[Truth789]

What does everyone think about bringing the High Speed Rail train to Long Beach? I realize that we are often thought of as a Los Angeles bedroom community, but we have our own densely populated downtown that is growing ever denser. Furthermore, as the 5th most populous city in California after San Francisco, it seems rather silly not to be included in the long-term regional rail network while every other major city (Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, Anaheim) is included. Granted, downtown Long Beach is about 25 mi from downtown Los Angeles and serviced by the Blue Line; however, getting from Union Station in Los Angeles (the proposed location for Los Angeles' HSR station) to downtown Long Beach via the Red Line with a transfer to the Blue Line takes about an hour. After spending 2 hrs and 20 min to get from San Francisco, it seems out of the way. How long would the high speed train take? Assuming that it goes about the same speed between LA and LB as it is supposed to between San Jose and San Francisco (125mph), it's about 12 minutes. Let's be a bit more generous and say that it takes longer, maybe 20 minutes, that's still significantly better than any other option (that I know of) available for traveling between the two destinations.

Imagine the kind of growth! The ease of commuting to downtown LA for those who so desire or vice versa. It's the kind of thing that I feel like fits into the long term goals of development in the City of Long Beach.

What does everyone else think? Who can we complain to?

I think in general, we need more trains or street cars from let's say Downtown Long Beach to the Art Theatre on 4th to near Belmont Shore.... High Speed Train to LA would be great of course also and to SF. 2 20 min to San Francisco? That is it?????

[CityKid]

I think in general, we need more trains or street cars from let's say Downtown Long Beach to the Art Theatre on 4th to near Belmont Shore.... High Speed Train to LA would be great of course also and to SF. 2 20 min to San Francisco? That is it?????


Sorry, I was confusing my stats. It's close to that though. Trains will reach speeds of up to 220mph, and traveling between San Francisco and Los Angeles is expected to take 2 hours and 38 minutes.

[SantaCruzGuy]

In the 1st district race for council...who do you guys think would be the best suited to take on our retail and downtown issues?

[Landonclaytor]

Hey guys im new to this whole blogging thing but i found this website that will let you watch live cams of the new AVIA hotel and the new RESIDENCE INN hotel http://www.rdolson.com/

when u get to the web page click project web cam to the lower right of the page.

[ChrisLA]

http://www.presstelegram.com/ci_12148573

Police arrest suspected dealer, gang member for downtown pot farm

LONG BEACH - An alleged member of the Nazi Lowriders gang was arrested Wednesday afternoon in connection with a highly sophisticated indoor pot farming operation found in the heart of Downtown Long Beach.

Detectives in the Long Beach Police Department's Narcotics Division began their raid at the Insurance Exchange Building Lofts, 207 E. Broadway, at about 3 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, seizing 285 plants, said Sgt. Paul LeBaron.

The plants were found inside one of the high-price lofts and ranged from three-inch seedlings to more than 3-foot-tall adult plants.

At least 40 of the plants appeared mature and ready to harvest, said Narcotics Detective Greg Roberts.

Roberts estimated the dealers were getting anywhere from $20 to $40 a gram, and that each mature plant could produce between 40 and 60 grams, putting the potential earnings in the range of hundreds of thousands of dollars for the entire operation.

The loft was built with an open-air floor plan; to hide the operation the grower built a series of walls and blocked off all the floor-to-ceiling windows in the third floor unit.

These, however, were no shabby additions.

The grower had the walls built several inches thick with crown mouldings and decorated the outside - visible to anyone who might be in the hall - with pictures, a fountain, house plants, recessed lighting and wall sconces.

He even matched the shade of paint on the loft's original walls, a mocha-like brown, to the new walls and painted the crown mouldings in white trim.

"This is the most sophisticated indoor operation I've ever seen in Long Beach," the veteran sergeant said, estimating the equipment, decorating and manpower to create the false environment was worth $100,000 to $200,000.

Inside the loft was a complicated system that delivered food, water and oxygen to the plants via pipes and tubes built throughout the loft.

A pure oxygen system pumping out high levels of C02 and growth lights were included as well as a hydroponic drip system, which delivered water and fertilizer - including growth hormones - to each plant.

While some pot farms are uncovered by the high wattage logged on electricity bills this location had the advantage of the entire seven-story building - not including the top rooftop atrium - operating from the same meter, LeBaron noted.

The loft also had an extremely sophisticated ventilation system that kept the crop's tell-tale odor at a minimum, the sergeant said.

Once the solidly-constructed metal front door of the loft was bashed open with battering ram, the skunky smell wafted throughout the building and well beyond it's frosted glass, Art Deco-style lobby doors.

Real estate Web sites listing open units in the building date the structure to 1924 and list the condo's at 1,500 square-foot floor plans that have been upgraded since the original date of the building with "Porcher sinks and Hans Gorhe features, along with classic details like exposed brick."

Inside the building's lobby was a helpful list of phone numbers telling tenants who to call in the event of shoes strung on telephone wires, broken curbs and abandoned shopping carts, but there were no city phone numbers listed for who to call in the event of an in-door pot farm.

Nonetheless, it was a tip from a community member that led police to the location, LeBaron said.

Under cover officers immediately established surveillance of the location, and arrested the alleged grower Wednesday in Orange County at about noon, LeBaron said.

He was identified as Harold Edward Trees, 36, of Orange and is believed to be a member or affiliate of the Nazi Lowriders, a white supremacist criminal organization based out of the prison system that deals in everything from drugs and extortion to robberies and murder, police said.

Trees is also on probation for cultivating and selling marijuana, and was being held without bond after he was booked into the Long Beach City Jail.

The investigation in the operation, however, remains on-going, LeBaron said Wednesday.

As police searched the loft on Tuesday, Narcotics detectives donned gas masks to protect themselves from the caustic chemicals used in the fertilizer, then stacked the plants for packing in brown paper evidence bags before carrying them down to a waiting pickup truck parked in front of the building, placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003 and designated an historic landmark by the city.

A number of passers-by did a double take as the pungent plants stacked up curbside on bustling Broadway and just steps from The Promenade.

"Holy s---" one man said as he gawked at the display and gestured to his friend.

"You can smell it three blocks away," he added with a laugh.

Several of the building's tenants were also surprised by the site, although most seemed amused.

"I had no idea," Joe Stillos, an employee at a neighboring business said. "I wish I had known."

And one man who paced in front of the building for several minutes while furiously dialing phone numbers and speaking in hushed tones on his cell phone seemed very upset with the commotion, but declined to comment.

LeBaron said it appeared as though whoever was running the place did not live at the location.

Investigators threw out most of the thousands of dollars worth of equipment used in the operation and a hazardous materials team was brought in to deal with many of the nastier chemicals used to grow the plants.

The plants will be kept in evidence until the matter is settled in the court system, LeBaron said.

Once the issue is adjudicated, the plants will be incinerated at the Southeast Resource Recovery Facility located in the Port, he said.

[CityKid]

Hey guys im new to this whole blogging thing but i found this website that will let you watch live cams of the new AVIA hotel and the new RESIDENCE INN hotel http://www.rdolson.com/

when u get to the web page click project web cam to the lower right of the page.

I recall seeing the Marriott Residence Inn being built on my way back from Queen Mary brunch on Easter, but the AVIA? Where was I? Just in January, I went to the Aquarium and didn't see anything. How crazy. It looks great!

[Landonclaytor]

It is right next to the pike. It sit's right in front of camden. hey do you have any info on Edgewater or Oceanaire. I called Oceanaire but they never return my calls.:(

[regboi21]

Do you guys have any ideas about how long beach could be redeveloped from 2009-2040

My ideas

Pine ave: Future Retail along this corridor should be upscale like saks fifth ave and normal retail like Gap and banana replublic,also their should be a permenent farmers market at the mall so residents could have access to fresh fruits and veggies everyday, the city officials should have walmart relocated to a property on anaheim st and in its place put a mixed use store there, the promenade should have food and shopping kiosks and live up and coming music artists playing there on special days of the week at the future ampitheatre.

