Downtown Long Beach Cali On The Rise Come See

I spent a few hours getting in my workout by rollerblading on Friday (December 9). The weather was nice with a slight chill in the air, but good enough withstand with a light jacket and a beenie.

Anyway I took along the camera, and I captured some of the new things happening around my hood.

Lets start with the Temple Lofts now being converted.






New City Place Lofts coming along.



Here you can see how they are actually being built on the lot of the new Albertsons supermarket complex.



I'm guessing the facade will be brick from the looks of it. I remember reading they will look like NY style brownstones.



One of my favorite stores, and now it has expanded. Yay!


The East Village
More new indie coffehouses opening up, its directly across from from another (Passport Coffee)



Here's another new business a few doors down


New Best Western under construction in the East Village



Okay on to some good stuff I took. I'm sure most of you have seen these views before. I just figure I get them from a different angle this time around.






The next two photos shows the site of the new Borders Book store, coming this spring 2006.




Here's our newly opened Tokyo Wako restaurant






More construction, brand new lofts going up on the promanade with space for retail and restaurants below.


The new MTA Bike Station, they moved to a new location about 200 feet east of the old one.


The recently converted lofts, I forget the name of them.


New club going in on the bottom floor


Right next to the Blue Cafe, this promenade is going to be a happening night spot.


Friday's Farmers Market/Arts & Craft winding down for the day.


View from the 2nd level AMC Pine Square Mixed Use apartment/entertainment complex










Oh if you're ever in Long Beach you must dine at the Greek Cafe. The food is very good, and you can't beat the service, price, and the wine.


Vault 350 is a very sucessful club that open a few years ago. I guess its Long Beach version of the House of Blues. I went to see Ohio Players here a while back. Nice place, although the drinks are very expensive.


Another new coffeehouse (Creama). When I took this picture on Friday it hadn't opened yet. Monday I walked by and I saw it open for business.


Okay back to my street, yeah thats my condo the eyesore in the background. Hopefully work will begin soon to finish up the upgrades.


Now from the same corner looking south at the view of the World Trade Center. Rumor has it that developers are planning to build some 30 stories condos right behind the WTC on the parking lot.


Fall colors southern california style


Another charming apartment on my street


New apartments going up in the west gate section of downtown.
Its one of many to be built in this section. This buidling will be the only affordable apartments as the rest will be market rate condos. There are huge plans for redevelopment, some will have retail on the 1st floor.


New elementry school, just opened this past September


These condos face Ceasar Chavez Park. I almost purchased a unit in this building. Now I wished I did, I wouldn't be dealing with the mess in my building now.


3rd Street, showing the grit. As you can see there is room for improvement. Overall it looks much better than two years ago. Many of the older run down buildings have been torn down to make way for the new condos.






Cesar Chavez Park


Open air theater recently added to the park. The community center in the background also has a nice gym for working out. I've never been in (since I belong to a gym), but have looked though the window many times. I'm was told its free for the local residents.


Thats it folks, I hope you enjoyed the tour and seeing all of the changes of my little neighborhood.>