LONG BEACH : Coastal Commission OKs Waterfront, Aquarium Plan

The California Coastal Commission on Wedneasday approved Long Beach’s $557-million plan to redevelopment its waterfront and build a city aquarium.

Although city officials had expected approval, the vote was a crucial step for the project, which calls for a new harbor, three miles of waterfront walkways and expanded shops and restaurants in Shoreline Park.

In 1991, the Walt Disney Co. failed to win commission support for a $3-billion waterfront theme park because the plans included a major restructuring of the coastline. But commission members said the current plan is consistent with the state Coastal Act because it allows public access to the shoreline and expands parkland.

The city plans to sell revenue bonds this summer to finance the $100-million aquarium, scheduled to be built this fall.

City officials say the project, called Queensway Bay, will create 3,500 jobs and pump about $275 million a year into the local economy.

“We’ve lost 40,000 jobs due to base closures and military cutbacks,” said Mayor Beverly O’Neill. “This plan will restore out preeminence as a waterfront destination and restore our economy.”