City of Long Beach to Host Community Workshops for VIP Records Sign Restoration Project
The Californer/10352644

Long Beach, CA ~ Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach is calling on community members to participate in a series of public workshops to help shape the design of a new public space for the iconic VIP Records sign. The sign, located on the southwest corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway, has been a cultural landmark and cornerstone of Long Beach's hip-hop music scene for over 40 years.

The first workshop will take place on August 13, 2026, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center (1950 Lemon Ave.). This workshop is part of an ongoing effort by the City to preserve and honor the legacy of VIP Records through community-informed design elements and input opportunities.

VIP Records was known for championing local artists and bringing community members together through music and culture. In 2017, the City Council directed the City Manager to secure an agreement with World Famous VIP, LLC for the removal, restoration, historical landmark designation, and temporary storage of the sign. In recognition of its cultural and historical significance, the sign was officially designated as a Long Beach historical landmark in 2018.

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As part of this preservation effort, the Department of Public Works will restore and relocate the sign to a new public space at Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway. The final placement of the sign within this site will be informed by community outreach and feedback.

During the first workshop, participants will have the opportunity to share personal stories, memories, and community history related to VIP Records. They will also provide feedback on early concept design elements for the site through interactive activities. A second workshop is planned for fall where conceptual designs will be presented for further community input before moving into final design phases.

The City has partnered with Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI), a nonprofit organization specializing in community development and design, to lead this project's design and engagement process. Over the next year, the City and KDI will conduct community outreach activities and advance site design efforts. Construction of the new public space and installation of the restored VIP Records sign is expected to begin in Spring 2027, with completion by Fall 2027.

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Funding for this project comes from a combination of General Fund and Measure A funds, as part of the Elevate '28 Infrastructure Investment Plan. This plan has allocated over $1 billion for nearly 200 projects aimed at revitalizing parks, community facilities, and enhancing accessibility and transportation throughout Long Beach.

For more information about this historic investment in infrastructure or to sign up for project updates, visit lbcity.info/VIPRecordsProject. Media inquiries can be directed to Jocelin Padilla-Razo, Community Information Officer for the Department of Public Works at 562.570.4668 or LBPWMedia@longbeach.gov.

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