The following came to LBReport.com's attention a few hours after we moved a story on this subject. We cite it below for clarity in providing a complete record.
(June 18, 2009) -- In the middle of a story previewing the upcoming June 2 City Council agendized item to seek federal stimulus CDBG funding for the 14th St. skatepark, a Press-Telegram story ("Long Beach's 14th Street Skate Park headed for a facelift" by reporter Brian Cuaron online in the evening of May 30, in print May 31) stated that "City Hall was unsure if it had enough money to cover building costs for other parks in addition to the 14th Street Skate Park" and quoted Parks & Recreation Director Phil Hester as saying the money was "from an open-space parks bond...We had three or four projects along with 14th Street that (were) high priority and wanted to make sure we had money for those to go with 14."
The May 30-31PT story didn't report what LBReport.com did on June 18 after we asked city staff about the project: that funding for the 14th St. Park skatepark, which had been planned for using bonds floated using previously obtained CDBG monies, was shifted ("evolved" said a Parks & Rec staffer) to other projects...and city management says there isn't sufficient city money to do the skateboard project without federal funding.
The May 30 PT story says (without attribution) that "part of the delay was caused by anticipated state funding frozen by the budget crisis. As a result, construction couldn't begin until the city found another source of money."
LBReport.com story noted (although the PT's didn't) that at a Sept. 27, 2008 press event, then-Councilwoman Lowenthal and city officials touted the skateboard project...and didn't indicate any conflicts in funding it.
At that time, the PT reporter Kelly Puente separately reported what LBReport.com's story at the time didn't: that city funding would be used for the project. [Ms. Puente's account is consistent with our recollection from the event.]
As reported by LBReport.com, the 14th skateboard park wasn't among City Hall's previously listed projects seeking federal stimulus funding. That includes a list dated as of April 13, 2009 which appears on City Hall's website as of today (June 18).
Previous LBReport.com coverage:
14th St. LB Skatepark Was Supposed To Be Funded Using City Funds But City Hall Switched Plans, Spent Money Elsewhere
First in LB on LBReport.com: U.S. Senator Charges LB's 14th St. Park Skateboard Project Among Questionable, Wasteful Uses of Fed'l Stimulus Dollars; AND LBReport.com Learns HUD Rep Told City Mgr. West On June 15 That Agency Prefers Not Using CDBG Dollars For Skateboard Parks Although It's Eligible
City Hall Issues Release Responding To U.S. Senator Coburn's Report Listing LB's 14th St. Park Skateboard Project Among Questionable, Wasteful Uses of Fed'l Stimulus Dollars; Councilman Garcia Issues Separate Statement, We Publish In Full
LBReport.com Has White House Response Re LB 14th St. Skate Park On Senator Coburn's List of Questionable Uses Of Stimulus Funds
Guest Opinion: Former Councilman Donelon Sends This Letter To Senator Coburn re 14th St. Skate Park: "Dollars Spent On This Park Are Well Worth The Money Now and Into the Future"