Long beach blvd corridor: 10-36 story mixed use buildings,restaurants,city colleges should be built from 7th st to willow st slowly replacing the car dealerships and single family houses which could be demolished or moved to other locations dedicated bike/bus lanes should be installed also the metro blue line should be put underground and extended along pacific coast hwy to seal and newport beaches.

East Village: More Art exhibits and museums,art parks,and restaurants should be built in the area and draw more people to get future businesses to thrive.Replace the vons store with a 25 story apartment building with a whole foods or trader joes store underneath it, relocate that historic house on lime ave to bixby knolls and demo the rest of that block and surrounding areas for future high rise development.

Broadway Belmont shores: Should be more pedestrian friendly and have future mixed use buildings and mixed retail to turn it into a thriving community.

[CityKid]

It is right next to the pike. It sit's right in front of camden. hey do you have any info on Edgewater or Oceanaire. I called Oceanaire but they never return my calls.:(

The last I heard, these projects were on hold. I'm not sure though.

I did found more information on other possible projects in Long Beach:

http://www.studio-111.com/


Studio One Eleven is appears to have designed quote a few projects for the City of Long Beach. Hopefully some of these get built.

[yibs]

Saks on Pine Ave??? :haha:

You would have to move out all of the section 8 residents first.

And Walmart isn't going anywhere. They are here for the welfare crowd who love to sit in front harassing anyone who looks like they have money.

Last week some young girl with 3 little kids begged me for a dollar. I just ignored her and walked away.

The area is just very depressing to be around. The only store that wanted to be across from Walmart is a 1 dollar discount book store that specializes in novels. I have yet to find anything worth buying.

This is not Santa Monica, so you must downscale your expectations. This is still a very poor to working class area, And what some propose is not realistic at this time. Maybe in 30 or 40 years, But i doubt it.

And the condo projects listed above are not on the table anymore. They were supposed to be built years ago. They are too upscale for the area. You can go bid on a unit in the west ocean towers starting at $195,000. The developers of the west ocean towers have lost so much money that it has scared away any more upscale projects from happening, But they are building more section 8 and low income housing west of classy Pine Ave.

[Landonclaytor]

You know what Yibs you are so right. Everytime I go downtown all i see is homeless and low income people. I am not saying that they are bad people but they make an area look very poor and that is the last thing long beach needs. What I dont understand is why long beach spent a huge amount of money building the west gateway project and come to find out that all of the units in this very upscale property are low income. It makes no sense all Long beach does is they try to take the easy way out of building new projects. I personally think the only thing that will save long beach at this point is the removal of the breakwater. I want to see my city rise above the others in the future. But the only way that will happen is the city council need to start speeding up the process of new Development .

[sopas ej]

Well, there was a Saks in Old Town Pasadena, and that went out of business after a few years. So if Pasadena couldn't hold down a Saks, I doubt Long Beach could too.

I find it odd that even though Long Beach is a big city and has some upper-income residents, it has no major regional retail mall or shopping district. The only major department store I know of in Long Beach is the Sears in Los Altos; the only other major retailers in Long Beach are those big box retail anchors.

[CityKid]

What I dont understand is why long beach spent a huge amount of money building the west gateway project and come to find out that all of the units in this very upscale property are low income.

According to this article from the Press Telegram in May 2008 (http://www.presstelegram.com/business/ci_9379671), only 26 of the 291 units will be designated as "low income." Do you have information to the contrary?

[Landonclaytor]

When i first read about the west gateway projects they said all of the units were low income. I do not remember what website I saw it on. City kid you are Most Likely right though. I do appologize for my previous post. I am not trying to bash Long beach but I do think that they could make better progress on these new skyscrapers. I also understand that Long beach must also be going through some hard economic times. Does any one know of any new highrise building's going up right now???????

[Landonclaytor]

sorry

[Landonclaytor]

http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=155260391&albumID=589660&imageID=35161735

[Landonclaytor]

no sorry here are the photos.

<a href="http://s239.photobucket.com/albums/ff3/KEYSINMYPOCKETT/?action=view&current=IMG_5424.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff3/KEYSINMYPOCKETT/IMG_5424.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s239.photobucket.com/albums/ff3/KEYSINMYPOCKETT/?action=view&current=IMG_5381.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff3/KEYSINMYPOCKETT/IMG_5381.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s239.photobucket.com/albums/ff3/KEYSINMYPOCKETT/?action=view&current=IMG_5375.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff3/KEYSINMYPOCKETT/IMG_5375.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[Landonclaytor]

http://s239.photobucket.com/albums/ff3/KEYSINMYPOCKETT/?action=view&current=IMG_5375.jpg

[Landonclaytor]

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff3/KEYSINMYPOCKETT/IMG_5375.jpg

[Landonclaytor]

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff3/KEYSINMYPOCKETT/IMG_5369.jpg

[Landonclaytor]

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff3/KEYSINMYPOCKETT/IMG_5365.jpg

[Landonclaytor]

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff3/KEYSINMYPOCKETT/IMG_5364.jpg

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff3/KEYSINMYPOCKETT/IMG_5362.jpg

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff3/KEYSINMYPOCKETT/IMG_5424.jpg

[Landonclaytor]

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff3/KEYSINMYPOCKETT/IMG_5357.jpg

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff3/KEYSINMYPOCKETT/IMG_5400.jpg

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff3/KEYSINMYPOCKETT/IMG_5416.jpg

[yibs]

Nice pictures, But where are all of the people?

Has anyone seen the signs for edgewater and oceanaire? Somebody finally took them down. Either that or i just can't see them anymore. I'm glad that they got taken down. The city loves to trick people into thinking that all of these great projects are going to happen.

And that west side is going to sit empty for a very long time. Unless you make it all section 8 which the Lowenthals are trying to do as we speak, But then you'll just have more poor people moving into an area that the city supposedly wants to be upscale, But doesn't lift one finger trying to make it happen.

Like i said before, would you move here if you could afford something better? I understand living here if you don't have a lot of money being that it's the cheapest beach city, But there's a reason for that, or many reasons for that, And none are good.

Dirty beach that can't be used

No shopping district

No real entertainment district

Too many gang shootings on weekly basis

The most incompetent city council that I've ever had the displeasure of trying to work with.

Fat pensions for former city employees while the city struggles with massive debt.

And residents who don't get involved, But love to brag about Long Beach like we have anything to be proud of around here. We are a joke to every other beach city in the area.

[Landonclaytor]

The only spot I saw a whole lot of people was pine ave. I wish that all of Downtown Long beach could be like pine. Yibbs do you think that removing the breakwater would improve Long beach's tourist attraction or do you think that It would all remain the same????

[Landonclaytor]

I think that the reason why there isnt alot of people downtown is because there realy is nothing to do downtown. Long beach needs to build something awsome down there. The question though is what is that thing going to be?????

[202_Cyclist]

yibs-- I have very little knowledge of Long Beach politics but wasn't Beverly O'Neill a competent mayor?

[SantaCruzGuy]

Is the building being constructed on Broadway (across the street from the police station) low-income?

[Landonclaytor]

are u asking me?? well i dont know are u talking about west gateway or is there some other project i dont know about.

[Landonclaytor]

I beg all of u please can someone post some pics of the west gateway project on broadway please please!!!!!!!!!

[SantaCruzGuy]

I am asking anyone. It is on broadway between chestnut and magnolia...

[Landonclaytor]

Um then u must be talking about west gateway project. Only some of the units in the building are low income I think
can u take some pics and show me if you live by the area.

