QM Operator to Submit Plans for 'Island' Development

The operator of the Queen Mary is expected to submit a conceptual site plan review application and plans for a $250 million development for city review this week, according to city officials, who add that an extensive review process of the phased master-planned project could take up to two years to complete.

Urban Commons, a Los Angeles-based real estate investment and development firm that took over the ship’s master lease in 2016, announced plans last year to develop nearly 65 acres of waterfront property surrounding the ship to create a new entertainment destination to be called “Queen Mary Island.”

The development comes as the operator continues to move forward with major repairs to the ship after years of deferred maintenance. Results of a marine survey released early last year specified a long list of recommended critical repairs to address ongoing corrosion of the historic ship, indicating that, without specific repairs, the ship may become unsafe to occupy in five to 10 years.

City officials and Urban Commons representatives have stated that a new 66-year lease agreement between the city and the operator has dedicated several new revenue sources, including an agreement with Carnival Cruise Lines to use the nearby geodesic Spruce Goose dome to expand its terminal, and other funding to ensure historic preservation of the ship.

Chelsey Finegan, spokesperson for the city’s Development Services Department, stated in an email sent to the Beachcomber that the entire review process for the Queen Mary Island project, which would require approvals from the Long Beach Planning Commission, Long Beach Harbor Commission and California Coastal Commission, could take up to two years to complete.

“Given the complexity of this phased master-planned project, the time line for the entire approval and permitting process is fluid but could take somewhere between 18-24 months from the date plans are submitted for conceptual project review,” she said, adding that the city’s review process, alone, including environmental review, could take anywhere from 12-18 months.

According to a statement from Urban Commons released last year, the Queen Mary Island development is expected to “pay homage to the Golden Age of the luxury liner while bringing to life a curated collection of music, entertainment, dining and adventure offerings that take full advantage of the coastal setting.”

Plans call for a 2,400 square-foot long boardwalk, marina, cafes, restaurants, bars, a new 200-room hotel and a grand outdoor amphitheater, encompassing 700,000 square feet of new retail space.

The development is also expected to include a 150,000-square-foot facility to house Urban Adventure, featuring nearly 20 “interactive and experiential adventure-like activities,” with an indoor ice-climbing wall, a trampoline park and opportunities for surfing, canyoning, skydiving and zip-lining. The concept will be the first in North America by London-based Urban Legacies, according to Urban Commons.

As for ongoing repairs to the ship, Johnny Vallejo, property services officer for the city’s Economic Development Department, stated in an email that approximately $19.7 million in work has been completed since November 2016.

Repair projects either completed or in progress include: structural repairs to Exhibit Hall and boiler rooms 3 and 4; fire and life safety repairs; electrical system repairs; replacement of side shell/bridge wings; replacement of landside utility lines; hand fence and railing repairs and domestic water line repairs.

Other repairs either completed or in progress include: exterior hull paint and rust repair; repair to leaking side tanks at Exhibit Hall; sewer system repairs; top of house roofing and deck repairs; Exhibit Hall structural floor repairs; exterior top of house paint and rust repair; and HVAC repairs.

Vallejo noted, however, that some repairs have been delayed due to various increases in cost and scope.

“Some key projects have experienced significant increases in cost and scope, such as repairs to the fire life safety systems,” he said. “This has required a re-prioritization of projects, and necessitated that other projects be delayed.”

Of the original $23 million allocated for Queen Mary repair projects in November 2016, approximately $3.5 million remains to be spent through 2018, Vallejo said. Under terms of the ship’s master lease, the operator will submit a list of 2019 repair projects to the City for approval this November, he said, adding that the city will have a “better idea of upcoming projects at that time.”

Vallejo said that all revenue generated within the leasehold is placed into a Historic Preservation and Capital Investment Plan (HPCIP) Fund, which is utilized to support historic preservation and capital projects for the ship. He added that, under the terms of the master lease, the operator is “ultimately responsible for maintenance and repairs on-board the ship and thus has their own internal capital investment program.”

Meanwhile, a new attraction called the La Grande XL observation wheel, began operating on the Queen Mary site last week. Operated and managed by Urban Commons, the 164-foot-tall attraction, considered to be the largest traveling observation wheel of its kind in the Western Hemisphere, was approved and permitted by the city as a temporary installation, and is expected to remain open until June 18, according to city officials. For more information, visit www.longbeachwheel.com.

sean@beachcomber.news