North Long Beach updates shared at annual State of the District
Around 100 community members gathered Saturday, February 7 in the Doris Topsy Elford Community Center in North Long Beach to hear 9th District Councilmember Joni Ricks-Oddie outline plans for North Long Beach during her annual State of the District event. Ricks-Oddie was joined by other city officials to discuss street improvements, local businesses, park facilities, public safety and more.
Her presentation offered an overview of past, recent and future changes coming to Long Beach’s oldest and most diverse council district:
What happened in 2025?
Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library: The former garden area outside the library was converted into an outdoor courtyard that can be used as a community gathering space.
Ramona Park: This past fall, the city celebrated the grand opening of the new underwater-themed playground, with Americans With Disabilities Act-compliant play structures, shade structures, fog misters and updated landscaping.
Street Updates: During the end of 2025, the City repaired 28 street lights between Greenleaf Boulevard and Del Amo Blvd as part of an effort to beautify Long Beach Boulevard.
DeForest Park: The inoperable bathrooms were demolished over the summer. The city has extended the contract with the company Throne, which oversees an automatic single-stall toilet in the park. Park visitors need a smart phone to access the bathroom, and the city said it is gathering encrypted data on its usage.
What’s happened so far in 2026?
Student Safety: A program that supervises kids as they walk to and from school has been expanded to Starr King Elementary. The Safe Passages Program was brought to nearby Lakewood High School following a violent attack on a teen girl who was walking home in 2022.
Human Trafficking: Earlier this week, the Long Beach City Council approved a strategic framework that will guide the City’s response to human trafficking in North Long Beach, specifically along Long Beach Boulevard. Last month, residents marched through North Long Beach with picket signs during a demonstration meant to bring attention to the ongoing issue.
What’s coming up?
Houghton Park: A new outdoor sports complex and playground have been proposed for Houghton Park. BBallers Hoops School and the Place to Play Foundation have approached the city with a plan to raise funds and build a state-of-the-art indoor sports complex. While city staff said that discussions surrounding the sports complex were still in the early stages, the city is supportive of their plan. Additionally, the city recently started accepting bids from developers for the playground; the contract is expected to be awarded to the chosen developer this summer. This spring, the city will also hold workshops to gather community feedback on potential improvements to the picnic area.
Housing: Construction will begin soon on a new housing project for Long Beach City College (LBCC) students on Atlantic Avenue Another mixed-use housing project, Uptown Acres, is also in the works. This development will include 195 units as well as facilities such as computer rooms, media room and offices. It will also house the Atlantic Farms Bridge Housing Shelter, which aids individuals and families going through homelessness. City staff said these two housing developments would add $50 million to the local economy. An additional 27 market-rate dwellings will be constructed at the ongoing development being built by KB Homes on Atlantic Avenue.
Empty Storefronts: The Development Department is preparing to give tours of vacant storefronts along Atlantic Avenue to developers, brokers and investors. This will kick-off a six-week proposal period, during which developers can submit their proposed plans for the area.
Street Updates: The city will install 30 new pedestrian-level lights between Artesia Boulevard and Greenleaf Boulevard. Medians will also be re-landscaped, red curbs will be repainted and a city gateway entry sign will be installed.
DeForest Park: The city is planning to rebuild the bathrooms, which will include four separate gender-neutral restroom stalls and exterior sinks.
Ramona Park: The city has secured funding to install a new soccer pitch, though it's not yet clear when it will be completed.
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