Bits 'n' Pieces

LGB Airport Opens New Baggage Claim Area

Long Beach Airport (LGB) has opened its new baggage claim facility. The $25 million investment consolidates the airport’s bag claim operations into one area and was designed as an open-air, pavilion-style building to complement the airport’s other indoor-outdoor architectural design elements.

Previously, there were three bag claim areas at Long Beach Airport. Those have now been consolidated into one centralized 11,500-square-foot pavilion-style baggage claim area adjacent to the passenger concourse.

Features of the new baggage claim include:

• Two large, state-of-the-art carousels that will improve performance and enhance the passenger experience by quicker and easier access to checked items.
• Terrazzo flooring with an arched pattern that ties into the radial motif and banding of the plaza area.
• Four digital displays highlighting local attractions and other information.
• A new shade canopy attached to the building and a future freestanding tensile shade structure.
• A 60-foot-long by 12-foot-tall video wall wrapping around the exterior corner to highlight local attractions, events and other creative content in Long Beach will be completed in the summer of 2023.

Funding for the new baggage claim comes from airport revenue, bond proceeds and passenger facility charges (PFCs), a passenger fee that may be used for Federal Aviation Administration-approved projects. LGB is a self-supporting enterprise of the City of Long Beach and does not receive local tax dollars.

LGB’s old bag claim area is being demolished to make way for a new baggage service office and concessions set to open in 2024. The City of Long Beach will release a Request for Proposals (RFP) later this year that will solicit ideas for concessions and vending machines as well as other potential uses for available space at the airport, including the former restaurant on the second floor of the historic terminal.

Completion of the baggage claim area, as well as last year’s completion of both a newer, larger ticketing lobby and checked baggage inspection system (CBIS) facility, represent the first major components of the $122 million Phase II – Terminal Area Improvement Program.

The Phase I – Terminal Area Improvement Program, which included $100 million in various priority projects completed in 2012, culminated with the award-winning, LEED Silver certified passenger concourse featuring modern design, local eateries and an innovative indoor-outdoor design with a spacious post-security garden. Phase I also included construction of Parking Structure B.

LBCC Opens Multi-Disciplinary Building

Long Beach City College (LBCC) has completed construction of. Building M, a new three-story multi-disciplinary building that houses academic areas such as language arts, foreign language, reading, computer & office studies, as well as the disabled student programs and services program.

The new building replaces the original M and N Buildings that were constructed in 1935 and could no longer meet the college’s education and facility needs. Building M provides state-of-the-art educational facilities that will address instructional plans and objectives well into the 21st century.

Highlights of the nearly 82,000 square-foot, three-story structure include:

• Modern classrooms, computer labs, meeting spaces, offices and maintenance facilities featuring the latest technology. All classrooms have high-quality audio and cameras that will allow faculty to conduct hybrid courses, in-person lecture while hosting an online course, or to have virtual guest lecturers during an in-person class.
• Study huddle spaces featuring TV monitors with high-quality audio/visual systems that can connect to laptops to aid in student collaboration and the ability to record assignments.
• A film theater within a large lecture hall that features surround sound and a high-resolution projector that will allow the college to feature student film projects or film screenings.
• All conference rooms contain full audio/visual equipment including projectors, cameras, TV displays and video conferencing capabilities.
• Inviting outdoor spaces for students to gather and learn.
• Full accessibility for disabled students.
• First LBCC building to feature cutting-edge access control and lock down safety system – providing an extra layer of security for students and staff.
• LEED Gold certified for its environmentally friendly features.

This was also the first state-funded design-build project, which ultimately led to significant time and cost savings throughout the construction process. In a design-build project, the architectural design and construction services are provided by a single entity, streamlining the process and fostering collaboration between the design and construction teams. This method is in contrast to the traditional design-bid-build approach, where the design and construction processes are contracted separately.

Construction began in February 2020 and the project was funded by both the State and by Measure E and Measure LB bond funds approved by the voters in the communities served by LBCCD for renovation and modernization at both LBCC’s Pacific Coast and Liberal Arts Campuses.

LBPD Creates Bike Team

The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) announced the creation and implementation of the Neighborhood Safety Bike Team (NSBT) Detail. Housed in the department’s Community Services Bureau, the NSBT Detail will be essential in furthering the department’s efforts to adopt innovative ways to engage with the community, proactively address crime and improve safety in neighborhoods.

Starting April 22, eight officers began working full-time in the NSBT detail, which is meant to enhance safety in business corridors, parks, or any open spaces where people gather. Rather than responding to calls for service like patrol officers, NSBT officers conduct proactive patrols and engage the public either on their department bicycles or on foot.

The department anticipates expanding this detail to a total of 16 officers later this year, which would result in four assigned NSBT officers per patrol division. Additionally, these officers will work with community partners and stakeholders to build key relationships to address immediate public safety needs and explore collaborative solutions to improve the quality of life for everyone.

Foundation Pledges $540,000 for Concerts

Long Beach Symphony announced the support of the RuMBa Foundation of Long Beach with a pledge of $540,000. This gift will allow for two RuMBa Foundation Family Concerts per year, ensuring all children can attend for free through 2027.

This pledge comes after the inaugural RuMBa Foundation Family Concert, which took place on October 2, 2022 at the Long Beach Terrace Theater. Entitled “Symphony Under the Sea,” approximately 2,000 adults and children came dressed in costume and enjoyed a 45-minute performance conducted by Music Director Eckart Preu featuring familiar sing-along tunes from Spongebob Squarepants, Little Mermaid and Moana along with classical hits by Tchaikovsky, Handel and Rossini.

Interactive family activities on the Terrace Theater Plaza prior to and following the matinee concert included an instrument petting zoo, musical games and performances, arts and crafts, hula dancing, conducting lessons, baton making, kid-friendly food and creative play areas that invite families to experience and play music together. Plaza presenters included the Aquarium of the Pacific, the Port of Long Beach, Jewel Box Children’s Theatre, the Growing Experience, Long Beach Public Libraries and the Box of Boom.