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The purpose of the May 18 meeting, at the Martin Luther King Center, was to find common ground between representatives of Lancer Insurance and Cameron Engineering, which wants to build 450 residential units in four towers occupying several thousand square feet of commercial space on a 27-acre tract between Pine Street and Reynolds Channel west of Long Beach Boulevard.
An earlier presentation, at a City Council meeting in April, was denounced by several vocal members of the predominantly black North Park community, who said that Lancer's presentation and a rival one, by the Sheldrake Group, were conceived without input from or concern for the community.
"I was very much surprised that two presentations were made at City Hall," said Hector Maldonado, the city's assistant director of youth and family services. "And in speaking to a number of the residents of this community, they were not aware that these meetings were being made."
An audience of about 50 people listened to David Delaney Jr., president of Lancer Insurance, which is among the city's largest employers, and John Cameron of Cameron Engineering discuss their visions for a rehabilitated section of bayfront property that includes a defunct incinerator, two water towers and other light industrial structures.
Cameron, who said he grew up West Pine Street, and Delaney, who has been with Lancer in Long Beach since 1988 and is seeking to expand its presence here, have joined forces to create Bayfront Development Group. Their main goal at the meeting was to gather feedback from the community. "The last thing we want to do is to be involved in something that is going to hurt people," Delaney said. "If it doesn't work for this community, then let's just forget we brought it up."
In its preliminary stages, the project calls for a complete revitalization of the industrial site, beginning with an expected $50 million cleanup of soil toxins, the removal of the incinerator and the relocation of the water towers.
Once completed, Delaney predicted that the $400 million project would generate $3 million per year in tax revenue for the city while providing a "salt air" performing arts center, a marine science center, another boardwalk, restaurants and a 250-slip marina. "We feel it's vital that the bayfront needs to be a place to visit," said the project's site development and landscape architect, Kevin McAndrew.
As soon as the presentation was finished, concerns were voiced. Speakers brought up issues ranging from the manner in which the community was initially addressed to the loss of community development grants, to worries that Pine Town Houses, a HUD-assisted complex, would be demolished. Cameron emphatically declared, "We don't intend on demolishing any houses."
Although Lancer employs 225 people from Long Beach, Delaney said his hope is to expand that number, largely with preferential hiring of city residents. On-site educational opportunities, Cameron said, would also help North Park residents.
Residents also suggested that Bayfront Development either invest in, or completely overhaul, the Martin Luther King center as a sign that the company has the best interests of the North Park community in mind. "We want something on paper that this community will be employed," said the city's animal warden, James Hodge, a vocal activist on behalf of the neighborhood.
Some residents raised concerns about increased traffic congestion, while others expressed long-held feelings of skepticism. "The plan is very nice, it's beautiful, its got all the bells and whistles," said Lisa Hayes, president of the Long Beach chapter of the NAACP. "But it does not represent the community."
The Rev. Delores Miller of Evangel Revival Community Church agreed. "It was definitely a good presentation, [but] we're not included in this plan," she said. "We're being pushed out of Long Beach."
Hodge offered a pragmatic assessment. "Whether we like it or not," he said, "someday that property will be developed, and we want to be a part of it."
Comments about this story? DTeigman@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 213.
An earlier presentation, at a City Council meeting in April, was denounced by several vocal members of the predominantly black North Park community, who said that Lancer's presentation and a rival one, by the Sheldrake Group, were conceived without input from or concern for the community.
"I was very much surprised that two presentations were made at City Hall," said Hector Maldonado, the city's assistant director of youth and family services. "And in speaking to a number of the residents of this community, they were not aware that these meetings were being made."
An audience of about 50 people listened to David Delaney Jr., president of Lancer Insurance, which is among the city's largest employers, and John Cameron of Cameron Engineering discuss their visions for a rehabilitated section of bayfront property that includes a defunct incinerator, two water towers and other light industrial structures.
Cameron, who said he grew up West Pine Street, and Delaney, who has been with Lancer in Long Beach since 1988 and is seeking to expand its presence here, have joined forces to create Bayfront Development Group. Their main goal at the meeting was to gather feedback from the community. "The last thing we want to do is to be involved in something that is going to hurt people," Delaney said. "If it doesn't work for this community, then let's just forget we brought it up."
Once completed, Delaney predicted that the $400 million project would generate $3 million per year in tax revenue for the city while providing a "salt air" performing arts center, a marine science center, another boardwalk, restaurants and a 250-slip marina. "We feel it's vital that the bayfront needs to be a place to visit," said the project's site development and landscape architect, Kevin McAndrew.
As soon as the presentation was finished, concerns were voiced. Speakers brought up issues ranging from the manner in which the community was initially addressed to the loss of community development grants, to worries that Pine Town Houses, a HUD-assisted complex, would be demolished. Cameron emphatically declared, "We don't intend on demolishing any houses."
Although Lancer employs 225 people from Long Beach, Delaney said his hope is to expand that number, largely with preferential hiring of city residents. On-site educational opportunities, Cameron said, would also help North Park residents.
Residents also suggested that Bayfront Development either invest in, or completely overhaul, the Martin Luther King center as a sign that the company has the best interests of the North Park community in mind. "We want something on paper that this community will be employed," said the city's animal warden, James Hodge, a vocal activist on behalf of the neighborhood.
Some residents raised concerns about increased traffic congestion, while others expressed long-held feelings of skepticism. "The plan is very nice, it's beautiful, its got all the bells and whistles," said Lisa Hayes, president of the Long Beach chapter of the NAACP. "But it does not represent the community."
The Rev. Delores Miller of Evangel Revival Community Church agreed. "It was definitely a good presentation, [but] we're not included in this plan," she said. "We're being pushed out of Long Beach."
Hodge offered a pragmatic assessment. "Whether we like it or not," he said, "someday that property will be developed, and we want to be a part of it."
Comments about this story? DTeigman@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 213.
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