Economic Development & Opportunity

Vacancy to Vibrancy Storefront Program

• Attract new tenants to untapped business corridors and dormant commercial spaces
• Improve curbside appearance and deter vandalism
• Fuel visitation and sales at local businesses
• Improve pedestrian comfort and enhance community spaces
• Encourage community engagement through the creative economy

• Impact on Location and Surrounding Area
• Level of Need for Program’s Implementation 
• Feasibility of Project  

FAQ

• Is application assistance available?

  Yes! For technical assistance, please contact BizCare at 562.570. (4BIZ) 4249 or BizCare@longbeach.gov. 

• How many locations will be selected?

  Based on available funds, a select number of locations will be selected.

• Who is eligible to participate in this program? 

  A vacant commercial building/storefront located within the boundaries of Long Beach, California that does not hold any of the Program’s ineligible criteria and meets below criteria:  

  • Must be a vacant commercial building/storefront located at ground-level 
  • Must be a vacant commercial building/storefront located along a pedestrian pathway  
  • Must provide proof of ownership (i.e. property grant deed) 
  • Must be able to submit photographs of current location  
  • Must be a vacant commercial building/storefront for a minimum of 6 months 
  • Must be able to submit supporting documentation for vacancy and its length of time

• Who is ineligible to participate in the program?

  • Vacant plots (i.e. empty land parcels) 
  • Home-based locations 
  • Government entities or elected official offices.   
  • Businesses primarily engaged in political or lobbying activities.   
  • Churches and other religious organizations.   
  • Businesses engaged in any activity that is illegal under federal, state, or local law.   
  • Businesses engaged in any socially undesirable activity or activity that may be considered predatory in nature such as check cashing businesses.   
  • Occupied storefront/commercial building 

• How are applicants selected?

  All applications will be reviewed for basic eligibility. Once basic eligibility is reviewed, applicants will be selected from a pool of eligible applications by a review panel that assesses the following:  

  • Impact on location and surrounding area 

  • Level of need for program’s implementation 

  • Feasibility of project  

• Are any documents required with this application?

  No, however selected businesses will be required to provide ID, W-9, location photos, proof of ownership (property’s grant deed), and additional documentation requested by Arts Council of Long Beach.  

• What is the timeline?

  Application review is anticipated 6-8 weeks from application’s close date.  

• Can I edit my application after I submit?

  The application form does not allow editing after submission. To correct any errors or missing information, please contact BizCare at 562.570.4BIZ (4249) or BizCare@longbeach.gov. 

   

• I am a local artist, how can I apply to be considered as a designer of the art for this program's window vinyl wrap?

  Please contact the Public Art Department at the Arts Council for Long Beach by emailing publicart@artslb.org or calling telephone 562.204.6503 for more information on application process for artists. If contacting via email, please include the subject line "Vacancy to Vibrancy Storefront Program RFQ Clarification."