Mayor outlines milestones, offers reflections of first 100 days in office

By Toni Miles

October 9, 2025, marked Long Beach Mayor Tim Pierce’s official “First 100 Days in Office.”

Life can change in the blink of an eye, so imagine what can unfold in one hundred days! Mayor Tim Pierce has been in office as Long Beach Mayor for more than one hundred days now (October 9 was one hundred), going on four months.

We checked in with him to get his thoughts on his experience so far as the City’s top official, milestones accomplished so far, challenges faced and what he says he plans for the remainder of his four-year term as Mayor of Long Beach.

Some of these updates can be seen regularly on social media. Pierce and City of Long Beach’s Community Affairs Director Courtney Cuevas-Welch regularly post City updates, progress reports and other information during “Moment with the Mayor” segments, which are typically uploaded every Friday on the City of Long Beach – Mayor’s Office Facebook Page and the City of Long Beach’s TikTok page (cityoflongbeach).

“Time flies,” Pierce says. “We’ve really done a lot of things in these past one hundred days.”

A quick look at some of the accomplishments and milestones the Mayor’s Office recently posted on social media includes:

• School safety information, featuring school resource officers, and an interview with Long Beach Police Chief Billy Seal;

• Gateway Project updates, including the latest milestone that has been reached – the top of the lighthouse arrived and has been installed at its perch at the west end of the Long Beach Harbor, and the contractor has poured the first footing for sidewalk curbs along the beachfront as the structure is beginning to take shape. Pierce says the Gateway Project is expected to be complete sometime next year (2026);

• Updates on the Harbor Project (repairs from Hurricane Zeta damage back in 2020) –all contracts on the project are now fully underway;

• Annexation of the Long Beach Industrial Park – Pierce says the process to annex the park is now underway, and his aim is for the City to annex the industrial park into the City limits within his first 365 days in office (by July 1, 2026); and

• City clean up –Pierce says crews with Public Works and Parks and Recreation have been busy improving the appearance of the City, pointing to the hard work City employees put in before Cruisin’ the Coast. The Mayor emphasizes that cleanup efforts will be ongoing.

Q & A with Long Beach Mayor Tim Pierce:

First 100 Days in Office

Out of everything that has happened over the past 100 days, if you could just name one highlight, what would it be during your term as Mayor so far?

If I had to choose one highlight, it would be seeing the collaboration and teamwork that’s taken root across every department and with our Board of Aldermen. Over these first 100 days, we’ve made real progress, from infrastructure improvements to community events; but what stands out most to me is how our team has come together with a shared purpose. Everyone is working toward the same goal: making Long Beach stronger, safer and more vibrant for our residents and businesses. That sense of unity and momentum has been the biggest win so far.

What has been the biggest challenge during your time as Mayor, and what challenges do you see coming up? Also, feel free to provide any insight on addressing these challenges.

The biggest challenge so far has been balancing immediate needs with long-term goals. We’ve had to address critical infrastructure issues, like roads, drainage and railroad crossings, while also keeping an eye on the larger vision for growth and revitalization. Managing both at the same time requires planning, patience and communication.

Looking ahead, funding will continue to be a challenge as we work to maintain and expand City services while being good stewards of taxpayer dollars. We’re addressing these challenges by being proactive, seeking grants, leveraging partnerships and keeping open communication with residents and stakeholders. It’s about being transparent, strategic and solution-driven.

Another significant challenge has been employee retention and wages. Competing with nearby cities that are able to offer higher pay has made it difficult to keep some of our best people here in Long Beach. Our employees are the backbone of this city. They’re the ones who keep everything running day to day, and I recognize the importance of making sure they’re supported and compensated fairly.

In addition to the platform and issues you ran on before becoming mayor, what other issues and matters have you learned are also important for the city?

I’ve learned that communication and engagement are even more critical than I realized. People care deeply about what’s happening in their neighborhoods. They just want to be informed and have a voice in the process. I’ve also come to see how vital it is to support our local economy by strengthening small businesses and development.

Another issue that’s come to the forefront is preserving our community’s character as we grow. Long Beach has a special small-town feel, it’s the “Friendly City” for a reason, and every decision we make should help protect that identity while preparing for the future.

What do you hope residents and businesses of Long Beach will remember you for when your time as Mayor ultimately ends?

I hope people remember that I truly cared about this city and worked every day to make a positive difference. My goal is to leave Long Beach better than I found it with stronger infrastructure, a thriving downtown, more opportunities for businesses, and a city government that listens and responds.

If people look back and say, “He was accessible, he was fair, and he always had Long Beach’s best interest at heart,” then I’ll consider my time as mayor a success.

Is there anything that you think is important or you would like to share that I have not asked?

I’d just like to thank the residents, City employees and community partners for their continued support and trust. These first 100 days have been full of learning, progress and collaboration – and we’re only getting started. I truly believe that Long Beach’s best days are ahead, and it’s going to take all of us working together to get there.