Cambodian American Cultural Center of Long Beach
City Council Meeting – May 9, 2023
May 9, 2023
Cambodian American
Cultural CenterBackground
September 2021
Long Beach City Council directed City staff to work with community stakeholders to create a vision and a feasibility plan for a Cambodian American Cultural Center [CACC]
May 2022
City of Long Beach initiated the community visioning process for a CACC June 2022
Cultural leaders were invited to serve on the Cambodian American Cultural Center Community Steering and Honorary Committees
June 2022 – March 2o23
City Fabrick and United Cambodian Community implemented a robust community engagement process and Lord Cultural Resources developed a draft feasibility study with the guidance of the Steering Committee.
Slide 1/15
Cambodian American
Cultural CenterCommunity Engagement
2 Public Workshops
& Youth Survey &
6 Group Interviews
Public Survey &
Spatial Analysis &
Policy Review
Feasibility Study
& Draft Report
City Council
Meeting &
Further Engagement
July - Sept 2022 Aug - Dec 2022 March 2023 May 2023
Report Development
& Feasibility Study
Oct - March 2023
Steering
Committee
Meeting #1
Steering
Committee
Meeting #2
Steering
Committee
Meeting #3
Steering
Committee
Meeting #4
June 2022 Sept 2022 Nov 2022 March 2023
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Cambodian American
Cultural CenterCommunity Engagement
2 Public Workshops
& Youth Survey &
6 Group Interviews
Public Survey &
Spatial Analysis &
Policy Review &
Case Study Review
Feasibility Study
& Draft Report
City Council
Meeting &
Further Engagement
July - Sept 2022
Report Development
& Feasibility Study
Relevant Plans & Policies
Cambodia Town Thrive Vision Plan
Zone In: City Core
Framework for Reconciliation
6th Council District Vision Plan
Land Use & Urban Design Elements
Reimagining the Civic Commons
Climate Action Plan
Historic Context: Suburbanization & Race
Assembly Bill 2097
Public Survey
Responses
Spatial Analysis
Land Use
Zoning
Transportation
Median Income
Cambodian Population
Community Landmarks & Potential Sites
For more information:
CACC Vision Plan – Page 24
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Cambodian American
Cultural CenterCommunity Engagement
2 Public Workshops
& Youth Survey &
6 Group Interviews
Public Survey &
Spatial Analysis &
Policy Review &
Case Study Review
Feasibility Study
& Draft Report
City Council
Meeting &
Further Engagement
Aug - Dec 2022
Report Development
& Feasibility Study
Youth Survey
Responses
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For more information:
CACC Vision Plan – Page 28
Cambodian American
Cultural CenterKey Findings
2 Public Workshops
& Youth Survey &
6 Group Interviews
Public Survey &
Spatial Analysis &
Policy Review &
Case Study Review
Feasibility Study
& Draft Report
City Council
Meeting &
Further Engagement
Aug - Dec 2022
Report Development
& Feasibility Study
Including but not limited to:
• Opportunities to be immersed in Khmer culture by offering classes and hosting events around Cambodian history and tradition • Become a “destination,” improving the local economy, and promoting Cambodian culture to all; safe, welcoming, and inclusive • Help bridge generational and cultural gaps by developing cultural programs, classes, and events for multiple ages • While the CACC should welcome all, it should target Cambodian American youth • Community members desired the CACC site to be located in Cambodia Town. A second option would be a location outside of Cambodian Town given financial feasibility and development opportunities. • Opportunities to learn about and be immersed in Khmer culture through classes and Cambodian history and tradition • Reflect traditional Khmer/Buddhist values such as respect and family at the CACC Slide 5/15
For more information:
CACC Vision Plan – Chapter 3 “Community Voice”
Cambodian American
Cultural CenterFeasibility Study
2 Public Workshops
& Youth Survey &
6 Group Interviews
Public Survey &
Spatial Analysis &
Policy Review &
Case Study Review
Feasibility Study
& Draft Report
City Council
Meeting &
Further Engagement
Report Development
& Feasibility Study
Oct - March 2023
Feasibility Study Overview
Based on the community feedback, Lord Cultural Resources developed a feasibility study, summarized below:
This Feasibility Study projects that by Year 5 (steady state), the Cambodian American Cultural Center (CACC) will:
• Encompass 27,500 gross square feet (19,600 nsf)
• Be visited by approximately 30,000 people per year
• Have an operating budget of around $1,000,000
• Operate with 6 FTEs (Full-Time Equivalent Staff), supplemented by 4 contractors (ex:
janitorial and security)
• Be able to cover 25% of its operating costs through earned revenue sources • Require approximately $750,000 yearly to break even on operations, which will come from a variety of sources including: government contributions, corporate contributions, donations, sponsorships, and grants.