[ChrisLA]

Its my understanding only a few will be put aside for low income. I believe it was part of the agreement with the RDA. I live up the street from this project. I'll see if I can go by and take a few photos, but it won't be until Friday if I do get the chance.

[CityKid]

I just went to pride and took some photos while I was there. Here are some development shots.

West Gateway Lyon:

Broadway and Chestnut:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3382/3540841043_1bf1f64f49_b.jpg

Down Chestnut from Broadway:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2271/3540841409_33146b7c9c_b.jpg

Down Magnolia from Broadway:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2342/3541647414_f4a4c1edde_b.jpg


Shots of the Promenade:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3143/3540841793_7de973df03_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2270/3540839405_53c4e925b1_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3614/3541647768_5edb8df4d6_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2047/3540842499_ba7dfc93be_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2061/3541649188_f829c33a66_b.jpg

Some shots from Promenade down First:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2341/3540840039_0f81b46ccc_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2458/3541646628_2e52081dce_b.jpg

[CityKid]

I know I have seen some folks on this forum who are not very happy with the pace at which Long Beach is changing, but I was just as proud of Long Beach today as it is of me. I hope they keep up the good work.

[Landonclaytor]

Very nice photos thanks so much for taking them.

[ChrisLA]

It looks like someone beat me to the punch, thanks for taking the photo of the west gateway project. I just haven't had the time, again thanks..

[InsExchLoft_dweller]

It's been awhile since i last posted...

I was at Crema coffee shop on pine and noticed brand new cutouts in the cement facade of the Newberry building (located between the Kress and Walker building).

It looks like the cutouts for 4 large street facing windows. This is great news - I thought this project was canned but it looks like they are progressing slowly.

[CityKid]

It's been awhile since i last posted...

I was at Crema coffee shop on pine and noticed brand new cutouts in the cement facade of the Newberry building (located between the Kress and Walker building).

It looks like the cutouts for 4 large street facing windows. This is great news - I thought this project was canned but it looks like they are progressing slowly.

Would it be possible to take some pictures? :)

[Truth789]

I am asking anyone. It is on broadway between chestnut and magnolia...

The building being built is now called Gallery 421. It is rentals.... most are going to be pretty pricey..... but there will be some low income just a few.

Yibs needs to get her head out of her own ass...and stop talking crap about Downtown.... yes... there are ghetto people down here.... but each year Downtown is getting better with new quality things. Shall I name them?

Audublin Pub, Laugh Factory, Shannon's Bar, 133 Promenade, Pacifica, French Crepe, Wockanos, Lyon Lofts....... Rome wasn't built in a day... we do need to improve Cityplace though....

[Landonclaytor]

your right

[LBDwelling]

press-telegram lofts, ever going to get built?

[regboi21]

Do you all think that long beach citizens should do some research and background checks on future city officials before they are elected into office so that history wont repeat itself.

[yibs]

yibs-- I have very little knowledge of Long Beach politics but wasn't Beverly O'Neill a competent mayor?



NO! She is to blame for a lot of the failed projects that we now have to deal with.

And Mayor Bob is even worse. I can't remember when we ever had a good mayor or competent city council members. Maybe back in the 1930's. LOL

[yibs]

The building being built is now called Gallery 421. It is rentals.... most are going to be pretty pricey..... but there will be some low income just a few.

Yibs needs to get her head out of her own ass...and stop talking crap about Downtown.... yes... there are ghetto people down here.... but each year Downtown is getting better with new quality things. Shall I name them?

Audublin Pub, Laugh Factory, Shannon's Bar, 133 Promenade, Pacifica, French Crepe, Wockanos, Lyon Lofts....... Rome wasn't built in a day... we do need to improve Cityplace though....

I don't make comments about you or directed at you. So please do the same for me.

You might want to get your head out of the ass of the RDA. This area still sucks and the proof is what you see on a daily basis, And the fact that restaurants are failing on Pine and we still have no retail or entertainment district shows to me that the area still sucks. And get real with the stupid Rome comment. I've been watching this city try to rebuild for 30 years. Where have you been?

And Wokcano sucks! Please name all of these places that are beating their heads wondering why they ever based themselves here in downtown Long Beach. 10 years from now you will still be blabbing about how this is a great city. They only thing happening is the crime and violence will relapse back into how it was in the early 90's.

Let other people have their opinion ok? Maybe you should attend a city council meeting, And voice your opinions, And then watch when Mayor bob turns off your mic and tells you to sit down, And I'm sure you would do what he tells you too.

Last point is that how can a successful city be over 40 million in debt for next years budget? Did you know we had a 23 million dollar surplus just a few years ago? Did you know that Pine Ave had nice retail shops just a few years ago? Did you know that the east village had some cool shops and bookstores just a few years ago? The RDA kicks out all of these cool independent stores that made the area unique, And now we have empty shops everywhere. Where are all these chain retail stores that were supposed to be fighting over getting the chance to be based here? I don't see anything or anyone coming. The RDA said these shops would be filled up right away with worth wild shops and restaurants.

[InsExchLoft_dweller]

Would it be possible to take some pictures? :)


Here you go...

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss71/dtlbphotos/IMG00131.jpg

[Landonclaytor]

Does anyone know of some other projects going on right now besides the avia hotel and the residence inn ANY BIG PROJECTS!!!!!!

[Jasonhouse]

I don't make comments about you or directed at you. So please do the same for me.

You might want to get your head out of the ass of the RDA.
Oh, the irony...


Please be a bit more respectful in your choice of words, and you will find that the 'animosity factor' surrounding your posts will go way, way down.

Thank you.

[Truth789]

Yibs, if you've been here for as long as you've said you've been here and camplain that much, why do you stay here? Kind of masochistic isn't it? And now you are saying Wokanos is bad? Everyone I know who goes to Wokanos loves it and these are Upper Income people.

Anyway again.... I live in Downtown.... I hear there is a petition to remove Kraig Kojian from the DLBA for his lousy job with the businesses on Pine and I agree but once again... the city is making improvements across the board. New Bike Lanes on 1st and 2nd between Alamatios and Junipiero .... Wokanos, Promenade, Pacifica, New Metro Station, Laugh Factory, Shannon's, New Dog Park Coming soon, Sipology, Lofts at 3rd.... these ARE improvements... and Rome wasn't built in a day .... but that being said, there still needs to be major improvement in Downtown and that I agree with Yibs.

The wallmart was the worst possible thing they could put downtown and I only hope they can somehow enhance Cityplace mall with improvements to hopefully get better stores. I really hope this is not wishful thinking....

Across the country retail is not opening... but again I agree the DLBA did a lousy job with businesses...however...the events that the Convention puts together are great and bring tourists to the city. I do like Mayer Foster...he drives an electric vehicle, approved hybrid busses, talks about business development and is helping to make improvements across the city. I'm hoping Robert Garcia improves Pacific and other parts of Downtown...

The people here that complain need to get involved...... join www.savepine.com .... blog on shoutlongbeach.com ...just get involved....join PARA - Promenade Area Residents Association or join DRC - Downtown Residential Council.

Real Estate is in the toilet....it's very difficult to get approved for loans but it WILL come back.....

Long Beach should consider bringing Green industries to the city.....

[CityKid]

Here you go...

http://i563.photobucket.com/albums/ss71/dtlbphotos/IMG00131.jpg

Thank you! I think I saw that while dining at that Omlette place on Pine.

[Truth789]

Yeah I read an article in a local real estate magazine at the 4th Street Deli and supposedly they are developing that finally...

[Landonclaytor]

The mayor and city council is set to present the public with the Reconnaissance Study of the breakwater in july. Ugh i hope they choose to sink it to bring back alot of tourist atraction to long beach. I wonder if they do choose to take it down how long it will takw or how much it will cost?????

