After reaching dead ends in previous potential paths toward a new administration building, the Port of Long Beach is now exploring yet another avenue of approach.
The port has begun requesting information from office building owners and their representatives as part of its search for an interim headquarters.
The port says it could either lease or purchase its new facility, and has asked office building owners and their representatives to submit information by 3 p.m., Fri., April 20, 2012.
The complete Request for Information (RFI) document is available for download at http://www.polb.com/economics/contractors/rfq_rfp/information.asp.
The port’s current seven-story building is located on the outskirts of the port’s confines, near downtown Long Beach. It was built in 1959 and no longer meets the port’s needs, according to officials, nor does it meet modern earthquake codes.
The port had originally planned to internally fund and build a $220 million state-of-the-art headquarters within the harbor; however the idea was eventually shot down by Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster as too expensive. Since then, the port’s been looking to lease or purchase a nearby office building to house the port’s 400-member staff.
Last fall, the five-member harbor commission twice deadlocked on a 2-2 vote whether to purchase the Long Beach World Trade Center. Commissioners Thomas Fields and Nick Sramek voted for the extension and commissioners Rich Dines and Doug Drummond against. The fifth member, Susan Wise recused herself from the issue because she and her husband both have office space in the building.
