Long Beach City Council to Honor Legacy of Former Mayor by Renaming “Lew Davis Street” near Long Beach City College to “Beverly O’Neill Way”

Long Beach, CA, Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Long Beach, CA – At the September 15, 2026, Long Beach City Council meeting, Councilwoman Megan Kerr, Fifth District, and Vice Mayor Roberto Uranga, Seventh District, will bring forward a request to rename “Lew Davis Street,” just south of Long Beach City College (LBCC), to “Beverly O’Neill Way,” in honor in honor of former Long Beach Mayor and LBCC Superintendent-President Dr. Beverly O’Neill.

Born and raised in Long Beach, Former Mayor Beverly O’Neill is considered one of the most influential leaders in Long Beach history, having dedicated decades to education, civic leadership and public service. Before serving 12 years as Mayor of Long Beach from 1994 to 2006, she spent 31 years at Long Beach City College, beginning as a faculty member and ultimately serving as Superintendent-President.

“Mayor O’Neill is an inspiration to us all, and renaming the street in her honor allows us to continue to share her story and inspire future generations,” says Councilwoman Kerr. “Her legacy is deserving of such a physical and lasting recognition, particularly with the street’s close proximity to LBCC, where she worked tirelessly for the benefit of students, the school, and the surrounding communities.”  

During her tenure as mayor, O’Neill led and guided the city through economic transitions, strengthened trade and tourism, revitalized downtown, and expanded civic and cultural resources. She has remained active in civic and community organizations throughout Long Beach. She has remained active in civic and community organizations throughout Long Beach.

“Beverly O’Neill has given so much to Long Beach through her service to the City and Long Beach City College,” said Vice Mayor Roberto Uranga. “I’m happy to support this effort to recognize her lasting impact on our community.”

The proposed street renaming also comes as the area surrounding Lew Davis Street begins a significant transformation. LBCC is preparing to construct its first on-campus student housing facility at the corner of Clark Avenue and Lew Davis Street.

“Long before Dr. Beverly O’Neill became one of Long Beach’s most consequential civic leaders, she spent 31 years building an extraordinary career right here at Long Beach City College,” said Superintendent-President Dr. Mike Muñoz. “She began as a faculty member and ended as Superintendent-President, where she blazed a trail that continues to inspire our work today. Beverly O’Neill Way will honor that remarkable personal and professional journey and serve as a lasting reminder to our students that their own path at LBCC can lead to a lifetime of leadership, service and impact.”

Lew Davis Street itself reflects an earlier chapter in the history of the area. Newspaper reports from the early 1940s identify Lew Davis as an engineer at Douglas Aircraft who proposed an access road to help address employee traffic as aircraft production expanded during World War II. The road and surrounding area later evolved from a major aircraft manufacturing center into what is now LBCC’s Liberal Arts Campus. The street has adapted to meet the needs of a different population: students, faculty, and visitors to LBCC and its sporting venues, meeting rooms, and classrooms.

Renaming the street Beverly O’Neill Way recognizes another important chapter in that history while connecting the future of the campus with one of the most significant figures in Long Beach civic and educational leadership.

“Mayor Beverly O’Neill’s legacy is woven into the history of Long Beach City College and the city we are proud to call home,” said Long Beach Community College District Board President Uduak-Joe Ntuk. “It is especially meaningful that Beverly O’Neill Way will run through our campus, where generations of students will see her name and be reminded that someone who helped shape this college went on to help shape an entire city. Her name will now have a permanent place at LBCC, connecting the institution she loved with the community she devoted her life to serving.”

Everyone is invited to attend the September 15th City Council meeting and provide public comment on the proposed street name change, as well as any appreciation or recognition they wish to add in honor of former Mayor Beverly O’Neill. Public comment can be submitted online, via email to cityclerk@longbeach.gov, through virtual Zoom attendance, or in person.

For more information, review Item 13 on the September 15, 2026, City Council Agenda.

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Media Contacts:

Robert Allarte

Chief of Staff, Office of Councilwoman Megan Kerr, Fifth District

562.570.5555

district5@longbeach.gov 

Stacey Toda

Director of Communications & Community Engagement, Long Beach City College

562.938.4004

stoda@lbcc.edu

Stacey Toda
Long Beach City College
5629384004
stoda@lbcc.edu