Signal Hill’s Future Starts Now: A 210-Acre Transformation in the Works

by Rick Lee

Signal Hill’s Future Starts Now: A 210-Acre Transformation in the Works

Big changes are on the horizon for Signal Hill, California. On March 25, the Signal Hill City Council took a major step forward in shaping the city’s long-term future by approving an economic analysis for its Opportunity Study Areas (OSA). This ambitious plan outlines how 210 acres—approximately 15% of the city—could be redeveloped into a vibrant, walkable town center that blends housing, retail, office, hotel, and industrial space.

This initiative, detailed in a comprehensive report prepared by planning and consulting firm Placeworks, will guide city leaders in evaluating zoning changes that could bring both economic growth and a renewed sense of community identity.

What Are the Opportunity Study Areas?

The OSAs span a large portion of the city, from Atlantic Avenue to Temple Avenue (east to west) and Spring Street to Willow Street (north to south). These three zones are currently underutilized and consist largely of:

•48% industrial/manufacturing land

•34% abandoned or oil production land

•Only 1% multifamily residential

The proposed redevelopment areas break down as:

•OSA 1: 56.33 acres

•OSA 2: 93.46 acres

•OSA 3: 60.31 acres

Most of the land is currently zoned for industrial and retail use, but proposed changes aim to introduce new housing developments, including three projects already in the pipeline: Orange Bluff (290 units), Walnut Bluff (90 units), and Town Center NW (267 units).

A Town Center That Reflects Signal Hill’s Identity

At the heart of the plan is the idea of creating a central business district and town center—not just as a shopping destination, but as a gathering place that reflects the city’s unique history and aspirations. While the final location hasn’t been selected, the city’s 2023–2028 Strategic Plan envisions the town center near Willow Street and Cherry Avenue.

Mayor Keir Jones and city staff emphasized that the vision is to balance economic activity and community engagement, with a design that’s experience-oriented and far from the cookie-cutter developments often seen in other cities. Councilmember Lori Woods even suggested avoiding duplications of popular spaces like Steelcraft, instead favoring something original to Signal Hill.

Retail, Hotels, and Residential Growth

The OSA redevelopment also includes ideas for curated retail—think specialty food markets, health stores, cocktail lounges, and clothing boutiques. Councilmembers discussed the possibility of adaptive reuse concepts like The Camp in Costa Mesa or River Street Marketplace in San Juan Capistrano—blending modern lifestyle appeal with local charm.

In addition, there’s growing demand for more hotels in Signal Hill. The city competes with nearby Long Beach and Lakewood but currently lacks capacity to meet future tourism demands. A city-owned property at Spring Street and Atlantic Avenue is being eyed as a prime location for potential hotel development—especially with the 2028 Olympics coming to nearby Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Industrial and Office Outlook

While the office market still struggles post-pandemic, industrial demand remains strong—particularly from aerospace and tech firms seeking more affordable space than what’s available in neighboring cities. The city sees this as an opportunity to provide light industrial or flex office solutions that can help diversify the local job market.

What’s Next for Signal Hill?

City Manager Carlo Tomaino noted that the final boundaries of the OSAs may still shift slightly, and updates on zoning overlays and the town center location are expected this fall. The city will continue to work closely with Placeworks and other stakeholders to ensure that growth aligns with market demand, community needs, and long-term sustainability.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just a redevelopment plan—it’s a complete reimagining of what Signal Hill can become. For homeowners, developers, and investors, this could signal an inflection point for real estate appreciation, infrastructure modernization, and new economic vitality.

Signal Hill is no longer just a city surrounded by Long Beach—it’s building a bold identity of its own.

Sources:

•City of Signal Hill Planning Department

•Samantha Diaz, Signal Tribune (April 2, 2025)

•Economic Analysis conducted by Placeworks

Want to explore what this means for your property or future investment in the area?

Rick J. Lee

Realtor® @ ΓEA⅃ Broker

📱 (714) 943-1598

📧 rickjleehomes@gmail.com

DRE #02130981

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