AIA|LA POC - Tuesday, July 13 (6pm) : Empowering the Department of City Planning

Dear AIA|LA POC:

As a reminder, the next POC meeting is scheduled for this upcoming Tuesday, July 13 (6pm) at the offices of MDA Johnson Favaro.   Committee Chairs Sherman and Favaro have decided to dedicate the core of the meeting to discussing ideas for empowering the Department of City Planning and strategizing our response to ongoing initiatives.

AIA|LA Political Outreach Committee...

Empowering the Department of City Planning

-a roundtable discussion-

Tuesday, July 13 (6pm)

5898 BLACKWELDER STREET  

CULVER CITY, CA 90232

Please RSVP to will@aialosangeles.org so that we will know how many to expect.

All best,

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

213.639.0777 phone | 213.639.0767 fax

will@aialosangeles.org | www.aialosangeles.org

Thank You, Gail Goldberg - by Bill Fulton

Thank You, Gail Goldberg

Submitted by Bill Fulton on 30 June 2010 -
Los Angeles County

Back in 2005, after Con Howe stepped down from his longtime role as Los Angeles's planning director, my phone kept ringing off the hook with calls from people trying to help new Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa find a new planning director. Some wanted to know who I thought would be good; others wanted to bounce candidates off of me to see what I thought.

After about the eighth call, I realized something important. There was only one person on everybody's list. Astonishing, given the typical biography of a big-city planning director at the time, she was 62-year-old woman from San Diego who hadn't even been a professional planner until the late 1980s. And so it was almost preordained that Villaraigosa was going to pick Gail Goldberg as his planning director.

Gail was one of Villaraigosa's early, big hires – at a time when he was selecting many formidable women for top jobs, including Cecilia Estolano at the Community Redevelopment Agency, Gloria Jeff at the Department of Transportation, and Mercedes Marquez at the Housing Department. And now she is the last one of these women to depart, following Estolano by only a few months.

There's a lot of loose talk around town today as to why Goldberg is leaving. Is she worn out? Did she tire of the endless budget-cutting, which has eviscerated her department more than anyone could have predicted only a couple of years ago? Did she clash with Deputy Mayor Austin Beutner, who was charged with reorganizing her department?

Soon enough we'll know the truth. But for the moment, let's acknowledge Gail Goldberg for the extraordinary person that she is – and for the remarkable work she did in both San Diego and Los Angeles.

And let's also recognize that even for a planning director as skilled as Gail, it's tough out there.

I don't think anybody could have done a better job running the planning departments in both these cities. And I don't think anybody is more frustrated than Gail with how it has all turned out – San Diego unable to truly realize the "City of Villages" vision because of a lack of infrastructure money, and Los Angeles unable to realize the potential of a revived planning effort because of a budget meltdown that cost Gail her best senior people, who retired, and her most promising junior planners, who got laid off.

By now everybody in planning knows the inspiring story of Gail Goldberg – a stay-at-home mom who found herself a widow at 40 who went back to school, and then wound up as a brand-new assistant planner in the San Diego planning department at age 46. Remarkably, she became the city's planning director only 13 years later – and the planning director in Los Angeles a few years after that.

In San Diego, Gail was the primary architect of the "City of Villages" concept – perhaps the quintessential node-oriented California planning concept, which called for new growth to be focused on existing neighborhoods in a village-like way. City of Villages emerged from an innovative public outreach process for which Gail became well-known, through which the city went to extraordinary lengths not just to get people out to meetings (like giving away television sets) but also to explain the true nature of the choices facing the City and its neighborhoods.

mplementing City of Villages has proven to be an overwhelming task, as the city struggles both to update all of its community plans during dark budget times, but still hasn't solved an apparently endless multibillion-dollar infrastructure deficit, without which the City of Villages plan probably can't win the widespread political support required for implementation.

Los Angeles proved an even tougher nut to crack. L.A. was already far down the infill road when Gail arrived; half of the city's new housing units were already being built on commercial strips, and new transit stops were popping up all over town. From current planning to GIS to advance planning, she had to pull the department out of the dark ages. Community plans – the bread-and-butter of advance planning – were old and vague and provided almost no guidance. She quickly turned things around, getting more money from Villaraigosa when nobody but public safety could do so, putting community plan updates on a rigorous schedule – and, perhaps most important, turning the department into a place where talented young planners actually aspired to work.

