Long Beach-based software design company Laserfiche is set for a massive expansion of its headquarters after the City Council approved a project Tuesday night that will add over 100,000 square feet to its campus.
Included in the plan is construction of a four-story office building and a three-story parking structure that will provide parking for over 340 vehicles. To accommodate the footprint of the new construction, the city had to alter its zoning maps to allow for commercial property to be built areas zoned for residential construction.
“This four-story building I think is why, when we went through our land use element a few months ago, it wasn’t just about housing it was also about creating good businesses with great jobs here in our city as well,” said Councilman Al Austin, referring to a planning document that was recently approved that altered some portions of the city’s allowable height and density maps.
Laserfiche unveils massive plan for new headquarters in Los Cerritos
Laserfiche was founded in 1987 and has expanded its global reach both in where its content management software is used (over 80 countries) and where it holds offices. In addition to its Bixby Knolls headquarters, the tech company also has a presence in Mexico, the United Kingdom, China and Canada.
The project approved Tuesday night will expand Laserfiche’s current footprint south of it current office space located north of 35th Street along Long Beach Boulevard. An office building will be constructed at the southwest corner of the intersection of those streets, with the new parking structure being built west of the new office building.
Together the two structures will fill in about two acres of what is largely empty lot space.
The buildings will straddle an existing alley that will be improved in the process of construction. Other improvements to be incorporated are a new signal at the the intersection of 35th Street and Long Beach Boulevard, a second left turn lane from Long Beach Boulevard onto Wardlow Road (south of the project) as well as curb and sidewalk improvements.
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City Council members lauded the move by the company to not only have its headquarters in the city but to invest further in the city by expanding its office spaces and the number of future jobs that will likely be created to fill them. The project was approved unanimously.
“Districts Seven, Eight and Nine, the uptown communities—it’s great to see someone place their headquarters in the uptown community,” said 9th District Councilman Rex Richardson. “I think that’s a feather in all our caps. I’m really proud of that and I think it’s going to be great for the neighborhood.”