Don't Forget Beverly Hills' Big 2013 Moments

Before moving onward in 2014, Beverly Hills resident, take a moment to reflect on the significant accomplishments in the city during 2013.

New Projects and Places

• The city completed a $3.5 million improvement to the Library that includes updating the Library’s lobby, the Children’s Library and building a larger area for teenagers.
• Staff coordinated efforts with the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts for a grand opening in October.
• Construction is near completion for a restoration of the historic lily pond in Beverly Gardens Park.
• The state-of-the-art Central Stores Warehouse facility opened on Third Street.
• Renovation of Hamel Mini Park was competed.
  

• The city established a reporting system that identifies the top 25 water leaks on a daily basis, including printed reports and a mapping feature.
• Streamlined the process for submitting electronic construction field document, such as soils reports, inspections and surveys.
• The library implemented self check-out and check-in of library materials.
• Live video-streaming and video-archiving of all commission meetings was implemented.
  

• Planning for a year-long celebration of the City’s Centennial is underway with the first initiative, the Rose Parade Float, debuting on Jan. 1, 2014. 
• The Beverly Hills Farmers’ Market’s held the first annual “Picklefest.” 
• The city hosted the “Titans of Business & The Best of Design” Show House at Greystone Mansion in partnership with Design House International and the Friends of Greystone.
  

• Crews repaved 12 miles of streets and three miles of alleyway.
• Five above-grade water reservoirs were replaced. 
• The city replaced three miles of the potable water distribution system and relined and repaired 25 miles of the sanitary sewer system. 
• The city implemented the first two bicycle routes, on Burton Way and Crescent Drive.
  

• The city refunded city and district bonds, saving taxpayers more than $4 million.
• The city, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and the CVB, traveled to New York on a trade mission to strengthen relationships with retailers and recruit new businesses to Beverly Hills. 
• More than 99 percent of city-owned properties are leased.
  

• The city approved Mills Act contracts for the Saban Theatre and the old Post Office, which is now part of the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. 
• Fifteen properties were designated as Beverly Hills historic landmarks, including City Hall, Greystone Mansion, the Beverly Hills Hotel and the Witch’s House.
  

• Police and fire departments maintained a 2.7-minute average response time for emergency calls 
• The city was awarded grand funding of more than $320,000 for a variety of public safety and emergency management programs. 
• Dispatchers answered 97 percent of all 911 calls in 10 seconds or less.