SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R- California) has signed AB 1732 into law by Assistant Speaker pro Tempore Isadore Hall, III (D- Los Angeles), which will facilitate the construction of a new elementary school and community park in South Los Angeles.

“This measure is a huge win for my constituents,” said Assemblymember Hall. “The new school created by AB 1732 will strengthen the minds and the new park will strengthen the bodies of thousands of children in South Los Angeles.”

For several years, the Los Angeles Unified School District (District) and the City of Los Angeles (City) have worked with the public and community leaders to identify the location of a new elementary school in South Los Angeles needed to address aging infrastructure and continued student overcrowding.

AB 1732 authorizes a land transfer between the District and the City, allowing for the construction of a new elementary school and needed park land, paid for entirely by the District and the City. Construction is expected to begin in 2011.

The community of South Los Angeles is one of the most park-deficient urban areas in the United States. Public park land within the City of Los Angeles averages just 4.2 acres per 1000 residents, significantly lower than national averages, which range from 6.25 to 10.5 acres per 1000 residents.

AB 1732 is the latest example of Assemblymember Hall’s commitment to improve the quality of public education in his district, increase accessibility to needed park land and open space along with expanding fitness and recreational opportunities for residents throughout South Los Angeles.

“Even as we work through one of the most challenging budgets in California history, AB 1732 is a great example of how we can work together to improve public education and fulfill our commitment to make parks accessible to residents throughout Los Angeles,” concluded Hall.