PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA – The City of Long Beach Economic Development Department (Department) invites residents, businesses and stakeholders to a feasibility meeting to learn about and provide input on the potential for developing a new business improvement district (BID) to represent the Wrigley business corridor. The event will take place Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Cove Hotel (200 E. Willow St.).

“The city’s business improvement districts are a critical resource and line of support for local businesses that help to enhance safety and quality of life and foster a greater sense of community,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “The Wrigley business community is encouraged to come together for this important opportunity to get involved and have their voices heard.”

The Wrigley business corridor encompasses Pacific Avenue bounded by West Willow Street to the north, Pacific Coast Highway to the south, and along West Willow Street from Golden Avenue to the east and Long Beach Boulevard to the west in Council Districts 6 and 7. The Wrigley area has a long history of diversity, sense of community and a blend of restaurants and locally-owned businesses that reflect the fabric of the community.

The meeting will consist of an interactive information session and discussion of a feasibility study for the BID led by Department staff in collaboration with the Wrigley Business Collaborative and Wrigley Association. The feedback garnered at this meeting will be used to assess community needs to further explore the creation of a new BID for the Wrigley area. Those interested in attending are requested to RSVP online. Additional opportunities for business and stakeholder input will be made available throughout this effort.

Live interpretation services will be available in Spanish and Khmer. Refreshments will be provided.

“Business improvement districts are an incredibly valuable asset and help provide critical resources and services to support local businesses and nearby neighborhoods,” said Sixth District Councilwoman Dr. Suely Saro. “This effort will bring the Wrigley community together to create and maintain more vibrant, safe and welcoming spaces.”

“This collaborative effort will help boost investment in the Wrigley area and build an even stronger, more connected community,” said Vice Mayor and Seventh District Councilmember Roberto Uranga. “By supporting local businesses, enhancing safety, beautifying our streets, we make the neighborhood a better place for residents, workers and visitors.”

BIDs operate as publicly sanctioned organizations that supplement public services throughout business corridors in the city. By pooling resources and fostering collaboration, BIDs play a critical role in revitalizing neighborhoods and serve as a powerful voice for the businesses in their district. There are nine BIDs in Long Beach. The City supports BIDs as a tool for strengthening small businesses, creating and retaining jobs, improving quality of life and revitalizing commercial corridors. BIDs are also eligible for grants and support from various public and private resources.

For additional information about the event, contact Kyle Smith, Business Improvement District Program Manager, at Kyle.J.Smith@longbeach.gov. More information about BIDs in Long Beach is available at longbeach.gov/bids.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. For more information about the Long Beach Economic Development Department, visit longbeach.gov/ed, and follow on Facebook, X and Instagram. Stay up to date on business news by signing up for the City’s Business Brief.