Cerritos is a suburb located in Los Angeles County, California, United States on the American west coast, and is one of several cities that constitute the Gateway Cities of southeast Los Angeles County. It is part of the Los Angeles-Long Beach metropolitan area. The name "Cerritos" is Spanish for "Little Hills." Cerritos is part of California's 39th Congressional District, which is represented by Linda T. Sanchez (D-CA 39) of Lakewood. As of the 2000 census, the City had a total population of 51,488.
History
Cerritos was incorporated on April 24, 1956 originally as the City of Dairy Valley, its name symbolizing the more than 400 dairies, 100,000 cows and 106,300 chickens found within its limits. The cows outnumbered the City's 3,439 residents by 29 to one. At its peak, the City produced more dairy than any other place in the nation, surpassing even the entire state of Wisconsin.
Two years later, Dairy Valley voted to become a chartered California city. As land values and property taxes in California rose in the early 1960s, agriculture became increasingly unprofitable in southern Los Angeles County, and development pressures increased dramatically. In a special election held on July 16, 1963, residents voted to permit large-scale residential development. As a reflection of its newly suburban orientation, the City's name formally changed to "Cerritos" on January 10, 1967, after the nearby Spanish land grant Rancho Los Cerritos, which figured prominently in the region before California became a state.
Cerritos is a prime example of the "fiscalization" of California politics after the tax revolt of the 1970s and the passage of Proposition 13. With property tax increases effectively banned by Prop. 13, and most citizens already feeling that their income taxes and payroll taxes were too high, the only way for California cities to raise long-term tax revenue was to create as many commercial zones as possible to take advantage of the percentage of county sales tax allocated back to municipalities. This means that one cent of every taxable dollar exchanged in Cerritos (taxed at a rate of 8.25%) would go back to the City in the form of sales tax revenue. Cerritos was one of the first cities in Los Angeles County to develop large-scale retail zones and achieved stunning success. Crucial to this strategy was the development of the Cerritos Auto Square, the world's largest auto mall, which generates more than $10 million in annual sales tax revenue today. The sudden large influx of tax revenue fundamentally changed the mentality of the local leaders and many of its residents. Sales tax revenue is the lifeblood of the City and thus guides strict policies that protect against any compromise to this vital source of income.
Since emerging as an agricultural community in the first half of the 20th century, the current progressive nature of the Cerritos government and the unusually strong tax-base is best reflected in its facilities. In 1978, Cerritos dedicated the nation's first solar-heated City Hall complex. In 1993, the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts opened its doors, attracting patrons throughout the state. In 1994, the City unveiled the Cerritos Towne Center project that combines office, retail, lodging, fine arts and dining in an open-air location. In 1997, the City opened the Cerritos Sheriff's Station/Community Safety Center to provide public safety services. In 2002, the City rededicated its public library. The assessed valuation of the City of Cerritos is nearing the $6 billion ($6,000,000,000) mark.
Between 1970 and 1972, Cerritos was the fastest growing city in California. The population exploded from 16,000 to 38,000. Since the 1980s, Cerritos has attracted a large number of middle- and upper-middle-class Filipino, Korean and Chinese immigrant families, making it the city with the second largest Asian/Asian-American population in the nation (after Monterey Park, California). The "A-B-C" (Artesia-Bellflower-Cerritos) region, as well as the neighboring cities of Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, and Signal Hill, are considered one of the most ethnically diverse and rapidly growing areas in the world. According to a study by CSU Northridge, Cerritos was named the most ethnically diverse city of its size.
On August 31, 1986, Aeromexico Flight 498 on approach to Los Angeles International Airport collided with a small Piper aircraft over Cerritos. Eighty-two people died, including 15 people on the ground. Four houses were initially flattened when the DC-9 fell backwards out of the sky, and then eight more were destroyed by the subsequent fire before firefighters could bring it under control. The City will build a memorial site for the Aeromexico incident to be located in a new sculpture garden at the Civic Center in February 2006.
