TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) in the amount of $260,800, all other documents necessary to accept, expend and administer the funds, and any necessary amendments thereto; and
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund (CP) in the Public Works Department (PW) by $260,800. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
In March 2014, at the request of City Council, City staff pursued funding for Open Streets events through the 2014 Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Open Streets Program. In June 2014, Metro awarded funding for the City’s North Long Beach Beach Streets event proposal.
Open Streets events, also known as “ciclovias” (Spanish for “bicycle paths”), are events that close local or arterial public streets to vehicle traffic to allow residents to participate in walking, bicycling, skating, and shopping along the route free of traffic. These events originated in Bogota, Colombia, and have since spread to other cities around the world. One of the best known local events is the CicLAvia, sponsored by the City of Los Angeles, that has hosted two to three open streets events per year since 2010 with wide success. Each event draws over 100,000 participants who are eager to explore and enjoy the streets car-free.
In 2009, the City announced its goal of becoming the most Bicycle Friendly City in America. Since then, bicycling and walking in the City have increased in popularity, with the number of people riding bikes nearly doubling over that period. Beach Streets will further encourage active transportation options by providing a safe and protected environment for adults, families and children who may not otherwise consider walking or bicycling. In addition, Open Streets programs promote first and last mile connections since many people arrive at these events using public transit service, such as Long Beach Transit an...
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