Fire Breaks Out At Former (Now Vacant) Press-Telegram Bldg.(Pine/6th St.)

Screen save/photo credit: Joshua Michael Orr via Facebook.

LBFD Public Information Officer Capt. Rich Brandt says the blaze went to a second alarm involving 18 fire units with roughly 75 firefighters. Two firefighters were injured (one of whom will be in the hospital overnight).

PIO/Capt. Brandt says LBFD responded at 4:04 p.m. and arriving units found heavy black smoke to the rear of the 1st floor with fire found on the Mezzanine level.

LBFD gained control of the blaze by 4:59 p.m. Firefighters will remain on-scene overnight on firewatch to ensure no rekindling, Capt. Brandt says.

Screen save/photo credit: Joshua Michael Orr via Facebook.

Arson units are on scene (routine). The fire is believed to have started in the Mezzanine level but the cause is under investigation.

Several years ago, the iconic PT building was sold to a LB developer, October Five Development, LLC, which announced plans to develop the building into lofts and mixed uses. The plans were subsequently downsized and the building is currently vacant.

[Aug. 29 update: Jim Brophy of October Five Development indicates the building is owned by Press Telegram Lofts, LLC. The entity involves October Five and Millworks Capital (whose CFO is John Molina).]

In June 2010, 1st dist. Councilman Robert Garcia, who has represented the North Pine Ave. area since May 2009, applauded a project that painted what supporters described as murals on the side of vacant PT building that variously proclaimed "We Love LB." (The booster-styled murals, supported by the Arts Council for Long Beach, the Molina family and the non-profit "We Love Long Beach," received mixed community reviews.)

On August 3, Councilman Garcia and adjoining 2nd dist. Councilmember/Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal, jointly agendized a City Council item asking city management to work with Downtown LB Associates to a implement a pilot program that would put on the property owner the legal responsibility "for activating the storefront once it is vacant beyond a certain time frame."

The item proposed what it called "vacant storefront activation" in the downtown and sought a city management report on implementing it within 45 days.

"Vacant storefronts detract from the image of our business corridors and neighborhoods and can contribute to an appearance of blight," they wrote and added:

Several local organizations, including DLBA, have created or are in the process of creating programming for storefronts, such as art exhibits and events, to keep downtown active and engaging for visitors while property owners seek tenants. The City could encourage faster and broader programming of vacant locations by placing on the property-owner the legal responsibility for activating the storefront once it is vacant beyond a certain time frame. The City could also connect property-owners with resources to facilitate activation. Such a program, if successful downtown, could be considered for other parts of the City where a similar issue may exist.

The Council referred the Garcia-Lowenthal item to city management on an 8-0 vote (Johnson absent)

Councilman Garcia has also created a "task force" to work with City Hall on improving North Pine by addressing [Garcia website text] business facade improvements, green spaces, tree plantings and residential properties.

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