Friday, July 29, 2011

How Los Angeles Lost Its Mojo - By Joel Kotkin via Ron Kaye's blog

How Los Angeles Lost Its Mojo

Ron Kaye
 on July 28, 2011 9:34 PM 
|  | Comments (9) | TrackBacks (0)

Editor's Note: This article by social critic Joel Kotkin, professor of urban development at Chapman University and a frequent writer on Los Angeles, was published in Friday's Wall Street Journal. It is adapted from a longer article being published in the City Journal's Summeri Edition.  


The city's misguided political leaders 

could turn this economic dynamo 

into an Athens by the Pacific.

Los Angeles today is a city in secular decline. Its current political leadership seems determined to turn the sprawling capitalist dynamo into a faux New York. But they are more likely to leave behind a dense, government-dominated, bankrupt, dysfunctional, Athens by the Pacific.
The greatness of Los Angeles stemmed from its willingness to be different. Unlike Chicago or Denver or New York, the Los Angeles metro area was designed not around a central core but on a series of centers, connected first by railcars and later by the freeways. The result was a dispersed metropolis where most people occupied single-family houses in middle-class neighborhoods.
Lured by the pleasant climate and a business-dominated political economy, industries and entrepreneurs flocked to the region. Initially, the growth came largely from oil and agriculture, followed by the movie industry. Defense and aerospace during World War II and the postwar era fostered a vast industrial base, and by the 1980s Los Angeles had surpassed New York as the nation's largest port, and Chicago as the nation's leading industrial center.
The region hit a rough spot as the end of the Cold War led to massive federal cutbacks in aerospace. Los Angeles County lost nearly 500,000 jobs between 1990 and 1993. But it bounced back, adding nearly 400,000 jobs between 1993 and 1999. Aerospace never fully recovered, but other parts of the industrial belt--including the port and the apparel and entertainment industries--grew. An entrepreneurial class of immigrants--Middle Eastern, Korean, Chinese, Latino--launched new businesses in everything from textiles and ethnic food to computers. The pro-business mayoralty of Richard Riordan and the governorship of Pete Wilson restored confidence among the city's beleaguered companies.
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Then progress stalled. Employment stayed relatively flat from 2001 until 2005, when Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was elected, and then started to drop. As of this March, over the entire L.A. metropolitan area, which includes adjacent Orange County, unemployment was 11.4%--the third-highest unemployment rate of the nation's 20 largest metro areas.
Why has Los Angeles lost its mojo? A big reason is a decline in the power and mettle of the city's once-vibrant business community. Between the late 1980s and the end of the millennium, many of L.A.'s largest and most influential firms--ARCO, Security Pacific, First Interstate, Union Oil, Sun America--disappeared in a host of mergers that saw their management shift to cities like London, New York and San Francisco. Meanwhile, says David Abel, a Democratic Party activist and publisher of the influential Planning Report, once-powerful groups like the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation lost influence.
The machine that now controls Los Angeles by default consists of an alliance between labor and the political leadership of the Latino community, the area's largest ethnic population. But since politicians serve at the whim of labor interests, they seldom speak up for homeowners and small businesses.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Congress of Neighborhoods

Register for the Congress!

The  Annual  Congress of Neighborhood Councils is taking  place in Los Angeles City Hall on September 24th. This free event, paid  for with  Neighborhood Council funds , is an opportunity for all community members to learn “How Neighborhood Councils Work” in one session and  “Land Use and Research Tools.” in another session. They are also offering  workshops regarding the City  Budget,  Emergency Preparedness, Animal Issues and   many  more. An appearance by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is among  Public Officials expected to help kick off this event. Register on line at:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NCCongressRegistration.


 A dedicated group of Neighborhood Council leaders have been meeting to plan this Congress. If you would like to join the planning group and help, please attend the next meeting.

