Congressional Place Becoming Six-Story Development for Housing and Commercial

Jon LeSage

The Congressional Place commercial building at 6700 E. Pacific Coast Highway, which currently houses business offices, will be torn down soon and replaced with a larger complex including both housing and commercial offices – if it wins approval. A six-story development would replace the Congressional Place commercial building, which sold last year for $41 million.

On April 20, the Planning Commission heard presentations on the project and voted in favor of it.

It’s located on the corner of PCH and North Studebaker Road, with the San Gabriel River to the east and Marina Drive to the south – one of the first sights seen by those driving over from Seal Beach.

Living and working in Long Beach is a hot topic for many considering making that decision – but it does carry concerns for local residents and business owners about the potential hazards of overdevelopment. It could be the first of three mixed-use projects being placed in that area of Long Beach, through former Mayor Robert Garcia’s Building a Better Long Beach project.

It’s considered to be a mixed-use project within the Southeast Area Specific Plan (SEASP). The SEASP area spans 1,481 acres in the southeast portion of the city. Because it’s within the SEASP, the developers must comply with additional regulations though it won’t be bringing up any significant environmental impacts, according to a city review.

How it will work in review and approval process

Following the April 20 approval vote, a 10-day appeal period started in which the Planning Commission’s decision could be appealed to the City Council. If no appeals were to be filed, the Commission’s decision will be final; if it is appealed to the City Council, then the Council’s decision would be final, according to the Development Services Department’s Planning Bureau.

It could be appealed to the California Coastal Commission, as the proposed project falls within the Coastal Zone Appealable Area. If necessary, the City can file documents needed to initiate the Commission’s appeal period, which could start a lengthy hearing process.

The Planning Commission sought feedback from community groups over the past year, including the Los Cerritos Wetlands Trust, on the project’s specifications. The Trust oversees the wetlands region that’s in close proximity to the proposed construction project. Feedback is being integrated into the planning and development.

Concerns were expressed by members of the public during the Planning Commission meeting. The project does raise potential environmental impacts, especially on the neighboring wetland and on local traffic. Another concern: available parking will probably be taken away, causing problems for local boat owners.

The developers will be required to use Energy Star appliances in compliance with local air quality rules. They’ll also be putting in a rooftop deck common area and solar panels; and installing electric vehicle charging stations.

An Ambitious Project

Holland Partner Group, the real estate firm overseeing the project, will have the two-story office building demolished and replace it with a six-story building with 3,100 square feet of retail space, 281-unit housing units and another 27,534 square feet of common open area.

Housing is planned to break out into 17 studio apartments, 161 one-bedrooms, 85 two-bedrooms and 18 three-bedrooms. Thirteen of these units will be reserved for affordable housing, a Holland Partner Group staff report said.

The six-story building will also get a semi-underground parking lot for up to 507 vehicle spaces, retail space, a fitness center, a lobby and 142 bicycle parking spaces.

A rendering of the proposed development presented a modern, appealing exterior. It could support the city’s efforts to modernize buildings while also paying respect to restored historic sites.

The business space will be of much interest to local small business owners and companies looking for Long Beach satellite offices. According to a Long Business owner, beyond Congressional Place and its next remodeled version, it’s tough to find office space in the city. Business owners are looking around the area, especially in Los Alamitos and Cypress.

Holland Partner Group also constructed the Volta on Pine apartment building at 635 Pine Avenue. The company is also working on a 271-unit housing complex, which has been named 3rd & Pacific.

Jon LeSage is a resident of Long Beach and a veteran business media reporter and editor. You can reach him at jtlesage1@yahoo.com.

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