With large capital projects, memorials, and art programs, the theme of the Cerritos Millennium Library, "Honoring The Past - Imagining The Future," aptly describes the philosophy of the Cerritos experience of today.
Government
In front of the City Hall is an open dolphin water fountain that children play in.
Cerritos operates under a Council/Manager form of government, established by the Charter of the City of Cerritos in 1958. The five-member City Council acts as the City's chief policy-making body.
Since 1997, elections to the City Council have been held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in March of every odd numbered year. Prior to 1997, elections were held on the third Tuesday in April of every even numbered year. In making the transition, the elections that would have been held in April of 1996 were postponed to March of 1997 (giving the 5 members serving at the time an extra 11 months of service). The Council members are elected by the citizens of Cerritos to serve four-year, overlapping terms (3 council members are elected in the year prior to a presidential election and 2 council members are elected 4 months after a presidential election). Council members who serve two consecutive four-year terms are not eligible, for a period of two years, to seek reelection or be appointed to the Cerritos City Council. The Mayor, selected by the Council, is its presiding officer and serves a one-year term. In the Mayor's absence the Mayor Pro Tempore assumes his or her responsibilities.
A City Manager is appointed by the City Council. The City Manager ensures the City's policies are implemented and oversees the City's five departments: Administrative Services, Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, Community Development, Community & Safety Services and Public Works.
Two other positions are appointed by the City Council: the City Attorney and the City Clerk/Treasurer. The City Attorney's responsibilities include representing and advising the City in legal matters. The City Clerk/Treasurer is the Election Official, custodian of the City's records and serves as Clerk of the Council.
Advisory boards, made up of individuals appointed by the Council, provide guidance in determining how to meet the City's needs and include the following: Economic Development Commission, Fine Arts and Historical Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, Property Preservation Commission, Community Safety Committee, Let Freedom Ring Committee, and the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts Board of Directors. Commissions and the Performing Arts Board of Directors are composed of 5 commissioners (one commissioner appointed by each council member). Committees are composed of 10 committee members (two members appointed by each council member). Individuals serving on the City's commissions and committees are not considered employees, and must be residents of the City.
Geography
Cerritos is located at 33°52'6" North, 118°4'3" West (33.868314, -118.067547)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the City has a total area of 23.0 km² (8.9 mi²). 22.3 km² (8.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.7 km² (0.3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.04% water.
The former postal zip code of Cerritos was 90701 and was shared with the City of Artesia; however, it was later changed to an exclusive 90703 as a result of the increasing number of new addresses in the City during the mid-1990s.
There were talks of merging Cerritos and Artesia in the late 1960s to create one larger Cerritos. Both city councils were in favor of the merger, but when 69% of the Artesia voters cast their ballots, 1,362 voted “no” and only 1,140 voted “yes.” Many Artesians feared being part of a newer community and losing their historic identity. Others worried that their established homes would be overrun by the Cerritos Redevelopment Agency.
Climate
The average temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21.1 °C).
The City of Cerritos, as well as most of Southern California, has a Mediterranean climate. The name derives from its striking similarity to the climate of areas along the Mediterranean Sea, which support much of the same natural vegetation. Only three other areas of the world share these characteristics: the Southern tip of Africa, Central Chile, and parts of Southern and Southwestern Australia. Summers are warm to hot, and winters are cool, rarely falling below freezing. Unlike most of the world, precipitation in Cerritos occurs only during the winter months.
Even within Southern California, Cerritos has a unique climate pattern: "semi-marine." The fog that typically covers the beach cities rarely reaches Cerritos, but the breeze that comes along the San Gabriel River from the Pacific Ocean has a significant cooling effect. Cerritos is rarely affected by the smog, "Santa Ana Winds," and smothering heat of the central Los Angeles Basin.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 51,488 people, 15,390 households, and 13,650 families residing in the City. The population density is 2,306.2/km² (5,974.0/mi²). There are 15,607 housing units at an average density of 699.1/km² (1,810.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the City is 26.90% White, 6.67% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 58.44% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 3.75% from other races, and 3.78% from two or more races. Approximately 10.39% of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 15,390 households out of which 40.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.9% are married couples living together, 10.9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 11.3% are non-families. Nearly 8.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 3.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.34 and the average family size is 3.54.
