Long Beach Construction (Planned, Proposed, & Current) [Archive] - Page 11

PDA

You are viewing a trimmed-down version of the SkyscraperPage.com discussion forum. For the full version follow the link below.

View Full Version : Long Beach Construction (Planned, Proposed, & Current)

Pages : 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 [11] 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

LAMetroGuy

Oct 17, 2007, 7:54 PM

For those interested, which i assume will be all of you, i thought i would share the below announcement i came across. this is part of a new public commenting process the city is initiating, in order to give stakeholders in the area an opportunity to see and comment on proposed developments early on in the project. This project will take up the entire block and it's right in the middle of downtown. Historically you couldn't say much about a project until it was too far down the process. It will be interesting to hear early comments from the planning commission, since this is being presented to them as well as the public. There is no vote, it's basically just a preview.

If you've got opinions, and a lot of us do, i suggest checking it out and making your voice heard if you don't like what you see.

(from the city)
Please note that at this Thursday's (10/18) Planning Commission meeting there will be a presentation of a proposed mixed-use project on the block Northwest of 3rd Street and Pine Avenue.

The Planning Commission Hearing begins at 5:00pm in the City Council Chambers. The presentation should be at the beginning of the meeting.

Is the public allowed to attend the Planning Commission hearings?

yibs

Oct 20, 2007, 8:09 PM

Create a city that the locals love, and stop catering to outside interests at the expense of us who already live here. You can't expect tourists and other outside business to come into a city that the locals don't even care for. And whoever said building an amusement park outside the villa where people live is insane. We don't need amusement parks and malls to be a great town. We don't want to be Anaheim by the sea. And does anyone want to depend the lowenthal crime family? No town should ever have 3 people of the same family in such high places of power. This is just ridiculous. They suck this town dry of what we have and then raise taxes to bail themselves out of their corruption.

drisee

Oct 23, 2007, 12:49 AM

i'm all for building a city/downtown the locals love, which right now most don't. i feel that if we can keep the city from fucking things up even more, we'll be in a good spot.

SantaCruzGuy

Oct 23, 2007, 3:07 AM

what was said in that meeting? Were can we check out proposals for DT LB? As a college student I have been in a bubble these two last weeks due to midterms...so please inform us savvy ones! :worship:

drisee

Oct 23, 2007, 3:51 PM

i don't think the info is available online anywhere for the 3rd and Pine project. does anyone have any links to it by chance?

it's a pretty good looking development but there are a few issues that concern me. it's a two phase project so the higher, more dense phase won't happen until down the line when the city can absorb it. until then the plan calls for a parking lot along pine, which i think is a bad idea. other then that the architecture is pretty cool but starts to get a little boring when you wrap the whole block in it. the days of developing small sections of the block as opposed to just pieces seems to be over...which is a shame. we should bring back the old style of city development, piece by piece so that you get some variety in styles.

there are a few other concerns but other then that it's a pretty sharp development and it's a lot better then what we normally get.

other feedback came from the city idiots, the nimby's that fight against everything. same people arguing about density and lack of parking/not enough affordable housing. such a tired argument all coming from the same old idiots. the same ones that want downtown to continue being the Iowa by the sea.

LAMetroGuy

Oct 23, 2007, 7:39 PM

Developers Present Plans For Pine Pacific Block

By Thyda Duong
Staff Writer

Last week, Williams Dame & Atkins presented its plans for a mixed-use residential community on the block bounded by Pine and Pacific avenues and 3rd and 4th streets to both the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency (RDA) board and the planning commission.

The presentations were aimed at gathering input from both city officials and community members, whose comments would be considered during the planning process.

Currently referred to as “Pine Pacific Block,” the development would feature a six-story building with 176 residential units and 7,494 square feet of ground-floor retail, and a 13-story structure with 186 residential units and 16,919 square feet of retail.

The development will also include neighborhood-serving retail and open-space patio, subterranean residential parking and a full amenity deck with a lap pool, barbecue grill and picnic areas.

The goal of the project is to create an “urban oasis” in the heart of Downtown Long Beach, said Jim Atkins, a principal with the development company, who noted that the architects will incorporate sustainable design principles and target Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Atkins said he expects the environmental impact report to be complete in late 2008, with construction on the first phase of 176 units to begin by early 2009.

The second phase, which will occur on the corner of 3rd Street and Pine Avenue, will be market driven, Atkins said.

“The condo market is a cyclical business. And right now we’re at a tough point in the cycle. It would be tough to sit here today and tell you we’re going to get the project financed on Phase II at a certain, known point in time,” he said. “But having said that, we believe enough in Long Beach that we did close on that portion of property, so we have invested money there at the project site. And we believe the best way to get Phase II financed and ultimately make it economically viable is to complete a successful Phase I.”

One of the concerns brought up during the RDA board meeting was the construction of a street-level parking lot consisting of 56 stalls on Pine Avenue during Phase I.

“Pine’s not going to be enlivened at all by a parking lot, and that does seem to be our commercial thoroughfare,” said RDA Board Chair Thomas Fields. “So it seems to me there’s going to be critical time space between Phase I and Phase II.”

Although Atkins admitted it is not a perfect solution, he noted that developers plan to activate Pine with a kiosk, such as a newspaper stand or an outdoor flower shop, or may work to incorporate open space.

Despite his concerns, Fields noted, “It’s a very nice project and I look forward to seeing it come to fruition.”

PromenadeIrishmen

Oct 24, 2007, 7:07 PM

For those interested, which i assume will be all of you, i thought i would share the below announcement i came across. this is part of a new public commenting process the city is initiating, in order to give stakeholders in the area an opportunity to see and comment on proposed developments early on in the project. This project will take up the entire block and it's right in the middle of downtown. Historically you couldn't say much about a project until it was too far down the process. It will be interesting to hear early comments from the planning commission, since this is being presented to them as well as the public. There is no vote, it's basically just a preview.

If you've got opinions, and a lot of us do, i suggest checking it out and making your voice heard if you don't like what you see.

(from the city)
Please note that at this Thursday's (10/18) Planning Commission meeting there will be a presentation of a proposed mixed-use project on the block Northwest of 3rd Street and Pine Avenue.

The Planning Commission Hearing begins at 5:00pm in the City Council Chambers. The presentation should be at the beginning of the meeting.

Interesting i have not been around home lately....anyone get more information on this baby? :baby:

LAMetroGuy

Oct 24, 2007, 7:54 PM

PromenadeIrishmen, if you read the post (i posted) between your recent post and drisee post, you will see "more information on this baby". :shrug:

PromenadeIrishmen

Oct 24, 2007, 11:22 PM

PromenadeIrishmen, if you read the post (i posted) between your recent post and drisee post, you will see "more information on this baby". :shrug:

got ya i just got out of the dentist this morning was still a bit numb. thanks.

yibs

Oct 26, 2007, 11:21 PM

It's about time somebody told the truth about this town. Sure it hurts at times, but it needs to be said.

http://www.lbreport.com/news/oct07/morrisst.htm

SantaCruzGuy

Oct 26, 2007, 11:37 PM

That was a great article and speech! :cheers:

PromenadeIrishmen

Oct 27, 2007, 12:03 AM

It's about time somebody told the truth about this town. Sure it hurts at times, but it needs to be said.

http://www.lbreport.com/news/oct07/morrisst.htm

DITTO:cheers: Love That Morris ! :rock: :lurk:

Ruby

Oct 27, 2007, 6:14 AM

I saw the older pictures of LB downtown with the surf, the beach front and the masses of people. I couldn't believe that was how it looked like before. Long Beach was called "Queen of the Beach" in one of the pictures. How could the City or the people let the port destroy such a great beach? It was a crime. What I don't understand is why the same type of idiots keep getting elected as councilman/woman?

drisee

Oct 27, 2007, 7:03 AM

that was a great speech. many important points were drilled home. the city council definitely seems to work independently of itself with no sense of greater good.

the idea of getting more money for the port is right on. i love how the city seems to hide behind the "rules". like the rule that tideland funds can only be used for certain things. screw that rule. that's what policy makers are for if they had any balls. rethink the rule. create some more budget for the city without having to put in best buys, home depots and walmarts everywhere you can.

rethink long beach and demand some damn quality building for our downtown. bring some damn jobs to the area and diversify the economy.

one idea i don't like is that of the casino by the queen mary. just seems like a short term solution that i would not like to see for our waterfront. i just think of all the crap that comes with it, too high a price to pay for what we get back.

yibs

Oct 27, 2007, 11:19 PM

I don't like the casino idea. I would agree on that one. And long beach was once called Coney Island West, but that was along time ago. It's just sad to see a once great city reduced to somewhat of a joke to others. And yes we do have the worst water and air quality in the nation, and we should be very embarrassed. No long beach pride in the quality of our biggest asset. The Beach!

I just tend to put my head down whenever the city tries to promote us as the Aquatics capital of America. I hope none of you guys took that seriously. I really have no answers on what should be done anymore. I have come to the conclusion that i will never see a world class long beach. :(

regboi21

Oct 29, 2007, 4:29 AM

If you all dont like how Downtown Long Beach is developing then you all should attend the city meetings more often and speak your minds about why long beach is still the way it is now which still needs a lot of hard work to be a world class city long beach's city planners should start to realize that whatever they are doing for this wonderful city aint going so well i think that the planners should invest into cleaning the waters around the port and beaches so people could have a safe clean place to swim in the future and also find ways to make this city safe like hiring 300 more police officers(I read the long beach report article) so people could change thier reputations about long beach being a dangerous city and new business could be established and more taller office and mixed used buildings could be built in this city. ps to yibs who said long beach wont ever improve i think you should try to keep your head up and be positive about long beach cause it would get better eventually.

drisee

Oct 29, 2007, 8:36 PM

i agree regboi21. i'm negative but i'm also trying to help the situation by participating where and when i can. i feel like if i ever lose hope completely i would decide to move at that point. it would suck to live in a place that you hate.

not saying that you should move yibs, but perhaps channel your energy and fight the good fight. from my experience it seems like a lot of people have great ideas but not enough people get involved and share those ideas. so instead of having visionaries share with the city staff...we have the same ol' morons show up at most meetings and complain, like mr. cochran for those that know who that is. it's quite a shame.

if it was up to all the nimbys that talk, long beach would be an undeveloped iowa by the sea, complete with seas of parking available but no good retail, 3 car spaces for every person with shitty public transportation still dominated by the car, affordable and low income housing for everyone and of course it would be accessible by wheelchair. talk about a hip and cool city, where can i sign up!!

