Mayor Garcia repeatedly reminded the public that the Council would [in the coming weeks] be choosing a team, not a particular design...but the two proposer teams were allowed to present dramatic artist renderings, graphics and videos in support of their proposals. Both proposals include a hotel.

Multiple downtown interests (DLBA and residential groups) spoke in support of a new Civic Center. 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 sought additional financial details and urged caution.

Mayor Garcia said financial information and other details would be available on Wednesday morning Oct. 15.

The City of Long Beach has previously refused LBREPORT.com access under the CA Public Records Act in June to the developer/operator teams' responses to the City's Request for Proposals.