City of Los Angeles, CA

07/07/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/06/2022 21:27

Mayor Garcetti and Congressman Gomez celebrate $1 millon in funding for the Boyle Heights Community Cooling Funding

LOS ANGELES- Mayor Eric Garcetti today joined Congressman Jimmy Gomez at Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights to celebrate one million in federal dollars to fund the Boyle Heights Community Cooling Project, which will bring cooling elements such as cool pavement coats and new trees to lower ambient temperatures and address heat related illness and death.

"Rising temperatures put our most vulnerable Angelenos at extreme risk, and demand solutions to protect their health and well-being," said Mayor Eric Garcetti. "Communities on the frontline of the climate crisis are our top priority when it comes to solutions to curb the climate crisis, and thanks to the support of Congressman Gomez, this program will bring real relief to the people of Boyle Heights."

"I am thrilled to announce $1 million in federal funding to install cooling elements on our local streets in Boyle Heights and to improve urban greening, pedestrian safety, and public health in this beloved neighborhood," said Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34). "This project is a matter of racial justice and equity - and by targeting resources to communities disproportionately impacted by climate change, we ensure our residents are safer and equipped with the green infrastructure they need to combat rising temperatures."

Cool pavement has proven to decrease surface temperatures by 10 degrees when compared to traditional pavement. To date, the City of Los Angeles has approximately 75 lane miles of cool pavement, and intends to install another 175 lane miles by 2028 while prioritizing Los Angeles' hottest residential areas.

Photos are available here.