An Honor for Function as Well as Form

Walking through the lobby of Burbank City Hall, footsteps echoing off the polished marble, the power of place is almost overwhelming. Built in 1943, the simple elegance of City Hall and its Moderne tower create an atmosphere that is at once reverential and welcoming--perfect for a place that houses the work of local government. Last week, City Hall took a berth on the National Register of Historic Places.

Fewer than 15 locations in the San Fernando Valley are included on the register, which recognizes and protects historic structures or sites. Most date from the Spanish era, before suburbanization. The honor to Burbank City Hall also recognizes the important role vigorous local government has played in the Valley’s growth from beet fields and dirt roads to whatever the future holds.

Burbank City Hall tells a story that grows with every meeting, every permit, every complaint. An addition built in 1961 testifies to Burbank’s growth from a town of 35,000 residents to a city of 100,000. Wall reliefs illustrate the city’s tradition of aviation--from the bombers used to win World War II to the passenger jets that zip in and out of Burbank Airport. Most of all, though, City Hall provides a place for opinions and ideas to play out.

As they meet in front of a mural depicting scenes from American life, the City Council and various boards hash out everything from squabbles over street trees to how much to charge for sewer hookups. Few municipalities embrace the democratic process as heartily--or as noisily--as the officials and residents of Burbank. They give City Hall its true soul. The architectural trimmings of concrete and brass are only part of what makes the edifice special. It is a gem, but the real treasures are the people who crowd its hearing rooms, demanding to be heard and believing that they can make a difference. They do.