James Cleveland
James is the kind of person who isn’t too keen on talking about himself — and his modesty is what makes him an even greater asset to our city: he doesn’t have to brag because his contributions speak on their own.
Having graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelors or Architecture in 2001, and graduated Tau Sigma Delta with a Master of Building Sciences in 2007 with a focus on sustainability through bio-based structural materials, James has altered the way in which Long Beach — and specifically the 7th Street Corridor — looks.
Initiating the East Seventh Collaborative in 2011 as the principle architect at JMSred, this collection of residents and neighborhood associations have begun to alter the strip of 7th in between Alamitos Avenue and Redondo Avenue, incorporating businesses and residents alike to help improve the streetscape and multiple building facades. This is, to put it succinctly, no small endeavor. James has even helped businesses initiate grant applications to provide better signage, paint, and greenery.
In short, he’s helping make a key corridor in Long Beach that has long connected Orange County to Downtown more pedestrian friendly and more business savvy.