Through it all, Gail has always had a kind of homespun, motherly quality that endeared her to everybody. She often likened planning a city to planning a dinner party. "You have to make sure that everybody brings something different, and not everybody brings the same appetizer." When she moved to L.A., she spent every Saturday touring a neighborhood with one of her enthusiastic young planners, almost as if she was attending their dance recitals.

And yet Gail was always tough enough to survive the rough-and-tumble politics of big cities, and in retrospect it's clear that she was on the leading edge of a whole generation of outstanding big-city planning directors who are women. Socialite Amanda Burden in New York and funny-but-gritty Harriet Tregoning in Washington, D.C., have far different styles – but their mayors would have been less likely to appoint them if it hadn't been for Gail.

Thank you, Gail Goldberg, for making two of California's great cities better. And even though implementing your dreams is tough now, in the long run all your hard work will pay off.

AB 1975 -- Water Meter Legislation for Multiunit Structures

To various AIA Architects,

 

I hope to get you opinion on legislation that would require each residential unit in new multiunit residential or mixed-use residential/commercial structures to be metered for water usage.  Specifically, do you think the AIACC should take a position on this bill, either in support or opposition?

 

Purpose of bill:

 

The purpose of this bill is to promote water conservation in new multiunit residential developments.

 

Here is the key language from the bill:

 

(a) (1) Architectural plans for individual dwelling units in a newly constructed multiunit residential structure or a mixed-use residential and commercial structure for which the application for a building permit is submitted on or after January 1, 2013, shall include, as a condition for the issuance of the building permit, the installation of either a water meter or a submeter, at the discretion of the water purveyor, to measure water supplied to each individual dwelling unit.

 

Here are some other key points in the bill:

 

·         It gives the water purveyor the choice of whether the project uses water meters or submeters.

·         It exempts low-income housing, senior living facilities, time share, and student dormitories from this requirement.

·         Common Interest Developments can not be required to use submeters (they use meters).

·         It exempts a project from this requirement when the requirement is deemed infeasable (to be defined by the Department of Housing and Community Development – HCD).

·         Requires HCD to develop the building standards for meters and submeters.

 

Here are some points to consider

 

·         Should the owner or the water purveyor decide whether the project is metered or submetered?

·         Should there be language that requires the water purveyor to choose which type of metering will be required in a timely manner during the entitlement process?

·         Are there advantages to meters or submeters?

·         Does the greater policy issue in this bill matter to the profession?  Does this fall into the category of "tell us what we have to do"?

 

Link to the Legislation

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/asm/ab_1951-2000/ab_1975_bill_20100628_amended_sen_v94.pdf

 

Thank you for your time in reviewing this issue and responding at your earliest convenience.

 

Best,

 

Mark Christian, Hon. AIACC

Director of Legislative Affairs

AIA California Council

Direct: 916-642-1708

 

AIA|LA Breakfast Reception w/ Councilmember Koretz - July 9 (8am)

Please make plans to attend our upcoming breakfast reception with Councilmember Koretz, which will be on Friday, July 9th (8am) at Alston & Bird LLP.  To Register, CLICK HERE.

AIA Los Angeles presents....
"A GREENER CITY THOUGH BETTER LAND-USE, Part II"
A Breakfast Reception with Councilmember Paul Koretz
District 5 - City of Los Angeles
Friday, July 9 (8:00-9:30am)
Alston + Bird LLP
333 South Hope Street
16th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071

ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED. To Register, CLICK HERE.

Hosted by Alston + Bird LLP
http://www.alston.com/

As part two of our 2010 AIA|LA Breakfast Series entitled "A Greener City Through Better Land-Use", the breakfast reception with Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz will continue our seven part series of discussions with civic officials about how we can build and operate a more environmentally and economically sustainable City by making better land-use decisions.

TICKETS
Advance registration required.
AIA Members = $15
Non-Members = $30

TO REGISTER, CLICK HERE.