SantaCruzGuy

Oct 30, 2007, 1:26 AM

PromenadeIrishmen

Oct 30, 2007, 3:23 PM

I was looking at the website for 133 Promenade Walk... Any of you know the prices for them? The website does not state any prices for any of the places (as they want you to take a tour)...Anyone live there yet?

CruzGuy i have lived there as of May 2007 they seem to have open house in the display unit witch is located right below mine ever weekend Sa/Sun till about 2:00 PM. the web site really isn't too much of a help you will have to come in and talk to a few of the sales reps as well as an agent from Countrywide Lenders. nice people they would love to show you around there is a one bedroom display unit as well as the two story two bed and bath unit. I have a few pictures of the one bedroom unit if need be.

Ruby

Oct 31, 2007, 5:52 AM

PromenadeIrishmen

Oct 31, 2007, 2:56 PM

I went to the University of the Sea last Sunday, hoping to have a chance to tour the long entombed Jergins tunnel. I was too late and all the tickets were sold out. :tantrum:

In the LBreport.com today, there are talks to reopen the Jergins tunnel. I sincerely hope that they are not going to shelf this treasure. It would be a shame. It is the last of the old pike since they've decided to demolish the remanants of the carousel top at Ocean and Chesnut. I hope they'll preserve and open the tunnel someday. Somehow the City Council has signed away the access rights for the tunnel to the developer. :koko: That sounds dumb.

Ruby

I made it out for the University By the Sea as well. Very fun day good program. classes were educational and interesting if you were able to get some of the good ones. i had history of the Pike, Sushi Making, Tequila School, and Leadership Management course. and all the other fun things on Pine made it a great day. The tunnel tour i got to set in on was a quick walk threw with a few members of Long Beach Heritage Comity. it was great to see what history was left of the tunnel. names and dates carved into the wood work throughout the little stands the great vintage tile work all over the floors and ceilings. i didn't get to see any of the movies but a close friend of mine was able to watch an hour film, and said it was great. There was talk about allowing a member of the Long Beach Heritage Comity displaying all of his antique and priceless belongings in the tunnel, well have to wait and see beside that i don't think there was too much talk about keeping the tunnel open disregarding an annual event. :shuffle:

lbguymetro

Nov 1, 2007, 3:50 AM

after reading the articles, there's just so much to be done after all especially the retail..he is talking about first class....and most of all density, people, people, people...and public safety...i just wonder how retail could have been neglected as an important aspect of redevelopment...

It's about time somebody told the truth about this town. Sure it hurts at times, but it needs to be said.

http://www.lbreport.com/news/oct07/morrisst.htm

lbguymetro

Nov 1, 2007, 3:53 AM

i guess so ...that PIKE must be torn down !!!! its a pain to our sight !

I don't like the casino idea. I would agree on that one. And long beach was once called Coney Island West, but that was along time ago. It's just sad to see a once great city reduced to somewhat of a joke to others. And yes we do have the worst water and air quality in the nation, and we should be very embarrassed. No long beach pride in the quality of our biggest asset. The Beach!

I just tend to put my head down whenever the city tries to promote us as the Aquatics capital of America. I hope none of you guys took that seriously. I really have no answers on what should be done anymore. I have come to the conclusion that i will never see a world class long beach. :(

LAMetroGuy

Nov 3, 2007, 3:29 AM

you can't post ads here :frog:

Ruby

Nov 5, 2007, 7:14 AM

I drove by shorelne blvd the other night and saw some lights in the west ocean towers. The agent told me that they are starting the walk through. He said most of the units are closing fine but some people couldn't get the loan so the deal fell through. He said by the end of November, an assessment can be made on how many previously sold units will become available.

rolinda

Nov 5, 2007, 7:47 AM

Thanks for the info on west ocean...I was signing on to give an advisory about the building when i read your post. i have been interested in a place, so we'll see what comes available. my friends are in escrow on a unit in tower 1 and they have told me that they have been given repeated erroneous information from the ever changing sales staff for West Ocean. Unfortunately they made some decisions based on this info and now the builders refuse to honor anything they were told. The corporate office wont call them back and every time they talk to sales staff they are outright lied to about the current stauts of the project. My recommendation is to not sign anything or get into any deals with west ocean at this time. i think a lot of the people that are in contract will bail and they will be giving major discounts on these units. It is discomforting for me to hear about the way they are doing business and makes me wonder about the construction. If anyone has seen a unit or done a walk through, I would love to hear.

yibs

Nov 5, 2007, 6:06 PM

Anyone read the article about the massive number of sober living homes in our very small downtown? That will never help make this a world class city. I always see these people around 4th st in downtown who look strung out and lost in the city. It's very sad and depressing to see. No wonder i hang out on the east side or in seal beach.

http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_7372223

Ruby

Nov 5, 2007, 8:54 PM

Thanks for the info on west ocean... my friends are in escrow on a unit in tower 1 and they have told me that they have been given repeated erroneous information from the ever changing sales staff for West Ocean. Unfortunately they made some decisions based on this info and now the builders refuse to honor anything they were told. The corporate office wont call them back and every time they talk to sales staff they are outright lied to about the current stauts of the project. My recommendation is to not sign anything or get into any deals with west ocean at this time. i think a lot of the people that are in contract will bail and they will be giving major discounts on these units. It is discomforting for me to hear about the way they are doing business and makes me wonder about the construction. If anyone has seen a unit or done a walk through, I would love to hear.

I was in a similar situation when I was going into contract with Roosevelt in Downtown LA. The developer raised the price and wouldn't honor some of the amenities that they promised. However, that was before signing of the contract; since my reserved deposit was fully refundable, we just cancelled out. West Ocean is supposed to be complete and ready for move in so all the amenities should be in place. And I thought there are guidelines in Long Beach regarding the completeness of a project before people are allowed to move in. I am surprised what they can lie about on the project status at this stage. I thought that people are falling out of escrow because they can't quality for the loan, since they can't bail easily after making a contract deposit which is not refundable.

West Ocean looks like a nice project and I was hoping that it won't fail. With buyers drying up in the market, the developer should do everything they can to secure those who already bought at the presale.

staraman

Nov 6, 2007, 3:59 PM

PromenadeIrishmen

Nov 6, 2007, 4:43 PM

Hi all,

Does anyone have any photos of their units and the new projects cropping up? It would be really great to show off our reemerging city... I want to focus on all the positive aspects that Long Beach has to offer. I wanted to hear from any owners in the lofts downtown, or in Long Beach in general, and hear why they chose their particular unit, and the commonly founds finishes amenities. Some of the projects I really like are 133 Promenade, Olive Court, and West Ocean. Any positive input would be greatly appreciated.

I heart LB... do you?

133 Promenade One Bedroom Flat
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v501/evanDOHERTY/evanDOHERTYpicture007.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v501/evanDOHERTY/evanDOHERTYpicture008.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v501/evanDOHERTY/evanDOHERTYpicture004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v501/evanDOHERTY/evanDOHERTYpicture002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v501/evanDOHERTY/evanDOHERTYpicture011.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v501/evanDOHERTY/evanDOHERTYpicture009.jpg

PromenadeIrishmen

Nov 6, 2007, 4:47 PM

lbguymetro

Nov 7, 2007, 6:33 AM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v501/evanDOHERTY/IMG_0864.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v501/evanDOHERTY/51126652007pacifica_rendering.jpg

the one-bedroom aqua unit

http://http://pics11.face-pic.com/pics/a/j/ajm90802.1.jpg

http://http://pics11.face-pic.com/pics/a/j/ajm90802.1.jpg

http://http://pics11.face-pic.com/pics/a/j/ajm90802.1.jpg

http://http://pics11.face-pic.com/pics/a/j/ajm90802.1.jpg

Ruby

Nov 7, 2007, 8:30 PM

If anyone has a URL to post the pics... I have plenty from West Ocean units.

The issue of some buyers is with the square footage that was originally advertised.... you may not want to sign the addedum the developer sent regarding square footage.

I love to see the West Ocean unit pictures but I don't have an URL and I really don't know how to post pictures. So the issue is the square footage. I noticed a while back that the square footage in the West Ocean brochure was different than those in their web site. The sales representatives told me the one in the web site is inner wall to inner wall while the one in the brochure is outer wall. The difference is about 100 sq. ft. The discrepancies are common in the condo market. The Roosevelt unit (advertised to be 913 sqt) that I reserved in Downtown LA was off by 163 sqf. The unit that I bought in Aqua was supposed to be 1115 sqt in the brochure and the sales people told me that it includes the balcony. The appraisal comes out to be 1080 sqt but according to the LA country assessor's data, the recorded living area is 1020 sqt. I finally did my own measurements and it comes out to be very close to 1020 sqt. When you add the balcony, the it totals to 1200 sqt. I think the most accurate data is the one recorded in the county. Dispute over square footage come up all the time. In 1100 Wilshire of Downtown LA, some homeowners even filed a lawsuit against the developer.

LAMetroGuy

Nov 8, 2007, 9:28 PM

From the LBpost.com

NFL Football Stadium On Queen Mary Development Site?

Now that I have your attention, the answer is maybe. It’s a long shot maybe, but nonetheless, the NFL stadium idea has begun to circulate around town.

Jeff Klein, the developer has told the Press-Telegram that "we have been approached by some people I can't name that are affiliated with the NFL."

Can someone pinch me here...am I dreaming...is Long Beach finally going to start acting like the grown up metropolis that we are? We need to seriously consider this.

Long Beach is larger than the city of Miami and Cleveland, yet we often times act like the little brother to Los Angeles. We are better than LA, and Miami, and Cleveland.

Bringing an NFL team to Long Beach, or any national sports team and stadium to our Downtown is an idea we have to entertain. Imagine the tens of thousands of people spilling into our Pike and Pine Ave. restaurants every time there is a football game or a Britney Spears concert...well maybe not Britney Spears...but you get the point.

Not to mention the likely billions of dollars of global publicity that Long Beach would receive every time an event or game is broadcast on television or a 14 year old kid in Nebraska is seen wearing one of the team's jerseys or hats.

The possibilities on the site are endless; let's just hope that the developer and our city officials DREAM BIG.

lbguymetro

Nov 8, 2007, 10:48 PM

aqua one-bedroom unit

http://pics11.face-pic.com/pics/a/j/ajm90802.25.jpg

rolinda

Nov 9, 2007, 12:20 AM

ChrisLA

Nov 9, 2007, 1:53 AM

Thanks for the photos, The color on the wall look like a very faint yellow? I have that color in my living room, and the black color on the molding gave me an ideal. I was already planning to put up molding but didn't think about the black color. Now I see how it looks, I just choose my color.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v501/evanDOHERTY/evanDOHERTYpicture008.jpg

staraman

Nov 9, 2007, 5:42 AM

Why didn't anyone say photobucket? Had an account a long time ago and I forgot the service even exists. Anyway, here are some West Ocean pics... the quality could have been better, but they were taken off my cel phone. The few interior pics I had were a bit too dark and shaky.

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h5/staraman/WestOceanSSPX0153a.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h5/staraman/WestOceanSSPX0143a.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h5/staraman/WestOceanSSPX0149a.jpg

Ruby

Nov 9, 2007, 7:14 AM

I am confused about the sqaure footage issue that comes up in these condo projects. I understand the difference between the two, but why are the developers advertising the square footage that is against the DRE guidlelines just to make it look 100 sq feet bigger? And how are they getting away with it that it comes up every time? What is the legal position people are taking first of all? If I buy a unit what are the questions I should be asking to know which sq footage they are quoting me?And what are all those people at West Ocean doing about the fact that they signed contracts based on one fact and are now receving information that that is not actually the square footage? Or should this not really matter in the big picture? Just trying to keep myself informed so I make good buying decisions.

According to the condo guideline, since we don't own the outer wall, living area should be measured from inner wall to inner wall. However, for the condo projects that I've looked at so far, all but one actually use the inner wall in their advertisement.:shrug: Most include the outer walls and some the balconies. To be safe, if you're concerned, you should just bring your own tape measure or check the LA county assessor website for a similar unit that is already sold in the building. You can ask all the right questions but short of checking it yourself, there is no guarantee that you'll get the right answer.

I am not sure how square footage will impact on the value; a lot of other factors such as view, floorplan, location and interior will also play an important role. However, for a small condo, off by 100 sq. ft can be a big percentage and most units are priced based on $$ per sqt. It seems like the developers are getting away with it all the time. I recalled that homeowners of Higgins in Downtown LA sued the developer on the square footage discrepancy and the homeowners lost the lawsuit. The developer is quite savvy in their advertisement or even contract; they have fine prints stating that square footage is approximate and floorplans varies and they can change w/o notice.

Ruby

Nov 9, 2007, 7:41 AM

Why didn't anyone say photobucket? Had an account a long time ago and I forgot the service even exists. Anyway, here are some West Ocean pics... the quality could have been better, but they were taken off my cel phone. The few interior pics I had were a bit too dark and shaky.

[/IMG]

These are nice views. At what floor are these pictures taken? Are they all from the same unit?

InsExchLoft_dweller

Nov 9, 2007, 6:20 PM

I hope so LAMETGUY!!!

Thoughts of NFL in L.B. bring excitement
By Doug Krikorian, Staff columnist
Article Launched: 11/08/2007 11:23:58 PM PST

His Gray Eminence, Mr. John Morris, local political provocateur, local gossip connoisseur, local upholder of truth, justice and the Pine Avenue Way of Life, is on the phone, breathlessly beseeching me to come down to his restaurant early Wednesday evening.

"All the people connected with the sale of the Queen Mary property are going to be here including the big squeeze of the Save the Queen group Jeff Klein," says the owner of Smooth's. "I hear Richard Riordan (former Los Angeles mayor) and Pat Haden (former USC and Los Angeles Rams quarterback) contacted Klein about the feasibility of putting up a football stadium on the site. That's great news.

"I also hear that Suja Lowenthal (Second District Councilmember) reacted positively when she was asked about the idea.

"Wow! But that's not too surprising since Suja's father-in-law, State Senator Alan Lowenthal, and myself were behind such a project 15 years ago."

Naturally, I got excited, as visions of NFL games and Super Bowls being staged in this community and the staggering revenue and prestige that would accrue from such phenomena began swirling around in my cerebellum.

There have been recent reports that land developer Ed Roski,

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Advertisement

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
involved in the construction of Staples Center and a minority owner of that athletic facility as well as the Lakers and Kings, is determined to erect a football stadium on 600 acres he owns in the City of Industry.
Now nothing against this gritty hamlet located in the San Gabriel Valley off the Pomona Freeway that has a population of 777 and that has the fabled Puente Hills Mall, but Long Beach would afford a slightly more aesthetic location with its picturesque ocean vistas, as well as a slightly more comforting ambiance with the gaggle of restaurants and other forms of entertainment in the area.

And so I went to Smooth's, sat at Morris' famed private Round Table in front of his restaurant gabbing with, of all people, Carl (The Truth) Williams, the owner of the latest professional franchise to descend on this city, the Long Beach Breakers of the ABA, while waiting for the new Queen Mary bigwigs to arrive.

Natch, the first exalted personage I spotted was Long Beach's Big Box Of A Man mayor, the most honorable as well as the most lovable Bob (Bananas) Foster, and I said to him, "Wow, isn't this great? A football stadium near the Queen Mary. Finally, we're doing something right in this town."

Ol' Bananas considered me with an agitated scowl, and shrieked, "You have stars in your eyes! You're a celebrity gazer!"

"You mean you're against a football stadium?" I responded incredulously.

"No, I didn't say that," replied Mr. Foster. "It's just that there are so many things we have to look at. Would it be worth having a building in which we'd only have 10 events (games) a year in it?"

"Wet noodle," sniffed John Morris.

Of course, that would mean the equivalent of 10 Toyota Grand Prix weekends to pump up Long Beach's economy and tourist trade.

And there would also be a Super Bowl, which would be off the financial charts.

"Hundreds of millions of dollars would pour into Long Beach for such an epic extravaganza that would cause such a seismic shift in the contours of our idyllic landscape," said Morris, the aging Englishman suddenly turning literary as though he were Keats or Kipling.

Jeff Klein, bedecked in a customized suit - I couldn't tell if it were an Armani, Versace, Gucci or Hugo Boss because, alas, my apparel doesn't extend beyond Tommy Bahama - showed up and acknowledged he already had been approached by people representing the NFL who were intrigued by the Queen Mary site.

Klein was circumspect about who approached him - "I don't think the people who called me want their names mentioned" - but I do know Klein has been a friend of Pat Haden since the two were at USC where Haden was a quarterback star and Klein a water polo star.

And Klein did reveal that the NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, has assigned people to look at the feasibility of Long Beach as a future venue.

"Obviously, I don't know for sure at this early date what we're going to do with the property," said Klein. "I was told that you'd need 26 to 34 acres to build a stadium, and we now have 44 with possibly 10 more that could be added with land-fill. Of course, there are so many variables and questions. We'd have to find out about public access, the costs, transportation, all sorts of things."

The influential political lobbyist/public relations operative, Mad Mike (The Grim Reaper) Murchison - he attempts to kill off any nasty talk about one of his clients - figures it would be a three-year process that Klein and his group would have to go through with all the governmental oversights that would be involved in such a venture.

"The earliest we could have a stadium would be in 2012," says Murchison, who was a strong ally of John Morris and Alan Lowenthal in their unsuccessful Long Beach football stadium campaign back in 1992.

Jeff Klein certainly seems amenable to such a project, but, ominously, ol' Bananas Foster exudes skepticism, the same kind the one-time Long Beach City Manager, Jim Hankla, did many years ago when he undermined Morris and Lowenthal and went forward with his pet projects - the fish tank and The Pike - that haven't exactly stuffed millions in the city's coffers.

But at least Long Beach has a powerful newcomer in town in Jeff Klein willing to listen, even explore the possibility of constructing a football stadium that could lure an NFL team here that, to paraphrase the suddenly and mysteriously lyrical John Morris, would cause a seismic shift in the contours of our idyllic landscape. ...

I was terribly mistaken when I wrote Wednesday that Dan Monson, the new basketball coach at Long Beach State, has a bunch of players no one ever has heard of because, for sure, our Hall of Fame basketball writer, Frank Burlison, could probably write a biography on each one of them without even the assistance of the 49ers' media guide. ...

I thought Will Rogers died in a plane crash back on Aug. 15, 1935 in Alaska with pilot Wiley Post, but I actually met Will Rogers the other evening at Smooth's.

Honestly.

But this one is named Dr. Will Rogers, and is a chiropractor who operates the Queen Mary Spa on the old vessel and the Seacrest Health & Wellness Center in Cypress.

This Will Rogers is not related to the late actor, humorist and writer, although he does bear a vague resemblance to him. ...

I want to be the first person to congratulate Frank McCourt for his Los Angeles Dodger team winning the National League pennant and World Series championship in 2008 under manager Joe Torre. Alas, I'll also probably be the only one to do so since neither achievement figures to take place under Torre since it was the old geezer's inability to win such titles in recent years with the New York Yankees that resulted in his estrangement from the team. ...

You'd think L.A. was overflowing with a bunch of rubes with the wide-eyed, fawning reception it has accorded Joe Torre, who holds the dubious distinction of being the only manager in baseball history to oversee a team that blew a 3-0 postseason lead as the Yankees did in 2004 against the Boston Red Sox.

I could understand this kind of welcome for Torre if he were named, say, to manage the Fresno Giants, but not in these supposedly more sophisticated environs. ...

The media conspiracy of silence certainly was evident in the postgame Indianapolis-New England stories. I didn't read anywhere about the abominable, pro-Colts officiating that nearly decided the outcome of the otherwise entertaining match.

