1 TO: City Council
FROM: Andrew Vialpando, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Lina Hernandez, Deputy City Manager/Public Works Director MEETING DATE: January 21, 2025
SUBJECT: Discussion and Consideration to Approve Appropriation of Funds for the Downtown Lomita Streetscape Enhancements
RECOMMENDATION
Approve an appropriation for an additional $230,000 from the General Fund available balance toward the procurement, installation, and construction of Downtown Lomita Streetscape Upgrades as described.
BACKGROUND
Downtown Lomita consists of the general area that intersects Lomita Blvd. and Narbonne Ave., serving as the City’s center for charming small restaurants, businesses, and mixeduse development. Over the years, the City has invested in strategic plans and design standards to preserve Downtown Lomita’s character and charm, while enhancing economic development and mixed-use opportunities.
In 2018, the City commissioned a Retail Analysis and Downtown Strategy Plan. The consultants found that Downtown Lomita is appropriately scaled, easily accessible and has positive demographics to become a vibrant economic area. Goals and recommendations were laid out in a short-medium-long-term implementation pattern in addition to options to enhance the public space and create a more active and delineated downtown area. The City has successfully implemented recommendations from the study such as hosting more events in the Downtown area with the expansion of the two-day Founders Day Celebration and a Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony with added space and attractions; Movies Under the Stars, the Summer Concert Series, and National Night Out/Classic Car Show drawing larger crowds; and the popular Graduate photo back drop sign.
CITY OF LOMITA
CITY COUNCIL REPORT
Item No. {{section.number}}c
2 The City has also prioritized housing and economic development, welcoming Cream Pan Bakery, The Slip Bar & Eatery, and a new 16-unit condominium development on 245th Street and Woodward Avenue as part of its medium term and ongoing economic development efforts.
In 2019, the City developed its longer-term vision through the Downtown Lomita Design Manual to serve as a planning tool for public and private projects in conjunction with the development of public right-of-way adjacent property within Downtown Lomita. The established guidelines identify and coordinate well designed elements for the restoration and rehabilitation of existing buildings and streetscape within Downtown Lomita to meet the needs of residents, merchants, visitors, and other interested users in the community while maintaining the distinct character of Lomita. The manual has a dedicated section on the importance of streetscape design improvements, predominantly Lomita Boulevard and Narbonne Avenue, to maintain and expand a strong retail business environment, a sense of uniqueness, and a clear cultural “heart.”
DISCUSSION
Staff is recommending several streetscape upgrades to the Downtown area to enhance its attractiveness and overall aesthetics in line with the Downtown Strategy Plans mentioned above.
Thermal Coated City Logo Intersection Paint
At the core of every brand identity is an easily recognizable mark or logo, which represents the brand in its simplest form. For Lomita, a simple, cursive capital “L” with a palm tree and little hill are instantly recognizable and capture the City’s spirit and values.
It is proposed to install a simplified version of the existing logo at the intersection of Lomita Blvd. and Narbonne Ave. using a heat-reflective decorative asphalt surfacing system, as can be seen in the Cities of Hermosa Beach, Hawthorne, and Bellflower. This pavement marking material is heat-sealed directly into asphalt surfaces, ensuring it remains flush with the asphalt. This innovative approach provides enhanced durability and longevity, making it a preferred choice for urban streetscapes and high-traffic environments. Staff obtained a quote for $19,920 (Attachment 1) and rendering (Attachment 2). Installation would take one day, minimizing impacts to traffic, local businesses, and schools.
Overhead String Lighting
String lighting in a downtown area can provide several benefits, including enhancing the aesthetic appeal, creating a welcoming atmosphere, boosting nighttime foot traffic, promoting local businesses, improving safety perceptions, and adding a festive ambiance, all while often being relatively cost-effective to install and maintain. It is proposed to install these lights along Narbonne Avenue between 241st and 247th Streets.
The durability of the ornate light poles will be studied to ensure they will support the weight of the lights. This addition will create a cohesive look with the existing string lights in the City Hall annex and Narbonne Plaza. Staff obtained the estimated cost for the purchase 3 and installation of the string lights is $13,000 with the proposed locations and conceptual rendering (Attachment 3).
Replacement of Street Signs
There are four different varieties of street signs installed at intersections throughout the City (Attachment 4). There are two versions in blue, one with the City seal and one without but with “City of Lomita” lettering on the bottom. Of the two green versions, one has the “City of Lomita” lettering only while the other simply has the street name with no seal, logo, nor lettering indicating it’s the City of Lomita.
This project will include only the replacement of the four signs located at the Lomita Blvd. and Narbonne Ave. intersection, which are worn down and faded. Staff obtained a quote (Attachment 5) through our current contractor for $11,850 for installation of two (2) Narbonne Ave and two (2) Lomita Avenue double sided, fluorescent, blue background 8- inch white lettering signs with the same simplified, proposed Lomita “L” logo on the ground (Attachment 2). The four street signs at this intersection may be covered by Prop C funds.
If this design is approved, staff will come back with a recommendation to update all overhead street signs within the City with this design for a unified, cohesive, updated look in the near future.
Median Landscaping
The medians located on Lomita Blvd. east and west of Narbonne Ave. are landscaped areas that serve to separate the two directions of traffic along these busy streets. Medians typically feature mature plants, shrubs and trees, providing both aesthetic value and safety by reducing traffic speed and improving visibility. Currently, the area is mostly barren with wood chips and a few palm trees and small shrubs.
This part of the Downtown Lomita Upgrade Project involves commissioning a Landscape Design Plan at an estimated cost of $27,500 (Attachment 6), which will include input from the City Council as design progresses. Additionally, the recommended action includes $130,000 in estimated construction costs to install the selected landscape design option.
These landscaped median improvements are designed to enhance the overall streetscape and create a charming, pleasant environment. Additionally, they may include features such as lighting, irrigation and hardscape to provide a safety area for landscapers.
Other Downtown Improvements in Progress
The design and eventual construction of Circle of Honor Wall and the restoration of the Downtown Post Clock and vintage Lomita Welcome Signs are among the additional enhancement projects in progress. Staff will continue tree trimming and landscaping maintenance, the repairs and consistent color of benches, trash receptacles, tree wells, and signal poles to unify and maintain the downtown charm. These improvements are part of the City’s commitment to help bring about revitalization within the Downtown and 4 beyond. Should the City Council approve this project and appropriate the funds, each phase of the proposal will be brought before the City Council for further consideration.
FISCAL IMPACT
Estimated costs for this project will include:
1. Thermal Coated City Logo at the Lomita Blvd/Narbonne Avenue Intersection
2. Purchase, pole reinforcement, and installation of string lights along Narbonne Avenue between 241st and 247th Streets
3. Replacement Street Signs at the Lomita Blvd/Narbonne Avenue Intersection
4. Design and Construction of Median Landscaping on Lomita Blvd
5. Traffic Control, Electrician, and other as needed contracted services
OPTIONS
Approve recommended action.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Thermal Coated City Logo Intersection Paint Quote
2. Thermal Coated City Logo Intersection Paint Rendering
3. Overhead String Lighting Rendering
4. Street Signs Current and Proposed Lomita Blvd Street Signs
5. Street Signs Quote
6. Street Medians Quote
Approved by:
_______________________
Andrew Vialpando
City Manager
Prepared by:
__________________________
Lina Hernandez
Deputy City Manager/Public Works Director