Beach Cities Health District
Board of Directors

e-comment for Nov. 15 Board Meeting
November 15, 2023
Dear Board:
I am concerned about the Diamond St. and Flagler Lane bike path currently being installed for BCHD. I don’t think BCHD’s public statements give a clear picture of what is happening.
As this Board must know, the path now under construction is vastly different from the plan approved by LACMTA in 2020 and continued into early this year. That path would have made substantial changes along Flagler Lane in Torrance, including bikes on both sides of Flagler and various improvements. For that project, BCHD was awarded in excess of $1.8 million by LACMTA. However, even though Torrance decided not to approve plans for changes along Flagler Lane, BCHD has gone ahead to build a minor part of the path, dramatically changing the scope of the project but still costing about $1.8 million.
The path, as funded now and under construction, makes no improvements on Flagler Lane and fails to provide a connection from the newly expanded path in Redondo to the path through Torrance. Oddly, BCHD repeatedly has stated that the new “Redondo scope” project involves construction only in Redondo. However, the job site and fencing clearly involves at least some land in Torrance and an electric power pole at the northeast corner of the job site. Including some Torrance property as part of the job site may be a minor issue, but the larger issue is how the new construction will provide a smooth transition to the path in Torrance within the Torrance right-of-way. BCHD has simply ignored the issue while proceeding with the project anyway.
Moreover, the project was planned to finish in late September or very early in October. Now, however, no one should expect the segment of the path in Redondo will be until mid-December or even later.
I call on BCHD to clarify publicly the timetable for all elements of the path, costs and sources of funds, and approvals that will be needed.
Respectfully,

Tim Ozenne Ph.D.