Board approves move to temporary headquarters at 4801 Airport Plaza Drive.
The Port's administrative staff of about 350 people is expected to move to Airport Plaza in 2013. The Board stressed that the move is temporary, and that discussions will begin soon on building a permanent headquarters in or near downtown Long Beach.
"I am relieved that we have identified a secure, temporary home," said Board President Susan E. Anderson Wise. “Regardless of what address we have, this Port will continue to be a leader in the shipping industry.”
Wise, and commissioners Rich Dines, Doug Drummond and Nick Sramek voted in favor of purchasing the Airport Plaza building. Board Vice President Thomas Fields voted against.
The purchase price for the vacant building, which was once occupied by the Boeing Corp., is $14.25 million. The Port expects to spend another $9 million in renovations. The closing date for escrow is December 27.
The current Port Administration building at 925 Harbor Plaza, built in 1959, is overcrowded and does not meet today’s seismic standards. The Harbor Commission has placed a priority on moving the Port staff out of the current location because of overcrowding and safety concerns.