Writing Shotgun

“FAUX REAL”: WHAT’S UP WITH OCEAN CENTER?

Will SwaimTue. December 04
 

We got this email from a reader. Perhaps other readers can help?

“For those that aren’t familiar with the subject of this email, I’m referring to 110 W. Ocean Blvd. It’s the old historic building with flags on top that sits on the SW corner of Pine and Ocean. I have an important concern to share with you about this building.

“Over the last few months I’ve asked various people about this project and still haven’t received a direct answer. I think it’s time the citizens of downtown Long Beach and Long Beach as a whole were given a straight answer.

“For those that aren’t familiar with the current situation, here is an update. The owners of the building have been pushing for an adaptive reuse project (mixed use/boutique hotel) for quite some time. They have run into roadblock after roadblock from the city and at this point are saying that they are no longer interested in pursuing the project at this time.

“So what are the repercussions of that? The owner has now decided to make minor aesthetic improvements to the building to raise the class of the building to a B from a C and sign new leases with its current small business tenants. The owner is asking for a monthly rent increase that will on average double the current rent of office space in the building. That decision is affectively going to drive out many of the existing creative small businesses that have been there, including my company.

“So what’s ironic here is that our city pays money to bring out Richard Florida to speak on behalf of developing and recruiting a creative community. [See this District post on Florida.] But here we are creating a situation that will drive out the few creative businesses that are already here such as designers, engineers and advertising firms. Of course, if the building was developed those businesses would be displaced. But at least we would be able to celebrate a great new addition to one of the most important corners in the downtown.

“So the question is, why is the development of the building being held up and who is behind it? After all it has been approved by the historical heritage commission and most residents are very positive about the potential new project. Most everyone that I’ve talked to points the finger at Suzanne Frick and Jan Ostashay. I know that both are on this email. I don’t want to jump to conclusions with this email but I would like an answer and so would many other people in the community. Can you please explain what has transpired and why this project is stuck in the mud? There are many rumors being spread so perhaps you can use this as an opportunity to address the rumors and the issue as a whole.

“One of the rumors is that some of the aesthetic changes being called for would ruin the historical integrity of the building. To that I say that it’s not a museum, it’s an adaptive reuse. Perhaps you should take a look at the current improvement that are being made to justify the raises rents. It looks like a crappy version of the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, faux real.

“Since Long Beach appreciates the opinion of Richard Florida, I wonder what his opinion on the subject is. Taken from one of his past speeches, in regards to historical architecture Florida says “It’s not about preserving the past. It’s about reusing the past in new and exciting ways. It’s not about creating a museum of a city, It’s about reusing that past in new and exciting ways”.

“I look forward to hearing back from someone in regards to this important issue.”

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