TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute a First Amendment to Lease No. 34552 with Killing Fields Memorial Center, Inc., a California non-profit corporation, for the development and operation of a community memorial garden at the City-owned premises located at 1501 East Anaheim Street, in an amount not to exceed $150,000. (District 6)
DISCUSSION
The City of Long Beach (City) is the owner of approximately 6,120 square feet of property located at 1501 East Anaheim Street (Subject Property). The Subject Property was purchased in 2006 by the former Redevelopment Agency of the City of Long Beach (Agency) as part of the MacArthur Park Library project. The Subject Property is categorized as "Government Use" allowing for the development of open space consistent with the Agency's original plan to develop the Subject Property as a community garden.
On May 3, 2016, the City Council approved the Lease with Killing Fields Memorial Center, Inc. (Lessee), for five years commencing on July 1, 2016 and terminating on June 30, 2021, for the operation and maintenance of a memorial garden at the Subject Property. Upon completion of the improvements, the Subject Property may be conveyed to the Lessee in exchange for a covenant in perpetuity providing for public access to the Subject Property and ongoing maintenance and capital reinvestment.
The Lessee is actively working to pay tribute and honor to human beings who suffered tragedy at the hands of the Khmer Rouge government, in what is today known as the Killing Fields of Cambodia genocide. The Lessee also works to raise awareness and to advocate for the prevention of future atrocities.
On March 21, 2017, the City Council appropriated $150,000 in one-time Sixth Council District infrastructure funds to support the partnership between the City and Lessee, for the development of the community memorial garden at the Subject Property. Approval of the recommended Lease Amendment will provide the L...
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