Congress Planning Meeting

July 30, 2011 (10am-1pm)
Glassell Park Community and Senior Center
3750 Verdugo Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90065-3660

To volunteer your expertise, services, and ideas contact:
Cindy Cleghorn, Chair, Congress Planning Group
818-429-6699 or e-mail: cindycleghorn@me.com

To keep up with the what's going on with the Congress Planning Group, you can follow the blog at http://losangelesnccongress2011.blogspot.com/

NEWS FROM THE AIA|LA DESIGN ADVOCATE

AIA|LA & DCP :: Improving The Retaining Wall Ordinance

On Thursday, July 28 (10am), AIA|LA members met with David Olivo and Erick Lopez from the Los Angeles Department of City Planning (DCP) to provide input on revisions to the old Retaining Wall Ordinance. DCP is under the direction to reshape the retaining wall ordinance so that it complements and supports the recently adopted BASELINE HILLSIDE ORDINANCE, which became effective on May 9, 2011.

Specific issues that DCP wanted to address about retaining walls in Los Angeles included:

  • The number of retaining walls allowed on a lot.
  • The maximum length of a retaining wall.
  • The minimum distance between retaining walls.
  • The maximum wall height.

Additional concerns were expressed about possibly allowing for exemptions for garden walls, retaining walls that support/ stabilize/ improve the public right-of-way, and walls built at the direction of LADBS for safety consideration and/ or erosion concerns. There is also a possibility that a revised retaining wall ordinance can compliment, or work in concert with both the newly adopted Low Impact Development Ordinance and perhaps even the new Mural Sign Ordinance that is currently being discussed.

Essentially, DCP is open to hearing ideas for how to draft an ordinance that will incentive design excellence and, at the same time, support the efforts of the Baseline Hillside Ordinance.

If you have ideas, or would like to get further involved please reach out to Will Wright to request additional information.

Likewise, if you are experiencing any specific delays/ hardships/ or misunderstandings in your permitting process, please reach out to us so that we can serve as a direct liaison with DCP.

This is your chance as an architect passionate about improving the built environment to help shape public policy that not only effects the livelihood of your profession, but also impacts the specific design of your projects.

Your participation is highly encouraged!

Additionally, to help with the DCP's outreach process, they are trying to create a database of photos that demonstrate a variety of retaining walls in effort to assist in discussions and presentations. If you have any photos of walls (good or bad) that you would like to share please feel free to forward them to City Planner David Olivo directly. If you happen to know any details about the wall (e.g., height) please include in the email.

For more information, please contact:
Will Wright
Director, Government & Public Affairs
AIA Los Angeles
(213) 639-0764
email: Will Wright

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Protect the Kronish House at 9439 Sunset Blvd.

AIA|LA Encourages the City of Beverly Hills to Take Action to Protect the Kronish House at 9439 Sunset Blvd

July 26, 2011

Mayor Barry Brucker
City of Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills City Council, Rm. 400
455 N. Rexford Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Phone: (310) 285-1013
Fax: (310) 275-8159
email: mayorandcitycouncil@beverlyhills.org

Re: Kronish House at 9439 Sunset Blvd. (Richard Neutra, 1955)

Dear Mayor Brucker and Members of the City Council:

On behalf of the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA|LA) we are writing to encourage you to protect the Kronish House from demolition. Designed by architect Richard Neutra in 1955, the Kronish house is an excellent example of modern architecture and, if properly restored, has the potential to serve as a valuable cultural asset for Southern California.

In addition to protecting the Kronish House from demolition, AIA|LA also encourages Beverly Hills to consider adopting a preservation ordinance that will help protect other architectural landmarks, which have helped Beverly Hills become a world-renowned destination. Encouraging property owners to accept tax benefits under the Mills Act in exchange for preserving and restoring landmark structures is an initiative that will provide cultural benefits for future generations.

Likewise, The Getty Institute and the Los Angeles Conservancy have created an excellent online resource that helps to outline the various economic and cultural incentives for the rehabilitation of historic homes. We're confident that once the property owner has a better idea about the opportunities available, that they will find greater value preserving the home as opposed to razing it altogether.

Very truly yours,
Nicci Solomons, Hon. AIACC
Executive Director
AIA Los Angeles

For more information, please contact:

Will Wright
Director of Government & Public Affairs
AIA Los Angeles

3780 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 800
Los Angeles, CA 90010
213.639.0764  phone
213.639.0767  fax

Protect the Kronish House 072711.pdf Download this file

Protect the Kronish House at 9439 Sunset Blvd.

