TITLE
Recommendation to approve and authorize the payment of $1.5 million to the Redevelopment Agency for the acquisition of property at 4258-4260 Atlantic Avenue for $1,350,000 plus closing costs and subsequent tenant improvements; and increase appropriation in the Planning and Building Department (PB) General Grants Fund (SR 120) by $1,500,000. (District 8)
DISCUSSION
The Icaro Gallery is located at 4258-4260 Atlantic Avenue, just north of Carson Street, in the heart of Bixby Knolls, near restaurants, coffee shops, retail shops, and the Black Box Theater (Exhibit A - Site Map). The building encompasses more that 5,000 square feet of gallery space and includes a mini kitchen, high ceilings, and a basement vault area.
Councilwoman Gabelich approached staff with a proposal to acquire the Icaro Gallery for use by the Long Beach Historical Society (Society) . This building would provide a permanent location for the Society to display historical artifacts for public viewing . The concrete basement vault would provide excellent storage space for historical archives.
Councilwoman Gabelich believes that the Icaro Gallery is an ideal location for the Society, as it would generate foot traffic in the area while ensuring a quality tenant for neighboring businesses . To this end, the City's Redevelopment Agency acquired the property on behalf of the City. Under a separate but concurrent process, Camden Development pursued a modification to a condition of approval that obligated Camden to restore the Looff's roof.
The modified condition called for the preservation of the cupola of the roof, to be used as an information kiosk, and the dedication of the land on which the Looff roof was intended to be located, as a public park . The Cultural Heritage Commission approved this concept on June 21, 2006 and the Planning Commission approved the modification of the condition of approval on July 20, 2006 . As a result, Camden's $3 million requirement to restore the Looffs roof ...
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