The Zebras whistled three pass interference penalties against the Patriots that weren't evident to the human eye, two defensive ones totaling 67 yards that gifted the Colts with first downs on New England's 5-yard line and an offensive one against Randy Moss in the fourth quarter that should result in the back judge making it being suspended for such an outrageous lapse in judgment at such a crucial time of the proceedings. ...

That said, these are two evenly matched teams that probably will play again in the AFC title game on Jan. 20 in New England and it again probably won't be decided until the final minutes. ...

The venerable fight publicist, Honest John Beyrooty, reveals the Internet cult hero, Kimbo Slice, aka Kevin Ferguson, will be making his MMA debut on Saturday night's EliteXC cage fight card on Showtime (10 p.m.).

The 33-year-old, 6-3, 240-pound Ferguson was a legendary underground bare-knuckle fighter who became an overnight pop-culture hit when his fistic videos were downloaded more than 10 million times on YouTube.

His promoter is Gary Shaw, who thinks Ferguson can become the first heavyweight world champion in both the MMA and boxing. I don't. ...

Long Beach celebrity bodyguard Mike (The Hammer) DiMarzo, a reborn workaholic who routinely puts in 12-hour shifts these days after several years of idling his time away snoozing, schmoozing and boozing, will celebrate birthday No. 46 Saturday afternoon among his many male and female admirers by sipping one or two or three or perhaps even a few more brews at Joe Jost. What a shocking development! ...

It will surprise me if Sugar Shane Mosley beats Miguel Cotto Saturday night in their WBA welterweight fight at Madison Square Garden only because Cotto is promoted by the wily Bob Arum, who seldom allows one of his hottest young attractions to fight someone who could actually beat him.

Mosley holds the advantages over Cotto in speed, power and experience, but Cotto is nine years younger at 27, has never been beaten and is clearly on the rise. Cotto in a close decision. ...

They tell me that the wildly popular cable TV pest, Mr. Art Levine, really made a pest of himself at the Save the Queen press conference the other afternoon at the Queen Mary, brazenly attempting to lure advertising from some of the principals for his Straight Talk pamphlet. Leave it up to ol' Artie the Yalie to find new and exotic ways to embarrass himself even when he isn't on the McKenna's on the Bay dance floor where he has no peer in eliciting widespread giggles with his crazily disjointed hoofing. ...

Nothing - and I mean nothing - remains constant in this weird life in which we involuntarily have descended, proof of which the Clippers are unbeaten and the Lakers aren't. ...

I'm told by someone who knows that Karl Dorrell must win his final three games to remain employed as the football coach at UCLA. ...

I'm so convinced that Jerry (Ol' Doc) Buss won't dare trade Kobe Bryant that, if he does, I'll fly immediately to Europe and never return.

Ruby

Nov 9, 2007, 9:06 PM

Ruby

Nov 9, 2007, 10:02 PM

This is from LBreport.com. Apparently, the dedicated police deployment has been reduced from 14 officers to "0" officers beginning on Sunday and concluding each Wednesday. I guess they think criminals are on vacation during this time of the week.

This is no good. A lot of store owners including John Morris, Hyatt, Del L'opera have signed up against it. Who can we call to complain? We need adequate patrol seven days a week.

Ok. I called council woman Suja and left a message. I also called police patrol bureau; after 5 transfers, I finally talked to a nice sergeant who informed me that due to budgetary constraint, they can only increase the police patrol in the pine area (entertainment/tourist district) during the forecasted high crime/volume reason (May to October, Thursday to Saturday). He said that normally there are 12 regular officers who are responsible for the entire south district (From freeway to Cherry, Anaheim St). During peak summer season, they pay officers overtime from other districts to patrol the “entertainment/tourist district”. Since now the summer season is over, they’ll just cut back to normal patrol. He also said the sources of the funding are from the Tidelands operations, Long Beach Redevelopment and Downtown LB associations.

LB Life07

Nov 10, 2007, 3:55 AM

Waterfront high-rise in works
Project believed to involve Molina, prominent law firm will `knock your socks off,' says long-time L.B. developer.
By Don Jergler, Staff writer
Article Launched: 11/08/2007 10:52:21 PM PST

LONG BEACH - Plans for a high-rise residential mixed-use project that reportedly includes 250,000 square feet of office space are expected to be made public today.
The project's unveiling would mark the first significant office space development in Long Beach since the mid-1990s and would contradict a trend in which developers are pulling out of residential projects in the midst of the national housing fallout.

The project, which is being called the "Golden Shore Master Plan," according to some sources, may include a large portion of Molina Healthcare's offices at 1 Golden Shore Ave. as well as the City National Bank property at 11 Golden Shore Ave.

Those reportedly involved, which include prominent business law firm Keesal, Young & Logan and publicly traded Molina, offered little information about the project.

Molina's chief financial officer, John Molina, wouldn't confirm his firm's involvement with the project offering only a "no comment" to a reporter's questions.

A spokeswoman for Keesal, Young & Logan referred most questions to today's announcement and would only allude indirectly to details.

"It is a development plan for entitlement of a mixed-use residential property," said Marilyn Whitcomb.
Urging caution about making any of the project's plans public, she stated: "We don't want to have anyone at 1 Golden Shore or 11 Golden Shore think their occupancy is at risk in the short term. If and when it happens we would do it in the fashion that's considerate to everyone involved."

Developers have not sought public approval for the project. Approval by the city's Planning Commission, the City Council and the state Coastal Commission would be required to greenlight any such development.

Long-time downtown developer George Medak confirmed his involvement with the project on Thursday, but he would only remark that "it's an exciting project" that will "knock your socks off."

Medak has been involved with the entitlement of many of downtown's largest projects, most recently the Aqua condominiums on Ocean.

Medak said the location was around Golden Shore and Ocean Boulevard, but he wouldn't pinpoint a property and he declined to confirm rumors that there are plans to raze the entire site and build anew.

Downtown commercial real estate broker Becky Blair said she has been hearing hints of such a project in the pipeline for a while, but that she has only recently been given an idea of its massive scope.

According to Blair, Keesal, Young & Logan purchased the 11 Golden Shore property earlier this year with plans to build a residential high-rise on the spot.

However, the fact that the Molina name has been associated with the project, and because Molina, a rapidly expanding health care firm, occupies 1 Golden Shore next door, those earlier plans may indeed have become much larger, Blair said.

"Why is Molina involved? Because it could be a contiguous development," Blair said. "I think it's a combination. It's 1 Golden Shore and 11 Golden Shore."

With the vacancy rate in downtown's 4.2 million square feet of office space shrinking - it's about 11 percent compared with 15 percent in the nearby South Bay - more office space is becoming a hot commodity, Blair said.

Molina, which also takes up about 80,000 square feet of office space in the nearby Arco Center office towers at 200 Oceangate, may move its entire operation into a new headquarters, Blair said.

With the asking price for downtown's Class A office space around $2.40 per square foot for downtown, developers of new office space could charge additional tenants more than $3 per square foot, Blair added.

The fact that developers are going through with a project that includes residential in the current housing market speaks well for downtown Long Beach, Blair said.

"Most high-rise developers are backing out, they're not stepping forward, and I think this is a great comment for us here in downtown Long Beach: developers are feeling that this is a great place to do development."

Others usually in the know about what's going on in downtown seemed to be surprised.

"I don't know anything formally about it," said Kraig Kojian, president and CEO of the Downtown Long Beach Associates.

Pressed about his knowledge of the development, Kojian said he has seen no information on the project.

Such a mixed-use project would be in line with current trends to put residential near office space, said Jack Kyser, chief economist for the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp.

"You're seeing stuff like that," Kyser said. "You're seeing more of this mixing of uses."

don.jergler@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1281

LB Life07

Nov 10, 2007, 4:06 AM

I went to the city web site and looked under the planning and building departments major project list. The list shows this project listed as the Molina Complex which is currently in process for entitlements. The address is listed as 777 W. Ocean

LB Life07

Nov 10, 2007, 4:58 PM

:banana: :banana: :banana: :notacrook: Big plans Housing/office complex would be largest in L.B.
L.B.: Now developers go to work on getting city approval for housing/office complex that Mayor Foster says will `dramatically change this area.'
By Don Jergler, Staff writer
Article Launched: 11/09/2007 09:09:52 PM PST

Office space in the 250,000-square-foot Golden Shore project would be filled exclusively by Molina Healthcare and the law firm of Keesal, Young & Logan. (Rendering)LONG BEACH - Plans unveiled Friday for a proposed $2 billion development that would be the city's largest include 1,370 residential units and 250,000 square feet of office space in five high-rise buildings.

Three of those planned buildings are 36-story residential towers that would become the city's tallest buildings at about 420 feet each, easily topping the 397-foot World Trade Center across the street.

The waterfront project at Ocean Boulevard and Golden Shore Avenue on downtown's western edge was unveiled on the top floor of the 14-floor Union Bank of California building, which is set to be demolished under the plans along with two other buildings.

"It may be an understatement to say it's a major project," Mayor

Marilyn A. Whitcomb, center, executive director of the law offices of Keesal, Young & Logan, introduces the three-dimensional model of the proposed mixed-use Golden Shore Development to John Molina, Samuel Keesal, George Medak, Mario Molina, and Mayor Bob Foster, from left, during a news conference on Friday. ( Diandra Jay/Staff Photographer )Bob Foster said at an afternoon news conference in the Union Bank building. "It will dramatically change this area."

The project, which is being called the "Golden Shore Master Plan," will include land that houses Molina Healthcare's offices at 1 Golden Shore Ave. as well as the City National Bank property at 11 Golden Shore Ave. and the Union Bank of California building on the southeast corner of Ocean and Golden Shore.

Those involved in the project include prominent business law firm Keesal, Young & Logan and publicly traded Molina, as well as prolific downtown developer George Medak.

Asked about the cost of the project, Medak said, "I'm guessing in the neighborhood of $2-$2.5 billion."

According to plans, Molina and Keesal, Young & Logan would take up all the office space in the new buildings. That means when construction begins the current tenants in the buildings will have to find other space, Medak said.

