Summary
The utility department operates out of three aging campuses and is studying consolidating into one modern facility. Early modeling suggests keeping the land, ground-leasing it for industrial use, and renting office space nearby could get close to cost-neutral for ratepayers — but the numbers are very rough and decisions are months away.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 5
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Aug 6, 2026.
Impact analysis
Early estimates put new campus construction around $225 million or more, but the favored scenario aims to be roughly cost-neutral for water, sewer, and gas ratepayers over 45 years.
Ratepayers, if the cost-neutral goal holds, plus the city through new lease revenue on surplus land.
Ratepayers could face costs if final numbers drift from the rough estimates; no party is identified as harmed at this stage.
Mentions & discussions (5)
Utilities Commission - Aug 6, 2026
The Utilities Department wants to move everyone to the treatment plant site, lease office space at Kilroy, and turn the old Wardlow and Spring Street campuses into revenue-producing industrial land through joint ventures. The goal is to fund the project while minimizing rate increases — estimated at 0.7% water, 2.3% gas, and 1% sewer in a low-revenue scenario, or nearly nothing in the best case. Feasibility studies and a facility condition assessment come next, with a board check-in later this year.
Utilities Commission Planning Committee - Special Meeting - Jul 30, 2026
The Planning Committee was scheduled to receive an update on the utility's campus realignment and modernization effort. Long-term facility planning like this can shape future utility costs and service reliability for Long Beach residents.
Utilities Commission - Special Meeting - May 28, 2026
The department is weighing consolidating three aging campuses into one, leasing out surplus land and renting office space to keep the project roughly cost-neutral. A framework decision is targeted for the fall; doing nothing could cost $10 million a year in deferred maintenance.
Utilities Commission - Planning Committee - Apr 16, 2026
The utility department operates out of three aging campuses and is studying consolidating into one modern facility. Early modeling suggests keeping the land, ground-leasing it for industrial use, and renting office space nearby could get close to cost-neutral for ratepayers — but the numbers are very rough and decisions are months away.
Utilities Commission - Planning Committee - Feb 5, 2026
The Utilities Department is studying how to consolidate and modernize its campuses, with four options from $133 million to $246 million — possibly through a public-private partnership where the city pays only when buildings are delivered.
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