Saturday, August 31, 2013

IN THIS POST: How would you make the West End more beautiful? and Car Wars

YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

For most of us, Super Storm Sandy has forced a substantial re-investment in our homes and in our community. Now, more than ever, property owners want to leverage that investment to ensure increasing property values and a comfortable quality of life.

A big part of that goal means creating a community with public spaces that are clean, attractive and well-maintained.


Over the past year, WEBA has met with representatives of the City several times and we are pleased with many of the improvements:
  • New trash receptacles in beach entrances and City-owned parking lots
  • The appointment of a Sanitation Code Enforcement Officer: Jamal Taylor
  • Regular cleaning of Beech Street City-owned parking lots
  • Approval of a 2013 Capital Improvement Budget to renovate West End City-owned parking lots

In addition, WEBA has:
  • Secured a $25K Grant from National Grid to support recovery of business district through purchase of banners and an installation of information kiosk on Beech Street
  • Continued Beech St. tree weeding initiative with help of a Comeback Crew and mulch from the City
  • Worked with local artist Lisa Be to secure approval for a colorful mural on the Maryland Avenue parking lot wall

Equally important to these programs, we have noticed that more and more businesses and residents are enhancing their streetscape appearance through landscaping and potted flowers.

While we celebrate these successes, we all agree that more is needed.

We have identified four priorities to put forth to the City for 2013/2014 but YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED.

The documented response from tax-paying West End residents is the key to getting the City to listen and implement these ideas.

Please look over the below survey and indicate which of the goals YOU find the most urgent. Mark “1” next to the highest priority,” 2” to the next highest, and so forth. Also, we'd like to hear what YOU would do! Please enter your own suggestion for enhancing the physical appearance of our community in the space provided. Help us to make Long Beach “The Beautiful City By The Sea."

Enter your response using the online form
OR
Send your response to Ed Glister 80 Oregon Street, Long Beach, NY 11561
OR
Email your response to westendbeautification@gmail.com.

Please respond by Sunday, September 15. We will post the results on our web site, www.westendbeautification.org and share them with City officials.

Thanks in advance for your feedback!



 
CAR WARS


Something needs to be done!

Thanks, West End, for Voicing Your Opinion!
In 2008, the City of Long Beach and Level G Associates (an independent consulting group specializing in parking studies) conducted an evaluation of the West End parking situation, “to develop new parking management strategies designed to improve the Long Beach parking experience.”

 
The output was a Four-Point Strategy:
1. Increase the parking supply.
2. Enhance and encourage off-site parking and shuttle bus use.
3. Promote and facilitate expanded bicycle use.
4. Change parking regulations.(Establish Residential Parking Zones and fee-based parking on Beech St.)
 
To date, the only implementation of the 2008 Plan has been in private parking lot sharing and coordinating bus stop-fire hydrant placement to increase parking supply on Beech St. I give credit for the efforts put forth, but unfortunately, it’s not enough.

 
In late 2012, shortly before the storm, almost 200 West End residents responded to a questionnaire asking for their opinions regarding West End parking.

The response in support of Residential Parking Permits is overwhelming, with 189 supporters of residential parking (no negative responses), and with 75 respondents providing written, emotional commentary on the critical need for Residential Parking.

In the current post Sandy building boom, how will the huge increase in curb cuts affect parking for West End residents without driveways?

It’s time for a committee of residents, business owners, the City Manager and City Council to develop a pilot parking plan for 2014. We will share West End resident feedback with City officials.

And, since parking in residential areas will be challenged further due to new curb side cuts (FEMA housing impact) this issue becomes even more important.

We will keep you informed and seek your feedback and continuing vocal support in the future..

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