[Landonclaytor]

ug im so sad i just found out that the breakwater for LB would not be taken down until 10 20 years from now. Well thats what the guy said.
what is long beach going to do in the meantime i mean we have lost so much tourist attraction over the years. i am going to be a full on aduld by the time that dam thing is sunken. I kinda wanted to enjoy the beach during my teenage years but that not gunna happen.

[Landonclaytor]

surfrider foundation chair

A project with this magnitude usually takes a long time. It took us 9 years (lot's of public out-reach) to have the Long Beach City Council approve to have a reconnaissance study and we had to wait for 1 year to have the fund to do the study, 1 year to complete the study (11 years so far). After that, if the federal government is interested in the project, then more detailed "feasibility study" follows (about 2-3 years). For the actual construction, the City has to pay half of the cost. It can come from the ports' mitigation fund, which is millions of dollars. Anyways, we have lot's of hurdles to jump over, most of it is politics. Because the breakwater is owned by the federal government, that complicates things... more rules and regulations that make this process so looooong.

[Landonclaytor]

http://www.surfline.com/surfline/forecasts4/forecast_blog_entry.cfm?id=27962

[SantaCruzGuy]

I am excited because I love the East Village and I love to go there all the time to eat at Utopia.:tup: When I first saw this project I thought it was a small project. What I love about this project is that they are greatly extending the sidewalk out to the street, making the sidewalks huge, pedestrian friendly, and allowing for coffee shops and restaurants to extend into the sidewalk. This Wednesday, I noticed that the street was made into a one-way and a really small one lane road for cars where I felt that cars where seen as secondary to pedestrians (unrealistic in most of CA). I felt as if I was in a small town and/or in a small beach city full of culture like Santa Cruz (where I was from before i moved to LB). What I am happy about is the lighting too. I felt safer at night because it was well lit with very nice lighting, and I felt excited that this area is changing to an even better place than before. Once this economic mess is over, I wonder what is next for this upcoming area. :cheers:

Here is a small article from the E.V.A.

Street Improvements in the East Village!

The City of Long Beach's Department of Public Works and the Redevelopment Agency have joined together to start construction on a series of improvements for 1st Street from Alamitos Avenue to Long Beach Boulevard.

The project is scheduled to begin construction today, May 18th, 2009 and will be completed by the end of July 2009.

The project will involve the installation of storm drain laterals, catch basin relocations, upgraded street lighting, bulb-outs, planting of parkway trees, street repairs, removal and replacement of damaged existing concrete improvements, and other appurtenant work.

"The new street lights and other improvements are exciting changes that will help to bring an increased feeling of safety and rejuvenation to an important part of the downtown." said David White, Redevelopment Project Officer for the East Village.

The project is scheduled to begin construction on the north side of 1st street at Alamitos and the construction will move westerly towards Long Beach Boulevard. In an effort to minimize the inconvenience to the residents and businesses, the contractor will restrict their activities to one block at a time, with the exception of the storm drain work.

The City's intention is to maintain as much of the existing parking as possible. Parking will only be restricted in those areas where temporary "No Parking" signs are posted.

The Farmers' Market will be temporally relocated to the north-west corner of Elm Avenue and Broadway at the City parking lot. The dates for the relocation will be May 23rd and 30th. The Farmers' Market will be back to its original location beginning June 6th.

For construction updates and information visit www.dlba.org/evillageprojects or call the Project Hotline Number at (562) 908-6270. You may leave comments and questions on the hotline. All calls will be returned within 24 hours.


SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES DURING CONSTRUCTION...THEY ARE READY TO SERVE YOU!

[SantaCruzGuy]

Article from lbreport.com

(July 6, 2009) -- The downtown music venue, "Vault 350" at 350 Pine Ave., mainly "dark" since the May 2008 death of former owner Mitchell Stewart, has been acquired by Medina Investments and Development (MID) and X1FM Network Radio.

In a release from Medina Investments forwarded by LB's Convention & Visitors Bureau, the new owners say they plan "a multi-million dollar" renovation for the three-story, 29,000 sq. ft cavernous venue which has a capacity of 1,100 people.

The release says the Vault 350's return "will offer something for everyone" listing "classic to punk rockers... from discerning jazz aficionados to R&B, hip-hop, country-western, folk or Latin music lovers... from college students clubbing with the hottest DJs, to comedy jams and poetry slams...including special event directors, corporate tradeshow producers and movie location scouts looking for a mid-sized venue with big-time technical capabilities."

In its heyday, the location hosted multiple big name musical acts...as well as providing a venue for a 2006 Mayoral candidates debate and an April 2008 fundraiser attended by local supporters of then-candidate Barack Obama.
Obama rally April 16/08
April 2008 photo credit: Art Levine / Straight Talk TV

The new owners' release says that "in addition to offering a world-class venue for live acts and internationally renowned DJs, 'The Vault 350' will play an integral part in the community by sponsoring special events with local city groups including The Ronald McDonald House, The Long Beach Grand Prix, Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, and Cal State Long Beach.

The owners have set up a multi-decibel webpage (www.newvault350.com) promising "Get Ready To Rock! And So Much More."

The release quotes Steve Goodling, President/CEO of LB's CVB, as saying "The Vault 350 has been missed since it stopped operating last year. Its return will be a tremendous asset to downtown Long Beach, activating the stretch from the waterfront to the original dining area on Pine Avenue. It will allow residents and visitors to rediscover the on-going changes in our community."

The release identifies Medina Investments & Development (MID) as "a real estate development and construction company with over 50 years of experience specializing in small to medium sized urban infill developments in Southern California. MID Founder and President, Rudy Medina, has received numerous awards acknowledging his unique ability to combine his artistic vision with unmatched quality" (www.medinadevelopment.com).

It describes X1FM as a "revolutionary new model that dares to be the first of its kind...[a] live, interactive online radio that is broadcast worldwide. Under the direction and creative vision of President and Founder, Luis Armen Kaloyan -- a longtime radio station owner and executive -- X1FM Radio is defining interactive radio in the world of online media (www.x1fm.com).

The release indicates a grand re-opening is planned for early 2010.

[regboi21]

I took some photos around the city Photo no 1 is an unknown construction site on Long Beach blvd and burnett sthttp://img37.imageshack.us/img37/2411/constructionsiteofunkno.th.jpg (http://img37.imageshack.us/my.php?image=constructionsiteofunkno.jpg) photo no 2 is a future mixed use project on atlantic and anaheim sthttp://img16.imageshack.us/img16/1679/pict0019eub.th.jpg (http://img16.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pict0019eub.jpg) photo no 3 is a abandoned construction site on 6th st its either been stopped because of the housing market crisis or the city might sell the site to another developer or whatever im not surehttp://img30.imageshack.us/img30/7748/pict0088d.th.jpg (http://img30.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pict0088d.jpg)

[regboi21]

Do you all think the bixby knolls commercial strip on atlantic ave could become a future shopping district.

[sopas ej]

Do you all think the bixby knolls commercial strip on atlantic ave could become a future shopping district.

Absolutely! I would think some type of business improvement district or similar organization would already be working to improve that area and attract more businesses, possibly turning it into a regional shopping district. I haven't been down there in a while, is it still pretty much a place where the locals of the neighborhood do their shopping and dining? I realize I haven't been to the Bixby Knolls area in probably 3 or 4 years.

[SantaCruzGuy]

(July 15, 2009) -- In response to inquiries from LBReport.com, LB's Redevelopment Agency staff indicates it may offer incentives to facilitate an agreement currently in negotiation and not concluded at this point to locate a Fresh & Easy market at LB's downtown City Place.

If there were an agreement between the parties and RDA staff offered incentives, the specifics of the incentives would become public and would require approval by LB's Redevelopment Agency Board. The City Place location is within LB's Downtown Redevelopment Project Area.

