The Downtown Long Beach Associates (DLBA) is partnering with the City of Long Beach and Vice Mayor Lowenthal and releasing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the design and construction of a temporary outdoor public space at the southeast corner of Ocean Boulevard and Pine Avenue, the DLBA announced Thursday.

The 7,700 square foot space has long been vacant after the Jergins Trust Building was demolished in 1988.The targeted opening of the temporary space is April 2016 and it is anticipated to have a minimum presence of two years before permanent development begins for the property.

“The RFP process will allow us to identify a talented and innovative firm to partner with in transforming the corner of Pine and Ocean into a social and economic hub for DTLB,” said Sean Warner, Placemaking Manager for the DLBA, in a statement. “We look forward to working with the chosen entity, the City, residents, and businesses on remaking the space into a place that represents the ideals of Downtown Long Beach.”

The DLBA and City have committed a minimum of $120,000 toward the design and construction of this temporary space, according to the release. The chosen entity would carry out the major tasks of design and configuration of space and proposed amenities, the coordination and implementation of necessary infrastructure and utilities to accommodate proposed uses, the logistics of erecting structure(s) and compliance with necessary permits, local and state laws and lastly, future phasing: a suggested plan for additional phases or expansion of pop-up space.

“An activated corner could serve as a transitional focal point for conventioneers and tourists, while giving the city and business district a creative and evolving space that captures Long Beach’s spirit of innovation,” said Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal in a statement, who has long been an advocate for utilizing inactivated spaces throughout DTLB.

To read the full RFP, click here.

Image courtesy of the DLBA.