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Initiatives and Planning

Open Streets Initiative

The City of Long Beach is rolling out a new Open Streets Initiative designed to assist businesses in recovering from the economic challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this program, businesses throughout the city may temporarily convert public areas – such as sidewalks, loading zones, and parking spots – into spaces for physically-distanced social interaction such as dining and shopping. Downtown businesses interested in utilizing public areas to safely enhance their operations are asked to contact DLBA’s Placemaking Manager Stephanie Gonzalez at StephanieG@dlba.org; she will assist and connect them with appropriate City staff. Please note, businesses must obtain City approval before repurposing public space. Businesses extending their operations onto sidewalks should consult DLBA’s sidewalk pressure washing schedule. To ensure the area is cleaned, remove furnishings and furniture prior to the appointed time. The following City resources provide more in-depth information about options for temporarily using public space and necessary permitting.

Outdoor Dining Reimbursement Program

Application Period: The application process will remain open from Monday, April 12, 2021 at midnight (PST) until June 30, 2021 at midnight, or until funding lasts.

Funding Amount: The program will administer 100% matching funds up to $10,000 for each establishment as a reimbursement for a variety of existing eligible expenses associated with operating outdoor service. Eligible expenses must be incurred between December 29, 2020 and June 30, 2021. The total amount of funding available in the program is $225,000.

Eligibility Requirements: To qualify for funding, businesses operating a Downtown bar, brewery, distillery, restaurant, or winery must meet all the following eligibility requirements:

  • Must be in Downtown Long Beach within the boundaries of the Downtown Parking & Business Improvement Area (DPBIA).
  • Must have valid City of Long Beach business license and be current with DPBIA fees.
  • Must be approved by City of Long Beach to operate outdoors with one of the following:
    • An approved COVID-19 Outdoor Activities Permit (OAP)
    • An approved COVID-19 Parklet Permit
    • An approved Sidewalk Usage Permit
    • Must be open for business and operating in adherence to City of Long Beach COVID Health Order.

Use of Funding: All funds must be spent on eligible expenses related to outdoor dining and in response to compliance with COVID-19 Health Orders. Eligible expenses include the following:

  • Cladding, sidewalls, or barriers
  • Deck installation/improvements
  • Furniture
  • Lighting
  • Heaters/warmers
  • Personal protective equipment (e.g., face masks, face shields, gloves, hand sanitizer, etc.)
  • Sanitization equipment
  • Signage
  • Shade sails
  • Safety equipment (e.g., barriers, reflectors, etc.)
  • Tents/canopies

Purchases must be made beginning December 29, 2020 and the application date, and no later than June 30, 2021. Only eligible expenses will be reimbursed. All documentation will be thoroughly reviewed, and it is required that eligible businesses have these documents prepared and ready for submission with application.

Businesses will be required to submit the following information before receiving final approval for funding:

  • Proof of valid COVID-19 Outdoor Activities Permit, COVID-19 Parklet Permit, or Sidewalk Permit issued by the City of Long Beach
  • Receipts, PAID invoices, and/or other supporting documentation that verifies all expenses are eligible for reimbursement under the DLBA Outdoor Dining Grant Program
  • Copy of valid Business License from City of Long Beach
  • Businesses that are approved for funding will be required to submit a W9 Form upon request.

Apply Here: 

We are no longer accepting new applications for the Outdoor Dining Reimbursement Program.

Open Streets Toolkit

City of Long Beach Open Streets Toolkit for Businesses >

Parklet Forms

Street Occupancy (Parklet) Consent Form >

Sidewalk Dining Forms

Sidewalk Occupancy Consent Form >

Street Closure Parklet Expansion Forms

Outdoor Activity Permit & Guidelines >
Special Events Permit Insurance Requirements >

Drive-In Dining Forms

Occasional Event Permit Guidelines for Drive-In Dining >
Occasional Event Permit Application for Drive-In Dining >
Special Events Permit Insurance Requirements >

ABC Forms

ABC Permit for Temporary Expansion of Serving Area >

Civic Center Outreach

The City of Long Beach and developer Plenary-Edgemoor Civic Partners (PECP) have embarked on the transformation of the Long Beach Civic Center complex that will include a new City Hall and Main Library, a permanent headquarters building for the Port of Long Beach, a revitalized Lincoln Park, and new residences and a hotel. As an advocate for safe, attractive and vibrant public spaces, the DLBA hosted numerous Civic Center focused community forums to give DTLB stakeholders an opportunity to share their vision for the new Civic Center.

Stakeholder Outreach Summary >
DTLB Stakeholder Vision >

Parking Meters

In December 2014 the DLBA and City of Long Beach entered into a funding agreement to replace all coin-operated meters in the Downtown area with smart meters, thus making parking in DTLB more convenient, while giving the City the ability to better manage its parking assets through the collection of parking data. The DLBA was able to secure a commitment from the City to dedicate all new net revenue (generated within the first two years of the operation of the new smart parking meters) to improvements to parking infrastructure and operations in the Downtown area. The DLBA is committed to continuing to work with the City to ensure that the smart parking meters are utilized to their full potential and contribute to a positive experience for visitors to Downtown.

Downtown Waterfront Study

The DTLB waterfront is home to tourist attractions like the Aquarium of the Pacific, Performing Arts Center and Rainbow Harbor, as well as world-class events like the Long Beach Grand Prix, Pride Festival, and Marathon. The area also includes office towers, residential high rises, hotels and major shopping destinations. However, these uses and attractions sit within a half square mile area that is unpleasant for pedestrians to navigate due to wide streets, narrow and missing sidewalks and lack of pedestrian oriented buildings.

Recognizing the need to create stronger pedestrian connectivity within Downtown’s waterfront, as well as between the waterfront and other downtown neighborhoods, the DLBA enlisted the expertise of the Urban Land Institute to explore and develop recommendations to improve pedestrian activity in the area. The report findings included short- and long-term recommendations focused around creating a great place beloved by residents that, in turn, attracts visitors.

Waterfront Report >