ADA Beach Mat + Museum Expansion + $59.9 Million Flattens Bridge

Happy Thursday, Long Beach! Let's get this day started off right. Here's what's happening in town today.

Granada Beach may be the latest recipient of accessible beach mats that allow wheelchairs and strollers to get to the water’s edge. Also, the Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum will expand and open to visitors around February next year. Finally, how much does it cost to demolish a bridge? It comes with an almost $60 million price tag. Wow.

First, today's weather: Clear throughout the day. High: 79 Low: 65.

***Please note that the City operates five cooling centers that are open daily from noon to 6 p.m. Water is available at each site. They remain in operation until October 16.***

Here are the top stories in Long Beach today:

1. The LB City Council wants to make Granada Beach accessible with wheelchair-friendly mats. Because of the $2,000 price tag for each mat, the Council requests a feasibility report within a month. (LB Post)
2. Expansion of the Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum on the Cal State University, Long Beach campus is a go. The anticipated opening date will be February 2022. (HiLo)
3. LB will pay $59.9 million to demolish the Gerald Desmond Bridge. (This includes $27.5 million for the actual work, $7.2 million for “professional construction management services," $6 million pays the port for contract support, while $8.6 million more is for a contingency fund.) Work begins next year and should finish in 2024. (Daily Breeze/PT)
4. The City reminds residents to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne disease. As of right now, CA does not have any cases of West Nile Virus, which is one of the diseases. However, remember that last year around this time the first cases surfaced. (@LongBeachCity, CDC)
5. A man walking along West 23rd Street near Seabright Avenue, which is around Admiral Kidd Park in West Long Beach, was targeted with gunfire after ignoring another man who tried to talk to him. (LB Post)

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Today in Long Beach

• Westland Career Fair at 520 West Willow Street. (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
• Annual Burger Week 2021: Los Angeles County (11:00 AM)
• LB Uptown Farmers’ Market on the Eastside of Atlantic Avenue at 46th Street. (3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.)
• Whale Watching Cruise, Rainbow Harbor, 100 Aquarium Way. (3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.)
• Bands on the Bay features Evyn Charles at the San Pedro Fish Market, 6550 East Marina Drive. (4 p.m. to 7 p.m.)
• MOLAA is recruiting volunteers via Zoom. (6 p.m. to 7 p.m.)
• Jeff Livingstone (Solo Acoustic) at Auld Dubliner, 71 South Pine Avenue. (9 p.m.)

Long Beach Patch Notebook

• Long Beach Antique Market: "What do you collect? Let us know in the comments to enter to Win a Free Pass for you and your guest Sunday July 18 v..." (Instagram)
• MOLAA is accepting gifts of art
• Long Beach City: "#ICYMI Here are locations and times for our 'Movies in the Park' at our Long Beach Parks, Recreation & Marine! " (Facebook)
• Long Beach State Athletics: "Johnathan is headed to Minnesota! #SkoBags #MNTwins" (Instagram)
• Long Beach State Athletics: "Connor is headed to Cleveland! #SkoBags #OurCLE" (Instagram)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Free 30 Min Photoshoots at Shoreline Marina! (July 17)

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update! If you're enjoying these newsletters, consider inviting some of your friends and neighbors to read along. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. Her SEO-optimized internet copy includes social media marketing projects, German to English business translations as well as human resources tutorials. She loves dogs, books, and embraces social justice.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Long Beach Daily? You can reach me at LongBeach-CA@Patch.com.