WHAT'S HAPPENING IN LONG BEACH...
Monday, February 14, 2011 at 07:55PM So, why another blog on architecture? There must be thousands of them already. Well this one will try to keep it simple and relevant to what the members of LBCREC want to know. While I am a designer with more than 30 years experience I come from a builder and real estate background so I appreciate what you folks do.
The LB Business Journal reported recently on the optimistic outlook for industrial (and somewhat less so for commercial) property in 2011. Traffic through the port is up significantly over last year. Logistics and health care industries are hiring and expanding. Construction projects in the city include port improvements, the new courthouse and the airport terminal. Things are moving in the right direction, although slowly. Architects are seeing some improvement in inquiries and requests for proposals for new projects but it seems uncertainty abounds. Unemployment in the design and construction fields is still over 20%. The January cover article in Architectural Record was titled “What Now?” The same month in Architect magazine it was “What’s Next?” Neither answered the question but both said change is (ultimately) good and should be expected. The market may never return to the booming (and busting) decade past but the only way to go is forward and Long Beach is sure to be a leader. We have a pro-business city government, good public schools, an able work force and this wonderful climate. We just need to work hard to get the word out there.