Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes outlined the city’s ambitious plans for the future during her 2024 State of the City speech on Thursday, March 21, with an emphasis on the city’s commitment to clean energy initiatives, enhanced internet connectivity, expanded park spaces, as well as plans to bolster housing stock for residents.
Davis-Holmes delivered her annual address, showcasing the city’s accomplishments and mapping out its sustainable future, through a pre-recorded video broadcast at Carson Event Center. Despite this, the mayor herself was also present alongside representatives from a cross-sector of the community, some of whom also spoke to the audience via the video.
“We’re propelling Carson toward a future where sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity light the way,” the mayor told the around 650 attendees of the event.
The “Jewel of South Bay” is poised to unveil several significant projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving the quality of life for its residents, Davis-Holmes said.
Three solar installations with a combined capacity of more than 3 megawatts will soon start commercial operations in District 3 and District 4, the mayor said. These installations are located at 2132 E. Dominguez St., 22351 South Wilmington Ave, and 22673 South Wilmington Ave.
This project, which Carson launched in partnership with Prologis and the Clean Power Alliance, will directly supply electricity harnessed from sunlight to the local grid system, resulting in reduced transmission losses, fewer disruptions, and decreased greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition, three more renewable energy projects are set to become operational by 2025, the mayor said. These projects will be situated at 21175 Main St. in District 1, as well as 2201 E Dominguez in and 20500 Fordyce Ave, both in District 3.
“As your mayor, I am thrilled to champion these groundbreaking and important projects,” Davis-Holmes said. “The solar panels are powering our city’s journey toward becoming a cleaner, greener, and more resilient City.”
The mayor also unveiled a modification to plans regarding the 20 Tesla superchargers at the forthcoming station at the Carson Event Center. Instead of exclusively catering to Tesla vehicles, these chargers will now accommodate all makes and models of electric vehicles.
Along the same line, the city is installing 128 charging ports across 11 city-owned sites and is scheduled to receive four new EV charging stations to accommodate its future electric bus fleet.
To make sure that “no one is left behind in the digital age”, Carson has launched a comprehensive broadband assessment study, which will help enhance high-speed Internet connection and related infrastructure for residents, Davis-Holmes said. The City Council is set to discuss policies to support this program in the upcoming weeks.
In addition, city departments will soon deploy drones in their day-to-day work thanks to a new policy recently approved by the panel, she said.
Davis-Holmes also used the opportunity to tout the city’s financial achievements, announcing that its reserves have reached $222 million, a first in the city’s 55-year history.
She attributed this milestone to various factors, including Measure K, the transaction and use tax, Measure R, the utility user tax and Measure C, the oil business tax, as well as the dedication of city staff and some council members.
“Just to put things into perspective, prior to 2020, the city maintained a budget surplus of around $20 million,” the mayor said. “Now, under my leadership, and support of my colleagues, our reserve is at a historic high.”
With this bolstered financial foundation, the city has allocated $32 million dollars to a citywide street repair project that aims to tackle long-overdue road maintenance across Carson’s four districts simultaneously.
“This is the first time in the history of the city that we have made such a substantial financial commitment,” Davis-Holmes said, eliciting applause from audiences. “This project isn’t just about today, It’s also about preparing for tomorrow and the future of every Carson resident.”
Numerous housing initiatives are underway, the mayor said.
The Avalon Church has been transformed into 30 condos, she said. Other projects include the Carson Loft Apartments, featuring 19 units, the Anastasi, with 50 units, and Carson Place, which will bring 764 luxury units along with 10,000 square feet of restaurants and more than 111,000 square feet of open space to Carson.
The mayor also touched upon the long-awaited plans to redevelop a 157-acre former landfill site into an outlet mall which faced setback in 2020 due to the high remediation costs and a legal dispute with the developer.
“As your mayor, I have been in constant communication with the developers and I am committed to pursuing the necessary steps to make this project a reality,” she said.
In addition to ongoing housing projects, the mayor highlighted the city’s efforts to tackle affordable housing and the homelessness.
Thanks to the city’s new Public Safety Engagement team, 40 unhoused individuals have been placed into temporary and permanent housing, Davis-Holmes said. Moreover, the city enacted the mobile home park overlay district to safeguard mobile home residents, requiring property owners to seek a zoning change from the city before redeveloping mobile homes. Lastly, the city approved a resolution aimed at enhancing access to affordable housing for veterans.
Safety remains the no.1 priority for the city, Davis-Holmes said. The city has dedicated more than $5 million to a project that includes the installation of high-definition security cameras at all city parks and entrances to the city, among other enhancements. Additionally, speed trailers have been deployed across all four districts to monitor vehicle speed.
Neighborhood upgrades are on the horizon as well. Carriage Crest Park will undergo expansion, growing from 4 to 15 acres. The enhanced park will include new baseball and soccer fields, a dog park, basketball and pickle ball courts, among other amenities. Foisia Park will introduce a new children’s playground area, community stage, park marquee sign and an improved outdoor exercise area.
“This year, let’s pledge to not only dream of a better tomorrow but to build it with our own hands,” Davis-Holmes said. “Together, we are unstoppable.”