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For more information:
CACC Vision Plan – Chapter 4 “Feasibility Study”
Cambodian American
Cultural Center
Organization & Structure
● Formation of different committees or working groups
● Creation of a nonprofit organization
● Advisory support and coordination from the City of Long Beach and various City Departments ● Consistent programming until development happens
● Continued communication with Steering Committee and community members ● Creation of website and social media accounts dedicated to the CACC Recommendations
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For more information:
CACC Vision Plan – Chapter 5 “Recommendations and Implementation Measures” Cambodian American
Cultural Center
Development
● The CACC should ideally be located in the Cambodia Town neighborhood, preferably near MacArthur Park, Mark Twain Library, and the Killing Fields Memorial along Anaheim Street. A second option would be a location outside of Cambodia Town given financial feasibility and development opportunities.
● The CACC may be built together with other community-based organizations, civic uses, or on the ground floor of a new housing development
● Accommodate various modes of transportation, and incorporate ADA accessibility ● The interior and exterior spaces should be flexible to allow for a variety of programs that the community has expressed interest in
Recommendations
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For more information:
CACC Vision Plan – Chapter 5 “Recommendations and Implementation Measures” Cambodian American
Cultural Center
Development [continued]
● Parking is important and the community is open to shared parking with other uses ● Should be architecturally significant and serve as a landmark for the community ● Create a gift and souvenir shop that sells authentic Khmer items and locally-sold ware created by Cambodian and Cambodian American artists and craftsmen Recommendations
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For more information:
CACC Vision Plan – Chapter 5 “Recommendations and Implementation Measures” Cambodian American
Cultural Center
Programming
Foster cultural preservation and learning through rotating and permanent exhibits and programs including, but not limited to:
● Khmer and English language classes
● Cambodian and Cambodian American art
● Khmer performing arts
● Traditional crafts
● Cooking classes
● History exhibitions
● Mental health
● Youth development
● Healing spaces
Recommendations
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For more information:
CACC Vision Plan – Chapter 5 “Recommendations and Implementation Measures” Cambodian American
Cultural Center
Programming [continued]
Develop and strengthen partnerships with the following local and relevant entities and organizations to lead or co-host programming:
• Arts & culture nonprofits
• Temples and religious institutions
• Academic institutions
• Community groups/resident leaders
• Cambodian-owned businesses
• Youth organizations
• Social service providers
• Non-Long Beach Cambodian cultural sites
• African American and Latino American Cultural Centers Recommendations
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For more information:
CACC Vision Plan – Chapter 5 “Recommendations and Implementation Measures” Cambodian American
Cultural Center
Programming [continued]
Celebrate the achievements and adversities of Cambodian history, fostering pride in Khmer heritage, by focusing on and raising awareness of the following within and outside the City of Long Beach:
• Khmer American refugee experience and transitioning to life in America • Narratives outside of solely the Khmer Rouge and the Golden Age • The strengths and achievements of the Cambodian American community Highlight the various religious beliefs, traditions, etiquette, ethics, and healing practices of Cambodian culture, reflecting traditional Khmer/Buddhist values such as respect and family-centeredness by working closely with temples that often host Khmer celebrations Recommendations
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For more information:
CACC Vision Plan – Chapter 5 “Recommendations and Implementation Measures” Cambodian American
Cultural Center
Programming [continued]
Create a space for community economic development, improving the City of Long Beach local economy through:
• Creating job opportunities
• Workforce development
• Supporting Cambodian-owned businesses and entrepreneurs • Technology and innovation
• Youth mentorship
• Volunteer opportunities
Use inclusive and relevant languages and messaging when creating educational or informational materials and signage with the public
Recommendations
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For more information:
CACC Vision Plan – Chapter 5 “Recommendations and Implementation Measures” Cambodian American
Cultural Center
• Non-profit to be created to lead Cambodian American
Cultural Center efforts
• United Cambodian Community received grant funding
through the California Department of Social Services Stop the Hate Program. UCC will use this funding to obtain a more accurate history of Cambodians in Long Beach that
can be integrated as part of the future CACC.
• Continued City Support: City to transition from a
facilitative to an advisory role
Future Actions
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Cambodian American
Cultural Center
Thank you!
សូមអរគុណ!
CACC Vision Plan
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For more information, please visit:
https://longbeach.gov/iteam/priorities/cambodian-american-cultural-center