Long Beach Grand Prix Gets Four Year Permit

From The Seventh District: The Grand Prix of Long Beach started in 1975, since then a new permit has been needed each year from the California Coastal Commission to stage the Downtown race. On Wednesday, January 11, the California Coastal Commission issued a four-year permit to the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach and the City of Long Beach to stage the race through 2020, which streamlines and provides efficiencies to the permitting process. The race was one of the first events to be issued a Coastal permit in 1975, and now is one of the first events to be issued a multi-year permit.

"After 40 plus years of consecutive applications, it made sense for the California Coastal Commission to provide a multi-year permit that recognizes the Grand Prix as an annual event, said Councilmember Roberto Uranga, who championed the multi-year permits as the South Coast Representative on the California Coastal Commission. “I wish to thank my colleagues on the Commission for their diligence in making this process efficient and expedient.”

The four-year permit mirrors previous permits for race weekend and associated events, including street closures, and ensures maximum public access to Shoreline Park and the Rainbow Harbor area. Changes to race events would require a permit amendment or a new permit. Race weekend culminates on April 9, 2017.

“I am pleased that the Long Beach Grand Prix, our biggest event of the year and a major economic driver for the City, will have one of the first multi-year permits for their event. As the first City to certify a Local Coastal Plan with the California Coastal Commission, Long Beach continues to lead the way with multi-year permits,” said Mayor Robert Garcia.

The four-year permit also maintains the following requirements:

• Variable message signs to alert the public of temporary restrictions and closures;
• Bicycle access along the shoreline except for a temporary detour;
• A parking management plan; and
• Fuel and waste management plans to protect water quality.

The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is the City’s largest annual event. Set-up, including grandstands and fencing, begins 60 days before the race, and deconstruction is completed within 21 days after the final race is completed.

A Coastal permit is required because the race occurs on State Tidelands within the Commission's area of original jurisdiction.

‘We’re pleased with this multi-year approach to create a more efficient streamlined permitting process for the Grand Prix that also ensures public access to the coast,” said Acting Executive Director John Ainsworth.

The California Coastal Commission was established by voter initiative in 1972 (Proposition 20) and later made permanent by the Legislature through adoption of the California Coastal Act of 1976.

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