The other evening I was having dinner with a close friend and the subject came up of why most of our city’s residents don’t want to go Downtown. Responding to that question is not an easy one.
It could be said that like many other metropolitan Downtowns, Long Beach is the process of making a comeback…just look at billions of dollars invested in new housing construction.
Unfortunately, I believe we are not moving fast enough in attracting quality retail. Where is the high end retail to complement the high end housing?
The Nordstrom Rack is the best retailer at City Place….good, but not good enough. Dave Schneider Jewelers should be given a city commendation for being the prime example of quality merchandising at its best. The popular Z Gallerie also deserves recognition as having the tenacity and determination to stay the course.
The dining establishments in reality are doing the heavy lifting in keeping the downtown vibrant at least for the first few blocks off Ocean Boulevard. We have some of the best restaurants in Southern California but they can’t hold the downtown together on their own.
One concern at the forefront of our resident’s reluctance to go Downtown is the perception or reality of crime and gang related activity on the streets, and in some of the neighborhood’s within walking distance to Pine Avenue.
Public safety should be our top priority Downtown. The recent discussions going on at City Hall about whether we even need more officers to police our streets and neighborhoods is outrageous. To think that an outstanding police department such as ours is not stretched to its limits is rubbish. The truth of the matter is that our problems will continue to proliferate until more police are added to match the density of our neighborhoods. We need to supply the adequate numbers of officers in such a way that they can have the freedom to walk as well as drive their assigned beat.
I’m a little spoiled because I live within walking distance to Belmont Shore and there is clearly a big difference between 2nd Street and Pine Avenue. Within the Shore’s half mile business district there is a sense of safety coupled with a mix of business and restaurant attractions that clearly distinguishes itself from its Downtown cousin. Just look at the droves of people walking day and night on the Shore’s main business thoroughfare, 2nd Street.
After serving on our city council for eight years, I can recall numerous new businesses opening in the Pine Avenue district, only to then see them either change their business plans or fail once they were opened. The success rate for retailing on Pine has been dismal. An aggressive approach to recruiting upscale retailers to our Downtown is paramount. The success of this endeavor will only work if Long Beach residents feel safe in Downtown….. as well as have a place to shop and dine.