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THEY CAME TO PRAISE LB’S CIVIC CENTER, NOT TO BURY IT—AND YET …
In the wake of Long Beach's startling announcement that it is inviting anyone who says they can build a new Civic Center to prove it, GreaterLongBeach.com re-publishes this Sept. 12, 2012, story Theo Douglas, who saw it coming.
LB CIVIC CENTER: GOING BACK TO THE FUTURE …AND THE RUMORS
In the wake of Long Beach's startling announcement that it is accepting the qualifications of anyone interested in building a new Civic Center, GreaterLongBeach.com re-publishes this Sept. 7 story by Theo Douglas, who saw it coming.
WILL MOLINA HEALTHCARE CURE WHAT AILS NORTH PINE AVENUE?
After waiting some 16 months for Molina Healthcare and Millworks real estate development to marry and makeover the historic Press-Telegram block, we find out today that those darn kids went off and eloped. The place is supposed to be ready for Molina to move in this summer.
PRESSBURG’S OPINION: LB’S NAMES AND PLACES DON’T MATCH, ANYMORE
Lincoln Park and the Burton W. Chace Civic Center got their names from downtown Long Beach leaders who intended to honor America's 16th President and Long Beach's long-ago representative on the LA County Board of Supervisors. It hasn't exactly worked out that way.
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REMAINS TO BE SEEN: WILL LB DO RIGHT WITH WHAT’S LEFT OF ITS ICONS?
Ghosts of the grand buildings that once defined downtown Long Beach may forever haunt architecture columnist Theo Douglas, but he notes the increase preservation projects and wonders ... not whether losing them was worth it, exactly, but ...
HISTORIC MOSAICS FOUND UNDER THE RUG AT LB AIRPORT
When workers renovating the Long Beach Airport pulled back the carpet in the main terminal, they discovered the floor inlaid with late Depression-era mosaics by Works Progress Administrationartist, Grace Clements.
THEY CAME TO PRAISE LB’S CIVIC CENTER, NOT TO BURY IT—AND YET …
In an event that was literally 40 years in the making, more than 100 paying ticketholders listened as a panel of local historians, architects, structural engineers and city officials praised Long Beach's futuristic, much-maligned Civic Center---not that it killed rumors that a public-private partnership is planning a replacement.
LONG BEACH CIVIC CENTER: GOING BACK TO THE FUTURE … AND THE RUMORS
What's to become of Long Beach's internationally award-winning, locally disdained Civic Center? A panel of experts will consider that question---and any variation of it you may submit---during a discussion this evening (September 10, 2012) at 7 p.m. at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Tickets are $5.
THE GREATEST WAY TO REVITALIZE BIXBY PARK—GO THERE
Editor’s Note: Claudia Schou, one of the founders of Friends of Bixby Park, was a featured guest on the Feb. 1, 2012, edition of Greater Long Beach Radio. To listen to the interview any time, click here. +++++ +++++ +++++ The process of renovating Bixby Park can sometimes feel like an eternal purchase order, a manifest for [...]
RANCHO LOS ALAMITOS: STILL PROVIDING THE RIGHT THING AT THE RIGHT TIME
At 7.5 acres, Rancho Los Alamitos is only a smidge of its original size and is hidden behind the walls of an east Long Beach housing tract and so close to Cal State Long Beach’s art department that you can almost audit classes. But its just-completed renovation makes it a historical gem that's more-important than ever.
ON CLAIBORNE DRIVE, A HOUSE OUT FROM HIDING, BUT NOT MYSTERY
Greater Long Beach contributor Theo Douglas takes a walkthrough on the wild side, strapping on a haz-mat suit for a tour of a the big, old, crazygreat house at 900 Claiborne Drive, hoping he can inhale its rambling stories without filling his lungs with fatal contagions.
LIFE MAY BE RETURNING TO THE PRESS-TELEGRAM / MEEKER-BAKER BLOCK
Meaningful purpose may be returning to the Press Telegram block, where Michelle Molina of 6th & Pine Development, LLC, says negotiations are in progress to do a build-to-suit development.
WHAT TH–?? SUPERNAW RETURNS TO GREATER LONG BEACH RADIO TONIGHT
Daryl Supernaw, lifetime Long Beach resident and well-mannered Sustainability Commissioner, spent under $3,000 on his campaign for City Council---and emerged from last week's primary as the frontrunner. Hear his explanation tonight at 7 on Greater Long Beach Radio (www.kbeach.org).
BEYOND GREATER: BRUTALISM’S BACKSTABBERS … ET TU, LONG BEACH?
A New York government building designed in the Brutalism style of archetecture---just like the Long Beach Civic Center (above)---is being considered for demolition ... a frequent topic for this building in Long Beach. Why? Among other things, people hate it.
IF GOD WON’T SAVE THE QUEEN MARY, PETITIONERS HOPE THE MAYOR WILL
Disturbed by the Queen Mary’s condition after nearly 45 years under City of Long Beach ownership, ship supporters are circulating an online petition urging Mayor Bob Foster to protect restore and preserve her.
ONE QUESTION FOR … DAVID MALMUTH, AND IT’S NOT ABOUT SECOND+PCH
David Malmuth has developed architectural icons from Hollywood to Manhattan, but he's 0-for-2 in Long Beach---most recently when the City Council rejected his Second+PCH development in December. But the Academy Awards are being held tonight at the Kodak Theatre he developed, and we're wondering how he feels about that.
FIRST LOOK: BELLFLOWER TURNS A PAGE—IS IT ENOUGH TO CHANGE ITS STORY?
Bellflower's first downtown development in decades---the $7 million Belmont Court---will replace a stretch of non-descript midcentury buildings with a collection of residential condos above retail shops that the architect describes as "midcentury with a contemporary feel."
26 MILES ACROSS THE SEA … NOT MUCH WATER, TOO MUCH AUTO-TUNE
With water sources on Catalina Island being more finite than the mainland’s, you see more conservation: water-saving toilets; more scrubbing than hosing; people drinking their own urine. I also saw a teenaged acoustic duo using “auto-tune” pitch correction technology---giving them pitch-perfect, tight harmony, as sung by inhuman Cylon warriors.
LB HERITAGE NAMES SEAPORT MARINA HOTEL TO ITS ENDANGERED LIST
The Seaport Marina Hotel, a midcentury expression of Southern California’s informal elegance that has become an eyesore under its latest owners, is among 10 Long Beach buildings on an Endangered Properties Watch List.
BLIGHT MAKES RIGHT: HOW-LOW-CAN-YOU-GO TIPS FOR GETTING WHAT YOU WANT
Make your place look like you’re chasing nickels to support a meth habit. Erect a plywood berry stand on your front lawn and use smelly, unshaven men to sell Christmas trees when it gets dark early---but only after pulling out the grass and throwing down gravel. Make it look like you have no self respect as a business owner.
FIFTY YEARS LATER, A BIRTH—AND A LEGACY—AT 14TH & CHESTNUT
The site of Long Beach's first great hospital has become its newest park, and many people born at Seaside Hospital came to the dedication of Seaside Park---some bearing their birth certificates---as witnesses and well-wishers to the repurposing of their sorta-sacred spot.
WHAT’S TO BECOME OF THE MOST-FAMOUS HOUSE IN DOWNEY?
A century later, nobody lives in the Rives Mansion, and people don't seem too excited about the owners’ plans to transform it into a private events center. Private investors are wary of risking their money, city officials are hesitant about expending public funds and residents are divided about how the registered historic site should be used.
