This week, I attended the groundbreaking for the Studebaker Road Transformation Project. I am looking forward to seeing this project completed to bring us safer streets, more green space, upgraded sidewalks and protected bike paths across our corridor.

The Long Beach Marathon is coming to town on October 4–5. Please be aware of road closures and traffic impacts throughout the city as thousands of runners take part in this annual event. You can view maps of the courses below to plan ahead.

Thank you to my staff along with the office of Sustainability and the Conservation Corp for helping us make progress at this week's mulching event!

With that said, there is still some work to be done. Join us on Saturday, October 4, from 8:00 to 10:00 AM to finish the beautifying work for the corner of Bixby Village Drive and Loynes Drive helping to spread mulch. This practice suppresses weeds and will make that corner look clean and beautiful.

I would love to see neighbors coming together to help with this project. Please come down for an hour or two to help spread mulch and meet some neighbors too! We could use the extra hands. Email my office if you have any questions at District3@longbeach.gov.

Roadwork is underway on Ximeno Avenue between Anaheim Street and Pacific Coast Highway. No Parking signs are in effect starting September 22, with cold milling and resurfacing scheduled from September 30 to October 2. The project is expected to be completed by October 31, 2025.

During this time, the northbound lanes will be closed while southbound lanes remain open, and cross-street access may be limited. Work will take place Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Please plan ahead for parking and temporary driveway interruptions.

In response to concerns about parking impacts, Councilmember Duggan partnered with the nearby shopping center owner to reserve parking spaces for affected residents during the project. Please email our office for more information.

Construction activity continues to advance with the Colorado Lagoon Project. The contractor has installed rebar for the bridge’s stem walls and base and has completed the first of several concrete pours scheduled for the coming month. Work will continue on forming the bridge’s stem walls, with additional concrete pours planned for early October.

At the same time, crews are proceeding with the installation of the remaining vitrified clay pipe (VCP) sewer lines, working outward from the bridge in both directions to complete the replacement. Excavation activities and the installation of shoring boxes are shown in the pictures above.

At Marina Vista Park, sod installation remains on hold pending favorable soil test results from the lab.

The City of Long Beach Visual Improvement Program (VIP) grant provides direct financial relief to local small businesses and nonprofits impacted by crime and vandalism on or after October 1, 2023. Eligible businesses can receive up to $1,000 to cover repairs to their storefront caused by vandalism. 

The VIP is accepting preliminary applications, and we encourage you to apply if your business has been affected by vandalism or a property crime. Additional funding has been identified and your application will be reviewed as soon as funding is accessible. You will be notified if there is any need for additional information.

Long Beach’s Police Department and City Prosecutor’s Office are launching a six-month pilot program called DirectConnect, created to make it easier for local businesses to report retail theft. Through a secure online portal, participating businesses can submit evidence such as security footage, receipts, or witness statements directly to the City Prosecutor’s Office for review. The program aims to hold repeat offenders accountable, reduce the reporting burden on businesses, and strengthen public safety across our community.

What a great way to close out the summer!

Thank you to everyone who joined us last week at Fire Station 14. A special thanks to the Long Beach Firefighters Association for grilling up 250 hot dogs, SoCal Social for serving chilly treats, and the Long Beach Search & Rescue crew for teaching hands-only CPR and fire extinguisher use.

Please help by emailing State Lands Commission urging them to add an item to its October 14 meeting agenda to discuss the need for a public trust analysis for the Long Beach tidelands. Need some help on what to say? Click Here.

State Lands Commission can be emailed using this link.

This summer, the Long Beach Sea Base empowered more than 1,300 youth through its Summer Aquatics Camp, helping young people build leadership, environmental awareness, and a commitment to service. With new programs like the Sea Keepers Academy and upcoming camps, the Sea Base continues to offer plenty of opportunities for local families.

Join me on Sunday, October 11, at 9:00 AM for a morning walk through the Southern Los Cerritos Wetlands. Learn more about the vision for restoration before the work begins!

Residents have asked about grocery stores in Long Beach closing self-checkout lanes following a City Council ordinance, which I opposed, that requires a 3-to-1 staffing ratio at self-checkouts, adds new operational mandates, and allows the public to sue for alleged non-compliance.

Although the ordinance is intended to reduce theft, I argued that crime should be addressed by improving LBPD response times and ensuring real consequences for theft, not by placing burdens on grocery stores and their employees. While the staffing ratio is clear, vague language in other provisions exposes stores to predatory lawsuits, similar to how ADA laws have been weaponized against small businesses. For example, the law requires that self-checkout stations be located to allow surveillance by local law enforcement, but offers no clear compliance standards. Since anyone can sue for non-compliance, many stores have chosen to shut down their self-checkouts until they can determine how to comply without risking predatory lawsuits.

This comes at a difficult time for District 3 and Long Beach, with many former grocery sites vacant. Business-unfriendly policies like this only make it harder to attract new grocers to invest to fill these retail spaces.

*Photo credit to John Donegan from the Long Beach Post

Algalita Marine Research and Education is opening applications for its 2025–2026 Student Mini-Grants on October 15. These $500 grants empower students ages 11–25 to create lasting solutions to plastic pollution, with applications open through January 15.

Do not miss the info session on October 10, 2025, for educators, parents, and students to learn more about this great opportunity!

CSULB’s Founders Day of Service is Saturday, September 27, at Lot G11 by the Walter Pyramid. Join the drive through donation event to support students with food, hygiene items, clothing, and gift cards, and enjoy raffles and a visit from mascot Elbee.

Did you know? Coffee with a Cop started in 2011 in Hawthorne, California, when officers wanted a better way to connect with residents beyond emergency calls. The idea was simple: sit down over coffee, remove barriers, and build trust through conversation. Today, it is a nationwide program embraced by communities across the country.

Join your East Division Police Officers for National Coffee with a Cop Day. Bring your questions, ideas, and neighborhood concerns to chat directly with the officers who serve our community.

This week, the Aquatics Capital of America celebrated its Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Long Beach Rowing Association. It’s incredible how many Olympians and World Record Holders call Long Beach home. Congratulations to the 2025 Honorees! You can view the full list by clicking below.

A special shoutout to Julia Torres, Wilson High student and District 3 intern, for introducing one of the inductees!

Celebrate the start of National Community Planning Month by meeting with Planning Bureau staff and Planning Commissioners to learn more about our latest accomplishments and City initiatives, all while enjoying free pizza!