PRESS RELEASE

Today, at a special presentation, Mayor Robert Garcia, in partnership with the Long Beach Business Journal, provided an update on the City’s record level of new development and construction activity currently underway.  The Mayor’s Building a Better Long Beach presentation highlighted several new high-rise projects and a growing trend of more sustainable and iconic spaces on the horizon. 

“The unprecedented growth and resurgence seen throughout the city reflects our vision for creating a 21^st century city,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “High-quality sustainable development attracts more investment opportunities to our city, and makes Long Beach a great place to live, visit and do business.”

The presentation showcased nearly six dozen projects happening across the City, valued at over $3.5 billion, which are currently taking shape or in the pipeline, including the development of more than 5,000 residential units in various stages, from completed to approved.  The event highlighted the City’s critical investment in new housing, including nearly 800 affordable units in the works.  

The rising trend of innovative, high-quality building designs is illustrated in a number of new high-rise projects that are currently in review, under construction, or expected to break ground in the coming months, including Shoreline Gateway, a new hotel at 100 E. Ocean Blvd., and West Gateway on the site of the World Trade Center/West Gateway parking lot.

The Mayor attributed much of the recent growth in development to the City’s planning and economic inclusion efforts, including the Downtown Plan (PD-30), Midtown Plan, and the sale of properties owned by the former Long Beach Redevelopment Agency (RDA).  Additionally, the presentation highlighted new City initiatives such as the visioning process for the Downtown Shoreline Planned Development Area-6 (PD-6) visioning process, which will result in plans for an enhanced waterfront with new visitor-serving uses and attractions.  The presentation also discussed the substantial public and private investment in the Washington neighborhood, where the acquisition of land will enable the expansion and revitalization of public open space in the area near Long Beach Boulevard and the 14^th Street Park. 

Mayor Garcia pointed to the strong progress and indicators of renewed economic energy brought to the City, citing continued low unemployment rates—currently 5.2%, the 11,000 new jobs in the City over the past several years, and the record 230,000 residents employed. 

Community leaders, developers, architects, City staff, and the public attended the presentation held at the Beverly O’ Neill Theatre.  The event will be available to view online at www.longbeach.gov/.

For additional information on the City’s development efforts, visit www.lbds.info. 

About the City of Long Beach

Home to approximately 480,000 people, the multiple award-winning and innovative City of Long Beach offers all the world-class amenities of a large metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods nestled together along the California coast. As a full-service charter city, Long Beach is home to the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, several museums and theaters, a highly-rated school district, Long Beach Airport, the Port of Long Beach, as well as many award-winning City departments such as Health, Parks, Recreation and Marine, Development Services and more. The City also has a highly-respected university and city college, two historic ranchos, five hospitals, five golf courses, 170 parks, miles of beaches, marinas, bike paths, and a Bike Share program.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit http://longbeach.gov/.   Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook,Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

About Long Beach Development Services

Serving residents, businesses, and the community at large, the award-winning Long Beach Development Services sets a standard for high-quality, innovative urban planning and livability efforts that create more progressive and sustainable communities within the diverse City of Long Beach, CA.  Through a variety of development, code enforcement, housing and neighborhood services, and building activities, the Department builds a better future for the City while also honoring its unique past.  For more information, visit www.lbds.info.  “Like” our Facebook page and “follow” us on Twitter.