In the City, the population is spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 31.3% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.3 males.
The median income for a household in the City is $73,030, and the median income for a family is $76,944. Males have a median income of $50,103 versus $37,421 for females. The per capita income for the City is $25,249. About 5.0% of the population and 4.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 5.4% of those under the age of 18 and 5.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Economy
Employment within the City of Cerritos is primarily located in two districts, Los Cerritos Center and Cerritos Industrial Park. Businesses found in the Industrial Park provide thousands of jobs in light manufacturing and assembly of electronic and automotive parts, as well as many other products. United Parcel Service, the City's largest employer with a staff of 5,000, is located in the Industrial Park. Los Cerritos Center provides for more than 2,500 full and part-time positions and the Cerritos Auto Square employs 1,900 people. Retail and industrial trades are responsible for the City's $2.6 billion taxable retail sales and the $6 billion assessed property valuation.
Other companies that call Cerritos home include: Delta Dental, Bunn Corporation, Xerox Corporation, Advanced Data Processing (ADP), Cingular Wireless, Izusu, and Memorex.
According to the California State Board of Equalization, Cerritos residents are the second highest retail spenders in California (second to Beverly Hills) averaging $36,544 per resident.
Cerritos Auto Square
A Cerritos Auto Square gateway sign on the South entrance.
The Cerritos Auto Square is a planned motorcar retail mall combining all auto dealers within the City into one, large three-block center accessible through two freeways.
During 1979, the Cerritos Redevelopment Agency worked on the improvement of Studebaker Road, and in October S & J Chevrolet broke ground for the first auto dealership in the Cerritos auto mall, directly west of the 605 Freeway, between 183rd and South streets. In 1988, the Los Cerritos Redevelopment Agency purchased the 8.5 acres from the General Telephone Company and spent $1.2 million for road improvements, landscaped medians and parkways, rocky waterfalls, and decorative street lights. The site was soon the new home of Moothart Chrysler-Plymouth and Victory Pontiac-GMC. Eventually it would be joined by other dealerships in buildings that featured a distinctive “New Orleans” style. The Auto Square, the world's largest with 27 dealerships, provides the City with approximately $10 million a year in sales tax, and is the single largest source of revenue for Cerritos. In 2004, the Auto Square sold 52,856 automobiles, totaling over $1.2 billion in sales.
Due to existing California laws, BMW and Mercedes Benz cannot have an Auto Square location despite a high demand for such cars because it would make both dealers come within 10 miles of existing BMW/Mercedes Benz dealerships.
Los Cerritos Center
An eastern entrance to the Cerritos Mall.
Since September 1971, the Los Cerritos Center has been an integral source of revenue. Prior to the arrival of the mall, shopping in Cerritos was centered around several neighborhood shops anchored by supermarkets. The mall is the City's second largest retail-revenue source, producing $485,000 per square foot ($368 million total) in sales a year. The tax revenue generated from the Los Cerritos Center totals to approximately $3.7 million a year.
Accessible by two major freeways, constant population growth in surrounding communities, new management under the Macerich Company, and close proximity to the auto mall help explain the steady increase in popularity.
The history of the Los Cerritos Center dates back to September 1971 with the Phase I opening of the corridor from The Broadway department store (currently Macy's) to Orbach's (currently Mervyn's). The mall was one of the first completely covered, air conditioned shopping centers in the state. City council members and the then current “Miss Cerritos” were kept busy with ribbon cutting ceremonies. Phase II followed in 1972 with the opening of the wing from Orbach's to Sears. In 1981, Phase III welcomed the opening of Nordstrom and its wing. In November 1993, Phase IV was completed when the Palm Court Cafes debuted in the Center with 14 eateries.
