City of Carson Mayor Lula Davis Holmes delivered the State of the Union at the Carson Chamber of Carson filled with sunshine and blue skies with hardly a cloud on the horizon. This by itself wasn’t so unusual. But that the state of the city was a slick video presentation that could have been a company promo spot on television was unusual.
In it, the mayor speeding in the passenger seat of a Porsche on a track at the Porsche Experience Center came to a speeding stop before introducing herself brought an added sense of levity to the luncheon on the last day of the most recent rains.
The biggest news to come out of the State of the City is the fact that there’s $88 million in the city’s reserve fund and three tax measures passed by Carson residents, including:
- Measure C, approved by the voters in 2017, which brought in excess of $80 million.
- Measure K, the transaction and use tax approved by the voters in November 2022, which brought in $19 million dollars to the city.
- And Measure R, the Utility User’s Tax approved in November 2022, which is set to bring the city $9 million.
Mayor Davis-Holmes noted that for the second year in a row, the city of Carson has ranked among the top performing cities in the state.
“Our city is physically stable,” she said. “This is the first time in the history that we’ve had such a large amount of funds in the reserve that will help benefit the community.”
Other Highlights:
Carson Country Mart, a development featuring fine dining, shopping, open spaces, and a dog park. It will include a pedestrian bridge crossing a storm drain that empties into the Dominguez Channel. This bridge will connect the Imperial Avalon and Hanover project residents will be able to walk or ride to enjoy all of the amenities that the Carson Country Mart will offer.
The Hanover project located at 213 South Avalon will be a mixed-use complex consisting of approximately 1,200 Apartments, 100 new Townhomes. 18 single family units and will increase our housing supply. The project will include restaurants and a brand new park.
Last year, the city approved an agreement with Simon Properties to resume the development of the Premium Outlet Mall. This, after the largest outlet mall developer in the country sued the city, unsuccessfully, for $85 million, claiming the municipality’s reclamation authority had squandered funds intended for environmental remediation. Construction is expected to begin later this year with a grand opening schedule towards the end of 2024.
Plans for the Maupin development located at 215 West Carson Street was still under-review before the mayor’s state of the city, but given her mentioning it, that could mean approval is on the way. The development will consist of 35 new townhomes.
The Marriott Towne Place Suites located at 888 East Dominguez Street will include 111 rooms, a new restaurant featuring two lounges and an indoor pool in preparation for the 2028 Olympics.
PACE Senior Health Care Facility will be built at 20920 Chico Street.
In October 2022, The International Institute of Tolerance opened after an old dilapidated industrial building was turned into the city’s first mosque.
The tennis courts at Hemingway Park were transformed into Pickleball courts, similar to tennis, the fast growing sport has taken root in the City Carson.
A new drive-through Starbucks located at Bonita and Carson Street is coming to Carson.
Vallarta supermarkets is currently being developed on Carson Street and Main.
A new general plan for the city of Carson is set to be completed and adopted before then end of April 2023.
Two years ago, the city signed its first Town and Gown agreement with Cal State University, Dominguez Hills. In alignment with its mission of elevating and empowering locally owned businesses, the Small Business Academy was formed, a program, the mayor helped create in partnership with the university. The academy graduated its first class this past December small businesses are the lifeline of our community.
The city established the innovation department. This department will take the lead in the development and implementation of the city’s strategic plan. The Three core topics or areas for the Department are sustainability, open data and performance management.
In November of 2022, the city of Carson was named as a Los Angeles County’s Economic Development Corporation finalist for its most business-friendly city award. Carson demonstrated exceptional contributions to economic development, and fostering growth of businesses.
Automatic license plate readers are coming to the city. With the advent of this new technology, more than $5million will be invested in security cameras at all oif the city parks and buildings.
Carson newest budget includes funding for two homeless coordinators. The two positions will assist in providing housing to city’s homeless population.
The mayor said she directed the city manager’s office and public works department to continue working with the Los Angeles County to make sure that pollution caused by fire debris from nearby industry doesn’t sicken residents again.
The new innovation department is taking the lead on the broadband and digital equity project. The project will create a roadmap for improving the city’s access to the internet. The city appropriated $500,000 to hire a technical consultant.
Veterans Park and Sports Complex is set to have solar panels installed at its facilities in an effort to get the city to do its part in reducing emissions within the city. The city also plans to vastly expand the number of charging stations at local parks and the community center. The city is set to acquire 20 Level 3 Tesla superchargers and install them at the Carson Event Center.
Bike lanes are set to be installed at the Dominguez Channel bike path.
The city launched two grant programs to assist our business community, $1.5 million for the small business, and $1 million for the commercial facade. These grants will support the businesses in Carson who have been negatively impacted by covid-19.
Last month, we celebrated the 55th anniversary of the city of Carson. For the first time in our history, we now have an $88 million surplus. These are historic levels of reserves that will be invested in the city’s infrastructure, parks and programs.
Carson received $2 million from Congress in January which includes money for Veterans Park and the sports complex this money will be used to install solar panels. Carson also received $7 million from the state for the city’s parks thanks to Assemblyman Mike Gibson.
The city also received $4.5 million from the Great American Outdoors Act thanks to Congresswoman Nanette Barragan.