An Opportunity to Acquire, Preserve, and Restore Our Wetlands

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Hubert Merritt
5 years ago
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1 An Opportunity to Acquire, Preserve, and Restore Our Wetlands Los Cerritos Wetlands The Los Cerritos marshes once stretched over 2,400 acres at the mouth of the San Gabriel River. Today, little more than 400 acres of the tidal marshes remain in southeast Long Beach and Seal Beach. Ninety-five (95) percent of all tidal marshes in Southern California have been developed and are gone forever. As a tidal salt marsh, the Los Cerritos Wetlands is one of the most biologically productive and ecologically valuable places in the natural world. Restoration will bring back a feeding ground for countless thousands of birds traveling the Pacific Flyway from Alaska to South America. Fish will breed in its shallow water, and the wetlands will filter and cleanse San Gabriel River water before it flows into the ocean. Restoration will also provide numerous passive recreation and environmental education opportunities for residents and visitors. In 2006, the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority (LCWA) purchased the 66-acre Bryant Property, and negotiations are currently underway to purchase the 174-acre Hellman Property. However, no progress was ever made toward the acquisition of the 175-acre parcel that is the heart of the wetlands. The parties were never able to agree on the value of the property. In 2007, the Bixby Ranch Company and Bixby Oil & Gas sold the 175-acre parcel to a private party. The new owner is willing to consider a land exchange rather than an outright sale. In this regard, City staff and the new owner have been in discussions for a number of months. Underutilized City-Owned and Privately-Owned Property For nearly 10 years, the City has tried to develop a Sports Park on the property located at Spring St. and Orange Ave. This $50 million project is unfunded, and a source for such a significant level of funding is not anticipated any time in the future. Furthermore, the acquisition of the Amerigas parcel, which is also unfunded, was essential to the project. The Sports Park is no longer feasible, and a new vision is needed for the 47 City-owned acres comprising the Hilltop Property. [Note: Only three soccer fields were planned for the Sports Park. Ten (10) new soccer fields are currently proposed west of Long Beach Blvd.] In addition to the Hilltop Property, the City also owns two large, underutilized and desirable properties the Public Service Yard on San Francisco St. adjacent to the Los Angeles River, and the Gas & Oil site on Spring St. and Junipero Ave. Additionally, the City owns two small, undeveloped remnant parcels that could be liquidated. For several years, the City has been interested in acquiring the 19-acre Wrigley Heights (i.e., Oil Operators) property for dedicated open space in this severely park-deficient area of Long Beach. An important component of the RiverLink Plan, the land would ultimately provide for seasonal wetlands, groundwater recharge, and passive recreation. 1

2 A Land Exchange Rather than seeking individual buyers/developers for the underutilized properties, the City proposes to bundle and exchange them for the 175-acre former Bixby wetlands properties. The City would then sell the wetlands properties to the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority (LCWA) for an estimated $25 million. The City would use the proceeds to (1) acquire, restore, and develop the 19-acre Wrigley Heights property as open space, and (2) develop 18 acres of open space at the Hilltop Property. Because of the restrictive methodology of State sanctioned appraisals, appraised values have not achieved the owner's perception of value. This has consistently derailed prior negotiations. In fact, the wetlands were recently sold at over 140% of the State's appraised value. Proceeding with the existing process will likely never result in State acquisition of the wetlands. However, if the City can exchange its property for the wetlands, it can sell them to the LCWA at the State's appraised value. The new owner of the remaining 29 acres of Hilltop Property, the Public Service Yard, the Gas & Oil site, and remnant parcels could develop these properties consistent with the City s interests. The Spring St. frontage of the Hilltop Property could be developed for commercial purposes, with the remainder developed for light industrial purposes. The Public Service Yard could also be developed for light industrial purposes. The Gas & Oil site could be developed for commercial and/or retail purposes. The City has reached agreement to purchase the 8-acre Amerigas property at the southwest corner of Spring St. and Orange Ave., but does not have funding available for the purchase. The City would double-escrow the parcel, allowing for a transfer into new ownership. Land Exchange Comparison The Benefits Public Properties Exchanged Acres Value (Millions) Public Properties Gained Acres Value (Millions) Hilltop Property $12.5 Wrigley Heights $12.4 Gas & Oil 9.47 $6.1 Public Service Yard $7.9 Los Cerritos Wetlands $ (Bixby Parcel) (est.) Other Parcels 1.60 $0.4 TOTAL $26.9 TOTAL $ acres of wetlands in public ownership to be protected in perpetuity. 19 acres of new open space in Wrigley Heights. 18 acres of wetlands/open space at the Hilltop Property. Public and legal access to Bryant parcel of the Los Cerritos Wetlands. Maintain control of development through covenants and deed restrictions. Create 52 new acres of scarce and valuable commercial and light industrial developments, resulting in the creation of high-quality jobs and increased tax generation. 2

3 Los Cerritos Wetlands 1898

4 Los Cerritos Wetlands 1938

5 Los Cerritos Wetlands Bixby: Bryant: Hellman: 175 Acres, Privately Owned 66 Acres, Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority 174 Acres, In Negotiations

6 Los Cerritos Wetlands

7 Wrigley Heights Acres, Privately Owned

8 Hilltop Property Commercial & Light Industrial: Open Space: Acres Acres

9 Gas & Oil 9.47 Acres Public Service Yard Acres

10 Cherry & Creston 1.35 Acres Spring & Atlantic.25 Acres

11 Proposed Soccer Fields Within 6 Months Chavez Park: One (1) new unlighted field on existing park 3 Within 1 Year Seaside Park: One (1) new unlighted field Veterans Park: One (1) new lighted field on existing park (in addition to existing field) 1 Admiral Kid Park: One (1) new lighted field, and new lights for existing field 1 Within 1 to 2 Years 3 1 Oregon & Del Amo Site: Three (3) new unlighted fields 1 More Than 2 Years Drake/Chavez Greenbelt: Three (3) new lighted fields

FOR sublease. 1,000 SF (Approx.) Retail Space. Long Beach Blvd.

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