The most recent design (Phase V) was completed in 1994 and included three themed corridors. At that time, skylights were added to take advantage of the Southern California sunshine, and marble and stone were added to the walkways, along with benches and landscaping. The Avenue houses merchandise, a movie theatre and services for the family, The Grand Hall holds fashion stores and boutiques, and The Garden focuses on specialty shops in entertainment as well as the Palm Court Cafes food court. Presently, the City is in the talks with the Center for a restoration of the mall which will include a new department store (to replace Robinsons-May) and a parking structure set for 2006.
In 2004, 13 million shoppers visited the mega mall with December 23rd marking the biggest day of the year with 96,956 visitors. The Los Cerritos Center attracts thousands of people a day and is the most financially successful mall in the Southeast Los Angeles region.
On the site of the former "Golden Triangle" section in the middle of Cerritos, debate as to what to place in the final, large undeveloped parcel of land persisted through the 1970s and 1980s. Rejected plans for the area included: making it an upscale shopping center similar to Newport Beach's Fashion Island (upscale stores were on the decline at the time, however), a donut-shaped shopping mall (declined because it would rival the Los Cerritos Center), or a Polynesian cultural center complete with artificial ocean and erupting volcanoes (high costs, potentially polluting, and lack of public support stymied such a proposal).
The final and most acceptable decision was the Cerritos Towne Center, which combines offices, retail, hotel and entertainment facilities in one master project. The Towne Center includes the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, a 203-room Sheraton Hotel and more than one million square feet (93,000 m²) of office space. The retail portion of the project includes several anchors and specialty shops. The project is bounded by 183rd Street to the south, Bloomfield Avenue to the west, Shoemaker Avenue to the east, and the Artesia Freeway (Route 91) to the north.
Capital projects in the Cerritos Towne Center for the 2005-2006 fiscal year include: 1) A parking structure to be added to an expanded Edwards cineplex to help alleviate parking problems, 2) the construction of two additonal anchors and 3) construction on a grand office building on the site of the current Farmer's Market. Upon completion, the office building will be the largest structure in the City.
Local Revenue
The two major sources of revenue for Cerritos are from retail sales tax and interest income from the City's General Fund. Revenue sources (FY 2005-2006) for the City of Cerritos is broken down to include:
Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts box office
Recreation and registration fees
8.5% from intergovernmental sources
Reimbursement from other agencies
Motor vehicles in lieu
Library grant
14.6% proprietary
Water sales
Intrest income
7.3% from miscellaneous sources
4.4% from special/restricted revenue sources
Gas tax
Proposition A and C funds
The Magnolia Power Project
In early 2001 the uncertainty regarding the statewide supply of electricity resulted from several factors, including record demand levels driven by economic growth; a relative lack of natural gas availability for electricity generation; reductions in available hydroelectric power supplies from the Pacific Northwest; the complexities of California’s deregulation process of 1996, which resulted in limitations of retail rates without corresponding restrictions of wholesale costs; a frequent lack of generation capacity within the state; possible market manipulation; and ultimately unsuccessful business decisions made by the state’s public utilities and outside suppliers.
Although the State of California was able to negotiate contracts in an attempt to safeguard a reliable supply of power, these supplies were procured at very expensive rates. This short-term purchase has contributed to the State’s budget problems.
This uncertain state of availablity of electricity in California over the past five years prompted the City of Cerritos on February 13, 2003, in conjunction with the cities of Anaheim, Burbank, Colton, Glendale and Pasadena, to participate in the Magnolia Power Project, which authorizes the construction of a 310-megawatt power plant in the City of Burbank.
Operational since July 2005, Cerritos receives 10 megawatts from the project, or 4% of the total output. The electricity generated from the plant powers public facilities, park lighting, traffic signals and water wells. The City plans on selling the excess power (approximately 5 megawatts) to public and/or private agencies. Southern California Edison continues to provide power to residents and businesses.
