Long Beach's own Community Development Department and its team members have garnered top honors, taking home awards from the American Planning Association (APA) and the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California (SEAOSC), as confirmed by the City of Long Beach. The APA recognized Long Beach as the Planning Agency of the Year, while the SEAOSC lauded the Department's Acting Deputy Director, Truong Huynh, as Safer City Public Official of the Year for his staunch advocacy of seismic safety.
In a statement made by Long Beach's press releases, Mayor Rex Richardson praised the Department for "their work touches the lives of our residents, business owners and community members through its many services, resources and opportunities," acknowledging the exceptional skill and dedication embodied in these recognitions. The department, staffed by roughly 200 people, has been monumental in ensuring the safety and affordability of housing in Long Beach, which is predominantly a renter-dominated city.
Alex Muldrow, the Project Planner, spearheaded the Victory Park Design Guidelines project and received the APA-LA’s Urban Design Award for the effort. Further details were provided by Alison Spindler-Ruiz, Planning Bureau Manager, who encapsulated the sentiment, saying, "These awards recognize the Department’s efforts to facilitate equitable and sustainable communities in Long Beach, as well as recognize the dedicated staff working on these important initiatives."
Truong Huynh's receipt of the SEAOSC award came as recognition for his commitment to public safety and the promotion, as the SEAOSC described, "of earthquake-resistant building practices." Contributing to the structural resilience of the city, Huynh was honored for his leadership which resulted in the reduction of the community's risks from seismic events. "It’s an honor to receive this kind of professional award," Huynh said in a statement received by the City of Long Beach.
