Long Beach Greens Redevelopment Agency (RDA) - Save the Filipino Baptist Church

Long Beach Redevelopment Agency Votes Unanimously to Condemn a Church

March 13, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Coby Skye, Long Beach Greens
562-252-4196

The Filipino Baptist Fellowship Church
at 2155 Atlantic Ave in Long Beach

Photo credit: Gabrielle Weeks
Click for larger image

Local Greens, City Council Candidate Protest
Planned RDA Demolition of Community Church,
Renew Vow to "Redevelop" the Redevelopment Agency

LONG BEACH, CA -- The Long Beach Redevelopment Agency (RDA) has voted unanimously to demolish the Filipino Baptist Fellowship Church at 2155 Atlantic Ave in Long Beach in order to hand the property over to a private developer to build condos.

Two years ago, we said the RDA has strayed from its mission, and that it was time to "redevelop" the Redevelopment Agency (see our press release from 2 years ago). This latest action recklessly exposes the City of Long Beach to litigation and heartlessly forces a congregation from their church without first identifying an alternate suitable location for them to move.

Since the Supreme Court's recent "Kelo" decision upheld current practices by local government on the use of eminent domain, we have seen a national surge in interest regarding the use of eminent domain to benefit private interests, and a host of proposals to limit eminent domain to be more rational (like SCA 20, sponsored by CA State Senator Tom McClintock, which the Long Beach Greens endorsed). Rather than recognizing this public backlash and restraining their use of eminent domain to cases where the public benefit is clear and the property clearly blighted, Long Beach's RDA is moving in the opposite direction, condemning a church, on a property that is clearly not blighted, for use that is marginally of public benefit, without sufficient discussion and a severely limited public comment period.

Over 60 congregants and members of
the public filled City Council chambers
with signs opposing the condemnation of
the Filipino Baptist Fellowship Church

Photo credit: Gabrielle Weeks
Click for larger image

During the March 13 public hearing at City Council chambers, speaker after speaker testified why this church was a vital part of the community. Several teens and young adults testified how it helped them personally stay out of trouble and get their lives together.

Not a single speaker spoke in favor of the project or even attempted to justify the need to demolish the church. Pastor Roem Agustin of the Filipino Baptist Fellowship reiterated the congregation's willingness to relocate if a suitable and equitable location was found. Among the apparent sites offered to the church was a current bar, an abandoned gas station, and properties with half the space and no parking (the current site has 20 parking spaces, according to the RDA's presentation).

John Eastman, pro-bono lawyer for the church and director of the Claremont Institute’s Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence, spoke eloquently about the shaky constitutional ground supporting this decision, and asked if the RDA had even bothered to ask whether the project could be developed around the church, rather than tearing it down. The church had offered to modify their facade to match the rest of the development.

John Eastman rallies the troops after the unanimous decision

Photo credit: Gabrielle Weeks
Click for larger image

Gabrielle Weeks, candidate for City Council in Long Beach's Second District, was the only candidate or elected official in attendance or speaking. "We need to look at all other options before considering condemning a church for private condos" said Weeks. "The least the RDA can do is ask the developer whether they would consider building around the church. Eminent domain should be for public uses, such as hospitals or freeways" continued Weeks.

Already, national news media are reporting the story negatively, and religious media are branding Long Beach as among "the most church-unfriendly cities in America." The Long Beach Greens have renewed their effort to refocus the RDA on improving the community. We hope the City of Long Beach will act to avoid a bruising and costly legal fight. Let's correct this mistake before this issue becomes more polarizing between responsible City entities and churches across America.

Gabrielle Weeks is the co-coordinator of the Long Beach Greens and a community volunteer as well as a candidate for Long Beach City Council in the 2nd District. You can learn more about her campaign at her website, www.WorkWithWeeks.com.

Coby Skye is a Civil & Environmental Engineer for the County of Los Angeles. He can be reached at coby@greens.org.

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