Superblock plan back on the table

After decades of false starts and drawn-out legal battles, there is a new plan to develop the long-vacant Superblock property: Officials say that the owner of the land is expected to appear before the Zoning Board of Appeals next week to propose a residential and commercial development.

One official, who declined to be identified, said that the new development would be significantly different from a plan the city approved in 2006, and would include two 14-story residential luxury apartment towers with a total of 500 units. The buildings would be four stories taller than those in the 2006 plan, but they would be narrower and take up less space on the property. The proposal also includes a promenade adjacent to the boardwalk with shops and restaurants.

In order for such a project to move forward, the city said it is looking to settle a lawsuit it filed in 2011 against the owner, New York City-based iStar Financial, and the property’s former developer, “to clear the way for potential development,” City Manager Jack Schnirman said in a statement.

“After decades of litigation, we believe that the city’s longstanding lawsuit against the current owners of the Superblock, iStar, and the former owners of the Superblock should be settled,” Schnirman said. “The Superblock project is one that has been talked about for decades, and we are extremely hopeful that this privately owned vacant lot will finally be developed into something that benefits our entire community.

“iStar will be presenting details and renderings of their proposed project at the zoning board meeting next Thursday, Jan. 23,” Schnirman added. “We look forward to seeing a thoughtful public presentation regarding the project, including the retail establishments envisioned for the boardwalk, the potential additional jobs to be created and tax revenue to be generated, and the added excitement and enjoyment this project will bring to everyone who lives in and loves Long Beach.”