Fresh and Easy markets offer [website text] "fresh and wholesome food choices" and "everyday staples: plus its own line of "fresh prepared meals and organic items [to] make quick eating easy and affordable").

LB currently has a Fresh and Easy location at Spring St/Palo Verde Ave. in ELB and another is "coming soon" at 7th St/Nebraska Ave. The latter location is within LB's Central Redevelopment Project Area. LB city and RDA officials say no RDA or City Hall incentives were provided at either LB location.

City Place Shopping Center offers multiple businesses, retailers, restaurants and services between 3rd and 6th Sts. from LB Blvd. to Pine Ave.

Lakewood has two Fresh and Easy locations -- one at Paramount and Del Amo Blvds. and another at Woodruff Ave. and South St. City of Lakewood spokesman Don Waldie says neither Lakewood City Hall nor its Redevelopment Agency provided incentives for those locations.

News of the talks was reported in a July 14 blog dispatch by Karen Robes Meeks on Press-Telegram.com.

[CityKid]

Absolutely! I would think some type of business improvement district or similar organization would already be working to improve that area and attract more businesses, possibly turning it into a regional shopping district. I haven't been down there in a while, is it still pretty much a place where the locals of the neighborhood do their shopping and dining? I realize I haven't been to the Bixby Knolls area in probably 3 or 4 years.

I grew up in California Heights, which is directly adjacent to the shops on Atlantic, and I think it's pretty accurate to say that locals shop and dine in the area. Over the years, they've done lots of planting on the sidewalks and medians. They just recently added brick crosswalks on Atlantic between Bixby Road and Carson. Everytime I come home, it gets a little bit more charming.

[CityKid]

I was downtown a few days ago and captured these shots on my mobile:

Broadway and Chestnut:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2657/3764448346_acdbabbda6_o.jpg

Broadway and Magnolia:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2615/3763651259_ccb1dda038_o.jpg

Down Magnolia from W 3rd St:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3446/3764448272_f14e0c9b53_o.jpg

Down W 3rd St from Magnolia:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3419/3764448236_59a3874b63_o.jpg

Magnolia and W 3rd St:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2591/3763651143_90cc8c8256_o.jpg

It doesn't look like they have made a ton of progress from my last photos back in April (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=4255169&postcount=1534), but it's coming along.

[InsExchLoft_dweller]

Regarding Fresh and Easy...

I think this is a done deal. I live at the promenade and received a letter that stated Fresh & Easy were locating at 420 Promenade and that they were seeking a liq license. I also heard that Hooters was moving to the Pike and that Bouchees was moving to where Hooters is now... anyone heard about that one?

[SantaCruzGuy]

What specific area of the Promenade is 420 Promenade? I'm trying to picture the location. I googled map the location and it gives me cityplace...

[InsExchLoft_dweller]

SantaCruzGuy - My mistake... it's 450 Promenade and it's located next to the dollar bookstore in City Place. I think it's currently Anne's Linens. Yeah, the address threw me off as well...

[ChrisLA]

So Anna's Linens is leaving now? I'm excited that Fresh & Easy is moving in, but I would rather have Trader Joes's. I supsect that since we are blessed with so many Trader Joes (Bixby Knolls, Marina Pacifica, Los Altos, Palos Verdes) each only 10-15 mins in either direction from downtown Long Beach we may never get one.

I'm kind of upset Fresh & Easy didn't target Long Beach when they first started opening up stores in the LA region. I think they would have done well, where as some of the other stores seem empty at times (Manhattan Beach).

Yet still there is some other good news, we are getting a Organic Market on Pine Ave near 5th street in the Kress Lofts.

[Truth789]

Yes I live at the Promenade also and received a letter about Fresh and Easy. I also mapquested it and it is in Cityplace mall which to me would be a huge improvement. I was at Fresh and Easy in Huntington Beach and it was very very good.

I am very excited the Organic Food Store is coming down to Kress Lofts. By the way..4th Street Deli has good food.

And Avia Hotel is very very nice.....

:tup:

[CityKid]

YAY! More good news for Long Beach. :) I was so happy to spend a month at home during the summer and get to check everything out downtown. It's a really blossoming community down there.

[SantaCruzGuy]

Two New Fresh & Easy Stores Opening In Long Beach
by Ryan ZumMallen | Long Beach News | 09.01.09 |
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Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market announced yesterday it has signed a lease to open its third Long Beach store at City Place in Downtown Long Beach. The company did not say when the new City Place location will open, however, they are opening their new 7th Street & Nebraska location at 10:00 am on Wednesday, September 16, 2009. Fresh & Easy will present a donation to a to-be-named local non-profit organization at the grand opening for the 7th Street and Nebraska store. The local non-profit was decided by the store’s new employees.

Both the City Place and 7th Street locations will bring their total stores in Long Beach to three – the other currently located at 6436 Spring Street.

“We appreciate all the community support and look forward to opening two more locations in Long Beach,” said Tim Mason, Fresh & Easy CEO in a prepared release. “The tremendous support shows that our stores will be great additions to these neighborhoods and the City of Long Beach as a whole.”

“Fresh & Easy has shown a great commitment to the City of Long Beach by locating in neighborhoods that have traditionally lacked grocery operations,” said Mayor Bob Foster in the prepared release. “We are excited and look forward to having more Fresh & Easy locations in Long Beach.

Both the City Place location and the 7th St. location will employ 20 to 30 people each and the company intends to hire locally.

More information regarding Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market can be found at www.freshandeasy.com.

[InsExchLoft_dweller]

Regarding Fresh and Easy...

I think this is a done deal. I live at the promenade and received a letter that stated Fresh & Easy were locating at 420 Promenade and that they were seeking a liq license. I also heard that Hooters was moving to the Pike and that Bouchees was moving to where Hooters is now... anyone heard about that one?
I guess the rumor about Hooters and Bouchees was just a rumor. Looks like Bouchees made a deal with Smooths...

Downtown Long Beach restaurateurs partner on Pine
By Karen Robes Meeks, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/31/2009 07:38:00 PM PDT


LONG BEACH - Two downtown restaurateurs have formed a partnership that will allow an award-winning chef to open in the heart of Pine Avenue and help a Pine stalwart re-energize his restaurant concept.

Through a deal with Smooth's John Morris, Bouchees Bistro founders Tony Zervas and Milvia Molina are moving their culinary operations from Long Beach Boulevard to Smooth's Sports Bar and Grille on Pine Avenue and renaming it Bouchees Bistro at Smooth's.

Zervas said Monday that he had been looking for a way to open on Pine.

"I know I would do very well there," said the chef, who was awarded the Golden Scepter award by the Southern California Restaurant Writers four consecutive years. "That's where most of the best restaurants are and I just think we belong there with them."

Smooth's owner John Morris called the partnership "a perfect marriage," adding that Smooth's will be able to reopen for lunch. (Last April, Morris eliminated lunch service to focus on dinner and nighttime entertainment, citing up and down sales.)

"I knew he had a fabulous product, and I know he's a very hard-working individual," said Morris. "My biggest headache is the food side of this business."

The partnership also will allow Morris to potentially sell his restaurant business to Zervas and perhaps act as landlord and downtown promoter.

"It's an awesome, awesome opportunity for him to really show himself and at the end of 18 months, he has


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an opportunity to buy me out basically," Morris said. "What's Chapter Three for me? I've got options. ... I'm looking forward to moving forward and staying focused on bringing things to downtown."
"He's given me a golden opportunity," Zervas said of Morris. "It's a great deal for the both of us."

Meanwhile, Zervas and Molina have opened City Taco, a "straight forward, fast, fresh, delicious mix of Mexican/American cuisine," in the former Bouchees Bistro location at 515 Long Beach Blvd.

