TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution making certain findings regarding the construction of certain public improvements along Queensway Drive and surrounding areas with funds from the North Redevelopment Project Area. (District 2)
DISCUSSION
Portside Partners, LLC (Developer) is currently developing two separate hotel projects in the general area between the Queen Mary and the former site of the Naga Restaurant along the South Waterfront. The Developer is completing construction of a new 178 all-suite Residence Inn by Marriott on the site of the former Naga Restaurant. In addition, on the east side of the Queensway Bridge, the Developer is re-Iaunching the former Coast Hotel into a boutique hotel named Hotel Maya. In total, the Developer is investing more than $90,000,000 into these projects.
As part of these' two projects, the Developer proposes to enhance public access to the South Waterfront area with the assistance of the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency (Agency). Included in these public improvements will be the extension of a pedestrian public access walkway along the waterfront from the public South Boat Launch north of the Residence Inn, past the Hotel Maya, and to the Special Events Park adjacent to the Queen Mary (Exhibit A - Site Map). This will provide continuous community access to bayside dining, boating, and bicycling along the waterfront.
The Developer has also prepared a landscape plan that provides significant public enhancement along the coastal walkway, providing nodes for pedestrians and cyclists to stop and enjoy the views. The landscape plans include enhancing the entrance to Queensway Drive near the South Boat Launch, augmenting existing landscaping adjacent to the Queensway Bridge, and providing additional sign age for the on-street bike path along Queensway Drive and for general wayfinding purposes. The Developer also proposes revisions and enhancements to wayfinding signage in the general area. The Agency is supportive of these efforts to enhance public access to the area (Exhibit B).
California Redevelopment Law provides that a Redevelopment Agency may, with the consent of the City Council, pay for public improvements within a redevelopment project area if the City Council determines all of the following:
. The construction of such public improvements are of benefit to the redevelopment project area or the immediate neighborhood in which the public improvement project is located.
• No other reasonable means of financing the public improvements are available to the community.
. The payment of Agency funds for the construction of the public improvements will assist in the elimination of one or more blighting conditions within the redevelopment project area.
Since the Agency is funding the construction of these public improvements, these findings must be made. It is expected that these public improvements will assist economic revitalization by enhancing tourist activity along the South Waterfront area and improving access for pedestrians and cyclists.
A resolution is attached making certain findings regarding the construction of these public improvements with redevelopment funds in the North Long Beach Redevelopment Project Area. The Agency took action on this item on April 6, 2009.
This letter was reviewed by Chief Assistant City Attorney Heather Mahood on March 23, 2009 and by Budget and Performance Management Bureau Manager David Wodynski on March 25,2009.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on April 14, 2009, to expedite these public improvements to coincide with the grand openings of the new Residence Inn by Marriott and the Hotel Maya.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost for all the improvements is estimated to be approximately $1.3 million. As plans and specifications are c~mpleted, bid construction contracts will be submitted to the Agency for review and approval.
Funding forthis project is available in the Redevelopment Fund (RD) in the Department of Development Services (DV). There is no fiscal impact on the General Fund (GP).
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH MAKING CERTAIN FINDINGS REGARDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF CERTAIN PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS WITH REDEVELOPMENT FUNDS (QUEENSWAY DRIVE)
Respectfully Submitted,
CRAIG BECK
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
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APPROVED: |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |