TITLE
Recommendation to respectfully request City Manager perform a comprehensive study of potential adaptive reuses for the Jergins Pedestrian Subway Tunnel to help identify the best way of effectively preserving and utilizing this historic “landmark” for the benefit of residents and visitors to Long Beach;
Request City Manager pursue grant funding for study, planning, preservation and adaptive reuse activities associated with the Jergins Pedestrian Subway Tunnel; and
Request City Manager return to the City Council within 60 days with an outline and approach for performing the study and pursuing grant funding.
DISCUSSION
Originally constructed in 1927 and opened in 1928, the Jergins Pedestrian Subway Tunnel connected Ocean Boulevard and upper Pine Avenue with the Jergins Trust Building arcade filled with specialty shops, as well as our beautiful beach and famous Pike amusement area. The tunnel was 181 feet long 30 feet wide and 12 feet high with "elegant" Italian ceramic tile lining its walls and ceiling. Tourists came in droves to Long Beach on a newly expanded streetcar trolley system stretching to Los Angeles and all other parts of Southern California to experience the "Coney Island of the West". Surveys at the time indicate that nearly 2000 people an hour, 4000 on weekends were crossing Ocean Boulevard to reach our shoreline. As a result, construction of the Jergins Tunnel became feasible with the realignment of the Pacific Electric tracks and necessary to safely guide people to the shoreline area. In the 1930's, vendors lined both sides of the tunnel with small booths hoping to make a living off of those who could afford to live during the Depression. The tunnel continued to be used through the 40's and 50's, ushering even more tourists and Navy enlistees to and from Downtown and the Pike area.
In 1967, the Jergins Tunnel closed due to the widening of Ocean Blvd. For the last forty years it has remained closed except for the occasional film shoot. Due...
Click here for full text