LONG BEACH : Revised Waterfront Development Plan OKd
The City Council has approved a revised plan for a $557-million tourist harbor and aquarium that drops a proposed cruise ship terminal and adds more open land and playgrounds.
Intended to link downtown with the shoreline and attract more visitors, the Queensway Bay project calls for a major redevelopment of the downtown waterfront, mostly on an old landfill where the Shoreline Aquatic Park and lagoon are located.
The proposed development would excavate nearly half of the park--to be replaced with other greenbelts--and dredge the lagoon to accommodate tall ships, dinner cruise vessels and fishing charter ships. The lagoon would be surrounded by shops, restaurants, hotels and an aquarium that is considered to be the linchpin of the development.
Across the bay, a 478-slip marina and outdoor amphitheater would be built between the Queen Mary and the TraveLodge hotel.
Tuesday’s vote authorizes city officials to conduct an environmental review and explore funding options for the ambitious project. Long Beach will pay $124.9 million for such items as roadway improvements and parking lots. The Port of Long Beach will pay $41.8 million to build the marina, and the remaining $390.3 million is expected to come from private investors and developers.
Long Beach officials predict that the completed development would pump $275 million into the local economy and create 3,500 jobs.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
