Long Beach
In an effort to spruce up the Drake Park neighborhood of Long Beach, the city and a local merchants group are sponsoring a home improvement contest. Residents of the area are encouraged to fix up their homes before March 15 to be eligible for a $300 gift certificate for merchandise at the Long Beach Plaza Mall.
The contest is being sponsored by the Long Beach Plaza Mechants Assn. and the Willmore City Heritage Assn. in conjunction with the city. It is open to residents in the area bounded by 7th Street, Pacific Avenue, 12th Street and Loma Vista Drive.
Organizers say they hope the contest will help improve the appearance of the neighborhood, which has been designated a historical area by the city, and spark interest in various home improvement incentives being offered by the city.
Among the incentives, the city’s Neighborhood Preservation Division offers paint rebates of up to $1,500, free tool rentals, graffiti removal, free trash dumpsters and low-interest housing repair loans, according to Bob Schmieler of the Long Beach Community Development Department.
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