El Segundo

El Segundo is the site of the second (Segundo) Standard Oil refinery in California. The refinery had to be close to the coast so that Ca;ifornia oil could be immediately transported anywhere in the world. It uses underwater lines, so there are no docks or wharfs. Now crude oil is imported from throughout the world and refined here. The community was incorporated in 1917 with a population of 1000. Most of the able bodied men in town participated in the volunteer fire department.  It was dubbed “El Segundo a nada,” second to none. El Segundo still has the refinery, but is an aerospace, computer and electronic center as well. El Segundo is known for its quick police response time, good schools and low tax rate. This charming town was home to 16,033 people in 2000.  In December 2003 El Segundo completed the first phase of its downtown improvement project.  Portions of Main Street and Grand Avenue have new infrastructure for utilities, new street paving, sidewalks and curbs plus landscaping, benches, lightposts with hanging baskets and an old fashioned clock tower.  This improvement project will spread to other areas of downtown.  At the South Bay Association of Realtors breakfast for City Managers in March 2005, El Segundo City Manager Mary Strenn called the city “A Small Town for Big Business.”  El Segundo keeps its residential area separated from its large corporate and industrial centers.  Mary highlighted three important upcoming projects: 1. a two million square foot development which includes five acres of soccer fields and one acre for a fire station, 2. the Douglas Street Gap Closure, which will make it easier to get in and out of town and onto the freeway; and 3. using UC Irvine planning students to study the historic area of Sleepy Hollow and propose a new specific plan for the area.

 
City Website: www.elsegundo.org