TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution declaring City-owned property located at 854 East 7th Street (APN 7274-019-900) (Subject Property) as "exempt surplus land" as defined in Government Code Section 54221(f)(1)(A); and, authorize City Manager, or designee, to take any actions and execute any documents necessary to ensure compliance with the Surplus Land Act and State regulations relating thereto. (District 1)
DISCUSSION
The City is currently fee owner of the former Long Beach Armory, located at 854 East 7th Street, APN 7274-019-900 (Subject Property) (Attachment A). The Subject Property is vacant and consists of an Armory building, garages, and parking lot. On May 8, 2020, the City posted Request for Proposals No. RFP ED20-041 (RFP) seeking qualified respondents to enter into a long-term lease and development opportunity to activate, develop, and restore the Subject Property consistent with local, State, and federal statutes for historically significant resources. As a result of the RFP process, the City selected the sole respondent, Gundry Partners, LP, dba Howard CDM (Howard CDM), who proposed a fee purchase of the Subject Property for an arts collective, which included market-rate housing with an affordable housing component.
On February 2, 2021, the City Council authorized Exclusive Negotiating Agreement No. 35865 (ENA) with Howard CDM to facilitate further negotiation and allow the City time to move the project forward while reconciling and complying with the California Surplus Land Act (SLA). Subsequently, Howard CDM revised its proposal and now intends to develop a 64-unit 100 percent affordable housing development, various improvements to Gumbiner Park, and adaptive reuse of the Armory building to accommodate arts-focused uses.
The SLA, as codified in Government Code Section 54220 et seq., requires all agencies to prioritize affordable housing as well as parks and open space, when disposing of surplus land. Surplus land is land owned by a local ...
Click here for full text