This probably won’t be the last any of us hears of plans to tear down the vacant Roberts department store on Atlantic Avenue and put up a Marshalls store, but at yesterday’s Redevelopment Agency board meeting, the board approved what the Press-Telegram’s Karen Robes calls “third-stage design plans” for the Marshalls.

City officials weigh the look and future of a Bixby Knolls shopping center

THE PROPOSED BUILDING
Many people in Long Beach blame the Redevelopment Agency (RDA) for knocking down one stylish, historic building after another. But for a few minutes during an April 21 RDA board meeting, it seemed like the agency was in the historic preservation [...]

Per The Daily Breeze:
San Pedro’s USC-loving Papadakis Taverna might be on its way out. In its place? Marie Callender’s.
According to spokeswoman Kiara Harris, the Los Angeles Redevelopment Agency is still in the “negotiation process”, but is “optimistic and hopeful” about the swap. That’s right–”optimistic and hopeful” for Marie Callender’s to replace one of downtown Pedro’s [...]

How was my main monster? Did he drastically redevelop New York City? Did he chuck an aircraft carrier into a landmark? If not, would you like to help me script a movie where a monster chucks an aircraft carrier into a landmark? I’m working on the Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls of monster movies.

PHOTO by DANIEL DE BOOM
Much has been written about the imminent closing of Acres of Books with nary a mention of its neighbor on the corner, Jack’s Liquor & Deli. While the developers are still presumably trying to find a fit for that revered bookstore in their block-wide construction scheme, there is no place in [...]

Shades of Afrika wages war against gentrification

PHOTO by ROSHEILA ROBLES
Some people love Long Beach’s downtown revitalization efforts. Shades of Afrika owner Renee Quarles isn’t one of them. The 47-year-old is one of many who are feeling the effects of a little thing called eminent domain. After thoughts of losing her business to redevelopment loomed over [...]

The American Hotel’s bird-spattered remains are historic–but too small to make money

PHOTO by ZACK PIANKO
Across the alley from the new Lennar condos and across Broadway from the historic Middough Brothers-Insurance Exchange Building is an even older building in much worse shape: the former American Hotel property at 221 E. Broadway—where some say there once lived [...]

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 [...]

PHOTO by SUSAN SABO
Theo has the scoop on the old Looff’s Lite-a-Line: Surprise! It’s dying a slow death. So with the last remnant of the old Pike all but destroyed, the question is “What’s next?”

Preservationists’ Options for Acres
With no date yet set for the day that doom will come to Acres of Books, Long Beach preservationists—and would-be preservationists—have an opportunity to consolidate opinion. This is notable in the fast-paced world of razing beloved historic structures—Johnie’s Broiler Bulldoze might be the most egregious recent example—and time spent now could buy [...]