[Update May 22: Councilman Colonna's office tells LBReport.com that an item on Boeing Realty's decision not to include 200 single family homes (and build all condos/townhomes) in the residential component of mixed-use "Douglas Park" development WILL BE on the May 23 Council agenda but under "New Business." (The reason is some kind of goof in the City Clerk's office which will be appropriately announced by the City Clerk at the Council meeting)

May 2004 image source: www.douglaspark.org

(May 16, 2006, updated May 17 and (above) May 22) -- Boeing Realty Corp. won't include 200 single family residential units -- and will build only townhomes and condominiums -- as the residential component of its 261-acre "Douglas Park" mixed-use development north of LB Airport, west of Lakewood Blvd., the site of the former Douglas aircraft plant.

In a May 16 emailed release, Boeing Realty said it "has decided to allow only townhomes and condominiums in the mixed-use development at Douglas Park" and "is making the change because of uncertainties about future environmental regulatory standards. Single-family residential development regulatory standards...have become more restrictive over time. Boeing’s goal is to ensure that all development at Douglas Park is compatible with the site and its legacy for the very long term. Two hundred single-family residential units will be taken out of the plan. The revised site plan will remain within the existing entitlement envelope. Townhomes and condominiums remain as part of a mixed-use development, which best accommodates the expressed needs of the community."

The company's release said Boeing Realty "shared this information with key city officials" and "will continue to work with the City of Lakewood and City of Long Beach and with the community to redevelop this property in a manner promoting economic growth and employment in the Long Beach region."

[May 17 update] Stephen Davis of Boeing Shared Services in Seattle tells LBReport.com the company's plans now call for up to 1,200 condo/townhouses. The final number has not yet been determined, Mr. Davis indicated. [end update]

In December 2004, after a marathon six hour hearing (during which Boeing Realty announced it would provide an additional $1 million in infrastructure funds in addition to millions in infrastructure and school pledges) the City Council voted (motion by Councilman Colonna) to approve Boeing Realty's Douglas Park development.

The Council action involved a series of votes, most of which carried on 9-0 votes...although Fifth District Councilwoman Jackie Kell (in whose district the project is located) said she supported job-creation aspects of the project but opposed inclusion of housing, which produced some 8-1 votes.

A number of Lakewood Village area residents testified against inclusion of housing in the project...as did some private pilots on safety grounds.

Other LB residents supported the project as proposed...with some remarking that aircraft noise at the Douglas Park site (to the side of main runway 30/12) seemed less than in some parts of Bixby Knolls and Los Altos off the ends of runway 30/12.

Almost exactly two years ago in May 2004, Boeing Realty announced it would downsize the project's planned density from up to 3,800 residential units (part of its former plans called "PacifiCenter") to up to 1,400 residential units and renamed the development "Douglas Park" to honor the site's aircraft heritage.

In a May 4 presentation, Boeing Realty stressed its commitment to "create a new neighborhood that captures the feel and flavor of LB's distinctive and attractive older neighborhoods"...and aspects of existing LB neighborhoods are incorporated in the project, company reps said.

May 2004 image source: www.douglaspark.org

May 2004 image source: www.douglaspark.org

At a May 2004 press event, company officials displayed plans showing neighborhood-styled streets including single family homes, townhouse units and luxury apartments.