The Magnolia Power Plant provides a locally controlled, clean, reliable and lower-cost electricity resource for Cerritos and the other participating cities at a time when California continues to face long-term electricity supply uncertainty.
The operational costs of the power plant (amounting to $764,600 a year) is expected to be recovered by project revenues.
Transportation
The City of Cerritos owns a fleet of federally funded circulators dubbed the Cerritos On Wheels (or COW). The acronym, "COW," is a nostalgic tribute to the City's origins as Dairy Valley. For a fare of 50 cents, the COW provides access to points of interest. The COW also connects to the Long Beach Transit, Orange County Transportation Authority, Norwalk Transit or Los Angeles MTA Buses at overlapping stops on the border of the City. Wi-Fi Internet access is also accessible on the buses. The COW vans run on propane fuel, providing an environmentally sound alternative to conventional gasoline.
Cerritos is directly served by three major California freeways:
Highway 91 (The Artesia Freeway) cuts through the center of the City.
Interstate 605 (The San Gabriel River Freeway) runs along the west side between the Los Cerritos Center and Auto Square.
Interstate 5 (The Santa Ana Freeway) grazes Cerritos at the northeast border.
The major thoroughfares in Cerritos are Artesia Boulevard, Bloomfield Avenue, Carmenita Road, Del Amo Boulevard, Norwalk Boulevard, Pioneer Boulevard, Shoemaker Avenue, South Street, Studebaker Road, and Valley View Avenue.
The City of Cerritos is a member of the Orangeline Development Authority and a strong advocate for the creation of the 33-mile long Orangeline magnetic-levitation (MAGLEV) rail line, which will connect Downtown Los Angeles and Orange County. The MAGLEV rail will be the only rail service in Cerritos and will travel at speeds exceeding 250 miles per hour and will stop at various points of interests throughout the Southland. It is expected to have a positive impact in reducing commute times and traffic in the exceedingly congested region. Cerritos is a leader in the Orangeline Corridor Development Project in conjunction with 14 other Southern California cities.
Funding for preliminary engineering and environmental studies for the Orangeline has been secured by local US Representatives in August of 2005. On August 10, 2005, President Bush signed a Transportation Act ("TEA-LU") designating the Orangeline as a high priority project. The enactment of the final federal transportation reauthorization bill is expected to provide $286 billion over six years. The Authority desires to secure funding through private sources to expedite deployment of the Orangline. The Orangeline is projected to be completed by 2011.
Arts and Culture
The Cerritos Fine Arts and Historical Commission has an "Art in Public Places Program" where the City commissions artists to create sculptures and fountains to be displayed in public points of interest, commercial property, and gateways into the City. Local landmarks and public art pepper the cityscape, lending a distinct cultural identity to its residents.
Tournament of Roses Parade
Since 2002, the City of Cerritos has participated in the Tournament of Roses Parade that is held every New Year's Day in Pasadena, CA. The City's 2003 float entitled, "Learning Can Be Magical," was awarded the Judges' Special Trophy for Showmanship and Dramatic Impact. In 2004, the City entered a float entitled "Rhapsody in Blue" which was awarded the Craftsman Trophy. For its 2005 float, "Families Make a Community," it was awarded the Tournament Special Trophy for exceptional merit in multiple categories.
The City's 2006 Rose Parade float will celebrate the Tournament of Roses Parade theme of "It’s Magical" with a float entitled "Magical Music Machine". The concept of the float salutes the wide variety of musical entertainment offered by the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts in addition to commemorating the City's 50th anniversary.
Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
The Cerritos Performing Arts Center box office.
The Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts features performances in music, magic, comedy, dance and drama. The centerpiece of the Cerritos Towne Center since 1993, the 154,000 square foot (14,300 m²) arts center is known to be a sophisticated theater. With movable seats, floors, ceilings and stage areas, the theater can transform into six distinctive seating configurations, ranging in capacity from 921 to 1,800 seats, ideal for dance, cabaret, theater, solo, jazz, classical and popular music events.
