(May 26, 2003) -- 7th district Councilwoman Tonia Reyes-Uranga is inviting the public to attend a "Town Hall" meeting on Tuesday night to discuss proposed expansion of the I-710 and SR-47 freeways.

7th district Council office Chief of Staff, Ray Pok, says scheduled panelists include reps from the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority, Gateway Cities Council of Government, Caltrans, LB City and Port Staff, and Communities for Better Environment.

The meeting will be on May 27th from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Veterans Park, 101 W. 28th Street in the Wrigley district.

A Council office flier says, "If you live near the 710 or Terminal Island Freeways, or if you are concerned about traffic, pollution and Port growth, you should attend this very important meeting."

Mr. Pok adds, "While the City and regional planners have adopted 'guiding principles' to minimize the impact on residential right-of-way acquisition, we must still find solutions to problems associated with the growth of LB and the Port."

As first reported by LBReport.com, on April 29 LB Mayor Beverly O'Neill and Acting City Manager Gerald Miller issued an unusual joint memorandum urging that each "build" alternative for 710 freeway expansion be "immediately reconsidered to minimize potential negative consequences related to neighborhoods, residential areas, and open space..."

At the May 20 City Council meeting, Councilwoman Reyes-Uranga put the weight of the City Council behind a list of guiding principles, adopted unanimously by the Council, to which LB City Hall policy is now supposed to conform.

In April, the Los Angeles Times first revealed the extent to which some 710 expansion options could potentially result in the loss of some homes and businesses. As word spread, consternation grew.

After LBReport.com editorially criticized the Gateway Cities Council of Governments for failing to put the maps on its web site, the agency did so. The digital maps can now be viewed at: Digital Maps Showing Impacts Of 710 Fwy. Expansion Options Posted By Gateway Cities Council Of Gov'ts; Click for Links, Details & Caveats.

An April 24 community meeting at WLB's Silverado Park drew a standing room only crowd of between 200-250 residents.

Photo: 7th dist. Council office

A subsequent May 12 meeting at WLB's Silverado Park was reportedly filled beyond capacity. One observer emailed LBReport.com, "The line to get in snaked around almost two sides of the park."

For further information on the May 21 meeting, contact Office of Councilmember Tonia Reyes Uranga (562) 570-6139 or by email at district7@longbeach.gov.

Related LBReport.com coverage:

Alameda Corridor CEO Hankla Testimony & Colloquy at LB City Council 710 Fwy Study Session, May 20, 2003

Major MTA Vote On 710 Fwy...With Alameda Corridor Fallout: