Hello Long Beach! Here is a weekly recap of the city’s news to start the week of March 20, 2023.
Long Beach Animal Shelter waives adoption fees until the end of March in hopes of increasing dog adoptions
The Long Beach Animal Shelter is currently overflooded with dogs, so it will temporarily waive adoption fees in hopes of finding homes for the animals and creating space at the facility. Dogs have been crammed into various parts of the shelter, including portable crates, cat rooms, staff offices, and conference rooms. Megan Ignacio, who works for the Long Beach Animal Care Services Bureau, notions that the influx of dogs arriving at the shelter is partially due to economic hardship that is causing renters to give up their pets. Other reasons for the influx include the recent storm that has caused pets to escape and homeless individuals who have had to surrender their dogs to enter encampments. The Long Beach animal shelter has a no-kill policy, but last week they were forced to apply for an emergency euthanasia permit from the city. Currently, nine dogs are on a list to be euthanized if they are not adopted by the end of March. Learn more here. For more information on how you can adopt a pet from the shelter, visit the Animal Care Services website.
City will open safe overnight parking lot for people living in their cars
An underutilized parking lot on Queen’s Way will be a new designated area for people living in their cars to have a safe environment to stay in overnight. Beginning March 20 until May 21, the site will be open from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. and include amenities such as restrooms, hand washing areas, and pet relief stations. This space has a capacity for up to 50 vehicles and will not be open during the day. Two security guards will patrol the site to ensure safety and staff from the Homeless Services Bureau will connect individuals with housing-related services and other resources. People who wish to use this service must receive a referral from the Multi-Service Center (MSC), located at 1301 W. 12th St. The city has also made outreach efforts to inform individuals of the parking program. Learn more here.
Terminal Island Transition Plan intends to “greenify” West Long Beach
The Terminal Island Transition Plan, otherwise known as Green TI, calls for more green space in West Long Beach neighborhoods, which is one of the most park-poor areas in the city. The plan includes the possibility of adding additional park space by repurposing the Terminal Island Freeway (between Willow and 20th Street). This plan would reduce the particulate matter pollution that comes from vehicle traffic on this freeway. Currently, the communities in West Long Beach that surround Terminal Island are exposed to twice as much of this pollution as the rest of the city. The city council decided last Tuesday it would test to see if the plan could be seen through to fruition. The City Manager’s office is in charge of creating options for the implementation of the plan and potential funding. Learn more here.
Long Beach Port joins a state bid that would test hydrogen fuel technologies
In an effort to push for zero-emissions technology, California is applying for a federal grant that would test hydrogen fuel technologies at its ports for power trucking and terminal equipment. The Long Beach and Los Angeles Ports are a part of the state bid that would receive more than half a million dollars for the project that has been made available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in 2021.The ports of LA and Long Beach have set goals to have entirely zero-emissions terminal equipment by 2030 and a 100% zero-emissions truck fleet by 2035. Learn more here.
Beaches will remain closed until testing shows they meet state water quality standards
An 18,000-gallon sewage spill in Paramount caused the city to close ocean swimming areas last week near the Belmont Pier area. The spill was caused by sewers overflowing and the large amount of rainfall that occurred last week. The sewage ran into the LA River, then into the ocean. Sewage spills increase bacteria levels in the water, so these swimming areas will be closed until further notice due to potential health risks. The Long Beach Health Department will keep testing the area until the results show that the water meets state quality standards. Learn more here.
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