If you haven’t noticed by now, the Press-Telegram on Saturday began a week-long series investigating the current state of Pine Avenue and how it has evolved, dealing with everything from crime to nightlife, empty storefronts to struggles with parking. Click here to view the feature page that’s devoted to the series.
The series addresses the frustrations with Pine Avenue from all angles – customers don’t think of the area as a shopping center and store-owners don’t understand why more isn’t being done to draw business. Video interviews with store-owners, police officers and development managers paint a 360-degree picture of the state of Pine Avenue.
In other newspaper news, the Los Angeles Times weighs in on Measure I with this article by Mark Medina. It details Mayor Bob Foster’s efforts to spread the word about the need for improved infrastructure, and speaks to the Long Beach Taxpayer’s Association about their opposition to the parcel tax. Indicative of the mixed emotions at many of the Mayor’s town hall speeches, Medina’s article ends with a feeling of uncertainty:
[Mayor Foster] said he has witnessed “overwhelming support” at community meetings but conceded he is uncertain whether that “extends to the general public.”
He’ll find out on election day.
By Ryan ZumMallen, Managing Editor