City Gearing Up for Olympic Torch Relay
Anticipating thousands of onlookers April 28 when the Olympic torch relay will pass through Huntington Beach, the city will spend about $14,000 to provide public safety and other services for the downtown festivities.
The City Council this week approved the expenditure, which will likely be recouped from parking fees paid by those who attend the event, Community Services Director Ron Hagan said.
The services provided by the city will include police, fire and marine safety protection as well as setting up portable toilets.
The relay will enter Huntington Beach at Warner Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway about 4 a.m., reach the pier at 5 a.m. and head south on Pacific Coast Highway.
Hagan said beach parking lots and the downtown parking structure will open at 1 a.m. for attendees. Officials say they expect as many as 30,000 to attend. Pacific Coast Highway will be closed at midnight, and traffic rerouted.
The Kiwanis Club will sponsor a pancake breakfast on Main Street between Walnut and Orange avenues from 2 to 8 a.m., and many Main Street businesses will be open.
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