City to Talk Downtown Revitalization for Los Alamitos Boulevard

Could Los Alamitos ever have a downtown that draws in visitors and their pocketbooks similar to Belmont Shore’s strip of Second Street shops and restaurants?

Some city leaders hope to see it happen and soon. However, some in the community question the traffic impact and viability of turning the city’s hodgepodge of shops and lots along Los Alamitos Boulevard into a pedestrian-friendly shopping and entertainment destination.

In January, the City Council authorized $90,000 to pay for a traffic study and concept designs for the revitalization of Los Alamitos Boulevard. At tonight’s City Council meeting, city staffers will give an update on the project so far.

In the long term, the Los Alamitos Boulevard corridor project calls for narrowing a stretch of road between Katella and Cerritos avenues and widening the sidewalks to make the area more pedestrian-friendly. The number of lanes will not be reduced, but the narrower roads and new medians would effectively slow the flow of traffic.

According to the city’s Katella and Los Alamitos Commercial Corridors Plan, “A redesign of the Los Alamitos Boulevard right-of-way recaptures the spaces dedicated to the car and gives it back to the pedestrian. Enlarged parkway and sidewalk areas create safe and inviting walking environments and create opportunities for outdoor dining. A reduction in roadway space maintains the existing travel lanes while slowing down the speed of vehicular traffic along the Boulevard.

“Slower traffic will not only create a safer environment, but will also give local businesses greater exposure to the passing cars. The narrowed roadway will connect businesses and spaces within the corridor while creating a town center and distinct identity for those who live, learn, work, and play in Los Alamitos.”

When the council voted to spend $90,000 for the early phases of the project, many objected, charging that it would impede the flow of traffic for a vision of a downtown that isn’t consistent with the current businesses along the stretch of Los Alamitos Boulevard between Cerritos Avenue and Katella Avenue.

“It doesn’t make any sense,” resident JM Ivler said after the vote. “The traffic along that stretch is already bad and impossible when (Los Alamitos High) school gets out. The worst part is the city is doing this without even talking to the residents, who are going to be impacted by it. There hasn’t been one workshop."

There will be community outreach and input on the project, but first the city needs to conduct the studies and put together something the community can look at, said Community Development Director Steven Mendoza.

The city has already spent more than $25,000 for utility studies, aerial photography of the area, designs and layout. The next phase will be a traffic study and public outreach, according to a city staff report.

City Councilman Troy Edgar said Los Alamitos is overdue for its own commercial downtown, a place where people to go to rather than just drive through. It’s time to plan and invest in a distinct downtown, he said.

“Cypress did it, and Seal Beach did while Los Alamitos missed the boat,” he said in an interview after voting for the study. “We have a real opportunity here to redefine the city’s future and create something that enhances the city’s economic viability while giving people a place they can walk, shop and eat instead of having to drive to neighboring cities.”

Tonight’s meeting is at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 3191 Katella Ave. The city’s corridors plan is online.