Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia’s third State of the City report was not your usual droning, read-a-speech-from-behind the-podium-at-lunch kind of presentation.
The occasion had the feel of a gala opening as more than 2,000 attendees were greeted on a chilly night with music and lights as they entered the Terrace Theater.
When Garcia finally came striding on stage with no podium, he was greeted with enthusiastic applause.
Attendees had more than 50 opportunities to applaud as Garcia reported on how the city was rebounding from the Great Recession and was undergoing a citywide renaissance.
He said the city was stronger than ever because, for the first time. in more than 50 years, voters approved Measure A, a sales tax increase estimated to bring in $387 million over the next 10 years.
He said $150 million of that will be spent on upgrades to city streets, sidewalks, parks and other facilities over the next three to four years.
In addition to restoring the Police Department’s South Division and Fire Engine 8 in Belmont Shore, Garcia called for the City Council to authorize reopening Paramedic Rescue 12 in North Long Beach and hiring nine new police officers to staff the Police Academy.
Garcia said development was booming in Long Beach as the city issued 900 new business permits last year and 9,000 jobs were created, resulting in the lowest unemployment rate of 5.6 percent since the Great Recession.
But Garcia also cautioned that, with this economic rebound, all Long Beach residents needed to benefit.
“We need to ensure that the cooks who are making our meals, the workers who are caring for our seniors and the workers cleaning out hotel rooms continue to have the opportunity to live in our city,” he said to resounding applause.
He said the city needed to build more affordable housing units. He also called for the creation of a year-round shelter and safe-gathering place for the homeless.
Other priorities included stronger climate control measures, civic technology improvements and support of the arts.
Long Beach is finally digging out from the Great Recession, but much more hard work is ahead to make sure the momentum continues with everyone benefitting.
