Beach-Goers Awash over LA County Sand Berms

Enjoying a warm fall day at the beach? Don’t let the bulldozers bother you. Each November, LA County rolls out heavy machinery to construct 11 sand berms along the coastline: one at Hermosa Beach, two at Dockweiler Beach, two at Venice Beach, and six more at Zuma Beach. Designed to protect seaside structures (bathrooms, lifeguard towers, parking lots) from especially strong winter storms, the seasonal berms have been around since the 1970’s, with improvements made after 1983 storms wreaked havoc on some beachside facilities. 

Berms at Venice Beach (image via patch.com)

Throughout the county, beach-goers can’t seem to decide if the beach berms are a good-deal or not. Complaining about limited beach access hindered views, some Venetians want to see a stop to berm building. Over at the Venice/Marina del Rey BermBlog, anti-berm petitioners call the berms a violation of the Coastal Act (which protects the “scenic and visual qualities” of the coastline).

Further north, some surfers in Malibu welcome the arrival of berms. Surf site The Inertia explains that berm construction near the Malibu Lagoon is a win-win. With a plan developed by the Malibu Surf Association and Surfrider Association, the berms in Malibu actually increase beach access and improve surf conditions while defending against runoff-fed overflow from the lagoon.

2013 Berms at the Malibu Lagoon

Like it or not, 2014 berms are here until beaches are smoothed-out again in February.

Will Angels Flight Fly Again?

Bunker Hill’s poor old Angels Flight funicular can’t seem to stay in operation without major safety issues, back in 2002 a runaway car slipped down the 33 percent grade and crashed into the other car. In a more recent chapter of safety woes, the funicular is grounded after a derailment in 2012. To get Angels Flight moving again, the California Public Utilities Commission will require the Angels Flight Railway Company to file a Safety Certification Plan and a Safety Certification Verification Report. The required safety plan is meant to address unresolved issues including the operation of end gates and wheel maintenance.

PUC Resolution

USC at Work on New Dance Building

Over in University Park, USC is busy at work adding to it’s bevy of brick-veneered showpiece buildings. Across the street from the massive USC Village project (which will include student housing and a Trader Joe’s) crews are at work on the USC Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center: an appropriately flashy name for a building that will house USC’s sixth arts school.

Designed by lead architect William Murray, principal at Pfeiffer Partners Architects Inc. of Los Angeles, the new building will house “studio performance space, five medium and small dance studios, a dance wellness center, dressing rooms” in addition to “a large collaborative space for dance majors will be available for use on the third floor” within its gothic-inspired facade.

USC Press Release

Take a Look at Anaheim's Nearly-Completed Transit Hub

Check out Anaheim’s ARTIC project, Orange County’s multi-modal transportation center that will link Amtrak/Metrolink with busses, taxis, bikes and cars (in addition to the anticipation of high-speed rail and a potential streetcar). Housed beneath a “futuristic ETFE dome of a LEED Platinum designed structure” the transportation hub will include a “sublime mix of epicurean delights and grab ‘n go treats” along with an array of retail options. Anaheim expects completion of the project by the end of 2014.

articinfo.com