"Most of them are on a year-to-year

tenancy, and some are month to month, and they know they've got about three years and they will have to make alternate plans."

One of the larger tenants is City National Bank.

Daniel Minkoff, a spokesman for City National, declined to comment on the future plans for where the bank would take up residency.

The two tallest buildings in the project - the bank buildings - will likely be demolished by implosion, Medak said.

The project calls for two phases over 10 years, with the first phase allowing the project's first residents to begin moving in within six or seven years, Medak said.

Plans also call for all five buildings to be "green," and built to achieve silver Leed certification, one of the highest environmental designations in development.

Developers have not yet sought public approval for the project. Approval by the city's Planning Commission, the City Council and the state Coastal Commission would be required to greenlight any such development.

Medak has been involved with the entitlement of many of downtown's largest projects, most recently the Aqua condominiums on Ocean.

Many of Medak's projects have gone through without a hitch. Others, such as a proposal for building another massive project behind the World Trade Center that includes 55-story and 45-story towers, have been stalled because of the housing downturn, Medak said.

Medak is also a financial partner in the rebuilding of Legends Sports Bar in Belmont Shore, which burned down two years ago.

Keesal, Young & Logan, which has been headquartered in downtown Long Beach for 37 years, purchased a portion of the site earlier in the year.

Molina joined with them, both firms recruited Medak and the project expanded from there.

"We're really excited about doing something special here," said Keesal founder Skip Keesal.

Molina President and CEO Mario Molina said his firm is desperately in need of additional office space.

"We're growing at a rate of about 15 percent per year," Molina said. "There's just not enough commercial real estate in Long Beach."

Molina takes up the two-story building at 1 Golden Shore, and more than half the floor space in one of the two Arco Center towers across the street.

The publicly traded health care firm, which employes more than 1,000 people, would occupy the new office space along with Keesal.

Medak said he's confident the residential units will sell because by the time the project is complete the market will have turned around.

"We think the market in six years is going to be back again," he said.

It will take about 15 months to complete a required environmental report, and more time for entitlement and approval by the city's Planning Department, the City Council and the state Coastal Commission.

"It's going to be three years before we break ground," he said.

Before the conference Medak and Foster discussed the project and the two poked fun at each other.

"When do you start to turn dirt?" Foster asked Medak.

"It depends on the city," Medak quipped.

don.jergler@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1281.

LB Life07

Nov 10, 2007, 5:00 PM

there is an image of this project on the website of the press telegram, LAMG or anyone else that can post this up on the thread.....that would be great!

drisee

Nov 11, 2007, 12:37 AM

on one hand it's exciting to hear about all these potential projects, from football stadiums to massive mixed use projects along ocean, but for me i don't get too excited. i'm personally still waiting to see something like edgewater break ground, and that was over three years ago that signs went up for it. it's currently not going anywhere, unless someone knows different.

it's great to think big, don't get me wrong, but there are so many smaller things that could make our downtown a better place right now. we still have bums that take over our main open space everyday, empty holes at the heart of our city/pine and ocean, crappy developments like the pike struggling along with no clear future.

for me i'll just be happy to see something simple like a dog park go up somewhere. i'm still young but i'll be old and gray before most of this hyped stuff ever goes anywhere. i guess i just get tired of hearing about building for the future when there are plenty of things that can be done right now to improve the quality of life for the people that are already here.

not sure what everyone else thinks, but i look forward to your thoughts.

regboi21

Nov 11, 2007, 1:20 AM

Since the homeless always hangs out at lincoln park and its right by the city hall then how come nothing been done to fix the homeless problem at that park like building more shelters and housing in the city(central long beach area) so the homeless people that are loitering their could have some place to live and get some help to get back on their feet and the park could be redone.

lbguymetro

Nov 11, 2007, 1:45 AM

LB Life07

Nov 11, 2007, 2:21 AM

LAMetroGuy

Nov 11, 2007, 3:20 AM

From Press Telegram

http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site204/2007/1109/20071109__PN10_MOLINA-97~p1.jpg

drisee

Nov 11, 2007, 7:57 PM

it's easy for us as forumers to get frustrated about situations like Edgewater or Ocean aire not being built!! but we also have to look at it from a business perspective. The housing market right now is in a slump, a few years ago Im sure everything looked perfect that's why you have all these proposed buildings with entitlements that havn't been built yet!! If we were the ones who owned these properties Im sure none of us would put millions of dollars into erecting these high rise buildings without the possibility of making a return on the investment any time in the near future, we would wait until the time looks right!! Market conditions are hard to determine but like any market what goes up must come down and what goes down does eventually go back up as long as there is still a need for it. There will always be a need for houses. These buildings will be built but it will be in due time!! I like the way the developers are looking at the idea on the time span for the Golden shore project!! by the time they get entitlements for this project which could be about 2 years from now the market conditions could be much better, by the time the actual buildings are finished in about 5 yrs Im sure conditions will be back to normal. Edgewater was a transaction that looked good when they were trying to get entitlements but once they did the market began to cool down!! So you do what all smart business people do, you wait...so that you can make a profit, not become so anxiouse that you make a bad business move and loose money!

i totally agree with you, but for edgewater i would imagine that it was being planned a long time ago and probably received entitlements close to 4 yrs ago. at that point the market was booming and costs like steel were far cheaper.

the fact is that the only place developers can make residential projects pencil out is along ocean. it's the only place will be willing to pay $600 and up per square foot due to the ocean views. so they can make these projects come alive right now along ocean, but i can see why they have cold feet and might want to wait.

one project that i think we can all agree upon that doesn't fall into this category would be an adaptive reuse project. the one that i'm still hoping for is 110 w. ocean blvd, the ocean center building. for those that don't know which one that is, it's the old white one across ocean from the rock bottom brewery. it's in the heart of our downtown and looks like shit. the funny thing on that one is that the developer is more then willing and is running into major roadblocks from city planning people and historical preservation officers.

that's a great example of doesn't make sense to me and it should be a frustration for all that live here.

LAMetroGuy

Nov 12, 2007, 5:27 AM

updated first page with Golden Shore project. :D

Ruby

Nov 12, 2007, 7:27 AM

the fact is that the only place developers can make residential projects pencil out is along ocean. it's the only place will be willing to pay $600 and up per square foot due to the ocean views. so they can make these projects come alive right now along ocean, but i can see why they have cold feet and might want to wait.

.

I think some of the projects along ocean blvd will depend on how well West Ocean Tower is going to sell. It is the cream of the crop and if that doesn't go well in today's market, then no developer is going to shell out money knowing the chance of failure is high.

The housing market is a cycle; the previous down cycle lasted more than 10 years so I don't really expect the market to pick up soon. In the meantime, retails are also down so it looks like the economy is going to be tough for a while. I am just hoping that Downtown Long Beach is a little more resilent compared to the rest of the country so the recent completed condos projects that are still on sale can survive this wave.

PromenadeIrishmen

Nov 12, 2007, 5:34 PM

:thrasher:A NEW VISION FOR LOFT LIVING IN DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH:thrasher:
Downtown Long Beach is emerging as one of the Southland’s premier urban environments, featuring charming neighborhoods with surprising streetscapes and an eclectic mix of residences, businesses and entertainment venues. This vibrant seaside community offers dining, shopping, entertainment, arts and culture activities for residents and visitors alike. Centrally located, between Los Angeles and Orange County, downtown Long Beach offers an efficient mass transportation system connecting people to the major Southern California sightseeing and attractions.
Drawn to this urban area of leisure and entertainment are creative, lifestyle-minded southern Californians searching for interesting housing solutions, which they tailor to individual their style. They are energetic and active people, who want to be in the heart of the downtown, by the ocean, where things are happening. They prefer an urban lifestyle that suits their creative nature.
The 1924 Press–Telegram building will undergo a careful major renovation, transitioning the outdated commercial space into residential lofts with a grand ground floor lobby. The remaining site allows for newer construction where a combination of flats and townhouses appreciate architectural loft-style floor plans. A symphony of artistic building designs brings together the architectural history of the past with a sophisticated new expression.
At the Press–Telegram Lofts you will discover premium quality at every turn with spectacular amenities, such as 14 foot ceilings and hardwood floors, culminating in a convenient downtown location. The true loft-style interiors remove the conventions of traditional living by empowering you to create and design a personal living space.
With an eye towards environmentally friendly conservation, the Press–Telegram Lofts aspire to succeed the qualifications of a Green Building through the use of renewable materials and innovative design. A Press–Telegram Loft provides the freedom to create an intimate personal living space at prices that are surprisingly affordable.
Visit downtown Long Beach today, and explore the excitement and enjoyment of living in the only urban seaside environment in Southern California.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v501/evanDOHERTY/elevation_corner_se.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v501/evanDOHERTY/elevation_night.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v501/evanDOHERTY/top_south.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v501/evanDOHERTY/top_north.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v501/evanDOHERTY/detail_SE_locust.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v501/evanDOHERTY/detail_NW_7th.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v501/evanDOHERTY/detail_NE_locust.jpg

regboi21

Nov 12, 2007, 6:56 PM

This project is awesome but how is this project going to attract future residents since long beach's housing market has stopped for the time being.

drisee

Nov 13, 2007, 5:11 AM

This project is awesome but how is this project going to attract future residents since long beach's housing market has stopped for the time being.

Damn good question. i keep asking the city that one. I would rather focus our attention making the downtown a better place to be for the people that are already here.

as for this project, as far as i know it's not going anywhere anyways. we've discussed it before on this board, the project is being redesigned and will have to go back through the planning process again. rumor is that they can't afford to build two towers so the new plans will call for one tower only.

anyone know anything differerent. they are still cleaning out the building and started taking down some of the historical pieces along the outside to be refurbished i assume.

SantaCruzGuy

Nov 13, 2007, 6:46 AM

PromenadeIrishmen

Nov 13, 2007, 7:44 PM

What are the HOA fees like at Pacifica and 133 Prom. walk today? Are the prices of the units going down due to the market? Should people who are looking into buying wait a few more months to see if housing prices go even lower?

