Construction of solar parking carports in the parking lot west of the Community Gymnasium and within the gated Community Sheriff’s Station parking lot will begin this month and will continue through April. This project is part of the City’s energy infrastructure modernization program. Access to the Community Gymnasium will be provided through alternate routes and parking is available in additional lots at the Civic Center. The Gymnasium and Sheriff’s Station will remain open during construction. Later this year, the City will begin installing electric vehicle charging stations.
The City of La Mirada began working on a comprehensive energy infrastructure modernization program in May 2021. La Mirada retained local building technologies and energy solutions provider, Climatec, to assess existing energy infrastructure systems and identify those in need of replacement. The assessment helped the city develop a plan for modernizing aging energy infrastructure at all city facilities and parks. Opportunities for converting to renewable energy sources were also incorporated into the plan.
The goals of the program are to modernize aging energy infrastructure, improve comfort and safety of facilities, and reduce operating expenditures.
“This program builds upon La Mirada’s practice of implementing innovative programs to better serve the community,” says City Manager Jeff Boynton. “These improvements promote La Mirada’s commitment to fiscal and environmental stewardship while improving operational efficiencies.”
State-of-the-art energy infrastructure including new HVAC units, smart controls, interior and exterior LED lighting, sports field LED lighting conversions, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, roof replacements, solar parking structures, solar thermal systems and pool efficiencies at Splash! are coming with the program.
The program projects more than $21 million in operating budget savings over the useful life of the improvements. These preserved La Mirada funds may be used for key services and programs that improve the quality of life for La Mirada’s community.
On May 10, 2022, the La Mirada City Council adopted a resolution approving the program using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Capital Improvement Program reserve funds for the work.
Once construction is complete, La Mirada will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1,970 metric tons, which is equivalent to powering 237 La Mirada homes every year.