AIA|LA Encourages the City of Beverly Hills to Take Action to Protect the Kronish House at 9439 Sunset Blvd

July 26, 2011

Mayor Barry Brucker
City of Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills City Council, Rm. 400
455 N. Rexford Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Phone: (310) 285-1013
Fax: (310) 275-8159
email: mayorandcitycouncil@beverlyhills.org

Re: Kronish House at 9439 Sunset Blvd. (Richard Neutra, 1955)

Dear Mayor Brucker and Members of the City Council:

On behalf of the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA|LA) we are writing to encourage you to protect the Kronish House from demolition. Designed by architect Richard Neutra in 1955, the Kronish house is an excellent example of modern architecture and, if properly restored, has the potential to serve as a valuable cultural asset for Southern California.

In addition to protecting the Kronish House from demolition, AIA|LA also encourages Beverly Hills to consider adopting a preservation ordinance that will help protect other architectural landmarks, which have helped Beverly Hills become a world-renowned destination. Encouraging property owners to accept tax benefits under the Mills Act in exchange for preserving and restoring landmark structures is an initiative that will provide cultural benefits for future generations.

Likewise, The Getty Institute and the Los Angeles Conservancy have created an excellent online resource that helps to outline the various economic and cultural incentives for the rehabilitation of historic homes. We're confident that once the property owner has a better idea about the opportunities available, that they will find greater value preserving the home as opposed to razing it altogether.

Very truly yours,
Nicci Solomons, Hon. AIACC
Executive Director
AIA Los Angeles

For more information, please contact:

Will Wright
Director of Government & Public Affairs
AIA 
/ los angeles
 -
 
A Chapter of
The American Institute of Architects

3780 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 800
Los Angeles, CA 90010
213.639.0764  phone
213.639.0767  fax

Protect the Kronish House 072711.pdf Download this file

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

APA TOD Workshop - Saturday, July 30

The American Planning Association Los Angeles Chapter is hosting a workshop that will explore the Metro Goldline heading towards Sierra Madre and some of the station location’s transit oriented development (TOD) potential.
This workshop will occur on Saturday, July 30th, and will be offered for 2.5 CM credits; The APA is hosting this workshop due to the present push of SB 375, TOD planning has become the new hot topic and preferred tool of choice for planners, developers, and cities to implement as a part of their sustainable community strategy in order for these cities and agencies to meet their SB 375 goals. The workshop will consist of two parts with the goal of educating planners on the creation, implementation, and complexity of TOD. The first part of the workshop will be a tour on the Metro Goldline to identify the various types of potential TOD station locations. The tour will consist of stopping at 4 different Goldline stations and evaluating their effectiveness as TOD station locations. The 4 locations will be Lincoln Heights/Cypress, Mission, Filmore, and Lake Station. James Rojas will lead the tour. Following the tour, the participants will meet for a technical workshop with sustainability consultant Ryan Lehman from Living Streets LA and Eric Salcido, Director of Development for Primestor Development, who will give a presentation regarding the unique retail market perspective for Transit-Oriented Development.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Should the LA City Attorney be Elected or Appointed?

News from Barbara Broide:

Yesterday the LA City Council voted 13-0 to request a report from the CLA as to whether LA should no longer have an elected City Attorney, but should instead be served by a City Attorney appointed by the Mayor and City Council. 

Many of us have had concerns that the Mayor and Council have not wanted an independent City Attorney to hold office in Los Angeles.  We knew that Jack Weiss was the Mayor's choice for City Attorney in the last election and feared that there would be no checks and balances on the Mayor or City government had Weiss been elected.   Many of us worked to see that Trutanich was elected and we have seen his independence work to the benefit of all Angelenos.  I know that I need not remind all of you how the City Attorney's office has turned around the City's former dismal record on billboard and illegal sign enforcement.  (This issue has apparently served to inspire Jan Perry into spearheading the current effort.)  However, there are those, including Perry, who do not wish to have a strong City Attorney's office and they have been chipping away at the office since Trutanich was elected.

In the two years since that election, the Mayor and City Council have cut the City Attorney budget by 30% and negotiated a one-time retirement contract that encouraged more veteran City Attorneys to leave City service early than employees from any other department.  Not a single new City Attorney employee has been hired during this interval.

I am attaching the response to the Council request from the City Attorney's office and urge you to read it.  I suggest that our homeowners associations, neighborhood councils, chambers of commerce and other civic organizations pass resolutions endorsing the continued existence of an independently elected City Attorney for Los Angeles.  Individual emails sent to councilmembers and the Mayor ASAP to demonstrate our concern with such a notion would also be appropriate. 