City Taco, which opens today, will have a full bar, private dining room, patio and entertainment.

"It will have basically the same design but accented with urban art, Latin music and new signage," according to a recent mass e-mail announcing the changes.

karen.robes@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1303

[SantaCruzGuy]

New Courthouse Moves Forward
by Ryan ZumMallen | Long Beach News | 09.02.09 |
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The City Council last night approved the land swap deal between the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency and the Judicial Council of California setting in motion the construction of a new courthouse in Downtown. The RDA land is across the street from the current courthouse in the West Gateway area of Downtown between Broadway and 3rd Street and West of Magnolia was swapped for the land which currently houses the courthouse at 415 W. Ocean Blvd and is owned by the state.

According to the State's Office of Court Construction and Management, the current courthouse was "built in 1959, suffers from fundamental flaws, is overcrowded, and fails to meet accessibility requirements, making it incapable of meeting the growing demand for court services in the Long Beach area."

The new 545,000 square foot courthouse will attract over 800 workers, nearly 4,500 daily visitors and will boost the area’s retail with an increase of 9,200 square feet of retail space. The state is expected to decide on a development team for the new courthouse in early 2011 with construction being complete in 2012.

The motion to approve the land swap last night by Councilmember Robert Garcia was preceeded by his effort in early June to rally the local community in support of the deal. Garcia’s letter writing campain generated over 100 letters of support prompting the Councilmember to announce his support.

“The Courthouse project will have a huge impact on our community,” Councilmember Garcia stated in a June 26 release. “And we want to ensure the impact is positive. We want a building that is environmentally responsible, physically inspiring, and well-managed. We want to make sure local jobs are created and public safety protected. That's why your participation in the commenting process is so important.”

In a September 2008 press release, Mayor Bob Foster said: "This is first in the state of California for a project of this magnitude. Long Beach has found a unique and creative way to maximize our local dollars and enter into a public/private partnership that will result in a new courthouse for our city."

Naming the new Courthouse

In a statement sent to the LBPOST.com on June 26, Supervisor Don Knabe announced that he is in the process of naming the new courthouse in honor of long-time Long Beach resident and former California Governor George Deukmejian.

This morning, Supervisor Knabe told the LBPOST.com: "This is another important step in the right direction and I'm looking forward to the day in the not too distant future when we can finally cut the ribbon on Long Beach's new George Deukmejian Courthouse."

The Supervisor, in his June 26 statement, noted that support is secured from Chief Justice Ron George of the California Supreme Court, Presiding Judge Tim McCoy of the Los Angeles Superior Court, Presiding Judge Arthur Jean and other judges in the current Long Beach Courthouse. The decision will ultimately be up to the state.

[CityKid]

Here is an interesting analysis of Long Beach Boulevard and some preliminary recommendations on rezoning the corridor:

http://www.lbds.info/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=3054

There's nothing too shocking about the findings: increase height restrictions and lower parking requirements and infill projects will become more financially feasible for developers. The last page of the report will give you a nice breakdown of the recommendations.

[JDRCRASH]

Use the old ROW at the Blue Line Willow Station as a branch of the Blue Line, take it SE to PCH, East to Los Alamitos Park, turn Southeast on PCH to 7th, East to Bellflower, South back to PCH, down PCH to 2nd St, go West all the way to Livingston, run it down Ocean Blvd until it hits Long Beach Blvd, and connect it with the 1st St Station.

This idea could involve a little tunneling to reduce demolition of existing structures, though.

Stations at: LBCC, Anaheim, PCH, Los Alamitos Park, Anaheim, CSU Long Beach, Loynes, 2nd St, Naples area, Belmont Shore area, Livingston, Ocean Blvd, Bixby Park, Alamitos/Ocean, and finally, connect with existing 1st Station.

[FlyBono24]

I'm actually trying to purchase a unit at The Promenade. So hello my (possible) new neighbors.

I had a question: our unit only comes with 1 parking spot. Are there spots for sale within the complex? Or does the public parking lot across Broadway have monthly parking?

I've lived in east Long Beach for about 15 years now and have watched downtown LB turn from ghetto into a decent place to live. But in recent years we've been losing business and retailers, let's hope they start to get them back again.

[JDRCRASH]

Welcome to the forum, FlyBono24.:)

[InsExchLoft_dweller]

Try the Lyon Lofts across from Nordstrom Rack... I believe I heard they are selling or renting parking spots.

[CityKid]

Here's some more good news for Pine; it looks like the rumors weren't so far off.

From www.presstelegram.com:

Popular Belmont Shore cafe to open second Long Beach location
From staff reports
Posted: 09/18/2009 11:01:17 PM PDT

La Creperie Cafe is opening a second Long Beach location on Pine Avenue in the space that currently houses Hooters, a manager said Thursday.

The popular Belmont Shore cafe plans to open downtown early next year after Hooters moves from its 10-year location at 130 Pine Ave. to a space at the Pike at Rainbow Harbor in December.

[ChrisLA]

:previous:

Looks like La Creperie is trying to get in on the action now since there are two other French Cafes in the downtown area. Plus one of them is is fairly recent over on 1st Street.


Anyway good news, I was excited to hear this when I read this last night on the P.T. website. Now I can pretty much walk to this location. Next we need a Peets Coffee in downtown Long Beach. Its not like I hate Belmont Shore, and still its only 10 mins away.

[CityKid]

According to the September edition of The Heights (http://www.calheights.org/pdf/Newsletter_September_2009.pdf) (p. 6), the neighborhood newsletter in California Heights, Fresh and Easy is in preliminary talks to put another location in at 33rd & Atlantic. It sounds like they're aggressively trying to break into the Long Beach market.

[regboi21]

Does anyone have any updates on the press telegram lofts project also will the city hall east building be turned into a office building or condos.

[LAMetroGuy]

I think that the following three headlines (some posted already) show that Pine Avenue is growing stronger and in the right direction! I hope this creates additional interest and sparks the Press Telegram Lofts to move forward!


Long Beach City Council won't meet, but planning commission holds hearing
The board weighs a proposal to increase the number of residential units in a retail-residential project at the Newberry Building.
http://www.presstelegram.com/ci_13435522

________________________________________________


Vault 350 on Pine Avenue undergoing a rebirth
http://www.presstelegram.com/ci_13380397

________________________________________________

Popular Belmont Shore cafe to open second Long Beach location
http://www.presstelegram.com/business/ci_13368462

[4thandElm]

I heard just yesterday that the original project will be scaled down. The highrise portion was a little too ambitious. They are now looking at a nice mixed use. Still have loft units, but not so big on the tower. Also, they will incorporate the existing buildings into the project as the PT building is historic. I think we will see a new design emerge fairly soon.

[Landonclaytor]

I havnt been on in a while but has anyone heard of any plans to redo long beach city hall. what is going on with oceanaire ???? are they gunna start construction anytime soon???

[Landonclaytor]

I dont live in the downtown area but is the promanade a fail right now can someone take some pics so i can see an update???

[CityKid]

I think that the following three headlines (some posted already) show that Pine Avenue is growing stronger and in the right direction! I hope this creates additional interest and sparks the Press Telegram Lofts to move forward!


Long Beach City Council won't meet, but planning commission holds hearing
The board weighs a proposal to increase the number of residential units in a retail-residential project at the Newberry Building.
http://www.presstelegram.com/ci_13435522



http://longbeach.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=516638&GUID=A80611A4-B551-493B-B11F-2C77588BBC99&Options=&Search=

Looks like their request was approved. It's amazing how much information you can find online these days.

[LAMetroGuy]

A Fresh and Easy market is going into the Long Beach Promenade at 450 Promenade. It will be replacing the $1 Bookstore. :tup:

[MooneyFWD]

A Fresh and Easy market is going into the Long Beach Promenade at 450 Promenade. It will be replacing the $1 Bookstore. :tup:

I believe 450 Promenade is the Anna's Linen's location. I'd rather have the $1 bookstore gone than Anna's...

