Wednesday, March 7, 2007 QM development guide approved   By Mira Jang Staff writer 5-point plan emphasizes repair, restoration, use of waterfront location. LONG BEACH - The City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a set of guidelines for potential developers of the 45-acre piece of land near the historic Queen Mary. The "Queen Mary Guiding Principles for Development" outlines five points that include recognizing the importance of the Queen Mary to the city by developing projects that support the ship's restoration, maximizing use of the waterfront location by creating a mixed-use project, using energy-efficient technology, connecting the site to the rest of downtown and complying with land-use and zoning laws. The council's approval comes months after the city reached a tentative deal with Queen Mary operators to settle a rental dispute. Queen's Seaport Development Inc., which leases the ship and surrounding land from the city, declared bankruptcy in 2005. "They're very basic but very important principles that talk to the heart of the issue as we see it," said Amy Bodek, of the project development bureau. Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal in December asked for a study session to figure out how to remake the land, emphasizing the need for community input. "I do have a tremendous love affair with the Queen Mary, and I appreciate its influence on the city," Lowenthal said. It's important, Lowenthal said, to seize the opportunity to develop the historic ship and the nearby land instead of squandering it. Councilwoman Rae Gabelich said the new developer must make it a priority to clean up the ship in addition to building around it. "I was very disappointed in the condition of the ship. ... I don't want this to be something that's taken lightly," she said. "I want to see the restoration of the ship come before the development of the land. The state of the ship is really unforgivable." Bodek said the city, as the landowner, will be able to enforce such rules once the lease is out of bankruptcy and in the hands of a new lessee. John Thomas, chair of the RSM Queen Mary Foundation Leadership Coalition, said he agreed with Gabelich's assessment of the ship's condition, but added that the guidelines provide the right balance between restoring the ship and developing the land. "This is one of Long Beach's finest community assets," he said to the council. "Restoration is key." City Manager Jerry Miller said the city has always made it a top priority to take care of the Queen Mary. "We never lost sight of the importance and value of the ship. It's very important to restore and properly maintain it," he said. The minimum bid for the remaining 58 years of the 66-year lease is $40 million. There are at least two bidders, and according to Howard Ehrenberg, a trustee assigned by a judge to run the property near the ship during the bankruptcy phase, several more are interested. Although the courts will choose the developer, the city has significant influence over who wins the bid, Ehrenberg said. A developer could be selected as early as this summer. Mira Jang can be reached at mira.jang@presstelegram.com or at (562) 499-1278.