Bits 'n' Pieces

Towne Center Acquired

CenterCal Properties, a retail and mixed-use developer and operator and DRA Advisors, a leading real estate private equity firm, announced the acquisition of Long Beach Towne Center. The property is an 870,000-square-foot regional destination and is a strategic enhancement to the companies’ expanding portfolio of top-performing retail properties.

DRA and CenterCal, in partnership with the City of Long Beach, will implement a comprehensive reinvestment strategy designed to elevate the guest experience, strengthen the merchandising mix, and create vibrant community gathering spaces. This curated approach to shopping center redevelopment is part of a larger strategy to elevate communities that includes projects such as 2ND & PCH.

Planned improvements include:

• Retail Curation: Introducing a thoughtful mix of best-in-class national retailers, emerging brands and local favorites to enrich the shopping experience.
• Food & Beverage Activation: Expanding chef-driven restaurants, fast-casual concepts and café experiences to position Long Beach Towne Center as a true dining destination.
• Public Realm Enhancements: Creating inviting outdoor gathering areas with shaded seating, enhanced landscaping, public art and year-round programming that celebrates Long Beach’s diversity.
• Entertainment & Lifestyle Offerings: Reinvigorating entertainment anchors while adding boutique fitness, wellness and family-oriented experiences.
• Design Refresh: Upgrading signage, lighting, pedestrian pathways and parking areas to ensure a safe, welcoming and convenient environment for all visitors.

“Long Beach Towne Center is already a cornerstone of the community and we see tremendous potential to make it even more dynamic and relevant for today’s consumer,” said Jean Paul Wardy, CEO of CenterCal Properties. “Together with DRA, we will transform Long Beach Towne Center into a destination that brings people together, drives strong results for our retailers and creates long-term value for the community.”

“DRA is excited to partner with CenterCal on this iconic property,” said Brett Gottlieb, senior managing director at DRA Advisors. “CenterCal’s expertise in placemaking and tenant curation will ensure that Long Beach Towne Center continues to thrive and remain a premier destination for decades to come.”

The acquisition underscores both firms’ confidence in grocery-anchored, experiential and necessity-based retail as resilient and high-performing asset classes in today’s evolving market.

Get Care Now

MemorialCare has relaunched its virtual health suite to make access simpler, more affordable and more convenient across Southern California. A recent study by Healthforce Center at the University of California, San Francisco, shows the average primary care wait time in California has risen to 31 days in 2025, up from 26 days in 2022, driven by a growing shortage of physicians. MemorialCare’s new “Get Care Now” feature is open to anyone in California, offering the state’s lowest-cost virtual care option, whether or not they are MemorialCare patients.

“In the health care industry, there is a movement toward value-based care, but it’s a complex topic and the concept doesn’t always make it down to the consumer,” says Eugene Kim, M.D., chief medical officer, MemorialCare. “Value-based care is giving the right care, at the right time, for the best and most effective cost – it’s a focus on health care, not wealth care. Health care costs continue to rise while access to care declines. This really should be reversed and we’ve achieved this with our new relaunched virtual care services.”

With “Get Care Now,” Californians can access a range of virtual care options – no MemorialCare affiliation required – all fully HIPAA-compliant to protect patient privacy. Free services include a 24/7 symptom checker and AI-powered chat, or access to a live 24/7 call center for guidance from care associates. Care is provided by MemorialCare clinicians, including nurse practitioners, physician assistants and medical doctors.

For $20 per 24/7 QuickCare Visit, users can answer questions about their symptoms online and receive a diagnosis and/or prescription within an hour – or a refund if no diagnosis is made. More than 40 common conditions, such as colds, flu, urinary tract or sinus infections, eye or skin conditions, stomach issues and more, can be treated this way.

24/7 Virtual Urgent Care is available for an insurance co-pay or $75 self-pay. It connects users to MemorialCare providers through secure video. For MemorialCare patients, “Get Care Now” also includes a 24/7 nurse advice line staffed by dedicated MemorialCare nurses to guide care decisions.

“Imagine what this means for a busy mom with a child who has chronic ear infections, who is awakened in the middle of the night – their child can have a prescription ordered within an hour, without going to the impacted ERs,” says Anne LaNova, executive director, digital consumer experience, Virtual Health, MemorialCare. “Apart from the convenience factor, it also creates a more affordable option for those who may not have a primary care physician and eliminates the need for the ER to be someone’s only choice for medical care.”

Every virtual visit is led by MemorialCare physicians or nurses – never contracted third parties – ensuring personalized, high-quality care. The pay-as-you-go program doesn’t require monthly or annual subscriptions like other health systems. MemorialCare’s virtual health services extend beyond physical care, offering virtual mental health support as well.

“Our mission is about creating access that serves and benefits everyone in our community, treating everyone with the love, dignity and respect they deserve through health care,” says Dr. Kim. “This program allows us to extend our reach without asking for monthly or yearly subscriptions.”

