DISQUS

Erin Wilson · 8 months ago

When I was married at a home in that intersection, i called the owner to ask if I could lease the lot for a day's parking. He considered it, but finally said it was in process of being developed, so for the last 4 years with frustationi have watched the lot sit barren and wasted, while recalling that most of my wedding guests could not find parking that day. I am just so glad to see it will finally be used!!!

Andreas · 8 months ago

Hallo Kerstin. Ich bin sehr freu fur dich und deine straBe.

I really hope this trend within the city continues of choosing to work with the resources we already have instead of tearing things down and starting from scratch. In this case the resource is an empty space. All it takes is some creative thinking, which seems to mostly come from the residents so i hope the city continues to embrace these good ideas.

I'm part of the small group of residents that are bringing the first dog park to downtown long beach. It was an idea we developed and received support on from the city that utilizes another empty lot. We're working on a new similar project now for another empty lot in the area.

What's interesting is that i've heard a few stories about property owners that are so burned out by past experiences with the city they would rather do nothing then work with the city. This city and its leadership has a long way to go to rebuild its reputation among the residents. But at least there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel...

Arnie · 8 months ago

I think it's important to note that Kirsten is a 5' 7" blonde Aryan bombshell, so all she has to do is smile and wink, and any heterosexual middle-aged man will do whatever she tells them to do. That's why you don't see her smile too much on a daily basis. It's too disruptive.

John_B · 8 months ago

Thanks Theo! You have renewed, to some degree, my faith in my fellow man…er…woman.

Now *this* is what a City is supposed to be…populated by good people who see issues as challenges that can be met, and resolved, with innovation and cooperation; rather than as insurmountable obstacles that have no hope of being overcome and that must therefore must be endlessly complained and whined and sniveled about.

Good people who aren’t just looking to make change for changes sake, but *positive* change that truly benefits all stakeholders in some way.

Good people who are willing to cooperate and communicate openly and civilly with one another (both within government and without) and develop workable and mutually-beneficial partnerships; rather than being predominantly confrontational, demanding and unwilling to work with others amicably.

Ms. Kansteiner is to be commended for being tenacious, yet civil; determined yet flexible; imaginative and innovative yet practical and realistic; and an effective consensus builder and challenge solver rather than a confrontational and counter-productive complainer.

Ms. Kansteiner is, in three simple words, a good citizen. And we all should take some lessons.

Brava, Ms. Kansteiner, Bravisima!

Arnie · 8 months ago

Like I said, and as Theo's final tag in the story demonstrates, and John Greet's post confirms, older men have dreams too, and when Kerstin acknowledges their existence, poetry erupts from every male, middle-aged orifice on 4th street.

James · 8 months ago

There's some important questions that have confused me regarding this article.

1. How old is she?
2. Is she married?
3. Are those all the pictures you have of Kerstin?

Dave in Alamitos Beach · 8 months ago

Okay, I have a lot of faith in Brian U., but I don't know Peter Stern. I have for a long, long time dreamed about having street trees along 4th Street and Cherry in that area, and I would think with a vacant lot we could even have a sort of promenade effect, i.e. a double row of trees in this area, one row on the sidewalks and one just inside the parking lot. There is no reason these trees couldn't be drought tolerant. Please, please tell me this is possible? Does anyone have a map/drawing of the proposed changes? Ultimately what the neighbors want to see is something beautiful, not just more cars and asphalt! Shudder.

And while we're discussing improvements, can't something be done with the parking lot diagonally across from this one? On the Northwest corner? That parking lot is more of an eyesore than the empty lot being turned into a parking lot.

And is there any way to get the school district to move their fenceline back about 20 feet on the lot located diaginally from Portfolio? This could be turned into a mini-park for the weekends, and the kids could still use it on the weekdays...

Chesney Higgins · 8 months ago

I think it's important to note, Arnie, that you just reduced a successful, self-made business woman and community activist to Just a Pretty Girl (which she is) and completely denigrated her well-earned reputation. She doesn't need your repressed sexual objectification, she's successful in her own right. Way to turn back the clock on equality by about 50 fuckin years.

Shut up, asshat.

Oh and congratulations, Kerstin. What a great idea for 4th Street.

Ellen · 8 months ago

here, here! *clink*

Arnie · 8 months ago

Chesney (what the hell kind of name is that?), I suggest you seek out the Utne Reader comments section, where you'll find corresponding whack cases who will be only to happy to luxuriate in your water-wiggle spray of hippy sass.
However, nice touch initiating the time-honored spectacle of stepping in to defend the honor of the defenseless community activist girl. Way to turn back the clock a further 50 years.
A couple of more comments between the two of us, and we'll have Kerstin back home where she belongs, barefoot, pregnant, and scaling fish with a cuttle-bone.
Let's do this.

Dave Wielenga · 8 months ago

Very good, Arnie, that made me laugh--but you have to admit that you are kind of an asshat.

Arnie · 8 months ago

Dave... a little less talk, a little more making my latte.
That's what you get for empowering women. Kerstin is out activating the community, so now you get to do the shitwork.
Now make my latte, Dave! MAKE IT GOOD!!

LB City Girl · 8 months ago

...and make me a cafe mocha while you're at it, light on the whip. Make it snappy!

Dave Wielenga · 8 months ago

Whole, non-fat or soy milk?

LB City Girl · 8 months ago

I prefer 2%.

Arnie · 8 months ago

If you'd just work out regularly, you could have a "Handful-of-Lard Mocha," and not gain weight.
Stop playing games with food, honey. Right now, I want you to get on your bike, and don't stop till you slap five with a hobo at the Seal Beach Pier.
I say this with love. The love of perfect girly butts. You deserve one. Let's do this.

Randy · 8 months ago

Let's do what? Quote Family Guy all day?

KaRi · 8 months ago

Great job, Kerstin!

I called about that property about 10 years ago suggesting they make it into a parking lot. I was told that it had been a gas station so it needed to be tested for a year by the EPA before anything happens.

I did the same re: property by the pier. At that time, the empty dilapidated building said "House of Real Estate." (An oxymoron, don't ya think?)

Anyway, I traced it to owners in OC who agreed they DID need to do something with the property they inherited, NOT just let it sit there.

I offered to rent it from them monthly, however committing to one year paid up front. They want $200 more per month and didn't want to make any improvements to the property.

My initial idea was to sell local art and music (at that point ThePrimeSpot Private Art & Music Collection was 20 local CD's and about 3 paintings but I was going to add wind-up-solar-powered radios and beach towels* to inventory.

(* Rainbow colored on one side, solid color on the other side of the towel - to advertise "preference" as you lay there worshipping the sun ;)

Anyway, sometimes just "stirring it up" can have an affect. Personally, I'm glad I never opened a business however the biz that secured that location seems to be doing fine!

PS I took a picture of the COMING SOON banner at 4th and Cherry then researched the web for its meaning. That was before this great article came out!

PPS Kerstin, can you affect Pat West to support Long Beach Community Television on traditional TV?!