BLUFF PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
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Mission Statement
The Bluff Park Historic District is a small residential neighborhood located in the City of Long Beach, California. On July 20, 1982, it became the 2nd neighborhood to be given historic landmark status by the city. Residents of the neighborhood played a key role in the initiation of the city’s historic preservation movement. The borders of the District run roughly from E. Ocean Boulevard on the south to E. Broadway on the north, and from Junipero Avenue on the west to Loma Avenue on the east. It consists of mostly of stately single-family and multi-family houses constructed between 1903 and 1949. Located along the ocean bluffs, large two-story Craftsman Bungalows and Period Revival styles predominate with a mix of other significant architectural styles. The area was named for its proximity to the Bluff Park, which is a 25 acre (100,000 square meter) south of E. Ocean Boulevard and atop the tall bluff overlooking the sandy beach of the Pacific Ocean. A replica of the Lone Sailor Statue resides in the park as a tribute to Long Beach’s naval history.
About This Cause
VISION The vision of BPNA’s Bluff Park Historic Lamppost Project is to remove uncharacteristic modern street lights in the Bluff Park Historic District and install historically appropriate lampposts matching the look and pattern of the late-1920s E. 1st Street lampposts. Although the neighborhood tried to make this happen over 2 decades ago, in 2015 a committee formed inspired by historic preservation, worked with the City of Long Beach Public Works to uncover the 1927 sketch of the E. 1st Street poles and reached out to the original manufacturer still in-business today. Now that same American company is proudly making the Project’s lampposts from the same old specifications. PHASE 1 COMPLETED 2019 The inaugural Phase 1, comprised of the 10 newly installed lampposts with their 80 plaques along Paloma Avenue, was dedicated in a public ceremony and Block Party on July 27, 2019, called Lighting the 1st Path. Check out the gallery photos here. Walk, jog or drive the street to view the magnificent sight! This important milestone was achieved through collaboration, community engagement, volunteerism, patience, perseverance and grassroots fundraising. Applause goes to the scores of donors, committee members and residents from all over the neighborhood, our partners in the City of Long Beach, vendors and supporters from diverse areas. Special thanks goes to Long Beach’s 3rd District Councilwoman Suzie Price and Mayor Robert Garcia who nurtured the vision and passion. PHASE 2 Completed Nov 2021 Phase 2 has now been funded as the BPNA reaches over $130,000 of cumulative revenue since the Project‘s inception. The Long Beach City Council approved the Mayor’s 2020 City Budget which allocated an additional $100,000 to the augment our fundraising and help secure Phase 2. PHASE 3 INSTALLATION COMPLETED IN April 2024 The BPNA has been working with the City of Long Beach Public Works Department, our Council District 2 and Vice Mayor Cindy Allen’s Office, and Union Metal Industries Corporation (the original manufacturer of the 95-year-old E. 1st Street lampposts) on the steps needed for Phase 3. The last couple years have seen the cost of materials and labor go up by more than 40-50% since the last phase. The purchase order was placed in September 2022 for the 10 lampposts that will comprise Phase 3 for Molino Avenue. The City received the lampposts in July 2023 and installed them in Spring 2024. Beginning in April 2023, community residents in the near vicinity received regular updates and hardcopy letters with information on what to expect and how to get involved. A fun and unique Dedication Celebration & Fundraiser Event, called “Puttin’ on the Ritz with Lamppost Glitz“, is now scheduled for Saturday evening, August 17, 2024. Proudly sponsored in part by the Port of Long Beach. Save the date. For more details, visit the Event Page here.. CITY BUDGET AND GRASSROOTS FUNDING SUPPORT FUTURE PHASES Thanks to the concerted efforts of Vice Mayor and Councilwoman Cindy Allen, working with then-Mayor Robert Garcia and the rest of the City Council, including current Mayor Rex Richardson, Long Beach City Budget funds were specially allocated in September 2022 in the amount of $700,000 over the next 5 years to support the ongoing momentum of the Project. While this will not cover the growing costs to complete all phases planned for the entire Historic District, it is a huge and critically important investment and acknowledgement by our City leaders of the ongoing broad-based community support for this infrastructure, beautification and historic preservation initiative that benefits all of the city and its visitors. Since 2014, thanks to scores of personal donors, fundraiser events, and grants, the BPNA has successfully raised to-date over $250,000 towards the Project. Let’s keep the momentum going and pay it forward. Please consider donating or helping out at any level. PHASE 4 AND FUTURE PHASES Where will Phase 4 be installed, when, and how big will it be? Well, your actions will make all the difference. The BPNA board will soon be making the decision based on where there is the most interest and donor support. Now in seeking ongoing funding, commitment, and initiative among more residents and neighbors, the BPNA is working towards the next phases in fulfillment of the entire District. The timeline for Phase 4 and all future phases will be established once the necessary funding is secured. The locations will be determined by the residents’ level of engagement, volunteers and donors in each section. Eventually the Project will cover the entire District, roughly from Junipero Avenue to Loma Avenue and from (but not on) E. Ocean Blvd to E. Broadway. Our mentor and matriarch Helena Segelhorst continually reminds us, “It’s doable!” And, it is! DONORS AND DONOR PLAQUES Fully tax-deductible donations help make the Project possible. Small and large donations alike are most appreciated. The BPNA operates as a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Scroll down for a variety of ways to donate. Significant donors who contribute $1000.00 or more will be recognized on plaques that will be affixed around the bases of the newly installed replica lampposts. As the installation becomes imminent, the BPNA will reach back out to ask donors what they want engraved on their personalized plaques.