Long Beach residents can now stay up to date with the city’s infrastructure projects through a new website.
The Public Works Department launched the Elevate ‘28 website, an interactive platform designed to provide regular updates on infrastructure initiatives for over 180 projects across the city, officials said.
The Elevate ‘28 Infrastructure Investment Plan was approved as part of Long Beach’s fiscal year 2024 budget in September 2023. The budget set in motion the plan to upgrade the city’s infrastructure ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics, a plan dubbed “Elevate 28.”
The plan will also continue to improve and enhance city parks, major corridors and visitor-serving areas, according to a press release.
Elevate ‘28 now consists of $315.4 millions of Measure A funding and over $442 million of funding anticipated from additional funding sources, according to the city’s website.
“As we continue to make progress on improving our city’s assets, like parks, roads, and libraries,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement, “this new platform will provide transparency and accountability to our community, ensuring folks are informed about the progress we are making in transforming our city’s infrastructure.”
“The Elevate ‘28 plan also reiterates our commitment as a Venue City for the LA28 Games,” Richardson said, “while enhancing the health, livability and well-being of our community now and for future generations.”
During an update to the Mayor and City Council in February, the Public Works Department unveiled the Elevate ‘28 website. It was launched on Thursday, June 13, and is now live and accessible to the public at lbelevate28.com.
The website will serve as a central communication hub, offering comprehensive insights into the Elevate ‘28 project portfolio and empowering residents to engage actively in the city’s development, officials said.
It features infrastructure initiatives in eight categories: 2028 Olympic Legacy; Community and Cultural Investments; Gold Medal Park Refresh Projects; Mobility; Park Improvements; Public Facilities; Right of Way/Water Quality/Climate Action Plan; and Critical Facilities/Grant Match Funding Reserve/Other Critical Needs.
Some of the key features of the Elevate ‘28 website includes detailed project information. Residents that visit the website can explore individual project pages that provide in-depth details on each one – such as scope, budget, location, target construction timelines, funding status and project phase updates.
Another feature is the intuitive search functionality, which enables users to easily navigate the extensive Elevate ‘28 project catalog through multiple search options, including council district, project category and an interactive map view.
Project information and photos will be updated on a quarterly basis, to ensure transparency and provide insight into progress and milestones achieved. As these projects evolve from planning to completion, project photos will be added to document their progress, according to a press release.
The website also features a Power BI dashboard, which allows users to filter and analyze Elevate ‘28 information accurately and with greater detail. There is also a page that answers frequently asked questions, such as how projects are funded and selected.
“The website will provide regular updates on our progress,” Eric Lopez, director of Public Works said in a statement, “ensuring transparency and engagement as we work to enhance mobility, park improvements, public facilities and address critical needs related to water quality, climate action and more.”