Bits 'n' Pieces

Port Sets New Records

Buoyed by six straight months of historic volumes, the Port of Long Beach is on course to reach 9.6 million cargo containers by the end of 2024 without congestion or other disruption and exceeding the previous record set during the pandemic in 2021.

The Port of Long Beach also achieved its busiest November, when dockworkers and terminal operators moved 884,154 twenty-foot equivalent units, up 20.9% from the same month last year and surpassing the previous record set in November 2020 by 12.8%.

Imports grew 21.8% to 432,823 TEUs and exports rose 9.5% to 119,083 TEUs. Empty containers moved through the port increased 24.5% to 332,250 TEUs. November also marked the Port’s sixth consecutive monthly year-over-year cargo increase.

“Imports are being driven by strong consumer demand while retailers continue to move cargo here out of concern for labor negotiations at ports on the East and Gulf coasts,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “We will continue to handle this influx of cargo smoothly and with zero disruptions through the end of 2024.”

“Retailers are keeping the shelves stocked and shoppers are able to purchase gifts for the holidays thanks to the outstanding efforts by our dedicated workforce and terminal operators,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bonnie Lowenthal. “As we enter the new year, we will continue to deliver extraordinary customer service and build for a sustainable future.”

The port has moved 8,788,718 TEUs through the first 11 months of 2024, up 20.2% from the same period last year.

For complete cargo numbers, visit polb.com/statistics.

Delivering Holiday Magic

“Ho, Ho, Ho!” echoed through the halls of Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital as Santa and the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) brought festive cheer to young patients. Dressed in full uniform, Long Beach firefighters took the place of Santa’s elves and escorted Santa room by room to deliver a surprise bedside visit and a special gift to the children they will never forget. Santa, as jolly as ever during this cherished 27-year tradition, brought smiles and laughter and heard plenty of wish lists from the excited children.

In partnership with the Cherese Mari Laulhere Child Life Program, the firefighters spent their morning assembling special gift bags for patients, which included puzzles, coloring books, small toy Dalmatians and an LBFD shirt. Accompanied by Santa, the firefighters delivered the gifts to patients, spreading smiles and unforgettable memories. For children in isolation, Santa and the firefighters cheerfully waved from doorways, ensuring every child felt the holiday spirit.

“This is an event we look forward to every year,” says Jake Heflin, public information officer, Long Beach Fire Department. “Spending time with the kids and their families is incredibly meaningful and being able to bring smiles and laughter during the holidays is something we’re honored to do.”

The hospital was filled with excitement as children lit up at the sight of Santa and his firefighter entourage. The surprised look on children’s faces when Santa came through the units was undeniable and it warmed the hearts of parents and the care team, too. Bringing joy to patients who are going through treatment helps lighten the atmosphere of being hospitalized during the holidays.

“These moments make a big difference for our patients and their families,” says Rita Goshert, director, Cherese Mari Laulhere Child Life Program, Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital. “Santa’s visit and the generosity of the Long Beach Fire Department bring joy and a sense of normalcy to children who are spending the holidays in the hospital.”

This visit is part of the LBFD Kids program, a long-standing initiative created by Captain David Holden and Deputy Chief Mike Garcia in 1998. Comprised of LBFD members dedicated to community service, the program focuses on enhancing the lives and well-being of children at Miller Children’s & Women’s during the holidays.

Santa’s visit was a powerful reminder of the importance of creating positive and uplifting experiences for young patients. The Child Life Program at Miller Children’s & Women’s is committed to creating a kid-friendly environment at the hospital, helping patients and their families feel comforted and cared for during challenging times.

Affordable Housing
for Veterans Opens

On Dec. 18, the City of Long Beach joined with nonprofit developer Century Affordable Development, Inc. (CAD) and other partnering organizations to celebrate the grand opening of The Cove, an affordable housing development that serves low-income and very low-income veterans, including those who have experienced homelessness. This new addition to the Century Villages at Cabrillo community in West Long Beach provides residents with high-quality studio apartment homes and essential on-site supportive services.

Located at 2121 W. Williams St., the four-story development features 89 high-quality studio units for veterans earning between 30-60% of Area Median Income (AMI) and one unrestricted manager’s unit. Residents will benefit from a central courtyard with recreational areas and common spaces, such as a visitor’s lobby, computer room, study area, classroom, community room and shared bicycle storage. Additionally, Century Villages at Cabrillo has partnered with over 30 service providers, including U.S. VETS and the local Veterans Administration, to offer vital on-site supportive services to all residents.

