Housing Complexes Near PCH & 2nd St. Progressing

In case you’re wondering about the major construction projects that will be taking place near Pacific Coast Highway and 2nd Street, they will be getting done. When exactly? That’s still being worked out.

The most visible of these three upcoming overhaul projects is the Congressional Place building on the corner of PCH and Studebaker Road, which is called the 6700 Pacific Coast Highway project in city records.

The other two nearby properties are Omni Marina Shores, which is at 6500 E. PCH, where you can still see a Petco retail store. The third location is 6615 E. PCH, located across the street where you’ll see a Cardinal Escrow office and a two-story office building.

Together, the three projects could add nearly 1,300 housing units near the intersection of PCH and Studebaker Road. That would mean a lot more residents, cars and traffic.

Expect construction to start before the end of this year, if all things come together. Completion and accessibility for new residents will take longer.

All three of these properties are at “plan review” status. That means the city is examining the construction plans and specifications to ensure compliance with building codes and regulations. Reaching this designation provides a clear sign that all three of these construction projects are moving toward completion.

Where Congressional Place Conversion Stands

Legal challenges slowed the process for these construction projects to be carried out.

Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility, Sierra Club Los Cerritos Wetlands Task Force and Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust challenged the 6700 Pacific Coast Highway project.

They stated that the project needed a full environmental review to assess its effects on traffic and greenhouse gas emissions, which could violate the city’s zoning but also California coastal zone laws and regulations, with one of them being the Southeast Area Specific Plan (SEASP). They’ve also been concerned about the level of traffic and congestion it will be adding to this area. Allowing the buildings to be higher than single story could violate other laws, as well, they said.

Councilmember Kristina Duggan, who represents the area where all three proposed projects are located, previously said that she believed it complied with SEASP. The plan was also based on requests of what the city and residents wanted to see in future developments, she said in 2023.

City officials have stated that one of the intentions around these three housing projects is to balance out the development of the downtown, which has been seeing large housing complexes being built in recent years, with all the demands on traffic, parking and balancing the needs of the area workforce and businesses in some of these downtown buildings with what new residents are expecting. Developing the three projects near PCH and 2nd St. would offer more space and choices for those looking to live in Long Beach, they say.

Economic growth is another reason for approving and moving forward on these projects, as well, with these new residents needing groceries, gasoline, healthcare services, home repairs and service, and to make sure that their pets are allowed to be walked and that their children have good schools to go to. They’ll want to go on bike rides, walk their dogs, go out to eat and stop at stores to pick up items after work. Another reason being cited is complying with state laws on affordable housing as part of these projects, which the city says it’s accomplishing.

Environmental and overdevelopment concerns were taken by the three community groups to the California Coastal Commission for review. It was addressed to the city and Holland Partner Group, which would be managing the 6700 Pacific Coast Highway project.

On Oct. 12, 2023, the CCC found that no substantial issues were found, which meant that the CCC didn’t see SEASP and other rules being violated.

The city had denied that appeal from the three groups and has continued to move the project forward. The city is glad to see it coming to completion.

“All three projects have worked cooperatively with the city, local stakeholders including the Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust and the local business community. The demolition of the Congressional Place office building (6700 PCH aka 280 Marina Dr) and replacement with a 6-story apartment building including 303 units, 5% of which will be affordable to very-low-income persons, has completed its city building permit review and the permit is ready to issue,” wrote Elise Roberts, Acting Community Information Officer, Long Beach Community Development.

As for what’s next, “The permit issuance is expected by the end of this calendar year but is dependent on the developer and macroeconomic conditions that are not in the city’s control,” according to Roberts.

Holland Partner Group has not responded to a request for comments on what that developer company sees as the next steps to be taken and how long it should take to complete.

Other Housing Locations Status

The current shopping center at 6500 E. PCH will be turned into a 600 residential unit, five-story building. It may go into construction starting later this year.

“The plan-check review for this project is complete and permits are ready to issue, however from information provided by the developer we do not expect this project to begin until December of 2025 or into 2026,” the city said.

Across the street at 6615 E PCH (currently called Marketplace Office Buildings) this project is proceeding with permit issuance expected in December of this year.

The City Council is expected to approve a routine agreement for a city-owned parking lot behind the project site soon, the city said.

“The project team has been working with the city to facilitate the relocation of commercial tenants in the office building. The two office buildings will be demolished to make way for a 390-unit residential building in a 6-story building. The project includes 5% of units set-aside for very low-income renters,” the city said.

Don’t Forget About Wetlands

For the new tenants who will be moving into these new housing complexes, one bright spot will be that the nearby Los Cerritos Wetlands will be seeing vast improvements. For those traveling down 2nd St. as it crosses PCH, toward 2nd becoming Westminster Blvd., you’ll see lots of oil wells and the Los Cerritos Wetlands on both sides of the street.

Much of the land near Trader Joe’s just north of Second Street, where it meets Studebaker Road, is owned by Synergy Gas & Oil. It’s been used for decades as an active oil drilling site along the line between the cities of Long Beach and Seal Beach.

Earlier this month on May 8, a groundbreaking ceremony was organized by the city and attended by Duggan, Mayor Rex Richardson, City Manager Tom Modica, representatives from the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority, Synergy Oil & Gas and other local leaders.

The Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority is a joint powers authority focused on acquiring, restoring and managing the Los Cerritos wetlands. Member agencies include the City of Long Beach, City of Seal Beach, State Coastal Conservancy and the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy.

Synergy has already capped about half of the 39 oil rigs that operate there, as of early May, with more to be closed. The oil company will be moving operations to a much smaller 7-acre parcel across the street on PCH typically known as the “pumpkin patch” site because it has hosted seasonal pumpkin special events around Halloween and Thanksgiving.

The May 8 event celebrated the beginning of work to return 156 acres of coastal land to the public and it took over a decade for these partners to reach this point. It will take some time, but Long Beach and Seal Beach residents and visitors will have the option of enjoying the wetlands and its trails without all the oil wells pumping away.

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