Mixed opinions on Second and PCH

Photo by: Jaime A. Varela

    
       For many people, the word "deteriorating" is an understatement for describing the Seaport Marina Hotel, but for others, like Shane and Lawrence who are both Long Beach visitors, the word is "affordable."  Recently, the second+pch project, which proposes to build retail shops, a hotel, theater, and science center where the current Seaport Marina Hotel is located, has been getting a lot of attention. Community leaders, CSULB administrative officials, students and community residents are all speaking out about the pros and cons of this project. So I decided to find out what the people who work and visit the hotel think about this project and how they feel it will affect them.

       Saydi Mills, a Thacker Berry Farms employee who sells strawberries on the hotel premise said she has been working at the site for over a year, but the stand has been there for around eight years. She said even though this is her only job, she believes constructing a shopping village would benefit the city. "I like the idea, this place [Long Beach] needs more of a better centerpiece and this is a good spot." When asked about potentially losing her job she said in a joking manner, "I'll just move to another stand."

       A strawberry stand placed on a gravel section of the front parking lot may be a sign of the desperate financial struggle the hotel has been in for years. One out of the three middle-aged house keepers who asked to remain anonymous said she has seen the hotel transform from a busy and popular hotel to a "destroyed place." In her thirty years of working there she said it has progressively gotten worst. "People who visit treat us [house keepers] bad, they tell me this place looks like a dump and they often ask me for their money back! I say I am sorry and I just try to clean and do my job," she said. When asked about the project, she also agreed it would be a good idea since the hotel is not doing well and she only works three to eight hours when needed.

       Tourists, like Shane and Lawrence from Chino Hills, said it would be better to not build a shopping village since there are a lot of shopping centers adjacent to the hotel, but instead they suggested the owners should renovate it. "It's cheap, it's in a good location for bars, and we get a discount on the big red bus, I like it," said Shane. A couple from San Francisco also said they were staying at the hotel because it was cheap. "It's definitely seen better days, maybe some upgrades would do," said the woman.

      When I entered the hotel to ask the manager if management was considering renovations or if they were simply going to give up the property for development, she was unavailable for comment. Derek, director of operations at Platinum limousine, which leases a small shop behind the hotel, said the hotel management has told them nothing regarding the proposal. "We have heard talks about it, but we really have no clue what is happening. I guess if it passes we'll just move and put our 32 limos somewhere else," he said.

        Regardless if the proposal passes or not, it seems the property management at the Seaport Marina Hotel will have to take drastic measures in order for it to keep its doors open for business.

Photo by: Jaime A. Varela