Long Beach Unveils Final Design for Cambodia Town Gateway Sign

The new landmark will celebrate the rich history and cultural contributions of the city's Cambodian community.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 12:05am

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A bold, abstract silkscreen print featuring a repeating pattern of a stylized Cambodian temple or architectural motif in a grid of bright, neon-like colors, capturing the celebratory and culturally significant nature of the new gateway sign.The new 'Cambodia Town Grand Entrance' sign will serve as a vibrant, eye-catching landmark celebrating the cultural heritage and community pride of Long Beach's Cambodian residents.Long Beach Today

The city of Long Beach has unveiled the final design for the 'Cambodia Town Grand Entrance,' a new signature landmark that will welcome visitors and residents to the city's Cambodia Town neighborhood. The gateway sign was developed through a collaborative process with the local Cambodian community and is intended to enhance community pride and support local businesses in the area.

Why it matters

Cambodia Town is home to the largest Cambodian community outside of Southeast Asia, with many residents having settled in Long Beach in the 1980s as refugees from the Khmer Rouge regime. The new gateway sign is an important symbol that celebrates the Cambodian community's rich history, culture, and contributions to the city.

The details

The final design for the 'Cambodia Town Grand Entrance' was revealed during the 18th annual Cambodian Town Parade and Culture Festival. The design was informed by feedback from the Cambodia Town Advisory Group and the broader community, with over 1,000 votes and survey responses collected. The gateway sign will join other infrastructure projects in the neighborhood as part of Long Beach's 'Elevate '28' initiative.

  • The final design was unveiled on April 4, 2026 during the Cambodian Town Parade and Culture Festival.
  • Construction on the gateway sign is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2027, pending funding and the completion of the bid and award process.
  • The project is anticipated to be completed ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics.

The players

Rex Richardson

The mayor of Long Beach, who unveiled the final design for the 'Cambodia Town Grand Entrance' along with Councilmember Suely Saro.

Suely Saro

The Sixth District Councilmember for Long Beach, who worked with the community on the design of the gateway sign.

Cambodia Town Advisory Group

A local organization that provided insight and guidance on Cambodian culture, symbolism, and significant motifs during the design process.

Josh Hickman

The director of Long Beach's Public Works Department, which led the development of the 'Cambodia Town Grand Entrance' project.

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What they’re saying

“After a meaningful process with the community, we are proud to unveil the Cambodian Town Gateway – a landmark that reflects the pride, history and cultural richness of Long Beach's Cambodian community.”

— Rex Richardson, Mayor of Long Beach

“Cambodia Town is an integral cultural heartbeat of Council District 6, and this project is a meaningful step toward honoring the Cambodian community's heritage and identity.”

— Suely Saro, Sixth District Councilmember, Long Beach

“Our team is proud to lead the development of a landmark that honors the cultural richness of Cambodia Town. Community feedback was essential as we worked to create a gateway that not only celebrates Cambodian heritage but also supports local businesses and enhances the public space for the people who live, work, and visit here.”

— Josh Hickman, Director of Public Works, Long Beach

What’s next

Construction on the 'Cambodia Town Grand Entrance' project is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2027, pending full funding and completion of the bid and award process. The Cambodia Town Advisory Group will also launch a fundraising campaign to support additional enhancements to the gateway sign.

The takeaway

The unveiling of the 'Cambodia Town Grand Entrance' design is a significant milestone in Long Beach's efforts to honor and celebrate the city's vibrant Cambodian community. This landmark project will serve as a powerful symbol of the community's resilience, heritage, and contributions to the fabric of Long Beach.