Recalling What City Officials/Developer Said/Did In Welcoming Walmart And Others To Downtown's CityPlace
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(Jan. 15, 2016) -- LBREPORT.com, now in our 16th year of reporting Long Beach news independently and in detail online, opens our "Amnesia File" below.
We invite our readers to recall what Long Beach officials and developers said in launching downtown LB's "CityPlace" and welcoming Walmart among others to the location.
Our coverage below begins in Dec. 2000 just months after we launched. (Yes, at the time digital news photos were rare and cameras in cell phones were unheard of.)
[Scroll down for further.]
(December 4, 2000) -- The following is the text of a press release issued December 4, 2000 by DDR regarding the start of construction on "CityPlace," the replacement for the former LB Plaza.
With the symbolic demolition of Long Beach Plaza, Developers Diversified Realty Corporation (NYSE: DDR) "DDR" began construction Monday of a mixed-use development that will create a new urban village in downtown Long Beach and give the city an economic boost.
Led by Mayor Beverly O’Neill, city leaders joined company officials in tearing down a mock wall at Long Beach Plaza and unveiling the name of the project that will rise in its place. CityPlace will include approximately 475,000 square feet of retail space, 328 residential units (258 rental units, 70 loft condominiums), a 138-room suites hotel and parking for 2,900 vehicles. It is scheduled to open in Spring 2002.
CityPlace is expected to generate $1.9 million per year in new sales tax, property tax and hotel tax revenues. The development is expected to create approximately 850 new jobs, not including the temporary jobs created during construction.
The development site covers eight city blocks now occupied by the Long Beach Plaza, an enclosed mall opened in 1982 and closed in 1999, and vacant city-owned land. Long Beach Plaza will be demolished and Fourth and Fifth Streets will be returned to the original city street grid, creating a pedestrian-oriented shopping district with a lively street scene.
"By reintroducing the city street grid and placing ground-level retail below housing units, we will be creating a new urban village in downtown Long Beach," said Eric Mallory, DDR’s senior vice president of development. "There will be neighborhood-serving businesses for current and future downtown residents, as well as retailers and entertainment activities that will draw people from other parts of Long Beach and from throughout the region."
Mayor O’Neill praised DDR for its work.
"Downtown revitalization would not be complete without the re-birth of the Plaza, now called CityPlace." O’Neill said. "DDR has worked with the community and the City to develop a project combining retail and housing that will be both successful and a vital part of our urban fabric. CityPlace will strengthen the central core of our City."
DDR has agreements with Wal-Mart, Sav-on and Albertson’s to open stores at CityPlace.
Negotiations are continuing with tenants of all sizes in a wide range of areas, including specialty apparel, electronics, books, linens, sporting goods, footwear and restaurants.
CityPlace was designed by Jerde Partnership of Venice, CA., one of the nation’s leading urban architectural firms and the architects for well-known and successful projects including Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, Universal CityWalk in Universal City, and Horton Plaza in San Diego.
According to Mallory of DDR, numerous design enhancements were made over the past two years to ensure that the project blends into the urban fabric. These included reintroducing the street grid, mixing street-level retail with residential units, and shielding parking areas. In addition, Wal-Mart has modified its prototypical building to include a corner entrance, mock display windows and an art deco façade.
CityPlace is owned by Coventry Long Beach Plaza LLC, a partnership between DDR, Prudential Real Estate Investors (PREI) and Coventry Real Estate Partners...
(November 9, 2002) -- CityPlace held an official grand opening ceremony on November 8 [2002].
The development, bounded generally by 3d St., 6th St., Pine Ave. and Elm St., replaces the former LB Plaza enclosed mall (built in 1982, demolished in 2000).
We post a CityPlace tenant roster below. Some business opened prior to the official grand opening ceremony.
CityPlace developer Developers Diversified Realty Corporation (DDR) describes CityPlace as creating "a new urban village in a vibrant, pedestrian-oriented atmosphere." 4th and 5th St., which were closed off during the tenure of the former LB Plaza, have been restored as open streets. At some locations, street-level retail is located below residential units due to open in 2003.
