Long Beach will rename a street near Long Beach City College’s Liberal Arts Campus after former Mayor Beverly O’Neill to honor her as one of the most influential leaders in recent city history, with contributions spanning education, civic leadership and community service.
The City Council this week unanimously approved a recommendation for the city manager to coordinate with the Community Development and Public Works departments to take steps to provide commemorative and directional signage and rename E. Lew Davis Street, from Clark Avenue to Facility Avenue, to “Beverly O’Neill Way.”
“I firmly believe that the hard work and contributions to this city are well deserving of lasting recognition to preserve her legacy,” Fifth District Councilmember Megan Kerr said during the panel’s Tuesday, Sept. 15, meeting, “which we can accomplish by changing the name Lew Davis Street, just south of LBCC, to Beverly O’Neill Way.”
The council item was brought forth by Kerr, with support from Vice Mayor Roberto Uranga, as well as the LBCC Board of Trustees, to honor O’Neill’s legacy and impact in the city and on the community college.
O’Neill, born on Sept. 8, 1930, has dedicated more than five decades to advancing education and public service in Long Beach, according to the staff report. As a lifelong Long Beach resident, she attended public schools in the city – from preschool through high school – including attendance at the historic Long Beach Day Nursery, local Long Beach Unified School District elementary and junior high schools, and graduated from Poly High School. She earned degrees from Long Beach City College and Cal State Long Beach.
She served and led LBCC for more than 30 years as a faculty member, administrator and ultimately, superintendent-president. O’Neill’s work expanded student access, strengthened academic programs and elevated LBCC’s reputation in the region, according to the staff report. In recognition of her contributions, she was inducted into LBCC’s Hall of Fame in 1976.
O’Neill served as the mayor of Long Beach from 1994 to 2006. During her tenure, she guided the city through major economic transitions, strengthened the tourism and trade sectors, revitalized downtown, and expanded civic and cultural resources, the staff report said. She has also volunteered with more than 20 community organizations and remains a symbol of civic integrity and collaboration.
The Honorable Beverly O’Neill Legacy Exhibition on display at the City Hall lobby on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram)
Jim Michaelian, Grand Prix Association of Long Beach president and CEO visits with former Mayor of Long Beach, Beverly O’Neill in 2006. Michaelian died on Saturday, March 21 before his final time leading the Grand Prix of Long Beach. (Photo Courtesy Grand Prix Association of Long Beach)
From left, Congressman and former Long Beach mayor Robert Garcia, Anthony Gagliardi, former mayor Beverly O’Neill, and former governor George Deukmejian. Courtesy photo
In an undated photo, then President Bill Clinton, left, and then Long Beach Mayor Beverly O’Neill, center, are greeted by CSULB President Robert Maxson. (Courtesy of the Maxson family)
Former Long Beach City Manager Jerry Miller and Former Long Beach Mayor Beverly O’Neill attend the memorial service at the LB Police Officers Association Park, for Former LBPD Chief Jerome E. Lance,on Sunday, Aug. ,09, 2015. (Photo by Stephen Carr, Daily Breeze/SCNG)
Mayor Beverly O’Neill and her husband, Dr. William O’Neill, pose near a fountain at the Grand at Willow Street Center in Long Beach as the pair are honored as “Sweethearts of the Year” by the Long Beach Youth Home Boosters Saturday, Feb. 10, 2001. (Photo by Lisa Billings/The Press-Telegram/SCNG)
4/12/02 – Long Beach Mayor Beverly O’Neill and fellow politicians under a blanket of confetti at the grand opening ceremonies for the Alameda Corridor on Friday, April 12, 2002. The trains will begin using the route on Monday, April 15, 2002.
(Photo by Dave Waters, The Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Former Long Beach Mayor Beverly O’Neill and Dr. Jerry Schubel spoke to the media in Long Beach on Thursday, May 24, 2018 as the Aquarium of the Pacific celebrates its 20 year anniversary. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press Telegram/SCNG)
Former Long Beach Mayor Beverly O’Neill is turning 90.
O’Neill and her dog, Coco enjoy their morning together
in Long Beach on Friday, August 28, 2020. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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The Honorable Beverly O’Neill Legacy Exhibition on display at the City Hall lobby on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram)
The Fifth District Office and city staff delved into the history of “Lew Davis” to ensure that, in honoring O’Neill, the city would not inadvertently erase the legacy of another individual, Kerr said. Not much is known about his life, she said, but according to newspaper clippings from the 1940s, Lew Davis worked in the planning and engineering division of the then Douglas Company.
On behalf of the Douglas Company and his fellow employees, Davis met with the city manager at the time to discuss the infrastructure needed to support employees as the Douglas Company continued to expand, the staff report said, which ultimately resulted in the creation of the access road.
The area has evolved over the last eight decades and now primarily serves the needs of students, faculty, community members and visitors to LBCC, Kerr said. The college is also underway with even further transformations to the area to meet community needs by building affordable, on-campus housing on the street proposed to be renamed.
“Now feels like an appropriate time to rename this road to uplift the work of former Mayor O’Neill,” Kerr added, “to ensure that future generations of students, residents and visitors are able to recognize and reflect upon her contributions to education, public service and the city of Long Beach.”
The LBCC Board Trustees and O’Neill’s family were in the audience at the Tuesday council meeting to support the street being renamed to “Beverly O’Neill Way.”
“I admire her tremendously and for her gift of service to Long Beach City College and her gift of service to the city,” said Trustee Virginia Baxter. “It will be on the same street as our student housing and Beverly would be so thrilled with this because she really cared No. 1 about the students and then No. 2 about the employees of the college.”
The former mayor’s daughter agreed that O’Neill would be honored.
“My mother would be just amazed. Well obviously, she loves Long Beach more than anything, but LBCC was her home,” Teresa O’Neill said. “It was her home for so long, she was formed there, she learned everything at LBCC and it’s so meaningful that they’re together and her name will be right there – even Siri will say her name.”
The City Council approved the renaming with an 8-0 vote, with Councilmember Cindy Allen absent.
The cost of the street name change process outlined in the municipal code, and to manufacture and install related ceremonial and wayfinding signage is estimated at around $3,000. There is currently no funding appropriated for this project, according to city staff; Council District discretionary funds or additional funds secured by partner agencies, however, could be used to cover the costs.