The Rebuild SoCal Zone – Details, episodes & analysis

The High Cost of Underinvestment: Assessing the State of Infrastructure in Southern California

In this episode, host Jon Switalski spoke with Matt Newman, the Principal and Co-Founder of Blue Sky Consulting Group, about a new report titled “The High Cost of Underinvestment: Assessing the State of Infrastructure in Southern California,” Rebuild SoCal Partnership launched in January of this year. We discuss key findings from the report, including transportation challenges, regional bridge and water system concerns, and equity disparities.

Over the past decade, Southern California's infrastructure investment has plummeted by 37 percent, impacting critical needs. Infrastructure at our regional ports needs investment, too - an estimated $5.7 billion investment is needed over the next decade for efficient goods movement at the region's ports.

Infrastructure investment drives economic growth, enables the swift movement of goods throughout the region, enhances health and safety across communities, and improves the quality of life for residents.

To read the full report, please visit https://rebuildsocal.org/2024report/

In this episode, host Jon Switalski spoke with Adán Ortega, the Chair of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD). Ortega took office as chair on January 1st of this year. We discussed the effects of the rain and storms in Southern California earlier this year, the challenges with building new water infrastructure, the future of water delivery in Southern California, and more!

Please note this episode was recorded on June 28th, 2023.

In this episode, host Jon Switalski spoke with Councilwoman Lindsey Horvath. She is currently running for Los Angeles County Supervisor in District 3, which covers much of the San Fernando Valley and the Westside of LA. Horvath is presently on the West Hollywood city council and was first elected in March 2015. We discuss Horvath's transportation plan for SD3, the roll-out of Measure W projects, the implementation of Measure M projects that are critical to district 3, and more!

Please note this episode was recorded on September 7th, 2022.

We're back with another episode focused on the California High-Speed Rail Project. The final state budget negotiations had excellent news for the project since we last touched base in May. In this episode, host Jon Switalski spoke with LaDonna DiCamillo, the Southern California Regional Director for the California High-Speed Rail Authority. We discuss how the project is progressing in Southern California, what is next for high-speed rail, and more! 

NOTE: This episode was recorded on August 30th, 2022. To learn more about the project, please visit hsr.ca.gov 

"I would encourage students to understand this industry is in high demand."

In this episode of The Rebuild SoCal Zone, we spoke with Colin Brooks, the Career Technical Education Incentive Grant Coordinator (CTEIG Coordinator) at the Los Angeles Unified School District. Host Marci Stanage talks with Mr. Brooks about LAUSD's Building and Construction Trades Virtual Speaker Series, the value of a career in construction, and more.

Click here to learn more about Career Technical Education in L.A. Unified School District. To learn more about the Speaker Series or for any other inquiries, reach out to Colin Brooks at colin.brooks@lausd.net

Note: This episode was recorded on August 3rd, 2022. For any questions or inquiries, please reach out to podcasts@rebuildsocal.org

In the second part of our mini-series focused on California's water crisis, we spoke with Deven Upadhyay, the Chief Operating Officer and Assistant General Manager at the Metropolitan Water District. Host Marci Stanage talks with Mr. Upadhyay about water reuse, the many benefits of recycled water, and conservation efforts.

To learn more about MWD's Pure Water Southern California click here.

Note: This episode was recorded on June 15th, 2022. For any questions or inquiries please reach out to podcasts@rebuildsocal.org 

"We are not going to conserve our way out of this drought."

In this episode, host Jon Switalski spoke with the Director of the California Department of Water Resources, Karla Nemeth. We discuss how California found itself in the midst of one of the longest and worst droughts in the last 1200 years. Nemeth also speaks about water recycling, the role climate change has in the drought, and the new emergency water regulations put forth by the State Water Resources Control Board. 

To learn more about saving water and find a local water supplier go to: https://saveourwater.com/

Note: This episode was recorded on June 1st, 2022. For any questions or inquiries please reach out to podcasts@rebuildsocal.org

In this episode, host Jon Switalski spoke with Brian Kelly who is the Chief Executive Officer for the California High-Speed Rail Authority. We discuss everything from the project history, status, and the ultimate goals of the project.

NOTE: This episode was recorded on April 22nd, 2022.  On April 28th, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) Board of Directors certified the Final (EIR/EIS) and unanimously approved the approximately 90-mile San Jose to Merced project section in Northern California. This action completes the environmental clearance for nearly 400 miles of the high-speed rail project’s 500-mile Phase 1 alignment from San Francisco to Los Angeles/Anaheim. Here’s a link to the news release: https://hsr.ca.gov/2022/04/28/news-release-high-speed-rail-board-completes-environmental-clearance-to-connect-silicon-valley-and-central-valley/

Talking Planning and Sustainability for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Host Jon Switalski sat down with Michelle Schwartz, Chief External Affairs Officer for LA 28 to discuss the upcoming 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We talk about where LA 28 is in the planning process, the sustainability factor, and utilizing what LA already has to offer. 

Learn more at https://la28.org/

This episode was recorded on March 29th, 2022

This time around on our women in construction series, host Jon Switalski spoke with Amber Wood. Wood is a Heavy Equipment Operator for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 12. Wood has over 20 years in the industry and talks to us about her experience as a woman in such a male-dominated field. She also talks to us about what it is like to balance being a mother and having a successful career.