Harbor Currents: NEWS Jan. 22, 2013

Murder in Long Beach 
LONG BEACH — A man was found dead, at about 3:10 a.m. Jan. 21, in home on the 1000 block of Gaviota Avenue in Long Beach.
The man, who has not been identified, sustained a gunshot to the upper body and pronounced dead at the scene of the crime. No suspect information is available at this time, a motive for the shooting is unknown and the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to call (562) 570-7244 or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org.

West Basin Rail Yard Break Ground
WILMINGTON — A groundbreaking ceremony took place Jan. 16 for the Berth 200 West Basin Rail Yard in Wilmington.
The project is estimated to provide about 2,000 construction jobs, sustain about 318,000 new trade-related jobs for the region and generate $1billion in annual revenues by 2030. The project also is expected to reduce criteria pollutants and greenhouse gases by 593,955 tons within the following 20 years, reducing 2,300 daily trips on local freeways.

Councilmen Street Repair Bond on Hold
LOS ANGELES — On Jan. 16, Council members Mitchell Englander and Joe Buscaino hold off on their proposal to place the $3 billion Los Angeles Street Safety and Traffic Improvement Bond on the ballot.
Englander and Buscaino said they wanted to give the proposal more time for consideration by all stakeholders.
The council members asked the city attorney to advise on draft language for a future ballot measure and referred the Street Repair Bond to the Public Works Committee, which Buscaino chairs.
As part of a planned massive public outreach effort to offer all stakeholders the opportunity to weigh in, the Public Works Committee will be holding a series of public meetings across the regions of Los Angeles.
The Street Repair Bond would be one of the largest infrastructure projects in the United States.
Councilmembers Englander and Buscaino had proposed placing on the May ballot the $3 billion General Obligation bond to repair and rebuild all the failed and poor condition streets in Los Angeles in 10 years. Los Angeles streets are in the worst condition of any major U.S. city, costing vehicle owners about $750 in additional maintenance every year. Chronic under funding of street maintenance from the 1950s to the 1990’s led to the deterioration of 8,700 miles of city streets which now must be completely reconstructed. Budget constraints only allow for a very small number of streets to be reconstructed every year. At the current rate of repair, it would take 60 years to reconstruct all 8,700 miles of failed streets.
Once the backlog is gone and the failed streets are rebuilt, they can be slurry-sealed and maintained at a much lower cost, so the city will be able to maintain them in good condition on an ongoing basis. When they are reconstructed, the streets would be re-configured to improve traffic safety and traffic flow, which would improve 911 response times. Improved crosswalks and implementation of bicycle master plan features would make the streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists as well.
The improvement to our streets would boost property values and generate jobs and economic benefit. The funds from the bond could not go toward any other purpose than the designated street repair, and would be placed in a trust fund with a Citizens Oversight Committee to ensure transparency and accountability.
To see the website, visit LA Street Bond.