C-13 Correspondence – Leanna Noble
From: Leanna Noble <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 11:11 AM
To: Stephanie El Tawil <[email protected]>; CityClerk <[email protected]>; Cindy Allen <[email protected]>; Mary Zendejas <[email protected]>; Lynn Ward <[email protected]>; Tom Modica <[email protected]>; Shawna Stevens <[email protected]>; Mayor <[email protected]>; Austin Metoyer <[email protected]>; Kelsey Mader <[email protected]>; Bo Martinez <[email protected]>; Rahul Sen <[email protected]>
Subject: NPNA comment concerning City Council Agenda Item #13 North Pine Visioning Plan
-EXTERNAL-
Dear Councilwoman Zendejas, Mayor and City Council, City Staff,
First of all we appreciate the resources and effort of the North Pine Visioning Plan. We understand that this effort is significant as a part of the current process for updating the Downtown Plan and other development work.
Following are specific requests for emphasizing and highlighting recommendations of the North Pine Visioning Plan:
1. The vacant Numero Uno Market site located at 4th Street and Pacific is not only a longstanding eyesore and "attractive nuisance" here in the neighborhood, but is a daily reminder that the residents of the Willmore neighborhood are living food apartheid -- to the great shame of our City. If the current powers of our City do not equip our elected officials and City staff to take the desperately needed action to place a quality and affordable food outlet on this property, then let's enact new local laws.
2. The North Pine neighborhood (like many of our working class neighborhoods) has way too many vacant lots, buildings (many not properly fenced, cleaned and maintained for the safety of us residents) and properties. Developers are allowed ridiculous lengths of time to sit on development authorities and permits while our neighborhood looks like hell. Again, if our local ordinances do not require timely construction and development, then let's work together to update and strengthen our Long Beach ordinances. It is especially frustrating to know that absentee property owners are allowed to hold our neighborhood hostage to burned down buildings, improperly fenced vacant land, etc. while as residents we have serious daily needs now for affordable rental homes, services and products. We call your attention to the property located at 7th and Pine and 967 Pine at the corner of 10th and Pine as two bad neighbors examples.
3. We ask that the appropriate City staff speak with representatives of CALB, Coalition for the Arts of Long Beach, a long-respected local arts group which actively serves the neighborhood and community.
CALB is currently located in a building in the 700 block of Pine slated to be developed into affordable and market rate rental housing. While this development will not happen overnight, the neighborhood is concerned that this great group will be supported in efforts to keep CALB in the neighborhood with affordable office and program space.
4. As downtown residents, we are very aware of the inherent challenges of planning events for residents and neighbors compared to all Long Beach residents as well as other visitors from our region or around the globe. We urge DLBA, Special Events Office and others involved in events planning to
consider different models for such events. For example, the recent "Date Night" event was logistically very inviting of pedestrians with no security-operated access portals. Such portals have been used at other downtown events with disastrous results of long lines, people not being welcome, residents and pedestrians being denied access to public sidewalks, excessive noise and trash, etc. The difference is impressive! We urge event planners to continue to search for models such as "Date Night" so that residents always feel welcome in our neighborhood!
5. We strongly support the Visioning Plan's attention to provision of not only affordable rental housing but also provision of commercial and retail services and products which serve the needs of residents while also providing affordable commercial and retail rents made available to BIPOC, women and local Long Beach business owners.
6. There is increased analysis of data being generated about our current downtown and the impacts we are living with of the current Downtown Plan. The Visioning Plan results are clear that equity and maintaining diversity -- ethnic, income, gender, age -- are greatly valued by the North Pine Neighborhood. Recent data shows that the average annual income in the Southeast part of downtown has shot up to $82,000. The same data set shows that average annual income in the northwest part of downtown is at $25,000. Addressing the disparity and inequity in income must be integral to any and all visioning, planning and policy work. We look to the Council to please make sure that no plan will allow further gentrification to destroy our diversity. Our neighborhood works hard to provide a unified vision and projects that benefit us all. We celebrate downtown. We celebrate density. We celebrate the current residents.
NPNA looks forward to ongoing work with Councilwoman Zendejas, City staff, DLBA and other partners to make our North Pine neighborhood a better and better place for current residents to live, work and thrive.
Leanna Noble
NPNA Secretary
115 West 4th Street, Unit 401
LB, CA 90802