Development plan revives downtown LB

"The Queensway Bay project is designed to re-establish Long Beach as the premiere waterfront designation in Southern California," said Robert Pate-moster, project director. 
 

Cristian Vera Aleman/Summer Forty-Niner The Queensway Bay project is part of an expansion plan for downtown Long Beach.

The first goal of this project, which is scheduled to be completed in November 2001, is to primarily make it more attractive to tourist and the community, according to Patemoster.  It has also economically stimulated other downtown developers to move forward with their projects, he said.

Openings of new restaurants, such as National Sports Grill, Bubba Gump Grill and Prego's, will give the community and tourists several choices to satisfy their appetites.  Along with a few retail stores there are other entertainment establishments, including an Edwards 15 multiplex theater and an IMAX Theatre that will provide employment opportunities.

"It's going to bring economic growth on its own and have a tremendous growth impact on all the other downtown projects," said Dan Baker, District 2 city council member. "There will also be over 1,000 new jobs created from the development." 

Even though there will be new jobs due to this project, some residents fear it could dampen their lifestyle. 

"I would really like to see the project completed," said Dominique Farvour, a downtown resident. "But, I hope it doesn't becomes a hassle to find parking for all of us who already live here."

However, according to project officials, there will be ample parking space for the new attractions as well as for the community. There are seven designated parking areas in downtown for the public plus future plans for several others.

The centerpiece for the project is the new Downtown Harbor that is the home to 50 different commercial vessels of all kinds and will be the first modern harbor in the country to be situated within a landscape park.

The harbor will be the core for commercial boating of all kinds, including cruises, historic vessels and other boating excursions.

The project is a joint venture of federal and state funding with private investments which has raised $185 million for the cause. The development sites will be publicly owned and offered on a long-term ground lease to developers that will make Queensway Bay a commercial success.