Long Beach City College (LBCC) will break ground on a new student housing facility at its Liberal Arts Campus (LAC), marking a major investment in supporting students and addressing housing needs that can affect their educational goals. Members of the community are invited to attend the October 8 groundbreaking ceremony and learn more about the student housing project.

“For the first time in Long Beach City College’s nearly 100-year history, students will have the opportunity to live and learn on campus,” said Uduak-Joe Ntuk, President of the Long Beach Community College District Board of Trustees. “I was proud to chair the Measure AC campaign and help build community support for this transformative investment. The Board is deeply grateful for voters’ trust and belief in the future of LBCC.”

“Community colleges have traditionally been thought of as commuter campuses, but the students we serve today face very different circumstances,” said Dr. Mike Muñoz, LBCC Superintendent-President. “For some students, housing instability can make it difficult to stay in school. This project responds to that reality by providing a place to live that gives students greater stability while they pursue their education. It’s another way LBCC is removing barriers that might otherwise keep a student from reaching their goals.”

Today’s community college students often balance their education with work and family responsibilities, while others are returning to school or facing housing insecurity and challenges outside the classroom. The new student housing facility is part of LBCC’s broader effort to respond to those changing student needs.

The approximately 93,000-square-foot student housing complex will provide 431 beds in a mix of studio, single, and double-bed units. The facility will also feature study, lounge, and meeting spaces; shared kitchens and laundry rooms; and indoor and outdoor gathering areas designed to create a welcoming residential community for LBCC students.

Located at the corner of Clark Avenue and Lew Davis Street, the new residence hall will provide students with convenient access to the center of the Liberal Arts Campus, Public Safety, nearby athletic fields, and the new Stadium and Athletic Sports Complex. The project has a budget of approximately $127 million and is expected to be completed in Fall 2028.

The project was designed with attention to community input and with a focus on minimizing impacts to the surrounding neighborhood. As part of the design process, LBCC reduced the building height facing Clark Avenue from four stories to three, eliminated student entry from Clark Avenue, relocated the rooftop patio to the far west end of the facility, and incorporated landscaping, architectural enhancements, and murals to give the building a more residential feel. Lighting will be designed to remain within the property line, and the facility’s digital display was relocated to Lew Davis Street rather than Clark Avenue.

LBCC is also conducting a parking and traffic study associated with the project.

In preparation for operating its first on-campus student housing facility, the District has budgeted for expanded services and staffing to support 24-hour residential operations. These investments include increased security, additional maintenance and landscaping staff, and new student services professionals.

The student housing project is funded through Measure LB and Measure AC, voter-approved bond measures supporting improvements to LBCC facilities. The project team includes Swinerton as the general contractor and AC Martin as the project architect. LBCCD’s bond management company, Cordoba Corporation, oversees project management for LBCC.