Care is available anytime by calling (877) 696-3622 or visiting memorialcare.org/get-care-now.

LBCC Honors Distinguished Alumni

On Sept. 18, Long Beach City College held its 53rd Annual Hall of Fame Celebration at The Grand in Long Beach. Over 215 guests attended, including prominent figures like California Congress District 42 Director for Robert Garcia Jack Cunningham, LBCC Superintendent-President Dr. Mike Muñoz, LBCC Board of Trustees President Uduak-Joe Ntuk, LBCC Board of Trustees Vice President Dr. Ennette Morton, LBCCD Board of Trustee Vivian Malauulu, Sunny Zia, Student Trustee Elepise Leiataua and many other distinguished LBCC members.

The event honored LBCC alumni, “La Diva de la Banda,” Jenni Rivera (posthumously) for her indelible mark on music and culture. City of Long Beach’s Accessibility Coordinator, Jennifer Kumiyama, was honored for her work as a disability activist and performer.

A licensed and practicing lawyer in the City of Long Beach for 65 years, Norman Rasmussen was honored for leadership and service in many Long Beach organizations over the years. All inductees were honored for their outstanding achievements, service and dedication to the Long Beach community.

In addition, the Long Beach City College Foundation Board of Governors President, Sumer Temple and LBCC Foundation CEO, Paul Kaminski, presented the 2025 Distinguished Service Awards. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Long Beach was recognized for its invaluable support of LBCC’s student parents with safe, reliable childcare while offering valuable experience to student employees.

Debra Peterson was honored for her legacy of service, mentorship and visionary program development both at LBCC and beyond. Guided by a racially conscious and spiritually grounded leadership philosophy, LBCC’s Associate Vice President of the Trades, Technology, and Community Campus (TTC) Dr. Alisia Kirkwood received the Campus Friend Award.

This year was also the inaugural year of the “Blaine Edward Mansfield” Student Service Award. Presented to the LBCC student who has accumulated the highest number of service hours, during their time at LBCC. It was awarded to LBCC student, Nathalia Miyamura.

The evening highlighted the strong sense of community and pride within Long Beach and Long Beach City College.

New Airport Concessions

A new wave of dining options is on the horizon at Long Beach Airport (LGB). Under a just-approved agreement with concession partner Paradies Lagardère, the Airport will soon welcome pre-security concessions and enhanced post-security offerings, bringing more variety, convenience and flavor to the passenger culinary experience.

The agreement is a 14-year contract for Paradies Lagardère to operate new pre-security concessions in the Meeters and Greeters Plaza and in the Historic Terminal. It also extends Paradies Lagardère’s contract to continue operating the post-security dining and retail concessions through Nov. 30, 2039.

As part of the agreement, more than $1.8 million in capital improvements are planned to build out the pre-security concessions, which are set to include convenient, fast-casual and grab-and-go options. Paradies Lagardère will also invest about $3.6 million to enhance post-security food, beverage and retail offerings, including reimagined seating areas, expanded patio dining, upgraded retail storefronts and refreshed concepts that reflect Long Beach Airport’s signature America’s Coolest Airport brand.

“From the moment travelers arrive at Long Beach Airport, we want them to feel welcomed and at ease, even before they enter security,” said Fourth District Councilman Daryl Supernaw. “This expanded partnership represents a long-term investment in that charm and atmosphere that makes our airport so special.”

“Our Long Beach Airport continues to balance world-class service with unique and convenient offerings,” said Fifth District Councilwoman Megan Kerr. “With these new pre-security concessions and upgraded spaces, we’re making travel through LGB even more welcoming, comfortable and convenient for everyone who passes through.”

The investments will complement LGB’s existing concessions, which include a mix of locally owned restaurant, retail and service providers as well as the airport’s robust live music and entertainment programming, ensuring that guests have opportunities to enjoy food, drinks and performances both before and after security.

“We know there’s a demand from travelers and visitors alike for food and beverage options in the plaza and terminal,” said Airport Director Cynthia Guidry. “These new offerings, coupled with live entertainment, assure that Long Beach Airport is not only a gateway to Southern California but also a destination in itself.”

Pre-security concessions are expected to open in 2026 with phased enhancements to post-security dining and retail areas rolling out over the coming years. No interruptions to air service are expected during construction.

“We’re honored to expand our partnership with Long Beach Airport,” said Gregg Paradies, CEO of Paradies Lagardère. “The Market at LGB and the refreshed post-security locations highlight local favorites and reflect our shared vision of celebrating Long Beach’s authentic culture while elevating the overall travel experience.”

Long Beach Airport carriers – Delta Air Lines, Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines – offer nonstop service to 21 airports nationwide, including Hawaii, with one-stop connections to nearly 400 cities worldwide.