LONG BEACH : Deal With Operators of Queen Mary Is Reaffirmed
The Long Beach City Council assured operators of the Queen Mary on Tuesday that the waterfront landmark will remain open for at least three years, and directed city staff to negotiate a much longer operating lease.
The City Council’s assurances will enable the operator, RMS Foundation, to borrow money to keep the floating hotel and tourist attraction in business. RMS had signed a five-year lease in 1993 and is seeking a 20-year extension.
In reaffirming its deal with RMS, the city apparently shunned the latest offer from a group of Hong Kong investors to buy the Queen Mary for $20 million. The group, which wants to move the ship to Hong Kong and convert it to a shopping mall and office complex, has been trying to acquire the vessel for two years.
“We are not considering selling the Queen Mary,” Councilwoman Jenny Oropeza said.
The famed ocean liner has been attracting tourists to the city since 1968.
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