Opposition to plans for an RV parking and storage facility near the Los Cerritos and Wrigley neighborhoods in favor of a park is growing and pulling support from notable politicians and activists.
The River Park Coalition—the neighborhood group leading the green space efforts—hosted a virtual rally on Saturday to provide an overview of the group’s plans. Some notable attendees of the event included Assemblyman Patrick O’Donnell, D-Long Beach, longtime civil activist Alex Norman and former Long Beach Councilwoman Rae Gabelich.
The coalition is opposing a three-story commercial building for personal storage as well as RV parking space on a plot of land located along the Los Angeles River by the 405 Freeway. The project, referred to as 3701 North Pacific Place, is bordered by county-owned land to the west and another private property to the east.
Long Beach planners have said the RV park and storage facility is the best option to redevelop the land, which is a former oil and brine dumpsite. The project has already been approved by the city’s Planning Commission.
The developer, InSite Property Group, stated that the lower-impact zoning they are proposing, along with public access to the LA River and a nature preserve they are planning to add to the development, is beneficial for the community. But residents who live in the area argue their community is owed green space to live healthier lives, and this land fits the bill.
The group has collected over 800 signatures for a petition calling on council members to oppose the plan. They have collected thousands of dollars in donations for legal funds and direct donations to fund their efforts.
“I think this is the start of something good,” O’Donnell said during the meeting. “What I urge you to do is turn this into a plan that’s more long term to identify other parcels in the area.”
O’Donnell said he was willing to work with the coalition to identify grants and other forms of funding to pay for any land revitalization the group successfully identified. He also said he spoke with Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn about the coalition’s efforts.
“It’s a quality of life issue,” O’Donnell said.
The coalition is planning to hire professional grant writers to collect funding for a park preservation, said Kimberly Walters, coalition member and associate Cal State Long Beach professor.
West and North Long Beach lack large acres of open space as seen in the eastern part of town. The city is aware of this need, and officials have said they are looking for parcels of land to develop.
Members of the coalition said the open space is a component to developing healthier communities.
“There are no really big parcels in this area,” Walters said. “This is our last chance for significant green space in our part of Long Beach.”
The coalition is hoping to ride the momentum of the recently updated LA River Master Plan—an ambitious project to identify land and create parks and green spaces along the LA River. The plan will pull in federal and state funding to develop green spaces. The current plan estimates over 200 projects could be developed.
“What it would mean for us to be part of that major revitalization plan is so much,” Walters said. “What we need is the political will.”
For now, the storage project now moves to the city council for review, which is anticipated to take place next month.
Councilman Al Austin, who oversees District 8 where the land is located, said he could not legally support or oppose a project before it is brought to the council.