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Long Beach Heritage Advocacy Report

by John Thomas (Spring 2008)

Adaptive Reuse in Action! Recently the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency announced that exclusive negotiations with AloftLB LLC for the development of an Aloft Hotel have begun. The boutique hotel will be located at the southwest corner of Broadway and Long Beach Boulevard. The great news is that the RDA has required the developer to integrate the existing historic American Hotel as part of the project!

The American Hotel of 1905 is one of the oldest buildings in our downtown and the only building demonstrating Romanesque Revival design elements. The original American Hotel was a mixed-use model of ground floor retail stores fronting Broadway and hotel rooms above. Unique to the American Hotel is a central light well designed to provide natural lighting to the interior spaces. Although the bottom of the façade of the American Hotel has been altered, it typifies the great historic architecture of the turn of the century in Long Beach.

A major component of the Aloft Hotel project will be the adaptive reuse and programming of the American Hotel. Plans include the use of the American Hotel entry and central light well as an open multipurpose area for art exhibits and meetings. Exactly how much of the original hotel building will be integrated into the Aloft hotel is still to be determined.

The adaptive reuse and consideration of the American Hotel into the Aloft project demonstrates the awareness and “new” way of thinking for city officials and staff when dealing with historic and cultural resources. The level of transparency by the RDA and thoughtful planning to include the American Hotel are signs of the success of the education efforts of Long Beach Heritage. The progressive, inclusive and patient tactics of the Advocacy initiatives are paying off. The Advocacy committee will continue to monitor the progress of the Aloft Hotel and adaptive reuse of the American Hotel.

The Historic Preservation Element (HPE) of the General Plan is moving along on schedule. Essential to promoting and securing our cultural and historic resources, the HPE will be the enforcement tool used by developers, staff and planers when dealing with historic buildings and neighborhoods. The HPE presentation is currently being developed for community meetings and the Advocacy Committee will monitor the process and send out meeting notices via out Web site.

As an ongoing commitment to our wonderful historic neighborhood associations, LBH will host an informative meeting in April. The meeting will include an update of the ongoing preservation initiatives by the city from staff and an open dialogue on outstanding issues of concern that threaten our historic neighborhoods. Each Historic District will be notified of the meeting and location. Please come prepared to ask questions and offer ideas on issues about living in and sustaining historic neighborhoods.

Finally, the Advocacy Committee is monitoring many projects that may include historic or cultural resources. Beginning March 1, 2008, the status of these and other projects will be available on the LBH Web site. Support and other timely efforts critical to our preservation strategies will also be available on the Advocacy Committee site. Please monitor the site frequently to see how you can help the preservation and education objectives of Long Beach Heritage

Winter 2008

“A major component of an ARO is the review of development standards and relaxation of some requirements to allow existing buildings (especially historic) to be considered for reuse.”

Adaptive Reuse Ordinance: Proactive Incentives for Historic Preservation

Many older cities have developed ordinances or incentives designed to encourage the reuse of existing buildings. When buildings are brought back to life through Adaptive Reuse Ordinances (AROs), they contribute to revitalizing neighborhoods by preserving historic and cultural resources, creating new housing and mixed-use opportunities, and increasing public safety in “transitional” urban areas. Adaptive Reuse promotes buildings and areas long overlooked and stimulates economic growth in our older commercial and urban cores. A major benefit is the protection of architecturally significant and historic buildings.

What is an Adaptive Reuse Ordinance?
Adaptive reuse allows for the conversion of commercial buildings to new uses including apartments, live/work lofts, retail shops, and hotels. Many developers have stated that Adaptive Reuse Ordinances encourage the preservation of existing buildings, revitalize older business corridors, and stimulate economic investment. Another positive benefit of an ARO is increasing housing opportunities that allow employees to live closer to work sites or adjacent to transportation facilities such as light rail and transit centers.

Properly adopted AROs can also streamline the process developers must follow to get their projects approved, resulting in substantial time savings. A major component of an ARO is the review of development standards and relaxation of some requirements to allow existing buildings (especially historic) to be considered for reuse. Allowances can be made for parking requirements and land use/density codes. Additionally, the amount of time for plan check and approvals is reduced. This incentive is by far the most attractive for developers. Establishing clear, concise, and non-arbitrary codes attracts more experienced developers and design professionals to communities, thus securing a positive outcome and successful project.

The Long Beach Heritage Advocacy Committee strongly encourages the City Council, Planning Commission, Redevelopment Agency Board and Staff to review and analyze the positive effects of the City of Los Angeles Adaptive Reuse Ordinance. Currently the Downtown Visioning Project and PD 30 (a modified land use zoning guide for downtown) are being evaluated.   Now is the time to combine the results and recommendations of the Visioning process and modify PD 30 to create a truly progressive Adaptive Reuse Ordinance. When policy makers and staff attempt to find innovated ways to provide more work force housing, encourage transit oriented development, and rescue our older business cores from economic blight and public safety ills, the solution is Adaptive Reuse Ordinances. Long Beach does not need to “reinvent the wheel,” but merely look at the positive results just next door in the City of Los Angeles.

 

Willmore Historic Homes available for
purchase and restoration!
(Date Sensitive  Deadline August 11, 2008)

The Long Beach Redevelopment Agency (RDA) has made four historic homes available to the public for purchase and restoration. As part of its Willmore Historic Homes project that relocated three of the four early 20th century homes, the RDA is seeking proposals for the ownership and restoration of the following:

· 539 Daisy Avenue
Built in 1908, this property is a one-story, single family home with 2 bedrooms, one bath, 996 square feet. This home was relocated by the RDA to its current location in 2007, and sits on a 6,000 square foot lot.

