NAPLES’ CANAL WALLS
In part 1 of this series, I discussed problems Naples’ residents are facing today in repairing their canal walls. Let’s look back to the 1930s when the 1933 earthquake collapsed the already fragile canal walls. There were no Tideland funds to pay for repairs, like today, and the country was in the midst of the Great Depression.
For five years following the 1933 earthquake, Naples’ residents petitioned city, county and federal officials for money to repair the canal walls. Local governments first looked at the $195,000 ($4.44 million in 2013) funding they received from the state gasoline tax. Attorneys representing Naples argued the canals were highways and should receive funds for road improvement and repair. They asked that $100,000 ($2.28 million) be allotted to the canal project.
In 1934, it appeared repairs would soon be underway until Long Beach taxpayers sued, saying it was an inappropriate use of the money. Harry Hopkins, head of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), agreed with the taxpayers and turned down WPA funding, saying the canals should be filled in. The Naples Improvement District responded by saying that could not happen since the canals were part of navigable Alamitos Bay and were subject to War Department regulations. When queried, the War Department responded by saying they would only consider filling in the canals if 51% of Naples’ residents petitioned them to do so. That was not going to happen!
The fight for funding continued, with Naples’ residents threatening to secede from Long Beach if their demands weren’t met. The battle over the use of gas tax funds raged for several years until the California Supreme Court ruled the money could be used for canal repairs. However more money was needed to fund the project which now was estimated to cost $450,000 ($9.73 million).
Compromise was needed, including Naples’ residents agreeing to an assessment on their property. In the end, the WPA contributed $254,000 ($5.49 million), the City of Long Beach $55,800 ($1.21 million), $126,500 ($2.74 million) from an assessment on Naples’ property and $135,000 ($2.92 million) from gas tax. (Long Beach Sun 6/13/1938). On Sept. 3, 1938, reconstruction finally began.
On Aug. 26, 1939, Naples held a celebration and formally dedicated the new canal walls. In attendance was Arthur M. Parsons, 81, known as the “father of Naples.” It was due to his efforts that the community had begun.
How will funding for today’s repairs be paid? Options include the possibility of a 30-year bond, paid back by all Naples residents or only those living along the seawalls. According to a Nov. 8, 2024 Public Works memorandum, this amounts to $5,100 per property annually if spread across the neighborhood, $48,000 per property if reduced to seaside residents. Naples area Councilmember Kristina Duggan, journalist John Donegan reported, called the option “laughable.” (LB Press 12/3/2024).
Will federal and state funds come to the rescue? Will Naples property owners agree to a tax? Will some Tidelands funds be found? Or will a long-drawn-out battle continue, especially since property owners whose homes were destroyed in the devastating fires of this year will also be asking for federal and state relief?
Claudine Burnett is a retired research librarian who has written over 10 books on Long Beach history as well as numerous journal articles. For more, visit her website www.claudineburnettbooks.com
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