Long Beach Plan for Auto Mall Suffers Setback

Long Beach’s attempts to keep its auto dealers from fleeing to other cities hit a major setback this week when neighboring Signal Hill signed exclusive negotiating agreements with four Long Beach dealers who have decided they would rather do business in Signal Hill.

Both cities are planning auto malls. But while Long Beach has yet to sign up a dealer, Signal Hill already has signed up two Long Beach dealerships and will begin finalizing agreements with the four. Signal Hill was able to offer the dealers a better financial arrangement and an earlier construction date than Long Beach, which started planning its mall after Signal Hill.

Susan Shick, Long Beach community development director, said the city will continue to pursue other dealers and perhaps rethink the mall proposal to include retail space.