Nothing to write home about thats for sure:2cents: :2cents: :2cents: :2cents: :2cents: :2cents: :2cents: , we are all waiting the build out of the restaurant on Broadway to open so we can all get 2nd and in my case 2rd jobs to pay the dreaded HOA. but it hasn't changed in either direction so its for the best for now.:dead:

CityKid

Nov 16, 2007, 7:27 PM

Posted by bigmikelakers at flickr on October 17, 2007.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2032/1609479410_e4fc39b2c7_b.jpg

staraman

Nov 18, 2007, 9:09 PM

the views were from various floors, but it seemed to me that by the 11th floor up you could see pretty far... even from the 6th floor you can see some of the Queen Mary.

Ruby

Nov 22, 2007, 7:27 AM

the views were from various floors, but it seemed to me that by the 11th floor up you could see pretty far... even from the 6th floor you can see some of the Queen Mary.

How is the West Ocean selling? I heard they are doing well.

staraman

Nov 24, 2007, 8:49 AM

but I noticed there are a lot of listings on the Internet now with pictures.

yibs

Nov 25, 2007, 9:07 PM

Ruby

Nov 27, 2007, 6:58 AM

It's been a while since i visited this thread. I have made the decision to move out of Long Beach, and up to San Francisco. I got to tour some awesome high rise condos in the financial district. I will most likely put down an offer soon.

The buildings in SF are very classy and modern. The public transit is a dream come true. The views are outrageous, and the weather is perfect. It's a true international city that has many ethnic districts. It's way more expensive to live in then Long Beach, but there's good reason for that.

I will always have friends and family on the east side of long beach, but i don't want to wait 50 years to see what long beach becomes. I want to live in the now, and for me that is San Francisco. :)

San Francisco is nice. My daughter goes to the Art Academy up there and we looked at some condos back in summer time. They are very expensive. For a 500 sq. ft condo in a re-adaptive historical building opposite to the HQ of the Art Academy, with no view, no parking place and little amenities, they were asking for $1000 per sqt. We are hoping the price will correct some what in the future so my daughter can afford it.

yibs

Nov 30, 2007, 5:26 PM

I'm looking at some newly built high rises. they look more like west ocean, but taller and imo nicer. I will pay around 1.5-2.5 mil for the place, but it will have views of the city, bay, golden gate, just about everything. The units range from 1800-2500 square feet, which is remarkable for a high rise, but the building doesn't have that many units per floor. :)

And don't let them build a football stadium, that is not going to make long beach great. It will make for a a huge tax burden when the place ends up sitting empty. The nfl is not going to let long beach have a team. Why do we need a football team to be great? Bring back the damn beach and waves. that will make this town great, unlike all these high rises that nobody buys, or lofts that look out on cityplace and homeless people doing drugs, or football stadiums. people goto a beach city to enjoy the beach. and since ours is very hard to enjoy, unless you like starring at the water, but not be able to utilize it. Once you have a reason to come here, all of these projects will fall into place, but this town is mostly empty most of the year. I don't know how many times i walked around town, and was basically the only person out. I live here, and think to myelf, i would never take a vacation in long beach. All goto laguna, or San diego for a nice beach vacation.

LAMetroGuy

Nov 30, 2007, 6:23 PM

That was a stupid post, full of unsupported opinions. Thanks for your insightful post.

drisee

Nov 30, 2007, 8:09 PM

That was a stupid post, full of unsupported opinions. Thanks for your insightful post.

LAMetroGuy, why are you such a putz sometimes? Why would you call Yibs post stupid just for stating his opinion. Here's a newsflash for ya mr braniac, unsupported opinions are just that...opinions. If they were supported they wouldn't be an opinion, they would be facts.

We're all on here giving our opinions and i for one am sad to see someone like yibs go as he spoke the truth and didn't candy coat it. It makes this message board more interesting as opposed to just listening to old timers talk about the way it used to be and giving praise to the great architecture of Aqua.

Thanks for allowing me to share my "unsupported opinions"!

LAMetroGuy

Nov 30, 2007, 9:33 PM

drisee, you are also pretty stupid, i'm sick of you and your dumb rants. All you do is complain about stucco and offer ZERO solutions to your complaints. I say, it is easy to complain about something but hard to find solutions. You just complain because your small brain doesn't allow you to solve anything. Who cares if it in an interesting post, complaining gets OLD..l like you!

To bring up Aqua is just plain stupid, I own other properties throughout Long Beach and I happen to like Aqua. For me, living at Aqua is fun and all my friends love visiting and hanging out at my place. I ride my bike to the gym, walk to restaurants, bars, performing arts, etc. I have a GREAT view of the queen mary, ocean, marina, and have front row seats to the Grand Prix. I love it here and it isn't my fault that you and your equally pathetic yibs but buddy can't hang or deal with the fact that some people actually are living the urban life. Anyway, I just ignore most of your rants I don't pay attention to racist pigs. You guys are afraid of "cholo looking" guys eating a Cold Stone ice cream at the pike. Give me a break!

yibs, you say "Bring back the damn beach and waves. that will make this town great, unlike all these high rises that nobody buys" really, nobody buys them.... brilliant... how exactly did you come to this conclusion!!!

yibs, you say "lofts that look out on cityplace and homeless people doing drugs" I ride my bike in and around cityplace and never see this... what exactly are you talking about? When do you see this? Again, stupid.

Yibs, you say "I live here, and think to myelf, i would never take a vacation in long beach. All goto laguna, or San diego for a nice beach vacation." Why don't you move to those cities? You would do us all a favor and please take drisee with you!

yes, unsupported opinions are just that opinions... but have some substance to back them up. you sound stupid when you say things like nobody buys condos, have some facts to support your conclusions, that goes for you drisee.

yibs

Dec 1, 2007, 4:21 AM

Well you showed your true self as a person who can't stand people who might see things a different way then you. I'm sorry that you have bitter aspects of your life that you would attack me, but go ahead and make yourself look like a moron for all i care. You are not the guidelines for what should be posted here. I suggest you go try to tell others what to do. :haha:

And for your information i am not a guy, but that's ok. All be whatever you want me to be. :jester:

You clearly have some under lying issue within your life that you should address, because your one bitter, angry person if you ask me, not that you did. May i ask how long you've lived in downtown long beach? It's fine to keep posting ad after ad of projects that are never going to be built, or are still in the planning phase, because the market has changed, and they can't build what they might of had planned in 04.

I now want to hang around this thread just to see what comment comes out of your mouth next. Don't be so mad at people that you have no reason to be mad at. I know you get angry when people say anything bad about long beach, but you need to grow up.

Oh and did anyone see the survey that ranked long beach number one in unhappiness for women. maybe thats why i want to leave. j/k haha

yibs

Dec 1, 2007, 4:33 AM

After reading a little more closely, i believe that something happened recently to you mr metro. We have been around on these threads posting are opinions, and all of the sudden you lash out at me or anyone who might disagree with you. using personal insults cheapens your argument, and makes you irrelevant. I think you are better then that, but you'll have to prove it, because your insults are first off lame and uncreative, at least use some better insults if thats your thing.

I know what's like to be optimistic, but i've lived here too long to believe everything that comes out of the paper or some article. Just look at the cities record of messing up every big project in the last 30+ years. I spent years going to city council meetings only to be shut down and treated like a piece of shit. What have you done? I tried for years with surfrider and other local activists to have the beach restored. The whole downtown marina which is polluted like hell from the boats used to be sandy beach when i was a kid. My parents used to be able to swim and play in the water in the 70's, So don't bash people that you don't know or have any clue of what they tried to do for this city. I did a lot more for this city, then you'll ever know. making a thread about buildings doesn't really constitute you doing anything for this city.

yibs

Dec 1, 2007, 4:43 AM

Oh i know people are not buying condos, west ocean now has a bunch available, aqua has them, harbor place has tons of empty units, even the pacific where i am has a ton of units now on the market. a lot of people that can afford to are leaving. I just thought i would throw that out there. :cheers:

There are also 3 sober living facilities right next to cityplace, but im sure you already knew this. My friend lives on the 4th floor of cityplace lofts. I've been over there when things get crazy outside. I bet you only ride your bike in the day. And 5 more sober living homes are being setup on elm. I would think that you already knew this being the know it all about long beach that you are.

All be around to chat if you want to insult me some more, but its now time to hit up seal beach with some friends.

Ciao

SantaCruzGuy

Dec 1, 2007, 5:12 AM

:daz: whoever is the bad/good guy (you decide).... this is how i feel when i read this thread ( I am the face in the bottom). :lmao: but I must say reading this post is free entertainment when I'm on this site. :yes:

SantaCruzGuy

Dec 1, 2007, 5:26 AM

yibs

Dec 1, 2007, 5:41 AM

Our economy nationally is horrible at the moment ( and it will get worse ), so I lost all hope that those empty stores on Pine Ave. will be filled anytime this upcoming year. I think Pine Ave. has a lot of potential, but it is kind of depressing walking by empty store fronts. So if Pine Ave cannot fill those stores along the ave does that mean that all that retail space under 133 Promenade and Pacifica will also be dead space, or are there any retail leases signed for those two projects? What happened to the project on third and pine? Will those abandoned stores on third and pine that were Express and Bath & Body be demolished or filled? I am guessing because of the economy they will be ghost stores for a few months or the whole upcoming year... I have hope for LB dont get me wrong ( I did move here from surf city because I liked LB :tup: )... I just want concrete info... I love LB and want to be educated on the current news, because I am out of the loop due to a hectic schedule

I was hoping to see a post from metro before i go out, but oh well.

And i have not heard about any new retail for those spots that you listed. The reason that downtown has shitty retail is that rent is really high, and there's no foot traffic for retail to survive. Belmont shore and the east side near the campus have tons of great retail, and have neighborhoods like belmont heights and all the kids at the campus to help keep it alive. Downtown was declared a low income area by the city of long beach in the 90's. Most of the people around here are of lower income, and can't afford certain retail. Thats why we don't have a trader joes downtown, but they have 2 within a mile on the eastside.