[CityKid]

Does anyone know how the West Gateway project is coming along? I won't be back in LB until December to check on it. :(

[LAMetroGuy]

I believe 450 Promenade is the Anna's Linen's location. I'd rather have the $1 bookstore gone than Anna's...

I may have the address wrong, but it will occupy the space behind Anna's linens, but it will take the place of the One Dollar Bookstore, certain about that. Anna's is staying.

[dragonsky]

Long Beach Studios deal with Boeing to be signed Monday, chairman says
By Paul Eakins, Staff Writer
Updated: 10/12/2009 08:26:10 AM PDT
DailyNews Los Angeles

LONG BEACH - A much-hyped movie studio is in, a studio executive said Friday, and a Tesla Motors assembly plant may be out at the former Boeing 717 manufacturing site.

Long Beach Studios Chairman Jack O'Halloran said he expects to sign a deal with Boeing on Monday to develop a $375 million movie studio at the 77-acre site, which ceased production in 2006.

"The film studio's definitely happening, it's going to happen," O'Halloran said by phone.

The project, announced a year ago, encountered financial problems and fell out of escrow in March.

Further casting doubt on the project's future was an announcement by electric car manufacturer Tesla Motors in August that the Boeing site and the Downey Studios property were finalists for a new assembly plant.

O'Halloran said the Long Beach project will be the hub of a chain of five movie studios that will be built around the country.

"Which means all the people, the jobs, the training, everything will come out of Long Beach," said O'Halloran, a former boxer and actor who is best known for playing Non, a villain in the movie "Superman2." "It's an amazing deal, it's better than we thought it was going to be and it's phenomenal for Long Beach."

O'Halloran wouldn't give further details, noting that the deal isn't signed yet. City officials have said the movie studio is expected to create 2,500 to 3,000 jobs.

Given that fact, Mayor Bob Foster was guarded in his response Friday.

"I want to see a deal that's inked," Foster said.

John Morris, owner of Smooth's Sports Grille, said Friday that when O'Halloran was eating at the restaurant Thursday the movie studio executive showed Morris a letter of commitment from O'Halloran's investors.

If all goes as O'Halloran plans, when the movie studio is completed it would contain "40 soundstages ranging in size from 12,000 to 200,000 square feet, and over 300,000 square feet of full-service rental office space," according to the Long Beach Studios Web site, www.longbeachstudiosllc.com. The site also says the studio site would have a 5-star hotel spa.

What this all means for Tesla - and Downey, which has been aggressively courting the company - isn't clear.

Foster said that Tesla and Boeing met about a week ago, so some negotiations for the 717 site may still be in the works. The mayor said the movie studio or Tesla could be a boon for Long Beach.

"I just want to make sure that we get a business in there that is very productive and beneficial to the city," Foster said.

Representatives from Boeing and Tesla didn't return phone calls seeking comment Friday evening.

Reached by phone Friday night, Downey Mayor Mario Guerra said his city is in negotiations with Tesla but wouldn't say how close they are to a deal.

Tesla is looking for a production site for its new Model S, a four-door all-electric family sedan. CEO Elon Musk has said the car plant could create 1,000 to 1,200 jobs.

The Bay Area company based in San Carlos is known for its Tesla Roadster, a two-door all-electric sports car. Musk said that when Tesla begins production on the next-generation sports car in 2013, the work likely will take place at the new plant as well.

[CityKid]

Relatively small news but worth mentioning from www.presstelegram.com:


Former Roberts store to be demolished
By Karen Robes Meeks, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/13/2009 07:22:35 PM PDT


LONG BEACH - For nearly 15 years, the building that housed the former Roberts Department Store signified a glaring vacancy in the heart of Bixby Knolls' commercial district.

Now, the 52,000-square-foot building at 4450 Atlantic Ave., will finally come down to make way for another department store.

The Long Beach Redevelopment Agency, 8th District City Councilwoman Rae Gabelich and the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association on Thursday will witness the demolition of the building, which is being cleared for a new Marshalls Department Store, expected to open by fall 2010.

"We're pretty excited to finally see this breaking ground and moving forward," said Long Beach Development Services Director Craig Beck.

Roberts, a shopping destination for families seeking wares for their Sunday best, occupied the Bixby Knolls location for 28 years before its closure. The building, considered by some to be an example of mid-century architecture, had become run down and tagged with graffiti.

Many in the community wondered if anything would be done about the building.

"Since I've been here the last few years, the feedback from the neighborhood has been, `What's the status? When's it going to be taken care of?"' said Blair Cohn, executive director of BKBIA.

For four years, the agency has been working with the developer and property owner, Gaska Inc., to try to reactivate the commercial space, Beck said.

To help do that, the agency approved a $4.2 million loan that would accomplish two things: $3.7 million went toward the development of a new Marshalls and $500,000 handled facade improvements to the back part of the shopping area, where there are smaller retail spaces, Beck said.

For those in the business community, the improvements help further "the slow and gentle renaissance of Bixby Knolls" into the active center it once was, Cohn said.

"I'm hoping that with a national brand like that, it will stimulate other (retailers) to want to be where there's an anchor store like that," he said. "Anything we can do to keep moving forward and show progress is a positive."

The demolition will take place at 10 a.m. Thursday at 4450 Atlantic Ave.

karen.robes@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1303


I remember going there with my mom as a kid before they closed. Is anyone else thinking they could have found something a bit better than a Marshall's for that location? That entire shopping center has been in the crapper though for a long time. Baby steps?

[LAMetroGuy]

Source: Presstelegram

New site for downtown Long Beach Courthouse approved
By Karen Robes Meeks, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/14/2009 06:35:42 PM PDT



LONG BEACH - Plans to replace "one of the worst courthouses in California" moved forward this week when state officials supported the property acquisition for a new Long Beach Courthouse.

The State Public Works Board on Monday approved the acquisition of the 6-acre downtown site bordered by Broadway, Magnolia Avenue, Third Street and Maine Avenue for a new Long Beach Courthouse, said Administrative Office of the Courts spokesman Philip R. Carrizosa on Wednesday.

"The approval by the Public Works Board is a major milestone towards providing Long Beach with a new courthouse that will meet the needs of court users in the Long Beach area," he said.

Built about 50 years ago, the Long Beach Courthouse at 415 W. Ocean Blvd. has been identified by the state as one of the worst "in terms of security, overcrowding and physical condition," Carrizosa said.

For nearly five years, state and city officials have been in talks over the development of a newer, larger courthouse and sights were set on the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency-owned vacant property once slated for housing.

Both sides negotiated a deal - which the City Council supported last month - that will allow the state to give the agency 415 W. Ocean Blvd. in exchange for the agency property. The RDA also agreed to pay the state $5 million over 20 years to make up for the difference in the value of the two properties. The RDA property is estimated at $18.9 million, the court site at about $24.2 million. Also, the agency will repay up to $2 million for off-site improvements made by the state, which also plans to remodel the Magnolia parking structure.

When escrow closes, the agency will lease back to the state the Ocean Boulevard property for $1 annually for up to five years. This allows the courthouse to remain on-site while the new one is being built.

Meanwhile, three development teams are bidding on the project and are expected to submit plans for design, construction and operations and maintenance by the end of this month, and proposals for the financial and commercial aspect of the project by late November, Carrizosa said.

The AOC expects to select a team by early 2010 and begin construction in mid-2010.

Slated for completion in 2012, the courthouse will feature a 545,000-square-foot building with 31 civil and criminal courtrooms, 63,000 square feet of county office space, 9,200 square feet of retail space and a basement that will include a sally port or controlled-entry space and an in-custody holding facility. The new building will house 800 workers and attract 3,500 to 4,500 visitors daily.

