Public Works

VIP Records Sign Restoration Project

Join the City of Long Beach on Thursday, August 13, 2026, from 6 - 7:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center (1950 Lemon Ave.) for an interactive community workshop to help shape the design of a new public space for the historic VIP Records sign!

The deadline for interpretation services or other accommodation requests is Tuesday, August 11. RSVP and request language interpretation here.

View the flyer.

Background

For more than 40 years, VIP Records served as a cultural landmark and a cornerstone of Long Beach’s hip-hop music scene, championing local artists and bringing community members together through music and culture.

In 2017, the City Council directed the City Manager to execute an agreement with World Famous VIP, LLC, for the removal, restoration, historical landmark designation, and temporary storage of the iconic VIP Records sign. In 2018 the sign was officially designated as a Long Beach historical landmark in recognition of its cultural and historical significance. As part of an ongoing preservation effort, the Department of Public Works will restore and relocate the sign to a parcel located at the southwest corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway, where it will serve as the centerpiece of a new public space honoring VIP Records’ rich legacy and enduring impact in the Long Beach community. 

Objectives

• Commemorate local history
• Enhance the urban environment
• Create spaces that reflect local history and provide a respite for the community

Project Features

• Commemorative landscapes
• Historical landmarks
• Gathering spaces
• Landscaping improvements

Project Funding

This project is supported by the General Fund, Measure A funding, and is included in the Elevate '28 Infrastructure Investment Plan.