Our swift response should clearly demonstrate to the electeds that we do not wish to see the post of City Attorney become another political appointment where the holder of the office must be beholden to the Council and Mayor for survival.  As we have already seen, the elected office of the City Attorney is already subject to more than enough influence by virtue of the funding process.   We must stand up for an independent City Attorney now before it is too late. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coverage from latimes.com:

L.A. Council explores legal options beyond city attorney

Council orders a report on the possibility of having a separate legal team to draft legislation and represent the city in lawsuits. The vote draws sharp criticism from the city attorney's office.

City Atty. Carmen Trutanich currently is responsible for misdemeanor prosecutions as well as drafting legislation and representing the city in lawsuits. (Lawrence K. Ho, Los Angeles Times / July 20, 2011)


By David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times

July 20, 2011


A Los Angeles councilwoman unhappy with City Atty. Carmen Trutanich's handling of billboard issues persuaded her colleagues Tuesday to seek a report on other ways of obtaining legal services at City Hall.

In a direct challenge to Trutanich, the council voted 13 to 0 to ask for a report on how cities across the nation put together their legal teams –- and on the possibility of separating the city attorney's misdemeanor criminal prosecutions from the work of crafting legislation and representing the city in lawsuits.

The push for a study was spearheaded by Councilwoman Jan Perry, who has repeatedly criticized Trutanich and his staffers over planning issues in and around her downtown district.

Perry accused his office of crossing a line from providing legal advice into engaging in political advocacy, by arguing against billboard districts and various forms of signage at the Wilshire Grand hotel, USC and L.A. Live, the entertainment complex owned by Anschutz Entertainment Group.

"At the end of the day, when we cast our vote one way or the other ... we are the ones who make policy," said Perry, who has announced plans to run for mayor in 2013.

The legal analysis will be prepared by Chief Legislative Analyst Gerry Miller, who is a council employee.

The move immediately drew a sharp response from Trutanich's chief deputy, William Carter, who called it an attempt to intimidate the office and prevent it from issuing independent legal opinions.

Carter said council members have been trying to remove the power granted by the City Charter to the city attorney's office since the 1920s. And he defended his office's handling of outdoor advertising laws.

Before Trutanich took office, "the federal courts had enjoined us from enforcing our own billboard laws," Carter said. "So the new city attorney proposed a new course that complied with the law. Some people perceive that as being a policy decision, when in fact it was merely a legal recommendation."

Perry has a history of criticizing the city's legal teams. She disagreed with Trutanich's predecessor, Rocky Delgadillo, on the city's legal disputes over homelessness, retaining her own lawyers to represent her position. She also expressed unhappiness with the city's handling of medical marijuana dispensaries.

Her proposal drew questions from Councilmen Jose Huizar and Richard Alarcon, who said they wanted to know what problem the council was trying to fix. "I would be more open to doing this if I had more clarification as to what exactly we're trying to do," Alarcon said.

Council President Eric Garcetti said he favored the study, describing Los Angeles County — which has a district attorney and a separate legal team to represent county government — as a model that works well. Garcetti complained that he had waited for two and a half years for an ordinance to be drafted that deals with valet parking.

Council members could not alter the city attorney's duties without crafting a ballot measure to amend the City Charter — and then persuading voters to approve it. Still, the decision to seek a study on other cities' legal teams showed the level of dissatisfaction with Trutanich from some on the council floor.

"I think we've got a city attorney who's a brilliant courtroom tactician," Garcetti said. "But we need to also make sure we are served well…. The function of city government has to be served in an expeditious manner."

david.zahniser@latimes.com

Copyright © 2011, Los Angeles Times


Letter to City Council re Legal Services dated 7-19-11.pdf Download this file

Monday, July 18, 2011

The Crenshaw Subway Coalition

It's an unfortunate disagreement.  In my opinion, the constituents behind the prospective lawsuit want the Crenshaw line to be a subway, as opposed to at-grade.  Other's are adamant about having a station stop at Leimart Park (which is a good idea)...but Metro's Board didn't resolve all of their concerns via the community outreach process, and now the community group (led by the woman that was fighting for Bernard Park's council seat) is using CEQA to leverage more 'play' with regards to their negotiation tactics.  

