LBReport.com

News / Details

See Details On Dueling Civic Center Developer Operators, Would Cut Main Public Library Size, Put Hotel, Commercial, Residential On What's Now Public Land + Possible Inclusion Of Port HQ


(Oct. 17, 2014) -- LBREPORT.com provides below initial information released by the City of Long Beach regarding city staff's two remaining pre-selected [for City Council approval or rejection] proposed Civic Center developer/operators.

The two private developer/operator teams propose to cut the size of LB's current 135,000 sq. ft. Main Public Library (details below) and put a high rise hotel, retail and residential components on parts of what is now publicly owned land as well as possible inclusion of a new Port HQ [for which Tidelands money would presumably be tapped.]

A City of Long Beach issued comparison fact sheet (full text below) indicates the following regarding a proposed new Main Library size.

[Scroll down for further below.]






Long Beach Civic Center proposals comparison

Regarding proposed Main Library sizes:

Long Beach CiviCore Alliance (LBCCA): 78,300 sq. ft. [58% of current size]

Plenary Edgemoor Civic Partners (PECP): 93,500 sq. ft. [69.2% of current size]

At an Oct. 14, 2014 Long Beach City Council Study Session at which the developer/operator teams unveiled their proposals (including reduced Main Library size), Margaret Smith, Public Relations VP for the Long Beach Public Library Foundation (independent 501(c)(3) non-profit supporting library matters) reiterated the group's three key concerns for the project (below) and indicated the City is addressing these concerns:

  • (1) The process for community input is open and transparent
  • (2) Main Library remains a vital part of the Civic Center
  • (3) Experts in Library design and space planning are a part of the process

In an Oct. 16 email, LB Public Library Foundation Exec. Dir. Sara Myers told LBREPORT.com:

While we heard as others did that the square footage of the two proposed libraries is smaller than the current Main Library, square footage is only one of many considerations in evaluating library plans, and we are most interested learning more about the proposed services whether they will adequately serve the needs of the community.

We are working through the City to conduct a meeting with each of the proposers to learn more about their teams and their projects. We are interested in verifying the library expertise on each team and we are in the process of reviewing how each proposal reflects best practices from our "Library of the Future" research.

We still have many questions and concerns regarding the proposed library plans and will remain an active participant in the community input process moving forward.

Ms. Myers said the Public Library Foundation has been and will remain actively engaged in the process and plans to continue attending community input meetings.

The developer/operator proposals come in response to a Feb. 2014 City issued Request for Proposals (prepared at roughly $1 million LB taxpayer cost approved by Council in late 2013, Schipske dissenting.) One of three city management pre-selected developer/operator teams subsequently dropped out of the running, leaving the two current competing developer/operators teams. City staff has indicated it may seek Council approval or rejection vote on a developer/operator -- which if approved would trigger preparation of a contract with one of the teams -- as soon as late November or early December 2014 [during the holiday period.] Notwithstanding artist renderings released for public consumption now, actual project designs would come only after subsequent city review, possible changes and public comment.

In June 2013, a city staff prepared Request for Qualifications (June 2013) sought a Main Library of 50,000-75,000 sq. ft. and included the possibility of moving the Main Library out of a new Civic Center. The LB Public Library Foundation (an independent 501(c)(3) non profit) objected to moving the Main Library out of the Civic Center (and the Council ultimately halted that aspect of the proposed development) but stopped short of advocating maintaining the current Main Public Library size or increasing it.

As part of the proposed "public private partnership" transaction, the private developer/operator would receive the public land under the now-closed former LB courthouse for its private development and would also receive an annual sum paid by the City that city staff says equates to what the City now pays to operate the Civic Center ($12.6 million + annual CPI escalator.) On October 15, the city released details of the two developer/operator teams' proposals to which we link:

  • PECP: here
  • LBCCA: here (with Port) and here (without Port).

    Terry Jensen, a former LB Redevelopment Agency Boardmember and businessman experienced in property and development transactions (who systematically disputed and helped defeat a property parcel tax ballot measure backed by now-exited Mayor Foster (Measure I, Nov. 2008) has disputed city staff's figures and itemized his opposition to date here and here.

    At the Oct. 14, 2014 City Council study session unveiling the dueling proposals, multiple downtown interests (DLBA and residential groups) spoke in support of the proposed project. Vice Mayor Lowenthal spoke at length in effusive terms, reiterating her view describing a new Civic Center as a "once in a lifetime opportunity" and a transformation of public space that [paraphrase] would reconnect the people of the city with their Civic Center and City Hall.

    Retired Councilwoman Rae Gabelich and retired Deputy City Attorney Jim McCabe spoke from the public podium, sought additional details and urged caution.

    Further to follow on LBREPORT.com



    blog comments powered by Disqus

    Follow LBReport.com w/

    Twitter

    RSS

    Facebook

    Return To Front Page

    Contact us: mail@LBReport.com









  • Click for VIDEO and see how Diversified Threat Management private security can help protect your neighborhood and your business. Affordable group rates available.














    Carter Wood Floors
    Hardwood Floor Specialists
    Call (562) 422-2800 or (714) 836-7050




    Return To Front Page

    Contact us: mail@LBReport.com


    Copyright © 2014 LBReport.com, LLC. All rights reserved. Terms of Use/Legal policy, click here. Privacy Policy, click here