By Kraig Kojian
-Downtown Long Beach Associates president/CEO-
There are numerous reasons why many feel the new year marks a turning point— and for Downtown, there is truly an aura of change lingering that will become unquestionably obvious as 2015 becomes more of a reality.
At the DLBA, we’ve undergone considerable change by design, starting with our renovated offices that reflect creativity and connectivity while representing our stakeholders and community. Combining Suites 120 and 115 at 100 W. Broadway— where we had previously occupied Suite 120 only— our organization has a renovated office that has not only provided us an additional 1,200 square feet in space, but a place where our growth and creativity can be accommodated. Upon entering the office, you’re greeted to an open-floor office space that encourages collaboration, offers our staff and employees an oasis to relax, and welcomes a community conference room large enough to accommodate our multiple committees at its roundtable. The expanded space also allows more storage for our bike and Segway fleet that provides accessibility for our Clean Team to do their jobs more efficiently.
This ultimately culminates to a more engaging, connected space that increases our ability to effectively ensure that a collaborative effort harnesses the work being done. We invite you stop by to tour the space and say hello.
Of course, change doesn’t always mean a lack of tradition. As you may have noticed, 2014 marked a great year in events. The sold-out success of our New Year’s Eve event produced last week brought in over 12,000 people to Pine Avenue, making it the most successful event in our history. The exuberant crowd rocked out to the alt sound of headliner Fitz and The Tantrums before officially ringing in 2015.
The overwhelmingly positive response, in both attendance and opinion, of our events means that we’re not extensively altering them but simply making them better to fit the growing demand of our audience. More businesses. More vendors. More live music. More accessibility. More interaction.
With such expansion comes much needed vision and direction. The $6.5-million, 13-block-long refurbishment of Pine Avenue— of which the DLBA helped fund with over a half-million in backing funds— brings one of our most historic stretches of roadway some much needed love and attention. From new lights and sidewalk repairs to bike racks and street signals, attention to detail will be brought to areas that have been otherwise overlooked.
The $1.2-billion renovation of Metro’s Blue Line has been underway since September, having begun in Downtown and providing our residents and visitors with upgraded stations and enhanced accessibility and infrastructure.
Development since 2013 has brought in a staggering $2 billion in investments and proposals, largely thanks to property acquisitions such as Molina Healthcare, private developments such as The Current Tower and Parc Broadway, and public projects such as the beautiful Deukmeijan Courthouse and the upcoming Civic Center rebuild. These essential economic development projects have pushed Downtown toward becoming the business and cultural hub of Long Beach— and with developments such as The Outlets at the tPike expanded with desired brands like H&M, there is no question that we are pushing forward, full steam ahead.
And with that, we continue to welcome a collaborative effort that encourages residents and stakeholders alike to participate in their own vision of what Downtown should be. Thanks for being a part of this and we welcome your contribution to our community.
Kojian is the president and CEO of the Downtown Long Beach Associates. For more information, visit downtownlongbeach.org .