Friday's breakfast with Councilmember Kortetz will be part-two of a series of discussions entitled "A Greener City Through Better Land-Use" , which includes the following guest speakers: 

"A GREENER CITY THROUGH BETTER LAND-USE"
Presented by TBD
1.  Paul Krekorian - Councilmember, City of Los Angeles
Friday, June 18 (8:00am - 9:30am)
Hosted by Altoon + Porter Architects LLP
2.  Paul Koretz - Councilmember, City of Los Angeles
Friday, July 9 (8:00am - 9:30am)
Hosted by Alston + Bird LLP
3.  Richard Katz - Board Director, Metro & California High-Speed Rail Authority
Friday, July 23 (8:00am - 9:30am)
Hosted by HNTB Architecture Inc.
4.  Christine Essel - CEO of Community Redevelopment Agency/ Los Angeles
Friday, September 10 (8:00am - 9:30am)
Hosted by TBD
5.  Art Leahy in a discussion with Gail Goldberg (moderated by Michael Woo)
Friday, September 24 (8:00am - 9:30am)
Hosted by TBD
6.  Cindy Miscikoswski - Commission President for the Port of Los Angeles
Friday, October 29 (8:00am - 9:30am)
Hosted by TBD
7.  Zev Yaroslavsky - Supervisor, County of Los Angeles
Friday, November 19 (8:00am - 9:30am)
Hosted by AC Martin Partners

In an effort to thematically tie together each of the seven breakfast receptions, The AIA|LA Political Outreach Committee has developed the following set of questions that will be shared with the guest speaker in advance of each discussion:

1. A Sustainable Future for Los Angeles
- What is your role in moving Los Angeles to a more sustainable future?
- Identify some initiatives that you consider critical to achieving greater sustainability.
- What are the primary obstacles to attaining greater sustainability as a city?

2. The Intersection of Transportation and Development
- What role do you play in growing and improving our mass transit and other transportation systems?
- How will Los Angeles meet its transportation and infrastructure needs in the future?
- How can our transportation system evolve to facilitate new development?

3. Improving Planning and Land Use in Los Angeles
- What impact do you have on planning and land use decisions in our city?
- Where do you see opportunities for higher-density development?
- What is your role in overcoming obstacles to new development?

4. Los Angeles as the World's Creative Capital
- How can your position contribute to enhancing Los Angeles' status as the creative capital of the world?
- Discuss the value of design and architecture to your function as a public sector leader.
- What opportunities do you see for high-quality architecture and design to enhance the city's economic health and general vitality?

PAUL KORETZ

On July 1, 2009, Paul Koretz took the oath of office, thereby becoming the new Los Angeles councilmember for the city's historic Fifth District.

Paul's election, one month earlier, culminated a neighborhood-friendly campaign in which he emphasized the District's great need for an actively involved council office, not just at City Hall but on a non-stop basis in the community life of the 5th District.

Both as a candidate and an elected official, Koretz has pledged his commitment to governmental efficiency, transparency, accountability and accessibility -- principles that have guided his life of activism, service and leadership.

Born in the San Fernando Valley, Koretz was raised and schooled in the Westside portion of the Fifth District, attending Canfield Elementary School, Palms Middle School, Hamilton High School and UCLA, where he earned a bachelor's degree in history, founded the Bruin Democrats and ventured forth in many volunteer endeavors aimed at improving society and helping others.

Paul's awareness of humanitarian and political issues should be no surprise: his father escaped tyranny and Nazi Germany's prosecution of Jews, emigrating to the United States and the Los Angeles area where he was a dedicated member of the hotel and restaurant employees union. Paul often joined his father on picket lines and in other efforts aimed at improving people's lot in life.

Paul learned the rigors, lessons and blessings of city service as an aide to two different Los Angeles City Councilmembers of monumental stature -- Zev Yaroslavsky and then Marvin Braude -- and during those years, would help many of the same residents and neighborhoods he now serves as Councilmember. (Paul's wife, Gail, was a longtime aide to another legendary Councilmember, Joel Wachs; she currently serves as Government and Community Relations Manager for Kaiser Permanente's Los Angeles Medical Center. The Koretz's daughter, Rachel, attends UCLA.)

From the mid-1980s, Paul lived in the City of West Hollywood, which is surrounded by the Fifth District. Paul helped lead the effort to incorporate that new city in 1984, thus establishing greater local accountability and constituent service. He was appointed as an aide to one of West Hollywood's original councilmembers, Alan Viterbi, whom he was elected to replace when Viterbi retired in 1988.

