#GoLongBeach City Newsletter

#GOLONGBEACH

Welcome to our City Newsletter!

Greetings!

We're approaching the end of Spring, however, Long Beach continues to blossom with wonderful news.

The City's Biennial Homeless Count results reveal a 21% reduction in the total number of persons experiencing homelessness in Long Beach, and a 26% reduction in chronic homeless persons. Findings show that while homelessness is down, there is more dispersion of homelessness across the City. Learn more about all the work the City of Long Beach and its partners have done to achieve this reduction below.

In addition, unemployment falls to a low of 4.7%, the lowest level since 2010, when unemployment reached 14.6%.

April was also filled with several exciting new development updates that will contribute to the flourishing of our downtown and local economy. Some updates include the approval of the City’s Draft Blueprint for Economic Development, development projects currently underway such as AMLI Park Broadway, Douglas Park, and the Civic Center, and the grand opening of Robert Gumbiner Park.

Finally, see what Long Beach may look like if the Olympics come to Long Beach in 2024.

Scroll down to see more!

Homeless Count Findings Revealed

The 2017 Biennial Homeless Count (Count) findings reveal a 21 percent reduction in the total number of persons experiencing homelessness in Long Beach, and a 26 percent reduction in chronic homeless persons. While citywide homelessness is down, the results also show a dispersion of homelessness across the City since 2013; moving from higher densities in specific neighborhoods to a more general dispersion across the city. This dispersion may be attributed to various factors including Downtown’s revitalization, maintenance efforts along river corridors, and wetland and greenspace restoration.

Economic Viability in Long Beach

City Council Approves Draft of Citywide Blueprint for Economic Development

On Tuesday, April 4, City Council approved the City’s Draft Blueprint for Economic Development that embraces policy recommendations that identify broad focus areas that will drive economic growth over the next ten years, such as: key industry clusters and emerging sectors, economic inclusion, workforce development, and more. Read more

Long Beach Unemployment Falls to Lowest Level Since 2010

The City of Long Beach saw another decline in unemployment rate in March 2017 to a low of 4.7%, compared to 5.5% around the same time in 2016. The unemployment rate in Long Beach reached a peak of 14.6% in July 2010, and has dropped nearly 10% since before the recession. The State of California rate for the same period was 4.9%. Read more

New Civic Center Construction is in Full Force!

iClip - April Long Beach Civic Center Update

The new Civic Center project is moving fast and soon downtown Long Beach will be transformed to better serve local businesses and residents.

Downtown Long Beach

Revitalization Continues

Construction of New Residential Project in Full Swing in Downtown Long Beach

Located at 150 West Ocean Blvd., Oceanaire will include a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, and an integrated three-level parking garage. The project will feature a clean, contemporary aesthetic, and will continue the trend of high-quality, context-sensitive buildings in the Downtown. Read more

AMLI Park Development Underway in the Heart of Downtown

A new full-block, mixed-use development is currently underway at the site of the former State Office Building, 245 West Broadway.

The AMLI Park Broadway will reactivate and enliven the previously vacant area on Broadway, spanning from Pacific Avenue to Cedar Avenue, breathing new life and economic energy into the heart of Downtown. Read more

Douglas Park is Three Years Ahead of Schedule!

The nearly built-out Douglas Park near Long Beach Airport will be home to nearly 30 businesses and will have brought over 5,000 jobs to Long Beach.

Parks and Libraries Make Life Better

Gumbiner Park is Now Open!

The 36,590 square-foot park includes a small performance area, playgrounds, a skate plaza, shade structures, a picnic area and public art pieces donated by the nearby Museum of Latin American Art (MoLAA) and Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum (PIEAM). The park also incorporates several sustainability designs. Read more.

City Library Launches ‘YouthSpark Live’ in Long Beach

Eighty Long Beach students from Washington and Hamilton Middle Schools participated in YouthSpark Live , a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) program, at the Michelle Obama Library. The one-day program was a Digital Alliance between the City and Microsoft Corporation (Microsoft) to provide participants with hands-on technology training designed to engage and inspire youth to pursue further studies in computer science. Read more.

New Wayfinding Signage Designs Unveiled!

The Long Beach City Council voted unanimously to receive and file a comprehensive wayfinding signage program for major gateway entries, parking, and coastal access in Long Beach. The new signage design reflects the community’s values and identity, and exhibits a cohesive design that, in the simplest way, directs residents and visitors to their destination.

Announcements

#ListenUpLB the public is invited to collaborate with the City in updating the Noise Element by utilizing this interactive, easy-to-use, Noise Element Update Map Tool. Click here to participate.

The City still has Electric Vehicle Chargers to giveaway! Click here to apply.

Long Beach is implementing new permitting requirements for certain new landscape and re-landscaping projects, as mandated by Governor Brown’s Executive Order B-29. Click here to learn more.

If you're looking for a fun summer camp for your child, we have it! Long Beach Parks, Recreation & Marine summer camps schedule is out and registration is open. Click here to see the schedule and to sign up today.