Trader joe's responded to a email i sent about opening up in downtown, and they said there waiting to see if they can survive in downtown. Retail will follow the people, but that is a big reason some give for not wanting to move here. They have a wild oats, two TJ's and a bristol farms all on the east side, and all we have downtown is an albertson's and a vons that has been around since before i was even born that they refuse to remodel. We call it ghetto vons. My mom has been calling it that since i was little. I will get back to you if i hear about any retail coming to the pine/promenade area.

drisee

Dec 2, 2007, 7:00 PM

LB Life07

Dec 3, 2007, 12:30 AM

I think that this discussion is starting to go to far!! this thread is supposed to be about developments in the city, not all the other shit that's beginning to pop up on here!! every one is entitled to opinions.....but we don't always need to hear how much long beach sucks and how people would never take vacations here and all the people that are doing drugs......that's not even what this thread is supposed to be discussing, what city in america doesn't have a homeless problem or drug problem!! this shit is getting out of hand!! I must say why Im not taking any sides here, I can understand Metro Guys complaint, it does seem like a lot of the posts on this thread from Yibs and drisee are mostly negative remarks about the city, there are far worse places to live then long beach, lets discuss what this forum should be about, the developments.......like I said everyone is entitled to an opinion but a forum that has the name "Skyscraper page" doesn't quite sound like the place to air these types of opinions out on a constant basis!!

drisee

Dec 3, 2007, 3:20 AM

lblife...while i appreciate you trying to be the mediator and help solve the recent drama on this board, i actually get tired of hearing from people what this board should be about and what it shouldn't be about.

the reality is that this board will go where it wants to go as long as there is interest by other parties. that's the nature of a message board. we're all still relating the conversation to long beach, development discussion of long beach, etc. you guys/gals should be happy there is even anything to talk about at this point. the fact that the conversation gets negative is probably due to the fact that there is nothing positive to talk about. so we talk about the negative in a way to perhaps discuss solutions and create stimulating dialog. at least that's the way that i look at it.

i like the discussions...after all that's what these things are for. trying to say we should or shouldn't talk about certain things is a waste of time. if it was so ramdom we probably wouldn't get a reply. but the fact is i don't remember this board ever being this active since people started to share their opinions on real topics.

so i invite the discussion. what i don't like is metroguy getting his panties in a bunch just because somebody has an opinion that isn't all pro-long beach.

development conversation isn't always going to be pleasant. but that's what makes it interesting in my opinion. you guys should get over people being negative and realize it's just discussion. treat it for what it is...you'll be far happier.

staraman

Dec 3, 2007, 4:36 AM

Not to add any heat to the board, but I always like to look at the positive side of things. San Diego has been mentioned on this board several times, but I have heard from my friend who grew up there that yes there was a time when NO ONE would go to downtown SD. The crime was bad, real bad.

Think about that for a moment... the same downtown San Diego that is now an awesome hot spot with blocks and blocks of entertainment and attractions i.e. the Gaslamp District etc.

As far as I'm concerned and yes, this is MY opinion. In the long run LB has a lot more going for it than SD. We have less speculators inflating the housing market than SD, we have a decent local economy, and we are very close to the bigger economy of LA and greater LA as a whole.

So yes, maybe the store fronts are going to be empty for a few years until housing and commercial real estate heat up again, but eventually they will fill up and Long Beach will continue to re-develop itself... but cleaning up the beaches will play a big role in LB being thought of as a "destination".

LAMetroGuy

Dec 3, 2007, 5:26 PM

metrotoy. i'm not even sure where to start since you're such a douchebag.

get this straight, it's YOU that starts shit with the others on here because you don't like our opinions. to that, i say eat a dick.

you should stick to what you do best on here, which like yibs said is post press releases from the local papers that talk about all the great new projects for the DT that we'll probably never see.

and check by posts smarty pants, i've given many an opinion about what i think would help the situation as opposed to just complaining. i actually really enjoy the discussion when it comes to solutions and always have fun participating.

so unless you want to have an educated two way discussion about the issues, piss off!!

if you want to talk facts, answer this for us. how many units are still up for original sale + units that are being resold in your beautiful aqua building?

Wow, I didn't know I had such an affect on you! :haha:

The units that are for sale are current owners selling their own units. As a result, there will always be units for sale at Aqua. Just like there will always be a house for sale in Bixby Knolls or Belmont Heights. Get a clue.

And yes, thank you for pointing out what I do best. Regardless of what I post here, it was enough to encourage you to come here and post your anti stucco anti Aqua rants... so be glad I gave you this opportunity. Besides, news is news, whether anything gets built... that is beyond me. So if something doesn't get built, blame the economy or the developers but not me. I just post here for us to discuss, and I will continue to do so! Is there something that you do that is considered "best", doubtful. Besides your constant negative posts about long beach, which I obviously have a problem with, have you ever posted anything postive about living here? I mean you do pay rent right, you do choose where you live right? You did choose Long Beach right?

And one last bit of advice, wash your mouth out with soap, that potty mouth isn't very becoming of you... or is it? Eat dick much? :haha:

yibs

Dec 3, 2007, 7:02 PM

So yes, maybe the store fronts are going to be empty for a few years until housing and commercial real estate heat up again, but eventually they will fill up and Long Beach will continue to re-develop itself... but cleaning up the beaches will play a big role in LB being thought of as a "destination".

Looks like somebody understands that when you're called long beach, you should take care of the beach, because that's our number 1 asset. not the queen mary or the empty aquarium. And saying things like don't post here because it's negative is being closed minded to the extreme. You guys live in a progressive town like long beach, but act like close minded conservatives. That is very sad to see.

And yes there's not much positive news coming out of city hall. My big complaints are not really about drugs or homeless, San Francisco has more of both, but you have to make a compromise. Why live here with drugs and homeless, when i can live somewhere else thats a world class city with drugs and homeless. You can forget about the bad when you live in an awesome city. It's hard for me to forget about it here, because i can't go shopping in downtown unless i want to shop for clothes at walmart, and a lot of the downtown clubs are rap oriented which i am not a fan of.

I'm a big water sports person, and love to body board which i can't do even though i live on the sand. So it comes down to ones priorities. I can afford to move, and thats what will be best for me. I will always have my place in the Pacific, but will most likely rent it out to a friend.

I just hope that 5 years from now the pike actually has shopping, instead of lame chain restaurants. Is having a chili's and bostons gourmet pizza on the waterfront a good move? I thought those spots on restaurant row could of been filled with classy unique places to eat, but sadly they picked the chains., but they could of picked better quality chains. I know the tourists like chains, but i'm a tourist when i visit other cities, and don't want wack chains. lol

And it's basically just downtown and certain parts of the west and north sides that are not so great when it comes to retail and other things. As a whole long beach is a pretty successful city, but has potential to be so much more.

yibs

Dec 3, 2007, 7:13 PM

And that's what were doing mr metro. Having a discussion, but maybe you'll find out someday that those don't always go the way you want them too.

Couldn't even respond to how long you've lived here, what have you done at city council meetings? Have you ever participated in the Saturday beach clean ups that me and about 100 others have been doing for along time now? I'm just curious about what causes you've taken up in the city. Would you volunteer at the local churches to hand out food like we've done in the past?

I guess you get mad after a while when you've put so much effort into trying to help this city, and make it a great place, and then watch the city council ruin the 2 big chances to help downtown with cityplace, known as crack place on the east side, and our grand ole pike which has food and more food and i think some food. And its all crappy food, with tons and tons of empty store fronts which gets depressing. makes the place feel like a ghost town at times. Uncles Al's Seafood is moving away because of high rent, that's what drove open the bookstore out of the east village, and down to the east side. rent should not be higher in downtown then the east side, but it is, and then you wonder why we have no shops. It's like shooting yourself in the foot. we all know that belmont shore and downtown compete which each other, but belmont is winning because shops keeping moving from downtown to over there.

drisee

Dec 4, 2007, 1:34 AM

metrogay...your post usually amuse me but your last one was boring. although you did manage to use the term "potty mouth"...so that was pretty fun.

and btw, i'm sure the giant advertisements hanging off the building aren't being put up by current owners that are selling their units. that's put up the developer trying to not to completely lose his ass. sure, current owners are probably selling...but that place never sold out to begin with.

SantaCruzGuy

Dec 4, 2007, 4:27 AM

Drisee,
Hey, please do not use derogatory connotation toward a group. It is very offensive to people when you use "gay" to define negative meanings toward an object or a person. I am gay, and I was offended by some comments like "metrogay" or "eat a dick"... We don't hate you, so please do not hate us. If you are going to attack an individual person, so go ahead, but do not attack a group of people...

drisee

Dec 4, 2007, 5:14 AM

santacruzguy. if i'm living in long beach aren't i in the wrong place to hate on gays?

for the record i have many gay friends and have absolutely nothing against gays. if anything it would have been a better move for you to ask if i have something against gays rather then just come out and accuse me because perhaps i didn't follow the correct guidelines on how to properly use the word gay.

i've actually heard plenty of gays use both terms. or perhaps i have to be gay to use that word?

I respect your wishes and won't use the terms anymore, but you might want to consider how you confront someone instead of just jumping to conclusions.

i mean this with love, but if you ask me it sounds like you're playing the i'm a sensitive gay guy card.

for the record, exactly how is saying "eat a dick" offensive to gays? i could say that to anyone, guy or girl. it's meant to be a universally offensive jab.

and btw, howcome you don't hound lametroguy for taking a stab at yibs and i by calling us butt buddies? that's way more blatant then anything i said.

with respect.

SantaCruzGuy

Dec 4, 2007, 6:43 AM

I am only replying on what I have seen on the post. I never used the word homophobic or accused you of being one, but I did say some words in your posts were offensive to me. A derogatory connotation whether you imply it with any meaning at all is still a derogatory connotation at the end. Do not imply that it is ok to say any offensive language aimed at a group based on if it is used by the group itself. I have been called a wetb*ck because I am latino, by my own race, and I am still offended by it! In my example, because it was said by my own race does not make it right and ok for it to be used freely to insult people. I am not hating on you drisee, but what I am trying to get across is that if you are going to say anything bad about a person, aim it at them, and not at a group of people. I must say I do like some of your posts, and I have always been neutral because I agree with you and yibs on many cases, so it is not a personal attack on you. My last two comments (including this one) are written to you to say that people are offended by derogatory terms and to be careful when you use them and that is it. In no way am I aiming at you to join in on the discussion between you and metro. I am a sensitive guy... I am a loving person, so you do have that right on the nose. I did not catch what metro said...but if he did say that to you and yibs...these two comments are also aimed at him.

