After more than 20 years of planning, stops and starts, officials Thursday marked the start of construction on a new retail shopping center where SeaPort Marina Hotel once stood.

The groundbreaking event was mostly symbolic; demolition crews and oil well extraction rigs have been on the site at Second Street and Pacific Coast Highway for months now.

The Lin family, doing business as Takisun Inc., bought the hotel property more than 20 years ago, and almost immediately began looking at potential redevelopment projects. The hurdles were high — a location at one of the most congested intersections in the area, a 1970s master land use ordinance restricting what could be built, and a growing environmental movement determined to protect the Los Cerritos Wetlands.

Centercal employees Marie Huber and Tina Animion admire the renderings at the groundbreaking of the 2nd & PCH shopping center, on the grounds of the former SeaPort Marina Hotel. Long Beach February 1, 2018. Photo by Brittany Murray, Press Telegram/SCNG

The crowd applauds at the groundbreaking of the 2nd & PCH shopping center, on the grounds of the former SeaPort Marina Hotel. Long Beach February 1, 2018. Photo by Brittany Murray, Press Telegram/SCNG

Long Beach Mayor, Dr. Robert Garcia speaks at the groundbreaking of the 2nd & PCH shopping center, on the grounds of the former SeaPort Marina Hotel. Long Beach February 1, 2018. Photo by Brittany Murray, Press Telegram/SCNG

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Officials lift their shovels for the groundbreaking of the 2nd & PCH shopping center, on the grounds of the former SeaPort Marina Hotel. Long Beach February 1, 2018. Photo by Brittany Murray, Press Telegram/SCNG

Third district Councilwoman Suzie Price speaks to the crows at the groundbreaking of the 2nd & PCH shopping center, on the grounds of the former SeaPort Marina Hotel. Long Beach February 1, 2018. Photo by Brittany Murray, Press Telegram/SCNG



Ray Lin, property owner speaks at the groundbreaking of the 2nd & PCH shopping center, on the grounds of the former SeaPort Marina Hotel. Lin has owned the property for 20 years and after years of hurdles he admits he and his family are a bit emotional on this day to see the redevelopment finally happening. Long Beach February 1, 2018. Photo by Brittany Murray, Press Telegram/SCNG

Hard hats and shovels for the groundbreaking of the 2nd & PCH shopping center, on the grounds of the former SeaPort Marina Hotel. Long Beach February 1, 2018. Photo by Brittany Murray, Press Telegram/SCNG

Long Beach Mayor, Dr. Robert Garcia speaks at the groundbreaking of the 2nd & PCH shopping center, on the grounds of the former SeaPort Marina Hotel. Long Beach February 1, 2018. Photo by Brittany Murray, Press Telegram/SCNG

“I couldn’t give up,” said property owner Raymond Lin of his three different runs to get a development approved. “If I would have given up, I would have given up my dream. I wanted, and want, to build something great… I grew up in Taiwan and lived in New York City; I knew we could do something great here.”

The Lins partnered first with housing giant Lennar Homes, coming up with a plan that included high-end condominiums, a luxury hotel and more, including retail. But under current zoning regulations, buildings could be no more than 35 feet tall. The developers decided to seek conditional use permits for building height as well as the residential component.

The project was ultimately turned down by the City Council.

A second run at a mixed-use redevelopment reduced the number of residential units and the size of the hotel. Again, the project made it to the council only to be turned away again in 2011. That defeat prompted the council to order a study of revisions to zoning laws in the area.

But Lin decided he couldn’t wait. He partnered with CenterCal Properties Inc., a Southern California-based developer that had a track record of completing projects, including several commercial centers.

Their concept for 2nd & PCH was to rebuild the property as a commercial-only, low-rise complex that fit within all of the current zoning restrictions — no residential, and no buildings taller than 35 feet.

CenterCal’s Steve Shaul has said the 2nd & PCH project would be anchored by a 55,000-square-foot Whole Foods Store (moving from a current location in the Marina Shores Center) accompanied by another 95,000 square feet of retail, a 25,000-square-foot fitness/health club (Shaul said Monday that rather than one big club there would be several more boutique health and fitness options), 70,000 square feet of restaurant uses and 1,150 parking spaces. All of the uses are allowed under the current zoning and all the buildings will be under the 35-foot height limit.

The Planning Commission unanimously approved the project Sept. 7. Appeals to the City Council were filed, but dropped before the council meeting, and demolition has gone on full speed since.

Shaul said about 45 people were working on site Monday, and that he expects up to 600 at the peak of construction. When 2nd & PCH is finished, the investment will total about $200 million, he said.

“Getting all the entitlements was a big milestone,” Shaul said. “Potential tenants see that momentum, and interest picks up.”

Shaul and Lin both said the new center would set a high standard for the competition. Attention to detail would be the hallmark, Shaul added.

“We could have put in a Costco or a Target, but we didn’t do that,” Lin said. “That would have gone against what we’re all about. I think everyone is going to embrace this as it goes up. We have set the standard very high.”