TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all documents necessary to accept and expend all Environmental Justice Planning Grant funds for the I-710 Long Beach Community Livability Plan, and increase appropriations in the Transportation Fund (SR182) in the Department of Public Works (PW) by $182,400. (Districts 1,2,6,7,8,9)
DISCUSSION
The Environmental Justice Planning Grant Program is a complement to the Governor's "Go California" initiative to improve the transportation system throughout California. The purpose of Environmental Justice Grants is to promote more public involvement by diverse and under-served communities in the planning for transportation projects to prevent or mitigate disproportionate, negative impacts while improving their mobility,
access to services, equity, affordable housing and economic opportunities.
The City of Long Beach has been awarded an Environmental Justice Planning Grant in the amount of $182,400 to develop an "1-710 Long Beach Community Livability Plan" to address the health, environment, safety, transportation and quality of life issues that challenge the downtown Cesar Chavez Park area and the communities along the 1-710 Freeway corridor. The objective of this project is to promote and facilitate the
participation of the low-income, largely minority residents in a reality-based planning process that will involve partnering with local schools, community groups, health organizations and businesses in the Port- and freeway-adjacent area of Long Beach in the development of a transportation-based community livability plan. This process will develop a framework to coordinate transportation investments and other planned public and private investments to best meet the health, environment and quality of life issues
that face this community. This process could serve as a model for additional planning efforts along the 1-710 Corridor beyond Long Beach where similar challenges are faced by impacted communities. This lett...
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