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Redondo Beach Newsletter — January 26, 2026
📬 Brad Waller — District 1 Newsletter — January 26, 2026
Neighbors,
What a week. I'm just back from Sacramento, and while I was there, I saw the news we've been working toward for months: the Metro Board unanimously approved the Hawthorne Boulevard alignment for the C/K Line extension. That means the light rail will run where it belongs—down a commercial corridor—not through our neighborhoods. To everyone who emailed, rode the bus to the meeting, or spoke at the podium: thank you. This one took all of us.
I also returned with fresh ideas from the Cal Cities Mayors and Councilmembers Academy and the Housing, Community, and Economic Development policy committee. It was the result of three days of policy sessions, networking, and conversations about what local control actually looks like.
More on all of that below.
🚇 Metro C/K Line: A Major Win for the South Bay
🔹 On Thursday, January 22nd, the Metro Board voted unanimously to advance the Hawthorne Boulevard alignment for the C/K Line extension to Torrance. Supervisor Holly Mitchell's motion also established a business interruption fund to support Hawthorne Blvd businesses during construction.
→ 🎯 Why this matters: This decision keeps rail out of residential neighborhoods and away from the freight lines and fuel pipelines that would have created safety concerns. Hawthorne Boulevard was literally built for rail—the old Red Cars ran there—and this alignment serves the most riders while minimizing disruption.
→ ⚡ My take: I was in Sacramento when the vote happened, but I've been advocating for this route for months. The community showed up—and when neighbors speak with one voice, we get results. I'm grateful to everyone who took time off work, rode the free buses, or sent emails. We earned this. There are concerns that the $700 million extra cost will stop the project. But note that the board approved a $20+ billion project for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor the same day.
🏛️ What I Learned in Sacramento
🔹 I spent January 21–23 at the Cal Cities Mayors and Councilmembers Academy in Sacramento, along with the Housing, Community, and Economic Development (HCED) policy committee meeting. The sessions covered legislative advocacy, housing mandates, and the tools cities have to fight for local control.
→ 💡 Connections made: I spoke with Cal Cities President and El Cerrito Mayor Gabe Quinto about environmental initiatives, and traded ideas with council members from Lomita, Lynwood, Santa Fe Springs, Temple City, El Monte, and more. The South Bay has strong allies across the region.
→ 📊 What I'm bringing home: Between sessions, I walked through the State Capitol Park and paused at the firefighter and Vietnam memorials. Moments like those remind me why we do this work—honoring service while building a better future.
🏗️ Avenue A Ramp: Where Things Stand
🔹 Last week I met with LA County representatives, the mayor, and the city manager for a status update on the Avenue A ramp project. The timeline hasn't changed officially, but the county has committed to looking at ways to accelerate the process.
→ ⚡ The challenge: Coastal Commission review and CEQA compliance could take up to 18 months. There have been delays because the facility at the base of the ramp has unpermitted work that the Coastal Commission is requiring the county to resolve before moving forward. Plan check is scheduled for six months, and staff is pushing to expedite.
→ 📊 Current timeline:
- Entitlements: Spring 2026
- Plan Check: Summer 2026
- Bidding: Winter 2026
- Construction: 2027–2028
I know this project matters deeply to District 1 residents. I'll continue pushing for transparency and faster progress wherever possible.
🎓 Opportunity for Young Angelenos: LA2050 Youth Ambassador Program
🔹 Applications are now open for the 2026 LA2050 Youth Ambassador Program—a hands-on opportunity for young people ages 14–24 to learn about civic engagement, community outreach, and philanthropy.
→ 📋 Two tracks available:
- General Cohort (ages 14–24): Virtual training plus real-world engagement supporting the LA2050 Grants Challenge (March–May 2026, ~12 hours total). Rolling admissions.
- Leadership Council (ages 16–24): Expanded leadership role including peer mentorship and grant review, plus a $500 volunteer gift (March–August 2026, ~32 hours). Deadline: Thursday, February 12.
If you know a young person who wants to make an impact, share this with them.
📅 Looking Ahead
🔹 City Council Meeting — Tuesday, February 3, 6:00 p.m. The first Council meeting of February. Agenda will be posted 72 hours before at the city's Legistar page.
👉 View the City Council calendar
🔹 Poppy Talk — Monday, February 2, 8:00–9:30 a.m. Join local naturalists at Klatch Coffee to talk native plants, seasonal blooms, and conservation efforts. It's the first Monday of each month—bring your curiosity (or just your coffee order).
🔹 Super Bowl Sunday Race — Sunday, February 8, Redondo Beach's annual race returns to the Harbor. A fun way to burn some calories before the big game.
🥕 Weekly Markets
Farmers' Market by the Pier (Veterans Park) — Thursdays, 8 a.m.–1 p.m. 309 Esplanade.
👉 Read more
Riviera Village Farmers Market — Sundays, 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Triangle Lot, 1801 S. Elena Ave.
👉 Read more
📱 Access Redondo
Do you have a problem or need to report an issue to the city? Use the Access Redondo App.
👉 Download App
This week reminded me why local government matters: when we push for the right outcomes—on transit, on infrastructure, on the issues that shape daily life—results follow. The Metro vote was a big one. But the quieter work continues too: tracking the Avenue A ramp, building relationships with colleagues across California, and making sure Redondo Beach has a seat at every table.
Have a question? Want to share what's on your mind? Just reply to this email—I read every one.
See you around the neighborhood.
