Good morning, Long Beach. It’s Monday, Jan. 26. Here’s what you need to know to start your day. Get this in your inbox every week. Sign up at LBPost.com/newsletters.
Editor’s note: This newsletter has been updated to correct erroneous cross streets the city provided to describe the dog beach’s location.
City meetings
In a plan expected to have even the dogs’ owners salivating, the city is shopping around the idea of a second zone in Long Beach where canines can run loose in the sand and surf.
Ahead of any decision, Long Beach Public Works will host a virtual town hall on Feb. 11 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Register here.) Officials will review their proposal, including its background and planned timetable, and take public feedback.
While details are still sparse, here’s what we know so far:
The new dog zone would be located between Molino Avenue and Orizaba Avenue, totaling about four acres of beachfront. Officials say they chose this location considering its closeness to parking and other amenities at the nearby Junipero Beach Sports Court.
It will be mirrored heavily off of the existing Rosie’s Dog Beach, a 4.1-acre stretch in Belmont Shore that opened in 2003 and remains one of the only stretches of coastline in Los Angeles County where canines can legally run off-leash.
Discussions for a second dog beach began in 2023. Councilmember Cindy Allen, who represents the Alamitos Beach area, said in a call Friday that it’s a matter of fairness to the thousands who live downtown and must drive to the one place for their dogs to romp.
They previously optioned Alamitos Beach for the off-leash area but rescinded the plan, citing opposition from the public and stationed lifeguards who agree it is too busy and will lead to problems.
City surveyors believe this new spot, east of the Junipero parking lot, is the best location given its low foot traffic and few events through the year.
Allen brought the item up at last week’s Bluff Park Neighborhood Association. She said it was met with a round of applause.
“I’m feeling more confident that we can get this to the finish line with this location than we ever would have because there was a lot of pushback on the other location,” Allen said.
Any plan will have to be approved by the California Coastal Commission, which will likely review any potential environmental damage the influx of dogs can bring.
To register for the meeting or for more information, visit here.
Business events and information
- The Long Beach Young Professionals are hosting an evening networking event at El Barrio Cantina (1731 E. 4th St.) For more information or to purchase tickets, visit here.
- A membership mixer for the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce will be held Thursday at Boathouse on the Bay (190 N. Marina Dr.) at 5 p.m. Tickets start at $15 for members; $40 for non-members. For more information, visit here.
- It’s tax season. For nonprofits looking to understand their dreaded 990 forms, a workshop is being offered through the Nonprofit Partnership on Thursday at 9 a.m. For tickets or more information, visit here.
ICYMI — California and national news
- Drone maker Anduril announces $1 billion expansion in Long Beach (Long Beach Post)
- Long Beach Unified’s districtwide ban on most cell phone use starts today (Long Beach Post)
- Long Beach vowed to eliminate deadly crashes; instead, they’re the highest in over a decade (Long Beach Post)
- Kim Kardashian’s Skims pays to settle fraud allegations (Los Angeles Times)
- Port of Los Angeles plans for growth after ‘roller coaster’ year (Los Angeles Times)
- Fires burn swiftly, but insurance battles linger: New bills propose consumer-friendly regulations (CalMatters)