chapter 30.
Recommended Action
Direct the City Manager to direct staff to identify, evaluate, and prepare nominations to
the City Register of Historical Properties for public artworks by Sergio O. Cadiz
Moctezuma and Emigdio Vasquez located within the City of Santa Ana, including
specifically:
1. Identify all extant murals, sculptures, and public artworks by Sergio O. Cadiz
Moctezuma and Emigdio Vasquez located within the City of Santa Ana, including
works on city-owned, other public, and private property, and verify the current
condition of each work, including the Sergio O. Cadiz Moctezuma concrete relief
mural at Santa Ana City Hall (1972) and Emigdio Vasquez's Chicano Gothic
(1987) at Memorial Park;
2. Evaluate each identified work against the criteria for designation under Santa
Ana Municipal Code §§ 30-2 and 30-2.1, and determine the appropriate category
for designation under § 30-2.2 (Landmark, Key, or Contributive);
3. Coordinate with the Vasquez and O. Cadiz families, the Santa Ana Community
Artist(a) Coalition, and other relevant property owners (including the Santa Ana
Unified School District, the Rancho Santiago Community College District, and the
Orange County Transportation Authority) regarding works on property they own
or control;
4. Prepare and submit nomination applications to the Historic Resources
Commission for those works determined to meet the criteria under Chapter 30,
prioritizing works on city-owned property— including specifically Chicano Gothic
(1987) at Memorial Park and the Sergio O. Cadiz Moctezuma concrete relief
mural (1972) at Santa Ana City Hall; and
5. Return to the City Council within 90 days with a status report identifying the
works under evaluation, a proposed nomination schedule, and any further
direction needed to complete the process.
SUBMITTED BY
Councilwoman Jessie Lopez
EXHIBIT(S)
N/A
CITYATTORNEY CITY MANAGER CITY CLERK
Sonia R.Carvalho Alvaro Nunez Jennifer L.Hall
20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA-P.O.BOX 1988, M31 -SANTA ANA,CALIFORNIA 92702
TELEPHONE(714)647-6900- FAX(714)647-6954-www.santa-ana.org
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• 1.Chicano Gothic Santa Ana Memorial 2102 S Flower St Mural • 5.The Legacy of Cesar Chavez Santa Ana College 1530 W 17 St Mural Excellent
Under Restoration Condition
• 2.Children,Yesterday,Today, Madison Park 1 1528 S Standard Ave I Mural I Poor • 6.The Strongest Bond of Santa Ana College 1530 W 17 St Mural Good
and Tomorrow Condition Humans Condition
• 3.Recuerdos de mi Pueblo El Tapatio Dos Mexicanos Grill 1 1214 E Pomona St • 7,Visions of Orange County OCTA Transit Terminal 1 400 W Santa Ana Blvd
Mural I Good Condition Mural I Decent Condition
• 4.Spanish,Indians,and Today's Heritage Museum 11214 E Pomona St I Mural I Good • g Visions of Santa Ana Angels Community Park 1 300 N Flower St I Mural
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Hispanics Condition Good Condition
Map Date'.June 24,2026
Distlaimer This map disdays Information wi[hln the City of Santa Ana and Is for reference only.Description and information are subject to change.While every e(f. is made to ensure accuracy,the Clty
of Santa Ana makes no daims or guarantees about the accuracy or currency of the information contained on this map and expressly disdains liability for--and omissions.
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® 1. Fremont Elementary Fremont Elementary School 1 1930 W 1Oth St I Mural O 5.Spartan Lathrop Intermediate School 1 1111 S Broadway
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• 2. Monroe Elementary School Monroe Elementary School 1 417 E Central Ave� • 6 The History Chicano in the Nealley Library,Santa Ana College 1 1530 W 17th St�
Mural Mural I Restored United States Mural I Unknown
3. Native American Chief Willard Intermediate School 1 1342 N Ross St
Sculpture I Unknown
• 4. Santa Ana City Hall Santa Ana City Hall 120 Civic Center Plaza I Concrete
Concrete Relief Mural Partially Extant
Map Date'.June 24,2026
EMMA—.This map di pi,ys Information within the City of Santa Ana and Is for reference only.Description and information are subject to change.While every effort is made to ensure accuracy,the Clty
of Santa Ana makes no dA—or guarantees about the accuracy or currency of the information contained on this map and expressly disdains liability for--and omissions.
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• 1.Home Savings Santa Ana Chase Bank 1300 N Main St Mosaic I Extant • 5.Indio and India Street-side Residential Rear Wall 2034&2038 Alco Ave
(Mosaic) Mural I Restored
• 2.Home Savings Santa Ana Chase Bank 1300 N Main St Sculptures I Extant • 6.La Raza Street-side Residential Rear Wall 2034 Alco Ave
(Sculptures) Mural I Restored
• 3.Celebration of Life Orange County School of the Arts 1010 N Main St • 7.La Bomba and Street-side Residential Rear Wall 2034 Alco Ave
Sculpture I Extant Lady Santana Mural I Restored
• 4.Quetzalcoad and Street-side Residential Rear Wall 2038 Alco Ave
Aztec Calendar Mural I Restored
Map Date'.July 27.2026
Distlaimer This map displays information within the City of Santa Ana antl is for reference only.Description and information are subject to change.While every effort is m,d,b ensure accuracy,the City
,Santa Ana makes no tlaims or guarantees about[he accuracy or curtency of[he information contained on this map and expressly distlairtis liability far errors antl omissions.