Lawsuits, in my opinion, divert money away from design and planning, and inevitably compromise the project.  If we could inspire a more diligent community outreach process as led by architects, then I'd hope that these types of disagreements could be ameliorated in advance before going to the courts.

Also, I think there is an opportunity for architects to demonstrate to communities that, if designed well, at-grade light-rail is a much more desirable transit system (especially from a user's experience) and from the POV for return on investment for the community.  Subways are hidden and don't necessarily add anything of merit to a neighborhood as compared to a well-designed at-grade or above-grade physically inspiring presence.

That's my two cents.

-Will Wright.

The Crenshaw Subway Coalition prepares to sue METRO, using their CEQA sword :: this is an unfortunate and ill-timed potential set-back that will hurt our local economy and will drain money away from opportunities to fund design excellence in our public pr

The Crenshaw Subway Coalition prepares to sue METRO, using their CEQA sword :: this is an unfortunate and ill-timed potential set-back that will hurt our local economy and will drain money away from opportunities to fund design excellence in our public projects.

-Will Wright.


UPDATE

EMERGENCY MEETING:
PREPARING TO SUE MTA
Crenshaw Subway Coalition Community Meeting

 

Today Monday, July 18 6:30 - 8:30 PM
US Bank Community Room on Crenshaw/Slauson
5760 Crenshaw Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90016

 

[PLEASE BRING YOUR CHECKBOOKS]
MTA is Trying to Speed Up the Game Clock

Attendees of our June 30th meeting were first informed of two elements of our multi-faceted strategy to win the battle with MTA for an underground Leimert Park Village station and subway on Crenshaw Blvd:

 

1. Holding our elected officials from Congress down to City Council and the Mayor accountable for delivering more of our tax dollars to the Crenshaw-LAW project to fund the Leimert Park Village station and subway in Park Mesa Heights

 

2. Suing Metro in court for violating environmental and civil rights laws

 

At tonight's community meeting we will further explain the legal basis for a lawsuit, in particular the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) that MTA is violating. 

 

The importance of tonight's meeting increased a few days ago when it was revealed that MTA is attempting to "speed up the game clock" and approve the project at their August 4 board meeting as opposed to their September 22 board meeting. (After MTA approves the project, the window of opportunity to file a CEQA lawsuit is JUST 30 DAYS.)

 

There will be more to come after tonight's meeting, but for now, please hear our urgent appeal for generous donations so that we can fund a legal challenge.  Lawyers are interested, but because this type of law is a true specialty - there will be costs. 

 

The leaders of the Crenshaw Subway Coalition and Fix Expo Campaign have adopted as a policy to only ask the community for financial support when we need it - and now is that time. 

 

As has become clear both in our fight with MTA on the Expo Line crossing at Dorsey High School and in other project fights with MTA by other communities, the agency/board does not begin taking communities seriously until lawyers get involved.

 

A CEQA lawsuit is the stick we need to accompany the carrot in our battle with MTA on the Crenshaw-LAX Line.

 

Please send your donations to:

 

Crenshaw Subway Coalition
P.O. Box 432181
Los Angeles, CA 90043

 

ANY donation is greatly appreciated, but generous donations are much needed.  Checks can also be hand delivered at our meeting tonight, or you can make a secure online payment with your debit card or credit card via PayPal at www.CrenshawSubway.org

 
-Forescee
Hogan-Rowles


July 18, 2011

In this issue:

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

AIA|LA Supports the MPRD at City of LA Planning Commisison

Tomorrow morning, I will be attending the City of LA Planning Commission meeting at 8:30am to express our support for the Modified Parking Requirements District  ordinance.

1.  Here is a copy of the AIA|LA letter of support:

2.  Here is the link to the City of LA "Parking Summit" pamphlet ...

3.  The City of LA supplemental staff report ...


Will Wright
Director of Government & Public Affairs
AIA 
/ los angeles
 -
 
A Chapter of
The American Institute of Architects

3780 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 800
Los Angeles, CA 90010
213.639.0764  phone
213.639.0767  fax

Sample Questions for Prospective Mayors :: City of Los Angeles

Here is a quick list of some sample questions I might ask prospective Mayoral candidates:

THE VISION

1.  Mayor Bloomberg initiated Plan NYC, President Sarkozy dedicated resources to the GRAND PARIS urban renewal plan:  will you dedicate substantial resources to develop a substantial vision for what you'd like Los Angeles to look and feel like in the year 2030?  And, if so - what will you do to make certain that the vision doesn't just sit on a shelf amongst a hundred other grand plans for LA?