As councilmember for the City of West Hollywood -- and as its mayor -- Paul initiated and participated in many key efforts that boosted the city's efficiency and accountability, promoted jobs and the local economy, protected renters and homeowners, championed human and civil rights, delivered premium city services in a fiscally prudent manner, and made West Hollywood a regional model regarding the quality and aesthetics of city management.

Following in the tradition of Councilmembers Yaroslavsky and Braude, Paul also showed a staunch willingness to advocate and legislate concerning difficult causes, often in the face of torrid special interest opposition. He took on the gun lobby with pioneering legislation limiting the sales of handguns and banning assault weapons, thereby setting the standards for many other jurisdictions across the nation. His ordinance prohibiting smoking in restaurants similarly drew the fire of major lobbyists and interest groups, but he prevailed over the tobacco industry and the model established in West Hollywood has inspired others and promoted public health nationwide.

Paul has also gained a national reputation as an environmental leader. He was the first Southern California Director of the California League of Conservation Voters, and served as Administrative Director of the Ecology Center of Southern California.

In 2000, Paul was elected to the California State Assembly, representing the 42nd Assembly District that includes much of the City of L.A.'s 5th District. He was reelected twice to his assembly post, serving the maximum-allowed three terms. In that capacity, he continued with many of his lifelong causes, serving as Chair of the Assembly Labor Committee, championing environmental bills and leading efforts to reduce gun violence. But he also helped to save California taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars by fighting to reform workers compensation. He saved many lives with legislation such as his bill mandating that cigarettes sold in California be self-extinguishing -- thus reducing the risk of fires set by smoldering cigarettes. And his "divestment" bill concerning Darfur made news worldwide about our moral standards and willingness to confront and end genocide.

At the same time, Assemblymember Koretz focused ceaseless energy on helping constituents in their daily lives, by promoting local transportation improvements and neighborhood empowerment.

In his first months as 5th District Councilmember, Paul and his staff have been a steady and constant presence in the neighborhoods of the district. Day and night, they've appeared at many neighborhood council, homeowner group and chamber meetings. They are delighted to answer constituent questions, follow through on issues and hold town hall meetings. They see it as their duty to hold emergency sessions in the community when disaster occurs, such as after waterline breaks in some of our city's aged infrastructure. In the meantime, Paul has led the fight to prevent cuts in our city's essential fire and emergency services, and to avoid thousands of layoffs, which would result in major service cuts, while at the same time advocating tough auditing practices to ensure that even in harsh economic times the City of Los Angeles is fiscally sound.

Paul hopes that the start of his council service in the City of Los Angeles also marks the start of a heightened commitment by the city to listen to the voice of the people, and to be ever-engaged in the life of our local neighborhoods. He is always eager to hear from, and work side-by-side with, Los Angeles constituents, organizations and community leaders. It is the perspective of Councilmember Paul Koretz that this city is to be governed and enjoyed not just by the anointed few, but by all who call it home.

E-mail Paul at paul.koretz@lacity.org

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

213.639.0777 phone | 213.639.0767 fax

will@aialosangeles.org | www.aialosangeles.org

AIA|LA Breakfast Reception w/ Councilmember Paul Krekorian = June 18 (8am)

AIA Los Angeles presents....
"A GREENER CITY THOUGH BETTER LAND-USE"
A Breakfast Reception with Councilmember Paul Krekorian
District 2 - City of Los Angeles
Friday, June 18 (8:00-9:30am)
Altoon + Porter Architects, LLP
444 South Flower Street
48th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071

ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED. To Register, CLICK HERE.

Hosted by Altoon + Porter Architects
http://www.altoonporter.com/

As part of our upcoming 2010 AIA|LA Breakfast Series entitled "A Greener City Through Better Land-Use", the breakfast reception with Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Krekorian will kick-start a seven part series of discussions with civic officials about how we can build and operate a more environmentally and economically sustainable City by making better land-use decisions.

TICKETS Advance registration required.
AIA Members = $15
Non-Members = $30

TO REGISTER, CLICK HERE. 

