Long Beach City Hall to get face-lift

In Long Beach, the case of the $25,000 brick is coming to a close -- but not before it costs the city even more money.

Scaffolding has clung to Long Beach City Hall for 2 1/2 years, since a brick fell from the now-54-year-old building's facade.

The equipment, which city officials and residents have decried as an eyesore, has cost the city $850 per month for about 30 months (roughly $25,500), but officials say it is necessary to prevent another brick from falling and possibly injuring a pedestrian.

No one was hurt and no other bricks have fallen from the building, located in the heart of the Long Beach's commercial district, but the city also hasn't had plans to repair City Hall's facade -- until now.

The City Council last month approved a $4.35 million capital project plan that includes about $500,000 to repair the facade. The scaffolding will need to remain until the work is complete, said Jim LaCarrubba, the city's public works commissioner.

"One brick is too many," LaCarrubba said. "You don't want to see anybody get hurt."

Long Beach officials said the previous administration, voted out of office in November, had not prioritized repairing the facade.

The design work is under way, LaCarrubba said. Fixing the facade will involve replacing part of the building's ventilation system, he said.

The work should take a few months, city officials said.

Few people will mourn the end of City Hall's scaffolding era, said Councilwoman Fran Adelson. "The thing about the facade is it's a danger issue," Adelson said. "That's why the scaffolding is up."

The facade project is one of several improvements targeted under the city's capital plan. Others include reconstructing several roadways in the Canals neighborhoods, upgrading the city's recreation center and replacing the city's 102-year-old water tower.

The city is paying for the capital program with a bond that it will repay over 20 years at a cost of about $300,000 per year.

The capital plan was proposed in May and approved by the City Council, 4-1, in July.

Long Beach badly needs all of the infrastructure improvements, but the work on City Hall will be especially satisfying, said Jack Schnirman, city manager.

"We have a situation where the infrastructure of the city has been neglected for a long time," Schnirman said. "If you don't do actual repairs, you spend more money."

City Councilman John C. McLaughlin said he expects to see the scaffolding gone before the end of the calendar year.

Not a moment too soon, he said.

"Don't you think the scaffolding gives the building character?" McLaughlin joked. "City Hall is supposed to be a centerpiece. I'm excited to have it be gone."