Businesses Fear Street Project

Lomita officials this week tried to reassure businessmen who complained at the City Council meeting that the yearlong rebuilding of Narbonne Avenue would hurt their businesses.

Mark Esser, who runs a computer store, warned of a “financial catastrophe in this city,” adding that the duration of the project would have a devastating impact on small businesses.

Los Angeles County engineers, contracted by the city to administer the project, said vehicle access to businesses would be maintained during the work, except for three times during the project for three days each. They also guaranteed that two lanes of traffic would remain open at all times, except during storm drain construction, when one lane would be used.

Construction on the 3/4-mile stretch of Narbonne Avenue will begin later this month, said city staff.

The $1.7-million project will extend from Pacific Coast Highway north to 248th Street, along 10 blocks of small retail stores, professional offices, a mortuary and a preschool.

The street will be widened by four feet, sidewalks replaced and the roadway rebuilt. Over the years it has developed a crown from buildup of asphalt used for resurfacing. Trees will be planted and traffic signal synchronization will be improved.

“We’ll do the best we can to minimize the problems,” said City Manager Walker Ritter, “but you’re talking about a big project, so there’s going to be some inconvenience. We will work with everybody as best we can.”

A public hearing on the project will be held Oct. 15 at City Hall.