(Feb. 27, 2008) -- The Belmont Shore Residents Association (BSRA) says an email survey asking Belmont Shore residents their opinion of beach development projects proposed by City Hall showed respondents' opposition to constructing handball, hockey and basketball courts on the beach at the Granada Parking lot and to demolition of the Bay Shore Park ("Horney corner") handball, hockey and basketball courts and its conversion to a grassy park.
However, respondents supported lowering the Granada parking lot sea wall and landscaping along Ocean Blvd. between Bennet and Granada Aves.
In an email dispatch, BSRA President Mike Ruehle says the grassroots group received 66 responses to its survey (with results below)...and the survey results will be discussed at the March 13 Belmont Shore Resident Ass'n meeting at Bay Shore Library (corner of Bay Shore and Second Street) at 6:00 [note new start time].
1. Do you support the construction of handball, hockey and basketball courts on the beach at the Granada parking Lot at a cost of $5.0 million?
| Yes | 14 | 21% |
| No | 47 | 71% |
| Abstain | 5 | 8% |
2. Do you support demolition of the Bay Shore Park (Horney corner) handball, hockey and basketball courts and its conversion to a grassy park at a cost of $1.0 million?
| Yes | 11 | 17% |
| No | 52 | 79% |
| Abstain | 3 | 4% |
3. Do you support lowering the Granada parking lot sea wall and landscaping along Ocean Boulevard between Bennett Avenue and Granada Avenue at a cost of $2.5 million?
| Yes | 48 | 73% |
| No | 14 | 21% |
| Abstain | 4 | 6% |
56 residents provided their top ten selections for the following list of projects proposed by the city of Long Beach. Below is the ranking according to Belmont Shore residents.
| PROJECTS | $ ESTIMATE | VOTES | % |
|---|
| 1. Belmont Plaza Pool Rebuild | 28,000,000 | 42 | 75 |
| 2. Bluff Erosion Repair | 5,600,000 | 36 | 64 |
| 3. Belmont Veteran's Memorial Pier (Incl. Restroom) | 6,000,000 | 34 | 61 |
| 4. Granada parking Lot/Lower Wall | 2,500,000 | 29 | 52 |
| 5. Colorado Lagoon | 1,000,000 | 26 | 46 |
| 6. Alamitos Bay Marina Rebuild | 58,000,000 | 25 | 45 |
| 7. Beach Restrooms | 3,000,000 | 24 | 43 |
| 8. Leeway Recreation Center Rebuild | 3,500,000 | 22 | 39 |
| 9. Beach Pedestrian Path | 5,000,000 | 22 | 39 |
| 10. Beach Erosion -- Groins Program Enhancement | 500,000 | 22 | 39 |
[Included a total of 38 projects]
In answer to question #4, residents asked that the following projects be included on the city’s capital project list. I have ranked them in the order of most frequently mentioned.
1. Improve the bay water quality.
2. Improve the Bayshore Coop children's pre-school.
3. Take down the breakwater.
4. Divert the LA River.
5. Improved Bay Shore courts. The courts, the rink, the small shack, and the picnic area need improvement.
6. Improve the playgrounds at Bay Shore Park.
7. Improve playgrounds at the beach.
8. Convert the Long Beach Yacht Club to a club-based membership for the public.
9. Remove meters from parking lots.
10. Sidewalk modifications and cross walk at Bay Shore and 1st.
[Included a total of 24 projects]
Mr. Ruehle says in his email, "Many people responded to question #4 by stating, "We are spending $120 million dollars on the beach. Why isn't there a project on the list to improve the water quality?" People wrote that they live in a beach community where they can't let their children or dogs swim in the water. I mention this because, in hindsight, I should have included a survey question asking residents whether water quality improvement projects should have been included on the list and where should it be ranked. However, the city is currently preparing a similar survey to be distributed to residents in Belmont Shore, Naples and the Peninsula.
"I have been told that the BSRA will be allowed to review and comment upon the city's survey before it is distributed to the residents. We will ask the city to include a question regarding the importance of improving the bay water quality in their survey."
