To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: JANE CHUNG, ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER
TITLE
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ADOPT BY TITLE ONLY RESOLUTION NO. CC-2607-053, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF REDONDO BEACH, NAMING THE HERONDO OPEN SPACE PARK AREA, LOCATED AT HERONDO STREET AND CATALINA AVE, AS BILL BRAND GATEWAY PARK
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City has worked with Southern California Edison to transform an underutilized right-of-way along Herondo Street and Catalina Avenue into a passive open space park. On July 7, 2026, the City Council discussed names for the new open space area and directed staff to prepare a resolution naming it “Bill Brand Gateway Park” in recognition of former Mayor Bill Brand’s decades of community involvement and City leadership.
BACKGROUND
In 2019, Southern California Edison (SCE) completed a Method of Service study confirming that power lines within the 190th Street right of way could be removed or relocated following the retirement of the AES power plant. This determination created an opportunity for the City to evaluate the corridor for potential passive open space development. In 2021, the City began working with SCE to license approximately 5.1 acres of underused right of way along Herondo Street and Catalina Avenue for development as passive open space.
A License Agreement with SCE was negotiated to allow the City to develop two parcels along Herondo Street and Catalina Avenue into a passive park space. The Agreement commenced on June 1, 2022, with a five-year term. The project was designed to create a traversable public area featuring decomposed granite pathways and native landscaping. Full development of the site is expected to occur in two phases, with Phase 1 addressing improvements on the upper/eastern portion of the site and Phase 2 addressing the western portion of the property to North Francisca Avenue.
In anticipation of Phase 1 completion in July 2026, the City Council directed staff on June 16, 2026, to return with a discussion item regarding the naming of the Herondo open-space park. Naming or renaming passive open-space areas has traditionally been completed through City Council resolution, as seen with Gateway Parkette in 2016 and the Ito Family Open Space in 2021. On July 7, 2026, the City Council gave direction to prepare a Resolution naming the site “Bill Brand Gateway Park” in recognition of former Mayor Bill Brand.
Bill Brand served as the 30th Mayor of Redondo Beach and previously represented District 2 for two Council terms. He became active in local land-use issues in 2001 and went on to lead or co-author several significant community initiatives, including Measure DD and Measure C, and played a central role in efforts to prevent the re-powering of the AES power plant. He co-founded the South Bay Parkland Conservancy in 2004 and continued his public service after being elected Mayor in 2017 and reelected in 2021. Bill Brand passed away from lung cancer on February 9, 2024. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be scheduled in the next few weeks to formally open the site and commemorate the naming of the park in his honor.
COORDINATION
The City Manager’s Office prepared this report and the City Attorney’s Office approved the Resolution as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT
The estimated costs for signage vary depending on the material type. A typical sign is estimated to cost approximately $1,000, including manufacturing and installation by in-house staff. Funding is available in the FY 2026-27 Public Works Department Operating Budget for a basic sign. Other materials, such as concrete, would result in higher costs and may require additional feasibility review and coordination with SCE.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
• Reso - No. CC-2607-053 Bill Brand Gateway Park Naming