The adjacent Sierra Room features a smaller setting ideal for fashion shows, guest speakers and presentations. In addition, the facility houses three additional meeting and banquet areas.
Cerritos Museum
In 2004, in an attempt to underscore the importance of life-long education, the City of Cerritos studied the feasibility of a world-class Cerritos Museum with an emphasis on civilization, history, science, technology and art. Slated to be located at the southeast corner of Bloomfield Avenue and 183rd Street, the Museum will have artwork from famous painters such as Degas and Rembrandt. In association with the Smithsonian Institute, part of the exhibits will be rotating and seasonal, and at the same time, display a permanent City collection. It will be located near the same Civic Center as the Cerritos Millennium Library, Cerritos Towne Center, Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, Cerritos City Hall, Cerritos Sheriff Station, and Cerritos High School.
In 2004, the State of California planned to issue a $15 billion deficit reduction bond sale and take one-quarter of cities' sales tax revenue to secure the bond payments in order to pay the State Debt. The State promised, but did not offer a constitutional guarantee, to pay back the funds with future property tax proceeds in a scheme called the "triple flip." Under the triple-flip, Cerritos would lose nearly $6.5 million annually in sales tax revenue to the State, which is equal to 8.6 percent of its operating budget.
Due to uncertainty with the state's budget and its impact on the City, construction on the Cerritos Museum has been placed on hold until FY 2006-2007.
Cerritos Millennium Library
Cerritos Library on Christmas Day.
The Cerritos Library originally opened to the public in September 17, 1973. Eight years later, the City made its first renovation to the library for $6.6 million. Twenty-one thousand square feet (2,000 m²) were added for $5.4 million, and the remaining $1.2 million was spent on furniture and equipment. The 1981 renovation also included a multipurpose room, which the local school district utilized to teach students about the local history of Cerritos.
In the late 1990s, Cerritos recognized the ever-changing innovation in technology and plans for a second renovation were approved.
The City sought advice from a team of top library experts, including librarians at Harvard University. During the reconstruction, all materials were moved off site to temporary trailers in the parking lot of the Towne Center for two years. The second renovation and expansion was completed on March 16th, 2002.
At the time of its rededication, the newly renamed Cerritos Millennium Library was the first building in North America to be coated in titanium panels (like the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao). This $40 million library features an elaborate interior design, with themed reading rooms in a variety of Old World and ultramodern styles. A third floor was added to include several conference rooms and an outdoor terrace.
The library is the first "Experience Library" and welcomes 2.1 million visitors a year. The interior utilizes neon lighting, stainless steel, marble, wood, and glass. Computers for basic Web surfing and catalog access are scattered throughout the library.
The Cerritos Library currently holds a Smithsonian Affiliation. It has been awarded American Library Association/American Institute of Architects "Award of Excellence" back in 1989. It was also honored with Reader's Digest's 2004 Best Library Award.
Education and Local Schools
The majority of Cerritos is under the jurisdiction of the ABC Unified School District. In 1965, Artesia, Bloomfield, and Carmenita School Districts unified and became known as the ABC Unified School District.
There is a small portion of the City bounded by Palo Verde Avenue on the west, the San Gabriel River on the east, Artesia Boulevard on the north, and South Street on the south that is under the jurisdiction of the Bellflower Unified School District.
Children in Cerritos attend a neighborhood elementary school before going onto a larger middle school. The area is served by several high schools, one adult school, and one community college. Eighty-five percent of high school graduates go on to higher education. Ten percent of the total population has an associates degree, 26% get a bachelors degree, and 11% of people in the City get an advanced degree.
Cerritos High School
The north entrance to Cerritos High School.
