Long Beach Honored Former Mayor Beverly O'Neill

The city renamed a street near Long Beach City College to celebrate the career of the former mayor.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Awards

A modern metallic street pole on a sunny Long Beach sidewalk, with palm trees and a campus building edge in the background. — The city of Long Beach has officially renamed a street segment near Long Beach City College to Beverly O'Neill Way, honoring the former mayor's enduring contributions to civic leadership and local education. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Long Beach officially recognized former Mayor Beverly O'Neill with a street dedication and celebratory dinner. The city renamed East Lew Davis Street to Beverly O'Neill Way to honor her decades of service.

Why it matters

The dedication celebrates O'Neill's profound impact on the local community through her extensive work in education and civic leadership. This gesture formally preserves her legacy near the campus where she spent most of her career.

Beverly O'Neill served Long Beach City College for more than 30 years as a faculty member, administrator, and superintendent-president. The newly named Beverly O'Neill Way spans from Clark Avenue to Facility Avenue near the Liberal Arts Campus.

The players

Beverly O'Neill

She is the former Mayor of Long Beach who served Long Beach City College for over three decades.

Long Beach City College

This public community college in Long Beach is where O'Neill served as a faculty member, administrator, and superintendent-president.

Long Beach City College Foundation

This organization manages the scholarship fund established in O'Neill's name.

The details

The city and college renamed the street segment last month, and the area is currently seeing new development with a student housing project underway. Guests at the dedication dinner also participated in a silent auction featuring items from O'Neill's personal collection, with proceeds supporting a scholarship fund.

The street was renamed in September 2026.
The college held a dedication event and dinner on October 1, 2026.

Culture Shift

Street renaming initiatives reflect a broader cultural trend toward memorializing local figures who shaped civic institutions over long careers. This move mirrors standard municipal efforts to permanently integrate the legacy of impactful leaders into the urban landscape.

Residents and students should note that the street segment between Clark and Facility avenues is now officially designated as Beverly O'Neill Way. The ongoing construction of student housing on this street will continue to evolve the area surrounding the Liberal Arts Campus.

The takeaway

Civic honors like street dedications serve as a permanent reminder of an individual's long-term contributions to public life. These gestures often serve to link historical community leadership with the future needs of students and residents.