· 543 Daisy Avenue
Built in 1903, this property is a one-story, single family home with 2 bedrooms, one bath, 887 square feet on a 5,250 square foot lot.

· 226 West 10th Street
Built circa 1905, this property is a two-story, single family home with 6 bedrooms, 1 bath, 1975 square feet. This home was relocated by the RDA to its current location in 2007, and sits on a 5,000 square foot lot.

· 734 Main Avenue
Built circa 1912, this property is a two-story, single family home with 3 bedrooms, 1 ½ baths, 1,696 square feet. This home was relocated by the RDA to its current location in 2007, and sits on a 6,000 square foot lot.

"This is truly a rare opportunity for individuals interested in owning and restoring a historic home," stated Craig Beck, Executive Director of the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency. "We relocated these homes to the Drake Park/Willmore District because of their historic nature, and are eager to see proposals for their restoration," continued Beck.

The four homes are located in the Drake Park/Willmore District of Long Beach. This District is part of the original 1881 township and contains the highest concentration of early 1900's housing in the city.

Individuals interested in purchasing the homes will be required to participate in a walk-through of the property with the City's Historic Preservation Officer, and will be required to submit a full proposal outlining plans for the restoration and preservation of the home's historic elements Proposals are due to the RDA no later than August 11, 2008.  To obtain a copy of the proposal packet, which includes photographs of the homes in their current condition, proposal requirements, and scheduled tour dates, visit
www.Long BeachRDA.org Proposals are due to the RDA no later than August 11, 2008.

To obtain a copy of the proposal packet, which includes photographs of the homes in their current condition, proposal requirements, and scheduled tour dates,
RFP Cover Pages   Proposal Sheets

For over 45 years, the mission of the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency has been to enhance the quality of life by improving blighted areas of Long Beach, revitalizing neighborhoods, promoting economic development, creating jobs, providing affordable housing and encouraging citizen participation.

 

Herbert Hoover speaking at Bixby Park Band Shell  August 17, 1928

A Brief History and Update of the Bixby Park Band Shell/Speakers Stand

By Catherine Morley (2007)
To write of the history and future of the Bixby Band Shell is almost impossible without incorporating it into a discussion of Bixby Park as their significance in the development of Long Beach is most certainly entwined.

The Band Shell was built in 1927 in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, which was popular in this time for recreational public buildings. It is located in Bixby Park between Cherry and Junipero where the park is divided by 1st Street. The main building is constructed of brick covered with cement stucco and a hand made red tile roof. Originally there were pergolas adjoining each side, which are now gone. The decorative/ornamental grill work on the windows, amber cathedral glass and round decorative gable window pendulum glass lamp and carved Philippine mahogany 7’ double main doors have amazing that the shell  survived the benign neglect and vandalism throughout the years. 

It was actually built as a Speakers Stand to be used for community events, public speeches and pageants, as well as municipal band concerts. It was a venue for communication of local news, opinions and events. In the twenties people mainly read newspapers for information and radio was available, but only a few events were transmitted via this medium. The famous State Picnics held at Bixby Park were attended by thousands of transplanted Midwesterners from Iowa, Illinois, and Ohio. This gave them the opportunity to reconnect with family and friends, reminiscing about the “old days” in their home state. Thus Long Beach gained the nickname of “Iowa by the Sea”. Imagine voting for President of the United States and never knowing what the candidates looked like or being able to hear their voices. Presidential candidate Herbert Hoover solved that problem when on August 17, l928 he spoke to a crowd of over 5,000 at the Bixby Park Speakers Stand. An article in the Press-Telegram stated: “ Following a tremendous ovation at City Hall in Los Angeles, where he addressed a great crowd and won boisterous applause by whole hearted endorsement of the Boulder Dam project, Herbert Hoover is en route to Long Beach, due to arrive at 3 o’clock this afternoon. Here the streets were jammed early in the afternoon with motorists and pedestrians, awaiting the opportunity to extend him welcome. Lines of automobiles all but blocked every available highway in Long Beach headed for Bixby Park.”

Eventually the state picnics lost attendance, and radio, television and the Internet replaced the need for public speaking locations. The park remained popular for family picnics, soccer games, and recreational activities. The band shell fell into disuse, except by skate borders and those attending pottery classes held in a back room.

In February 2005 wind and rain from a winter storm toppled a large tree in the park, crushing most of the structure. Fearful that the building may be deemed un-repairable, neighborhood residents and activists pushed for restoration. Fortunately the city parks department agreed with that assessment. An engineering firm was  commissioned by the city to prepare construction drawings and cost estimates for the restoration.

Reconstruction has been delayed by obtaining the necessary assessment of significance
required to obtain federal funding, per the National Historical Preservation Act, to assist with the cost of the restoration. An outside consultant has been hired by the city to provide this documentation. Once the building has been identified as eligible for national recognition the approval process
will begin. This is not to be confused with city landmark status which is not required to receive the funding. After this report is completed there will be many levels of approval and hurdles to overcome including ADA considerations, an environmental impact report and approval from the State Historic Preservation Office.

So, as the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day” and apparently the restoration of the Bixby Band Shell/Speaker Stand won’t be either. But, let’s keep the faith that eventually this important city icon will again be the location of municipal band concerts, and perhaps another presidential candidate will again speak from its stage.