Located on 12500 183rd Street, Cerritos High School began as an extension of Richard Gahr High School to accommodate the rapidly expanding student body of the 1970s. Today, the school stands as the central high school for the city with a large student body (approx. 2,500 students). The school mascot is the Don (Spanish lord).
Notable alumni include actress Lela Rochon and Blind Date host Roger Lodge. Several staff and teachers have served or currently serve as Cerritos commissioners and council members.
Whitney High School is a nationally recognized public magnet school, located on the corner of Shoemaker Avenue and 166th Street. The school's mascot is the Wildcat.
The school has a gymnasium that was paid for by the City. A rubberized running track, subsidized by the City for both students and visitors to Cerritos Park East, will be completed in 2006.
Whitney High School is featured in the book, School of Dreams by Edward Humes.
Cerritos College
Originally on the site of several dairy farms on the corner of Alondra Boulevard and Studebaker Road, Cerritos College is located in the city of Norwalk but falls under the jurisdiction of Cerritos. Cerritos College is named after Rancho Los Cerritos, a ranch that served prominently in the region in the 19th century. The college serves as part of the inspiration for the renaming of the City from Dairy Valley to Cerritos.
The campus offers degrees and certificates in 87 areas of study in nine divisions.
Recreation and Safety
Cerritos Senior Center at Pat Nixon Park
The Cerritos Senior Center pays tribute to the late First Lady. Patricia Nixon, wife of the 37th President of the United States, Richard M. Nixon, lived in Artesia. However, due to boundary changes, the site of her old home (the Senior Center) is now in Cerritos.
The City of Cerritos undertook this project in 1993 to create a state-of-the-art public facility dedicated to its seniors, age 50 or older, with social events, services and life enriching programs. The Senior Center also provides intergenerational activities, English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and a variety of club opportunities. The Senior Center also hosts an annual citywide Holiday Boutique, a Senior Health Fair, Grandparents Week and Monte Carlo Night.
Cerritos Sheriff's Station/Community Safety Center
In 2004, an extension of the Cerritos Sheriff opened in the Los Cerritos Center mall in order to increase a visible presence at the shopping destination.
There are also two firefighter stations located at both the east and west ends of town.
The Cerritos Olympic Swim & Fitness Center provides year-round, indoor recreational, instructional and competitive swimming. The Fitness Center offers a multi-max station, treadmills, stair climbers, lifecycles and locker room facilities.
The Swim Center was used by Olympians for swimming practices during the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Parks
Cerritos has 18 neighborhood parks, 3 community parks and centers, 2 community gymnasiums, a golf course, and a regional county park with a skate park and sports complex.
The 18 neighborhood parks include:
Bettencourt Park (technically in the city of La Palma, but is maintained by Cerritos under a joint powers agreement)
The central park of the City is Cerritos Park East (CPE), a community park where the yearly "Let Freedom Ring" Independence Day celebration takes place. The event in CPE is one of the largest "Let Freedom Ring" celebrations in the country. The Olympic Swim and Fitness Center is located on the grounds of CPE.
Cerritos Regional Park houses the Cerritos Sports Complex, the skate park, and outdoor swimming pools. The unique characteristic is an artificial lake complete with sporting fish. Los Angeles County maintains 75 percent of Regional Park and Cerritos oversees the remaining 25 percent.
Heritage Park, a community park in the center of the City, pays tribute to Revolutionary America and the founding of the country. It had a grand re-opening to the public in 2002 complete with a refurbished colonial play island and moat.
Liberty Park, another community park in the western part of town, underwent massive renovation and reopened to the public in February 2005 and features an updated community center, fitness center, rubberized jogging track, and children's playground. Camp Liberty, located within Liberty Park, is slated to be renovated during the 2006-2007 fiscal year.
Iron-Wood Nine is the local executive golf course. The driving range is lighted and offers the option of hitting off grass or mats. The course also rents out clubs and hand carts.