The city, through its Community Development Department, is continuing its fast-track efforts to support the building of safe, quality housing for residents across all income levels, while increasing the development of underused sites across the city. Earlier this year, three other affordable housing projects welcomed in new residents – 26 Point 2 near the Traffic Circle, Wellspring in Cambodia Town and Heritage Gardens in the Midtown area. Additionally, construction was started for 1400 Long Beach in the Midtown area and 300 Alamitos in the Alamitos Beach area.

The project has received significant support from various agencies, including a $4,550,000 million HOME Investment Partnership Program loan from the LBCIC and funding from Wells Fargo Community Lending & Investment.

“The Cove embodies the LBCIC’s commitment to addressing the critical need for affordable, sustainable housing in Long Beach,” said Eva Melgarejo, Vice Chair of The Long Beach Community Investment Company. “By working with the city, developers and service providers, we’re creating not just homes, but a foundation for veterans to achieve stability, dignity and success. Projects like this make our community safer, stronger and more inclusive.”

The development also benefits from the broader efforts of the Los Angeles County Development Authority and the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, both of which provide crucial supportive services to residents. The Housing Authority of the City of Long Beach (HACLB) has awarded 60 project-based Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers for residents. Over the 20-year contract with Century Housing, these vouchers are expected to provide approximately $25 million in housing subsidies for veterans living at the Cove.

“This milestone reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting those in need by expanding access to affordable, safe housing through effective use of government resources and community partnerships,” said HACLB Deputy Executive Director Anna Topolewski.

Century is an award-winning affordable housing organization participating in the development, preservation, management and financing of affordable, program-enriched housing with a long history of investing in Long Beach. In 2017, the city and Century celebrated the grand opening of Anchor Place at Century Villages at Cabrillo, a 120-unit supportive housing project for extremely low-income households and veterans experiencing homelessness. Two years prior to the grand opening, Cabrillo Gateway was completed, providing 80 affordable homes for families and individuals with mental health disabilities.

For more information about The Cove and other affordable housing projects, visit the Community Development Department’s Housing and Neighborhood Services Bureau or call (562) 570-6949.

Incentives for Historic Property Preservation

The City of Long Beach Community Development Department is opening the 2025 application cycle for its Mills Act Property Tax Abatement Program (Mills Act), an economic incentive program for properties in the city’s designated historic districts and historic landmark buildings. The Mills Act application and guide will be available to the public on the department’s Mills Act webpage beginning on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025.

Historic district property owners, owners of individual properties outside of the districts that have been designated as historic landmarks and those who believe their property could be historic and are willing to landmark the property, are all encouraged to learn more about eligibility and potential tax savings to consider whether to apply. Detailed information regarding eligibility and process can be found on the Mills Act webpage.

Those who wish to submit an application to be considered for the 2025 Mills Act incentive program are required to attend two public workshops to learn more:

Pre-Application Workshop (Hybrid): Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, 10 a.m. to noon, Jenny Oropeza Community Center at Cesar E. Chavez Park, 401 Golden Ave. RSVP required

Application Workshop (Virtual): Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, 10 a.m. to noon. RSVP required

All potential applicants or their representatives must attend the Jan. 25 pre-application workshop to determine eligibility and learn about the process for preparing an application and calculating individual property tax savings. Eligible applicants interested in proceeding with the application process must then attend the Feb. 22 application workshop for their applications to be considered.

Interpretation services and translated materials will be available in Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog at both workshops, upon request. The department will also record promotional videos in each language that will be shared on the department’s webpage and social media channels.

The Mills Act application and a non-refundable processing fee of $545 must be submitted by 3 p.m. on Friday, March 14, 2025, to be considered for the 2025 program.

Staff anticipate that the applications will be reviewed by the Cultural Heritage Commission by July 1, 2025, and transmitted to the Long Beach City Council for action before Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. Final property tax contracts will be sent to the County Recorder on/or before Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.

In January 2015, the City Council approved revisions to the Mills Act to provide more opportunities for eligible Long Beach historic property owners. The Mills Act, established by the State in 1993, offers a financial incentive for property owners undertaking restoration, rehabilitation, or maintenance of a designated historic property. The incentive is achieved through property tax relief to owners of historic properties in exchange for the rehabilitation and restoration of the historic property pursuant to the terms of a Mills Act contract with the city.

For questions about the Mills Act, please contact the Historic Preservation Division at (562) 570-6194 or MillsAct@longbeach.gov.