ChrisLA

Dec 4, 2007, 9:38 AM

Okay, stop the complaining and insults here. What happened to the once unity we once had here? Some of you new ones have certainly help spread the stereotype that we lack any civic pride around these parts. Now it seems like all you guys like to do is complain, and make personal insults. It used to be a tight group around here (Angelenos, this meaning all local forumers), but now its just sad.

There are plenty other sites about the LA area that you can join with like minded folks if you like this kind of drama. Where are the mods when you need them to put some of you in check?

I don't think there is any problem with everyone having their opinions. Its how things are said that I think are offensive. I'm sure each and everyone here cares about what happens in their neighborhoods. Yet some of you need to learn how to choose your words.

ChrisLA

Dec 4, 2007, 9:43 AM

Now with that being said, Uncle Al's is already gone. My cousin went by this past Friday to order some fish and the business was closed.

I know Shades of Africa had a sign saying due to gentrification they are closing. I haven't been over that way in a couple of weeks, does anyone know if it has closed yet? Are they opening somewhere else?

lbguymetro

Dec 4, 2007, 7:18 PM

thats why i stopped posting here.......i do feel a bit frustrated that long beach is not achieving its full potential yet especially the retail problem....yibs and drisee just don't know sometimes how to make constructive criticisms when they respond and disagree to a post...

yibs

Dec 4, 2007, 7:43 PM

Grow up metro. yeah your the so called moral one here insulting people that don't say what you want to hear. You are the biggest insulter on this thread, and then you try to come off as the nice guy. You wont even respond when i do ask questions, sounds like you're in need of an attitude adjustment.

And shades of africa is moving, and will most likely goto the east side like every other place that gets kicked out of the village, but please grow up guys, and stop acting like little babies. I thought you're supposed to be men? If you don't like what i say, then ignore it. Why do you feel the need to respond to me, when you say my points and opinions are stupid? seems like your pretty stupid for responding to something that you believe is stupid. Do you not think before you speak, because you make contradictions all over the place which i happen to find amusing.

Yes metro you sure know how to make constructive criticism. That would be funny if it wasn't so sad. You just lie and lie and do whatever to sound like the rational one, when you're far from one. :koko:

And chris my long beach pride died about 15 years ago. I'm sorry, but i tried very hard to love my town, but my town showed no love back.

InsExchLoft_dweller

Dec 4, 2007, 9:32 PM

shit... uncle Al's is gone? what is this town coming too?

there's a new place called Jambalaya on pine by the Johnny Rockets. It's pretty good.

M II A II R II K

Dec 4, 2007, 10:15 PM

WE DON'T WANT TO SEE ANYMORE BITCHFIGHTING OR NAMECALLING IN THIS THREAD. IF IT CONTINUES SUSPENSIONS OR POSSIBLY WORSE WILL BE HANDED OUT.

drisee

Dec 4, 2007, 10:43 PM

LB Life07

Dec 5, 2007, 1:35 AM

Yibs and drisee.....I think you guys are now beginning to get people confused.......LA Metroguy and LB Metroguy are two totally different people.....the last post by a metroguy was LB not LA, LB was the one that made the comment about constructive criticism

InsExchLoft_dweller

Dec 5, 2007, 5:47 AM

wait... it's lb guy metro

I wonder how many different people have been yankin your chains...

I'm glad to hear Uncle Al's will be replaced... although I am sad to see the place go. damn good fried catfish.

Maybe the chinese whatever fastfood restaurant a few doors down will be next.

InsExchLoft_dweller

Dec 5, 2007, 7:04 AM

an interesting view from the district weekly... I had almost forgotten about this project.

“FAUX REAL”: WHAT’S UP WITH OCEAN CENTER?
Will SwaimTue. December 04

We got this email from a reader. Perhaps other readers can help?

“For those that aren’t familiar with the subject of this email, I’m referring to 110 W. Ocean Blvd. It’s the old historic building with flags on top that sits on the SW corner of Pine and Ocean. I have an important concern to share with you about this building.

“Over the last few months I’ve asked various people about this project and still haven’t received a direct answer. I think it’s time the citizens of downtown Long Beach and Long Beach as a whole were given a straight answer.

“For those that aren’t familiar with the current situation, here is an update. The owners of the building have been pushing for an adaptive reuse project (mixed use/boutique hotel) for quite some time. They have run into roadblock after roadblock from the city and at this point are saying that they are no longer interested in pursuing the project at this time.

“So what are the repercussions of that? The owner has now decided to make minor aesthetic improvements to the building to raise the class of the building to a B from a C and sign new leases with its current small business tenants. The owner is asking for a monthly rent increase that will on average double the current rent of office space in the building. That decision is affectively going to drive out many of the existing creative small businesses that have been there, including my company.

“So what’s ironic here is that our city pays money to bring out Richard Florida to speak on behalf of developing and recruiting a creative community. [See this District post on Florida.] But here we are creating a situation that will drive out the few creative businesses that are already here such as designers, engineers and advertising firms. Of course, if the building was developed those businesses would be displaced. But at least we would be able to celebrate a great new addition to one of the most important corners in the downtown.

“So the question is, why is the development of the building being held up and who is behind it? After all it has been approved by the historical heritage commission and most residents are very positive about the potential new project. Most everyone that I’ve talked to points the finger at Suzanne Frick and Jan Ostashay. I know that both are on this email. I don’t want to jump to conclusions with this email but I would like an answer and so would many other people in the community. Can you please explain what has transpired and why this project is stuck in the mud? There are many rumors being spread so perhaps you can use this as an opportunity to address the rumors and the issue as a whole.

“One of the rumors is that some of the aesthetic changes being called for would ruin the historical integrity of the building. To that I say that it’s not a museum, it’s an adaptive reuse. Perhaps you should take a look at the current improvement that are being made to justify the raises rents. It looks like a crappy version of the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, faux real.

“Since Long Beach appreciates the opinion of Richard Florida, I wonder what his opinion on the subject is. Taken from one of his past speeches, in regards to historical architecture Florida says “It’s not about preserving the past. It’s about reusing the past in new and exciting ways. It’s not about creating a museum of a city, It’s about reusing that past in new and exciting ways”.

“I look forward to hearing back from someone in regards to this important issue.”

Tags: , building, creative class, downtown, historic, Long Beach, ocean center, presrevation, redevelopment, richard florida

LAMetroGuy

Dec 5, 2007, 5:21 PM

i think what none of us want to see is the administrators picture anymore..what the heck is that!! perhaps that's the idea...to be scary.

lets be honest here, the biggest instigator on this site forum, in a negative way, is metroguy. others like me might instigate a heated discussion, but it has for the most part always been respectful. metroguy is the one that historically started calling people and their posts stupid just because they might be negative and their opinions might differ from his. nice try on your attempt to be mr. nice guy metro...how very transparent of you.

santacruz, thanks for breaking it down. i do see where you're coming from and i'm a better person for it.

so shades of africa actually has a sign up that says due to gentrification they are closing?! that's pretty damn funny.

i hear that a new italian spot is going in to replace uncle als. should be a cool neighborhood joint so i'm hoping it's really good.

Ummm, I think we are going to have to revoke your Mensa card, I'm not lbguymetro, I am LAmetroguy. Honestly, you are the first one to use profanity against others, so lets be clear here that you don't just instigate a heated discussion, you instigate attacks and use profane language. I am the only one who even decided to put this thread together. I keep the first page updated with proposed projects for LB, isn't that what this forum about???

You think that by calling me gay is insulting, funny... it doesn't bother me at all. My sexuality is none of your business unless you are interested in me, that is if you are a "man"? As M II A II R II K said, no more name calling... so you are now banned from calling me anymore names!!! :haha: From now one, please try to add to this thread instead of just poo pooing it. I have always said, LB isn't perfect, it has a lot of problems. I too get frustrated over projects that don't live up to promises (edgewater on ocean, Broadway and Main Towers, OceanAire, etc.). But there is no reason not to post LB related proposals, right? BTW, I drove by the Avia Pike Hotel site and two big bulldozers were on the site, so it looks like construction is just about to start!!!

Now that you have been tamed by M II A II R II K (even though you don't like his Avatar), I will promise to provide news, renderings, and any other High Rise related project information that I can to this thread, since as you pointed out it is the only thing I'm good at. But you have to promise to not always "shit" all over LB, it isn't the shit hole you make it out ot be. There are postive things about it... I mean you do live here and its by choice, right? And do me a favor, re-read my posts and then read lbguymetro's posts.... we are two different persons, :tup: I know you're not a simpleton, so pay attention!

drisee

Dec 5, 2007, 5:47 PM

metroguy, lets straighten something out here. i'm not confused about your identity on this site. you have an avatar of the queen mary next to your name and that's how i recognize you. like the other guymetro guy said, he really doesn't post on here much anymore. so there is no confusion on my end.

yes, i do like when you post press releases and keep us up to date. i just don't like when you shoot someone down based upon them expressing an opinion.

so i changed your name around to read metrogay, and you insinuated that yibs and i are butt buddies. I can live with that, touche.

back to the business at hand. i don't like the proposed Avia pike hotel. from what i've seen it doesn't live up the standard of what i would like to see as a boutique hotel in long beach. almost looks like they were trying to have it match up with the bad design styles of the pike...and why would you want to do that??

also, that was very interesing to hear about the ocean center building. they should do something positive with that building. it's a cool building for that corner but it has looked like crap for a long time now due to no upkeep.

regboi21

Dec 6, 2007, 1:02 AM

Does any one here have any updates on the east village arts exchange project the project site im typing about has the acres of books building the former terry's camera building that was demolished a while ago and parking lots which is next to the Bank of America building on long beach blvd.