Signal Hill has allocated over half a million dollars to enter into a contract to revitalize a strip of medians along Willow Street with a new irrigation system, colorful drought-tolerant plants, new palm trees, updated signage and new lighting.
The contract with Kormex Construction, approved on July 8, will cover the cost of a 1,710 foot strip of medians along a highly visible corridor. The City allocated $525,000 to cover the cost of the Willow Street medians, which will receive 800 shrubs, 11 palm trees and new signage that aligns with the City’s most recent designs. The new designs will support “future connections” for a reclaimed water system, the plan states.
Signal Hill received six bids from construction and landscaping companies to complete this project, with a base contract price ranging from $377,000 to $546,000. The approved contract of over half a million dollars includes the added scope of electrical upgrades, the cost of inspection and consultancy, as well as unforeseen circumstances, said Public Works Director Thomas Bekele.
The City had originally set aside $265,000 for the annual cost of the median project, but received $70,000 in grants from the MWD. To cover the remaining costs, the City will take $220,972 from the Capital Improvement Project reserves.
On January 10, 2023, City Council entered an agreement with landscaping company SWA to prepare the Citywide Median Landscape Design, redesigning the landscaping and irrigation in traffic medians throughout the city. Signal Hill has 45 medians, which are planned to receive the same treatment over the next few years.
The median design plan was finalized in December, after community outreach including at concerts and movies in the park, public meetings and more. “While each median features a unique planting layout, the palettes are designed to complement one another and create a cohesive streetscape,” the plan reads.
Many of Signal Hill’s medians have shown signs of aging such as eroded soil, stained or worn out decor rocks, recessed curbs and outdated irrigation systems. The plan also includes hardscape enhancements, including the removal and replacement of existing riprap and the removal of outdated brick edging.
Over the past year, City staff has been working with the Metropolitan Water District and Sanitation District to secure funds to complete this plan. With the help of these funds, the City was able to revitalize Median No. 7, a city-entry median on Cherry and Spring Streets.
The irrigation and planting were performed by a third party, Bekele said, while City staff replaced the riprap, installed drought-tolerant landscaping and completed electrical upgrades. This was the first median completed under the new design. Signal Hill is now working with the Long Beach Conservation Corps to pursue additional grant funding and engage with their workforce to help with the next phase of the median enhancement program.
Bekele said the City is expecting to spend another $7.2 million on a larger median project next year, which will involve realigning medians along Cherry Avenue.