DESIGN EXCELLENCE

2.  NYC has its Design & Construction Excellence program, the GSA has its Design Excellence Program, what specific mechanism will you engage to ensure ongoing design excellence for the City of Los Angeles?  How will you defend against the premise that good design costs more?  Will you refine the definition of cost to include life-cycle cost AND add metrics to capture the delta gain for Return on Investment, i.e., how a publicly financed infrastructure project like the Sixth Street Viaduct might actually attract tourism revenue if designed as a world-class project, etc.?

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

3. The City of LA is as strong (or as weak) as the spirit of its people.  How will you inspire more citizens to become civically engaged so that we continue to maximize the enlightened value of our communities?

ECONOMIC & CULTURAL COMPETITIVENESS 

4. Jack Kyser used to say that Los Angeles imports diversity and exports creativity.  At present, we are exporting design solutions to other countries that will, with time, offer other locations definitive opportunities to excel beyond LA's ability to remain economic and culturally competitive.  What specific steps will you take to ensure that more design solutions are implemented within our own City, so that it has a fighting chance to remain a desirable place in comparison to other emerging world-class cities?

5.  We have severely underperforming public facilities.  What will you do to maximize the value of our public assets?

HEALTH AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

6. We are facing severe epidemics of diabetes and obesity.  What measures will you take to transform the built environment of the City of Los Angeles so that it facilities more active lifestyles, and fosters a greater spirit of livable placemaking? 

- The AIA|LA Design Advocate. 

###

Will Wright
Director, Government & Public Affairs
AIA Los Angeles

Road to Recovery: Transforming America's Transportation

Road to Recovery: Transforming America's Transportation
The Carnegie Endowment - July 2011 

Failure to reform the transportation system risks deepening the United States' dependence on oil, eroding economic competitiveness, and increasing climate disruption. As this report recommends, incremental investments to the system will help ensure future economic growth, recognize demographic and geographic shifts in both population and preferences, advance environmental and energy security, and embrace and support innovation.

All aboard: How California can increase investments in public transit

All aboard: How California can increase investments in public transit
UCLA - UC Berkley Law - July 2011

This new report offers steps that California policy makers and businesses can take to improve the state's chronically underfunded public transit system. Ethan Elkind, a climate change research fellow at the University of California, Berkeley and UCLA schools of law, outlines how a well-funded system could address unemployment, high fuel costs and the long commutes that many Californians face.

Download Report  

All Aboard July 2011.pdf Download this file

Monday, July 11, 2011

AIA|LA & DCP = RETAINING WALL ORDINANCE - July 28 (10am)

REMINDER:

On Thursday, July 28 (10am), AIA|LA members will be meeting with the Los Angeles Department of City Planning to provide input on revisions to the old Retaining Wall Ordinance. This is your chance as an architect passionate about improving the built environment to help shape public policy that not only effects the livelihood of your profession, but also impacts the specific design of your projects.

Your participation is highly encouraged! Please let me know if you will be able to make plans to attend.

AIA|LA & DCP - Retaining Wall Ordinance Working Group Meeting
Thursday, July 28 (10am - 12noon)
City Hall, Room 701
200 N. Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

RSVP to will@aialosangeles.org

Additionally, to help with the DCP's outreach process, they are trying to create a database of photos that demonstrate a variety of retaining walls in effort to assist in discussions and presentations. If you have any photos of walls (good or bad) that you would like to share please feel free to forward them to City Planner David Olivo directly. If you happen to know any details about the wall (e.g., height) please include in the email.

For more information, please contact:
David Olivo
Department of City Planning
Email: David.Olivo@lacity.org
Tel: 213-473-9769

Very truly yours,

Will Wright  
Director of Government & Public Affairs  
AIA 
/ los angeles
 -
 
A Chapter of  
The American Institute of Architects  

3780 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 800  
Los Angeles, CA 90010  
213.639.0764  phone  
213.639.0767  fax