Long Beach Boulevard suffered from mobility problems and a lack of development interest along this key corridor and in the surrounding community. Despite years of transit investments and the adoption of a planned development district for mixed-use and high-density development, the corridor continued to falter. The Midtown Specific Plan achieves city and community goals for the corridor—an equitable balance between mobility modes, a hybrid form-based/zoning approach, incentive programs, park-once-and-walk strategies, and urban/streetscape design.

Most notably, the open space district proposes 11 new parklets that cap side streets, creating mini parks that provide much-needed active and passive open space. Succinct land use districts, clear development standards and design guidelines, and a practical implementation program make this plan a valuable tool for future revitalization of Midtown. The program EIR addressed and resolved issues related to construction impacts on air quality and noise emissions, hydrology/water quality, land use and planning, transportation/traffic, and more. The city council unanimously and enthusiastically certified the EIR and adopted the specific plan.

Learn more about recent developments and other improvements resulting from the plan.