ROSEMEAD BLVD. WEEKLY CHAT
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 23, 2011

Email me weekly chats.

Each Friday, the City will post weekly chats on the proposed Rosemead Blvd. Enhancement Project.  These chats, which are a follow-up to the March 24 community meeting, are meant to address community concerns, design features, project information and much more. 

SEPTEMBER 23 WEEKLY CHAT

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NOTE:  The following chat concludes responses to questions and comments received since the March 24 community meeting.  The weekly chat will resume in the next few months after more questions are gathered from the October 6 community meeting.

In the meantime, please continue to e-mail your questions.
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Comment:  The landscaping between Broadway and Las Tunas is unkempt (except Burger King maintains their portion).  What is the City’s plan for maintaining the new landscaping that will be installed as part of this project?
City Response:  We’ve hired a new contractor to maintain existing and planned new landscaping.

Comment:  Will trees in the median inhibit visibility for drivers?
City Response:  No.  Trees will be trimmed so as not to inhibit driver line of sight.

Comment:  What kinds of plants and trees will be planted?
City Response:  Proposed species include London Plane as the main tree species with Pink Trumpet trees and palm trees used strategically for aesthetic accent.

Comment:  Trees seem randomly placed.  Will the final design create a kind of specific design ‘rhythm’ or purpose?
City Response:  Trees on the sides of the streets are placed in nominal 30’ spacing where possible.  However, there are locations where this is not possible.  Examples are where there are existing driveways, existing utilities above ground that cannot be moved, or existing utility lines in the ground.  Trees will also be placed in key locations to provide added aesthetic effect.

Comment:  Palm trees will not make Temple City unique because they are everywhere in different cities.  Also, maintenance of such trees requires expensive tools because of their height.
City Response:  Palm trees are proposed only in isolated areas for accent, to provide a difference from the regular street trees.  Shade trees will be the predominant tree type used along the boulevard.

Comment:  Why add planting to the railroad underpass instead of cleaning and painting it?  This would be less expensive. 
City Response:  We’re currently considering vine covering for the embankments, which is a very inexpensive way to treat the area.  Vines also provide the added benefits of providing a graffiti resistant ‘green’ cover to an otherwise concrete jungle.

Comment:  I’m concerned that planting trees will uproot paving.  
City Response:  We’re working with a landscape architect to select a combination of trees using root barriers and trees with non-invasive root systems. 

Comment:  Where will camellias be planted?
City Response:  The camellia is such an obvious choice to use in this design, and we look forward to seeing lots of them!  However, since they are a ‘medium’ water use plant (as opposed to ‘low’ or drought tolerant) they’ll be strategically planted in shaded areas to minimize water use.

Comment:  Please consider the possibility of using perennials, herbs, and lightly scented plants in the landscaping plan. 
City Response:  This is a very interesting idea.  We’ll take this into consideration. 

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INFORMATION ON THE OCTOBER 6 COMMUNITY MEETING

Updated designs to improve Rosemead Blvd. will be presented October 6 at Live Oak Park Community Center, 10144 Bogue St.  Two sessions are planned: English at 7 p.m. and Chinese at 8 p.m.  Child care will be provided.

The presented sketches incorporate input from the March 24 community meeting to transform Temple City’s segment of Rosemead Blvd. into a pedestrian friendly corridor.  The October 6 meeting will also discuss the project’s preliminary construction and phasing schedule.  Groundbreaking begins next year.

For more information, call (626) 285-2171.
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CHAT ARCHIVE

   September 16 [PDF]
   September 9 [PDF]
   September 2 [PDF]
   August 26 [PDF]
   August 19 [PDF]
   August 12 [PDF]
   August 5 [PDF]
   July 29 [PDF]
   July 22 [PDF]
   July 15 [PDF]