Organized sports and activities are available at two community gymnasiums, built through the cooperation of the City of Cerritos and the ABC Unified School District. Each gym contains 2 full-size basketball courts, 2 volleyball courts, and 6 badminton courts. They are located on the Cerritos and Whitney high school campuses.
Major Capital Projects
According to the City Manager's budget for FY 2005-2006, several major capital projects will be undertaken by the City within the next year. These include:
Civic Center Sculpture Garden and Park ($1,250,000)
Cerritos Senior Center expansion ($1,200,000)
Liberty Park improvements ($1,100,000)
Swim/Fitness Center renovation ($450,000)
Veteran's Memorial ($330,000)
Cerritos Park East running track ($325,000)
Groundwater system at the Corporate Yard ($125,000)
City Ordinances/Appearance
A Cerritos waterfall; part of the City's beautification plans.
Well-maintained public right-of-ways are often cited as one of Cerritos' unique characteristics as a planned community. Prime examples of this come in the form of strictly enforced ordinances and customs. Some include:
Meandering sidewalks, which help maintain a park-like environment.
"Little hills" located on public and commercial property so as to reinforce the idea of cerritos and maintain aesthetics.
A public artwork fund in which local business must contribute to if they choose not to commission a piece of art on their premises (equal to one-half of 1% of the assessed total value of the property site).
Cleaning pet waste.
Constructing landscaped medians on all major roads.
Keeping trash cans out of sight until trash day.
Replacing parkway trees at no cost and meticulously maintaining lawns of stubborn citizens.
Conducting a yearly competition, the City Wide Pride program, to recognize outstanding property upkeep and to promote pride in living in a clean community.
Citing owners of inoperable vehicles who keep their cars within public view.
Having strict and limited sign-posting ordinances.
All utility lines placed underground to prevent blight and damage.
Restricting store signage that is not lit well at night and fall on top of an opaque background.
An ordinance that outlaws fast food drive-thru windows and convenience stores at service stations. The intention is to control truancy, promote aesthetics, ease traffic and to discourage loitering.
According to the California Association of Realtors (CAR), the median price of a single-family home in Cerritos is approximately $690,000 as of August 2005.
The last dairy building in Cerritos was demolished in March 1989.
The name "Cerritos" was voted in on January 10th, 1967 in order to establish a romantic tie to California's past. Other names that were considered were "Los Coyotes" (turned down because of a negative connotation, though more historically accurate), and "Freeway City" (lacked the sophistication and class that the Cerritos Chamber of Commerce desired).
Cerritos has the largest deployment of a wireless-fidelity Internet network (Wi-Fi) in the world. The coverage area completely encompasses all 8.9 square miles and allows subscribers with a wireless Ethernet card to access the Internet from anywhere within the City boundaries. File:Towne Center Gore Area 2.jpgThe Cerritos Towne Center Gore Area seen from the 91 Freeway at night.
Troy Aikman a famous former football player, lived in Cerritos until the age of 12.
Frank Sinatra was the inaugural first performer for the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts in 1994. The most celebrated audience member has been His Royal Highness Prince Charles of Wales, attending a performance of Henry VI by the Royal Shakespeare Company, in November 1994.
A limited edition replica of the Statue of Freedom located on top of the US Capitol building is going to be placed in the Cerritos Sculpture Garden at the Civic Center. The replica will be on an elaborate pedestal and is only one of three replicas that the artist will make. The artist will keep possession of one of the replicas and the other will be in the Newseum in Arlington, VA.
The City of Cerritos has received the title of "Tree City USA" for the seventh straight year by the National Arbor Day Foundation. The honor is given to select cities throughout the country for their outstanding community forestry programs and commitment to their urban forest. Among the program requirements are the existence of a tree commission, a current tree ordinance, a comprehensive forestry program and an Arbor Day observance.
The City of Cerritos has an active sister city relationship with the City of Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico. The program is administered by the City Manager's Office.
According to the Internet Movie Database (IMDB), the following productions have either been partially or entirely filmed in Cerritos:
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