"DDR has invested in downtown Long Beach because we believe in the community and its tremendous potential as a thriving retail center," said Eric Mallory, DDR's senior VP of development in the release. "Every indication is that CityPlace will be a monumental success for DDR and the City this holiday season and for many years to come," he added.
DDR's release quotes LB Mayor Beverly O'Neill as saying, "CityPlace is a first-class project that serves not only downtown residents but also is bringing people from other parts of Long Beach and surrounding communities. It's heartwarming to see so many people shopping in downtown Long Beach again."
In its release, DDR says key elements of CityPlace include:
Approximately 450,000 square feet of retail space.
221 apartment units in five buildings built by PCS Development, Inc. of Los Angeles. Rents: $1,100-$2,500/month. Projected completion: Spring 2003.
120 loft condominiums by Urban Pacific Builders of Long Beach. Prices: $250,000-$450,000. Projected completion: Fall 2003.
Parking for 2,900 vehicles.
The release adds that CityPlace "features an Art Deco style with colors, materials and textures that integrate with surrounding areas." Under LB's public arts program, DDR incorporated restoration of "Long Beach Recreation," an historic tile mosaic originally designed for the old LB Municipal Auditorium facade in 1932. The mosaic, now located on the north side of Third Street just west of the Promenade, will be incorporated into the lobby of a residential building planned for that location.
In addition, two companion murals were created specifically for CityPlace by LB artist Sandow Birk, and 1,500 square feet of space is being provided at a discounted rate to a community theater company, The Found Theatre.
Developer DDR says the "total estimated project value is $100 million. CityPlace is expected to generate approximately $1.9 million per year in new sales tax, property tax and other revenues for the City of Long Beach. It is expected to create approximately 850 new jobs, not including the temporary jobs created during construction."
The master developer of CityPlace is Developers Diversified Realty Corporation. CityPlace is owned by Coventry Long Beach Plaza LLC, a partnership between DDR, Prudential
Real Estate Investors (PREI) and Coventry Real Estate Partners.
The CityPlace tenant roster provided by DDR is as follows:
Retail stores
Square feet
Opening date (projected)
Wal-Mart
134,144
October 30
Nordstrom Rack
30,216
August 22
Ross Dress for Less
28,248
August 22
Anna's Linens
11,875
October 3
KB Toys
6,026
(July 2003)
Ashley Stewart
3,500
October 19
Footaction
3,476
(July 2003)
Payless Shoe Source
2,977
October 30
Impressions Shoes
1,983
(2003)
T-Mobile
1,935
(November 15)
Crescent Jewelers
1,500
(November 15)
GNC
1,455
(November 15)
Sally Beauty Supply
1,420
(December 1)
Luxury Perfumes
1,030
(December 1)
Claire's 880
(December 15)
Grocery/Drug
Square Feet
Opening Date (projected)
Albertson's
58,085
(December)
Sav-on
14,740
(November 21)
Food/Beverage
Square Feet
Opening Date (projected)
Togo's/Baskin Robbins
2,464
(December 15)
Panda Express
2,073
(December 1)
Starbucks
1,696
(December 15)
Chopsticks
1,365
(December 15)
Subway
1,132
(December 15)
Services
Square Feet
Opening Date (projected)
Bank of the West
3,715
(January 2003)
ProfessioNail
1,403
(December 15)
Fantastic Sam's
1,261
(January 2003)
Dominic Nail Salon
1,017
(June 2003)
Entertainment
Square Feet
Found Theatre
1,528
Community
Square Feet
LBPD Substation
1,305
DDR is also developing the Pike at Rainbow Harbor on the downtown LB waterfront. Construction began in May.
Based in Cleveland, DDR is a national real estate firm "actively developing, acquiring, managing and investing in income-producing retail shopping centers. DDR's portfolio includes 361 retail properties totaling 62 million square feet in 43 states," its release said.
