Construction of City’s Largest Retail Center Begins

Construction has begun on Long Beach’s largest retail center at the site of the former Long Beach Naval Hospital.

Crews began razing the hospital and other structures in August, clearing the ground in preparation for construction of the 1.1-million-square-foot Long Beach Towne Center scheduled to open late this year on Carson Street at the San Gabriel (605) Freeway. Workers last week began digging water and utility trenches. Construction of the buildings will begin later this month.

The center is 85% leased, with such retailers as Barnes & Noble, Sam’s Club, Staples, Ross Dress for Less, AutoNation and a 26-screen Edwards Cinema signed on to occupy the complex.

The project was attacked earlier by officials in Lakewood who feared that the shopping center would drain sales tax revenues from city coffers. But Long Beach agreed in 1995 to pay Lakewood any revenue it loses as a result of the center’s opening.

The project is designed by Perkowitz + Ruth architects, inc.of Long Beach and developed by Vestar Development Co. of Phoenix.