Long Beach City Council Set to Rename Street in Honor of Mayor Beverly O’Neill

Long Beach, CA, Sept. 10, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- At the upcoming September 15, 2026, Long Beach City Council meeting, the council will consider renaming Lew Davis Street, located just south of Long Beach City College (LBCC), to Beverly O’Neill Way. The proposal, brought forward by Councilwoman Megan Kerr and Vice Mayor Roberto Uranga, aims to honor the legacy of former Mayor and LBCC Superintendent-President Dr. Beverly O’Neill.

Born and raised in Long Beach, Dr. O’Neill dedicated decades to education and civic leadership. She served as LBCC’s Superintendent-President for 31 years, starting as a faculty member and eventually leading the institution. Prior to her tenure as mayor, she guided the city through significant economic transitions, strengthened trade and tourism, revitalized downtown Long Beach, and expanded civic and cultural resources.

During her 12-year mayoral term from 1994 to 2006, O’Neill led Long Beach through various challenges and achievements. She remained active in civic and community organizations throughout her time in office and beyond.

The proposed street renaming also aligns with LBCC’s ongoing development. The college 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.”

The renaming of the street is part of a broader transformation of the area. Lew Davis Street, named after an engineer who proposed an access road during World War II, has evolved from a major aircraft manufacturing center into LBCC’s Liberal Arts Campus. The street has adapted to meet the needs of students, faculty, and visitors to LBCC and its sporting venues, meeting rooms, and classrooms.

“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.”

The public is invited to attend the September 15th City Council meeting and provide comments on the proposed street name change. The meeting will take place at 7:00 PM at the Long Beach City Hall, 330 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA.