Firestone Boulevard overhaul delayed, street parking to go away soon

DOWNEY -  A plan to overhaul almost all of Firestone Boulevard will likely be delayed a month, according to city officials.

The city had originally planned to repave the entire boulevard starting this month, but the city has slowed the process in order to refine plans for Firestone as it passes through the downtown area.

The work, which will start on the west side of town, will mark a major change for the city. Parking on Firestone will be outlawed, and the boulevard through the downtown area will have decorative light posts, colored pavement and other features, said Ed Norris, Downey’s deputy director of public works.

The city is working with a consultant to finish design work, he said.

“We’re fine-tuning the more decorative part,” he said. “It’s a matter of trying to get the right fixtures, the right lighting, the trash receptacles, the bus stops, trying get all the colors right, the textures.”

The plan to take away parking on Firestone has angered some business owners who say most of their customers park on the street.

Parking on the street will likely be taken away in the next few weeks, Norris said.