Long Beach seeks new vendors for iconic MLK Center

In a move likely to spark intense debate, Long Beach acting City Manager Ron Walsh said the city is soliciting requests for proposals to nonprofit, youth, recreation and other organizations to occupy the iconic Martin Luther King Jr. Center in the largely Black neighborhood. The move may squeeze the current MLK leaders and programs out of the building.

The City and the MLK Center have been in a legal dispute for years over the payment of rent to Long Beach. City officials say that the center has not paid rent for years. MLK officials dismiss the allegations, saying the matter is little more than a landlord-tenant dispute.

Fred Brewington of Huntington, one of Long Island's best-known civil-rights lawyers, objected to the city's claims regarding rent. 

"The fact that they would comment on litigation that they created is an insidious attempt to cut the throat of the Black community in Long Beach," Brewington said. He said the last lease was signed in 1995, and that the city "has not offered or provided" one since. 

Brewingtin called the city's action "classical  revisionism  to colonialism."

City officials have said the opposite is the case, that in fact the center has been offered leases and even offered to let them buy the building for $1.

Center officials are planning a mass community meeting Monday at 6 p.m.

"My primary concern is that the center meets the full needs of the community, said City Councilmember Roy Lester. "There was a time when healthcare, childcare, senior programs and so much more were offered at the facility. While the organization is certainly operating some worthwhile programs, it is falling far short of past performance and the potential of the facility. This needs to change."  

The rent matter has been in court for almost two years now. A City official Wednesday night said the case is drawing to a close.

The city says the legal name of the building is the North Park Community Center, which is what it is called in the lease, dating back decades. No change is currently contemplated.

"What's going to happen is that the incorporated is going to be changed," Walsh said in an interview Wednesday night."

"They have not paid rent for more than 20 years," Walsh said. 'The center needs to be successful and to move forward."

Walsh said programs now at the city's recreation center would be moved to the MLK building.

Two of the three city council members up for re-election this fall,  Karen McInnis and Liz Treson, said they could not comment because the case involving MLK is still in litigation.

According to the RFP, the city is soliciting requests for  "qualified, non-profit vendors interested in operating youth, adult, and/or senior, athletic, recreation, sports leagues, fitness, health, education, life skills training, emotional development, enrichment or other community programs using City facilities, at minimal cost to City residents". 

Walsh said current MLK employees could be a part of a new organization "if they can put a bid together."

The RFP said also that Long Beach's "preference is to contract with a sole vendor, if possible, that can provide all of the services requested, or that has relationships with other non-profit vendors who jointly can provide all requested services. The selected vendor(s) will be required to operate according to the terms and conditions set forth in a formal agreement with the City upon award."

The RFP notes that  the building on Riverside Boulevard includes a Community Center, auditorium, commercial kitchen, computer lab, dance room, classrooms and an indoor basketball court

The center has been a focal point for the North Park community for decades. It serves hundreds of children in after-school programs as well as offering sports and academics. It has provided food and clothing to needy North Park residents, particularly during holiday periods. 

The city in recent years had had clashes with the center, shutting its doors two years ago after fire and safety violations were found. The violations were fixed and the center was allowed to re-open.

The RFP said also, "Lendor(s) may be selected from among responding vendors based on a thorough analysis of each vendor’s ability to provide the City with the highest demand and quality programs.

The city said it is looking for vendors "to establish and maintain a disciplined approach to management and operating services and have an understanding that safety, health and wellness, community and personal growth, attendance and fun are the key priorities in managing and operating successful programs.  Vendors must be committed to providing the highest level of services.  They must also recognize the need for community programs and activities that add excitement, education, training and value, and build long-lasting relationships with the community."