TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager and staff to prepare an 8 by 28 plan, a needs assessment and project timeline for eight projects that are critical to a successful 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games; and to prioritize and brand these projects as Olympic priority development projects for future funding opportunities.
DISCUSSION
Long Beach will playa significant role in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. We have been awarded key events including Water Polo, Open Water Swimming, the Triathlon, Handball, Sailing, and BMX Racing. The Long Beach Sports Park will be the second largest sports park outside of Downtown Los Angeles. The events in Long Beach are expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors and millions of viewers from around the world to the city. As we look ahead to those games, we must immediately begin planning and preparing for infrastructure needs and investments.
The 8 by 28 projects are:
Belmont/Veterans Pier Rebuild - project will be rebuilt as the centerpiece and viewing center for sailing.
Belmont Pool - new Belmont Pool would showcase Olympic history and is expected to be widely used for city exhibitions and events.
Lifeguard Towers - rebuild and construct new lifeguard towers across the Long Beach coast to ensure safety and beach accessibility.
Beach Concession Stands - reconstruction of three beach concession areas for use by visitors and residents traveling between Pier and Downtown events.
Arena Rebuild - refurbishment and needed investment of the structure to improve functionality for Handball events.
Convention Center Hotel - construction of new Pine & Ocean Convention Center Hotel to provide needed rooms for Olympic events.
Airport Improvements - completion of Airport improvements including reconstruction of Rental Car area, baggage claim, and amenities for Olympic travelers.
Metro Blue Line Improvements - infrastructure improvements along the Metro Blue Line to ensure connection between other Sports Parks across LA County.
These projects will not only better prepare Long Beach for Olympic events, but will also continue to build on Long Beach's role as a destination to live, work and visit.
While some of these projects already have funding identified, many are not fully funded and the city should look for opportunities to accelerate completion. These opportunities can include, but are not limited to, funding assistance from the County, State, and Federal governments, as well as private financing and partnerships.
8 by 28 are important projects even without the Olympic Games, but stand to benefit from accelerated timelines and increased resources.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
[Timing Considerations]
FISCAL IMPACT
Staff will study and advise on the potential fiscal impacts.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
ROBERT GARCIA,
MAYOR
COUNCILWOMAN LENA GONZALEZ,
FIRST DISTRICT
COUNCILMEMBER JEANNINE PEARCE,
SECOND DISTRICT
COUNCILWOMAN SUZIE PRICE,
THIRD DISTRICT
COUNCILWOMAN STACY MUNGO,
FIFTH DISTRICT