Welcome to Balboa Island Preservation Association
HELP SAVE OUR WOOD BENCHES!!!
Keep Balboa Island Quaint and Historical
Welcome to Balboa Island Preservation Association
HELP SAVE OUR WOOD BENCHES!!!
Keep Balboa Island Quaint and Historical
THE BENCH BALLOT- what your vote will mean
Recently you should have received a ballot from the City of Newport Beach Public Works department for the selection of benches on Balboa Island.
There are only three benches to select on this ballot. Any other option (such as a write in) will technically NOT be counted, as only the three benches listed on the ballot were approved for this selection/voting process -- two PLASTIC Benches (HDPE) and one WOOD bench.
The wood bench on the ballot is the exact same bench located on the 200 and 300 blocks of Marine Ave. The Marine Ave bench is made from solid Jatoba wood (common name Brazilian Cherry Wood). Brazilian Cherrywood is 400% times denser than teak and per the US Forest Product Lab has a rating of 20-25 year lifespan. Unlike decks which have extensive under-support systems, plastic outdoor furniture tends to stain, sag and warp with a typical lifespan of 5-7 years, especially in salty and damp areas such as Balboa Island.
BASED ON YOUR BALLOT SELECTION, the look and charm of Balboa Island is at stake!
Proposed Plastic "Infinity" Bench- Not so Infinite!
Bench at Irvine Terrace Park
Click here to see more pictures & issues with HDPE (plastic) benches being proposed on the Ballot.
Wood Versus Plastic
Plastic is Not Maintenance Free
Warps and Sags
Warps and Sags
Warps and Sags
Unlike plastic composite decks that have support foundations, plastic benches tend to warp and sag over time
Breaks
Warps and Sags
Warps and Sags
Unlike wood, plastic gets brittle from the sun and wind
Stains
Warps and Sags
Stains
Plastic 'absorbs' stains from airplane fuel, sunscreen, ketchup and oils
Dents
Easy to Graffiti
Stains
Unlike wood, you cannot sand or restore dents in plastic
Easy to Graffiti
Easy to Graffiti
Easy to Graffiti
Plastic is easy to graffiti on and cannot be removed or sanded off like wood.
Fades
Easy to Graffiti
Easy to Graffiti
Plastic furniture fades in the sun and unlike wood, can't be refinished, restained or painted. They often end up in our landfill !! :(
Custom Wood Benches at City Hall
Virtues of Jatoba Wood Benches
- Comfortable
- Long Lifespan
- Strong as Iron
- Low Maintenance
- Sustainable
- Stain Resistant
- Warp and Sag Resistant
Facts on Cherrywood (Jatoba) Benches.
Vote For Wood - Save Our History!
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About Us
OUR MISSION
OUR MISSION
OUR MISSION
To protect Balboa Island’s historical uniqueness and to maintain the integrity and character of Marine Avenue, Balboa Island’s iconic ‘main street’. The Balboa Island Preservation Association is a community led organization to achieve our preservation mission for the enjoyment and benefit of Balboa Island residents, merchants, visitors and for future generations.
OUR PASSION
OUR MISSION
OUR MISSION
Are you passionate about what we're doing? Would you like to be a part of preserving and protecting the character of Balboa Island and historical Marine Ave, including our landmark trees? We're looking for additional volunteers to help us make our vision a reality. Your involvement will make a difference!
Scroll down to bottom of page and join BIPA TODAY!
THANK YOU
OUR MISSION
THANK YOU
Whether you help through monetary donations, volunteering your time or spreading our mission through word-of-mouth, thank you. We couldn't accomplish our goals without the help of citizen supporters like you.
News and Current Preservation Projects
Balboa Island Benches
Marine Ave "Special" Trees
Historical Street Lamps
Our unique and charming benches on Balboa Island are at risk! Through BIPA's efforts, we have received historical data on the benches, as well as current costs to maintain our beloved benches. BIPA recently restored one of the benches on Marine Ave which was refinished with a quality and affordable approach compared to the cost that the City received from one bidder (see the final product above!). The Marine Avenue Brazilian Cherry benches are far superior than plastic that warps and brakes or concrete that cracks and chips. Because of its natural oils, Brazilian Cherry benches only needs periodic resealing. Unlike a varnish, a sealer will preserve the color while being breathable, letting the natural oils move to the surface for protection. Once sealed, the benches require little care. In July 2004, the City Council unanimously chose these benches based on a joint recommendation from the Public Works, Planning and General Services Departments. The benches are made in the USA by D.M. Braun & Company and the benches and litter receptacles cost $74,688. The cost of the benches was covered by donations from the public and the balance of the Marine Avenue benches were later donated in 2009. The donor cost in 2009 was $1,156.00 per bench. Now the City wants to replace the benches with concrete or plastic products due to an outlandish bid they received to maintain our benches. BIPA's restoration approach is a significant savings to the tax payers and keeps Marine Ave and Balboa Island unique and charming.
Historical Street Lamps
Marine Ave "Special" Trees
Historical Street Lamps
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How does history affect us and what story does it tell?
The street lights on Marine Ave tell us a story about simpler days gone by and the soft luminous glow remind us of gatherings with friends and neighbors over many years.
The historic street lamps on Marine Avenue have graced Balboa Island since the early 1930s. (See the photos in More Info/Photo Gallery.) They have survived the City’s Streetlight Replacement Program, but are now under threat from the City’s infrastructure plans (including replacement of “obsolete” street lamps with LED lighting) for Marine Avenue reconstruction and other Balboa Island development plans. Ironically, other cities have purchased similar lamps to give instant character to their downtown's. BIPA is fighting to preserve our street lamps as part of the historic charm of Balboa Island.
Sternberg lighting, established in Chicago in 1923, is an iconic light pole and glass fixture found on many historic main streets in America and the Marine Ave style “Avenue” was one of the most popular in US history.
Don't let the City remove our lights just to see them sold to another main street that values these historical and charming artifacts. We can keep our unique street lights by just changing out the filaments, if need be. I would argue that the soft glow of our street lights are far better then the harsh, eye burning florescent bulbs of today!
Marine Ave "Special" Trees
Marine Ave "Special" Trees
Marine Ave "Special" Trees
Gently swirling among us, our historical and City designated "Special Trees" have provided our community with a sense of place for more than ten decades and anchors where we call home; one of the most beautiful locations in the Country.
The community was told our trees must go to make room for a "new look", but BIPA has fought for historical preservation of this special place, and truth and transparency for over two years. BIPA proved that our trees are stable and per PB&R, no more Marine Ave Special Trees will be removed without scientific proof and evidence that the trees are a threat to the community.
UPDATE: Due to Corona Virus restrictions, the advanced testing planned for March 16 &17, 2020 has been postponed until further notice.