City of Long Beach seeks solutions to ongoing parking problems
At a public meeting Monday evening, a traffic engineer presented the findings of a study focused on the East End of the city.
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Parking in Long Beach has long been a source of frustration for residents and visitors alike, and now city officials are exploring new ways to address the issue. A recent community workshop gave residents a chance to voice their concerns.
At a public meeting Monday evening, a traffic engineer presented the findings of a study focused on the East End of the city. The state grant that funded the study only allowed engineers to concentrate on the business district: a two-block section of East Park Avenue and four blocks along Neptune Boulevard. That limited scope didn’t sit well with many in attendance, including a member of the Long Beach City Council.
“People are saying this specifically needs addressing,” said Councilman Roy Lester, referring to Shore Road and other densely populated residential streets. “This is the biggest problem. This [business district] has never been a problem.”
While other studies looked at parking in Long Beach’s Center and West End neighborhoods, city officials say data from those reports could still inform the plan for the East End.
Consultants from Desman Design Management, the firm conducting the study, say creating more parking is likely — but finding the space to do so remains a challenge.
“There aren’t that many places where you have land sitting empty and open,” said consultant Andy Hill. “So, one of the challenges for us is to try to figure out where we can add parking in a creative manner.”
With the final community workshop now complete, engineers are expected to develop both short-term and long-term recommendations.
A full report outlining those solutions is expected by the end of the year.
