PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - The City of Long Beach Department of Public Works, in partnership with the Southern California Association of Governments’ (SCAG) “Go Human” campaign, invites the community to participate in an open streets event designed to help reimagine Artesia Boulevard. Activate Artesia Boulevard pop-up safety improvements will be available beginning Friday, August 20 to Sunday, August 22, 2021, with activities held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday between Atlantic and Lewis avenues, in coordination with the Uptown Jazz Festival.

“This is a great opportunity for community members of all ages to enjoy safe, family-friendly fun,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “Attendees can explore new ideas for Artesia Boulevard and provide valuable feedback that will help shape the future of one of our major corridors.”

The free, outdoor activities on Saturday, August 21 will include pop-up safety demonstrations showcasing potential elements for the upcoming Artesia Great Boulevard Project, which will aim to make the area safer and more enjoyable for pedestrians, bicyclists, skateboarders and motorists alike. There also will be live music, local business pop-ups, a health fair, a kids’ zone, food and refreshments for purchase and more.

The proposed Artesia Great Boulevard Project will reflect the community’s vision for major investments to improve livability and mobility along the thoroughfare from Gale Avenue, east of Long Beach Boulevard, to Downey Avenue. Proposed improvements include new medians and fences, road repairs, traffic signal enhancements, bike lanes, stormwater bioretention, landscaping, updated bus shelters, wayfinding signage and bulb-outs. The project is expected to break ground in 2022.

“Residents in Uptown Long Beach have been looking forward to significant improvements along Artesia Boulevard,” said Vice Mayor Rex Richardson. “The Activate Artesia Boulevard demonstrations at the Uptown Jazz Festival will show the exciting possibilities that await this major thoroughfare.” 

The Activate Artesia Boulevard demonstration is made possible with funding through SCAG’s “Go Human” program, a community engagement effort to reduce traffic collisions in Southern California by encouraging people to walk and bike more and re-envision their neighborhoods.

As this outdoor event has the capacity to attract a crowd of 10,000 people or more, facial coverings will be required for all attendees, regardless of vaccination status, per California Department of Public Health (CDPH) guidance and the City's Health Order.

For additional information about the Activate Artesia Boulevard event, contact Fern Nueno, Public Works Mobility Programs Officer, at fern.nueno@longbeach.gov.

About the City of Long Beach
Home to approximately 470,000 people, the multiple award-winning and innovative City of Long Beach offers all the world-class amenities of a large metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods nestled together along the California coast. As a full-service charter city, Long Beach is home to the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, several museums and theaters, a highly-rated school district, Long Beach Airport, the Port of Long Beach, as well as many award-winning City departments such as Health and Human Services; Parks, Recreation and Marine; Development Services; Public Works and more. The City also has a highly respected university and city college, two historic ranchos, five hospitals, 12 libraries, five golf courses, 169 parks, miles of beaches, marinas, bike paths and a Bike Share program.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov. Watch us on LBTV. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

About Public Works 
The Long Beach Public Works Department strives to operate, preserve, and enhance the City's physical infrastructure and transportation systems. The Department provides a variety of community services including the repair, rehabilitation and general upkeep of City streets, trees, sidewalks, and City structures. Public Works also provides emergency support services throughout the City. Visit us at www.longbeach.gov/pw,  "Like" us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

About SCAG
SCAG is the nation’s largest metropolitan planning organization, representing six counties, 191 cities and more than 19 million residents. SCAG undertakes a variety of planning and policy initiatives to plan for a livable and sustainable Southern California now and in the future. For more information about SCAG’s regional efforts, please visit  www.scag.ca.gov.

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