City Councilman Robert Garcia, whose 1st District encompasses the project, said he was thrilled about the project's "major step forward," adding that the courthouse will mean more jobs, the removal of blight and community enhancement.

"It's going to be great for downtown, and we're going to continue to monitor it down the road," he said. "This is a very critical cornerstone project for downtown, and it's going to make a big difference once it's built and open for business."

karen.robes@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1303 562-499-1303

[202_Cyclist]

Federal stimulus funds spending update in Long Beach

http://www.examiner.com/x-20615-LA-Business-News-Examiner~y2009m10d21-Federal-stimulus-funds-spending-update-in-Long-Beach

10/21/09

Here is a partial listing of federal stimulus funds spending in the greater Long Beach area that came from regional officials during a roundtable discussion on transportation on Wednesday, October 21 hosted by Congresswoman Laura Richardson:


Alameda corridor $ 42 million submitted
(Congresswoman Richardson had previously requested $ 37,000,000 for the Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement project)

City of Long Beach $ 71,000,000 awarded
45% will be used in transportation, specifically bus improvements

$ 14.7 million in roadway improvements
$ 20 million in non-transportation dollars
$ 51,000,000 in ready-to-go transportation projects
bikeway infrastructure costs are strategic to Long Beach

Long Beach Airport $ 67,000,000
Long Beach Airport director Mario Rodriguez said the money will improve infrastructure and create about 450 jobs.

City of Signal Hill $ 500,000 for work on Cherry Avenue
Signal Hill was the first city to utilize stimulus money Mayor Ellen Ward remarked she would like to deal directly with the federal government since “all the state does is raid our money.”

Signal Hill City Manager Charlie Honeycutt told the gathering “it’s important to keep small cities in mind. We play a critical role in the movement of goods.”

Congresswoman Laura Richardson, Democrat, 37th Congressional District, hosted the roundtable discussion that featured Deputy Secretary of Transportation John Porcari and Maritime Administrator David Matsuda.

Mr. Porcari told the crowd of almost several dozen that money from the recovery act (AARA) has moved the country past the collapse of the financial system.
“We have projects underway that would not have happened without the Recovery Act and we’ve been creating, saving, about 1,000,000 jobs.”

Mr. Porcari’s and Mr. Matsuda’s visit marks the seventh visit to Congresswoman Richardson’s district by Administration and Congressional leaders. Previous visits included: Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano.

[CityKid]

This is somewhat old news, but LA Streetsblog featured Long Beach in a two part series earlier this month outlining the City's impressive plans for expanding the bike network.

http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/10/02/long-beachs-leap-toward-livability-part-1-of-2/

http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/10/09/long-beachs-leap-toward-liability-part-2-of-2/

[StethJeff]

I never realized this entire process would take so long :(

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

Long Beach breakwater study gets federal funding
October 29, 2009 | 5:13 pm

The effort to bring waves back to Long Beach by dismantling its massive breakwater will be getting some federal consideration after funding was approved this week.

An appropriations bill signed by President Obama on Wednesday gives the Army Corps of Engineers $90,000 to review the city's study of reconfiguring the rock wall to create bigger waves, cleaner water and beaches, and more tourism.

The 2.2-mile rock barricade, built during World War II to shelter Navy ships from waves, has been blamed by environmental groups and surfers for trapping in water pollution and deadening the surf.

In July, the city released the results of a $100,000 East San Pedro Bay Ecosystem Restoration Study, which found that altering the breakwater could bring $52 million a year in local spending and $7 million annually in taxes and fees. The study gave five options, but did not recommend completely removing the breakwater.

"We want to improve tourism, we want to improve water quality, we want to bring people back to the beaches," said Tom Modica, the city's manager of government affairs,

The Corps of Engineers now has the go-ahead to review the study over the coming months to decide whether it wants to take the next step: a four-year, $7-million study.

—Tony Barboza in Orange County

[CityKid]

I never realized this entire process would take so long :(

I really hope I see this thing sunk. When I was in high school about 10 years ago, I was part of a club at Long Beach Poly dedicated to sinking the Breakwater. I've been following their progress ever since. Back then it seemed a lot more of a dream but these new developments are encouraging. Baby steps. . .

[CityKid]

There is a thread under the Found Photos section dedicated to old photos of LA from lapl.org. I decided to post a few oldies of Long Beach there. :) Click here if you're interested in viewing them. (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=4543580#post4543580)

[CityKid]

Oddly enough, I got this off the Contra Costa Times (http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_13696647) website, but it's a Press Telegram article:

RDA ups limit on Promenade development contract
By Karen Robes Meeks, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/02/2009 08:05:36 PM PST
Updated: 11/02/2009 09:08:22 PM PST

LONG BEACH - To accommodate two major design changes to The Promenade, Long Beach Redevelopment Agency board members Monday voted to raise its design contract with ValleyCrest Landscape Development Inc. to a maximum $960,000.

The contract, which the agency entered into in June 2007, was for work in the middle block of the Promenade between First Street and Broadway and the former amphitheater site east of the Promenade, now referred to as Promenade Square.

The Promenade is the three-block area wedged between Pine Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard from Ocean Boulevard to Third Street.

While the path along Promenade has been completed, Promenade Square has been delayed slightly because of two major design changes involving the new Bikestation and the infrastructure for a seasonal ice rink.

The original idea of reusing four buildings to house the Bikestation was "operationally inefficient" and did not add to the park's aesthetics. The new idea is to centralize the Bikestation's operations into one building and expand the public park area. To do that, the four buildings would have to be demolished.

The other design change involved making electrical upgrades that will be able to handle the chillers needed for a future seasonal ice rink that would be open in November and December.

Public improvements are expected to be done by mid-December. The park will feature new trees, open space and copper water walls flanking the stage.


Hotel project sought

Redevelopment leaders also unanimously approved the $2.8 million purchase of property in the downtown's Promenade area once slated for a four-star, 165-room boutique hotel project called Hotel Esterel.

The deal, which includes a 15 percent contingency amount for closing costs and other related expenses, brings to an end D'Orsay International Partners LLC's 27-year pursuit of developing a project on 139 E. Broadway and 201-239 The Promenade North.

In 1982, the developer Alain Sarfatti and a financial partner paid $2.25 million for a 30,000-square-foot parcel that included an 8-story building that once housed the former Barker Brothers furniture store. (The building has since been demolished and what sits there today is a parking lot.)

Over the years, several concepts had been planned for the property, including:

A mixed-use office and retail project called Promenade Plaza, which fell apart after investors hoping to reap big from the DisneySea project pulled out after Disney quit its plans;

A residential high-rise project called for a 10-floor building with 140 condominiums above ground-floor retail; and

An 11-story, 230-room hotel with ground-floor retail space called Hotel D'Orsay, which ran into financial snags following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

Rising costs prompted developers to scale down the hotel project, resulting in its latest incarnation, Hotel Esterel.

Pans were again about to proceed when the market collapsed, said Redevelopment Bureau Manager Amy Bodek.

Last spring, the agency began talks to acquire the property from the developer, who has been unable to finance his project. Sarfatti could not be reached for comment Monday.

"We've wanted to see development occur there for so long it's almost been palatable," Bodek said. "This is the remaining gap on the Promenade, and we can't afford to let it sit there and be a parking lot for the next 10, 15 years. This was an opportunity for us to get control of the site."

Bodek said the agency will issue a Request for Proposal from developers in the coming months, exploring another hotel or residential concept.

karen.robes@presstelegram.com, 562-499-1303

[regboi21]

I read on the long beach rda site that the city is planning on closing down the movie theatre in pine square and converting it into additional apartment units but im not sure of this.