Or cut and past the folllowing link into your browser: https://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Register/IdentityConfirmation.aspx?e=bd2dae08-4ea5-4388-b962-42d24564ebcb

PAUL KREKORIAN BIOGRAPHY

Devoted to public service throughout his adult life, Paul Krekorian's career has been defined by his proven record of successful, results-oriented leadership in state government, local government, public education and in the private sector.

For three years, Paul represented the state's 43rd district in the California State Assembly - the last as the Assistant Majority Leader - where he helped usher in groundbreaking legislation while setting the gold standard in local representation.

His career in politics, however, was born of humble beginnings in the San Fernando Valley. After attending Cleveland High School in Reseda, Paul graduated from USC and went on to law school at UC Berkeley's Boalt Hall. For twenty years, Paul had a successful law practice in business litigation and intellectual property law, representing business clients at two of the country's most prominent law firms, Skadden Arps and Dewey Ballantine, as well as the entertainment industry boutique firm Leopold, Petrich & Smith, before starting his own firm.

In 2006, Paul was elected to the California State Assembly, launching a magnificent first term in which he authored the highest number of bills signed into law of any freshman legislator. During that first term, Paul's significant legislative successes included legislation that completely revamped and modernized California's trademark laws, providing California businesses with stronger protections for their intellectual property. The California Chamber of Commerce entrusted Paul to carry one of its priority bills for the term, a measure that enhanced penalties for counterfeiting crimes and provided more effective tools for businesses to combat counterfeiters. Paul also worked with the Recording Industry Association of America in the successful passage of AB 2750, Paul's anti-piracy measure that provides fair compensation for victims of piracy.

From 2006 to 2009, Paul led the Assembly Select Committee on the Preservation of California's Entertainment Industry. In that role he was one of the Legislature's leading advocate for aggressive state action to combat runaway film and television production, culminating in his historic legislation that enacted California's first production tax incentive. The half-billion dollar incentive program will save countless good middle class jobs in Los Angeles that otherwise would have been lost to New Mexico, New York, Louisiana and elsewhere.

In addition to his production incentive, Paul was instrumental in ensuring passage of an economic stimulus measure as part of the resolution of the 2008-09 budget stalemate. Paul's legislation included a two-year tax incentive for small businesses that add employees, and a "single sales factor" revision of California's corporate taxation formula that will encourage multistate businesses to invest more in facilities and payroll within the state.

As Chair of the Assembly Select Committee on Renewable Energy, Paul authored of one of the most important energy and green jobs bills of the 2008-09 Assembly term, AB 64. The bill, which passed the Legislature but was vetoed by the governor, would have resulted in 33% of the state's electricity being generated from renewable resources by 2020. Paul's AB 64 would have spurred innovation, investment and job growth while also protecting the environment and promoting rate stability by putting California in a position of global leadership on renewable energy generation and development.

As a member of the Assembly, Paul created a program dubbed "Government at your Doorstep." During his time in office, Paul and his staff knocked on more than 3,000 doors n his District. In response to complaints about speeding, graffiti and noise pollution, Paul's office acted to alleviate concerns large and small.

In 2009, Paul was elected to lead Los Angeles' second City Council district – the first Armenian-American to sit on the council - in a resounding victory observers hailed as a mandate for change. After a four-month election, Paul received more than 56% of the vote despite being outspent more than 2 to 1 in overall campaign dollars and more than 13 to 1 in third-party political committee donations. After the election, the Los Angeles Daily News took note of Krekorian's coalition while also putting future candidates on notice: "[T]he outcome of the election will serve as a cautionary tale to future politicians in this city that voters are starting to wake up and smell the special interests - and they are not happy about it."

Prior to his service in the Assembly, Paul served as President of the Burbank Board of Education. He was elected to the school board during a fiscal crisis that threatened to devastate the quality of education. Under Paul's leadership, the district was able to fix its budget problems while improving educational programs by making thoughtful budget cuts and realizing efficiencies to pare administrative and operating costs. At the same time, Paul served as President of the Five Star Education Coalition, a consortium of five suburban school districts that works to shape state and federal education policy.

Paul lives in the San Fernando Valley with his wife Tamar and their three children.

Will Wright Invites...June 12 (4pm)

Will Wright Invites...

Date:	Saturday, June 12, 2010
Time:	4:00pm - 11:00pm
Location:	Loft #515
Street:	610 S. Main Street
City/Town:	Los Angeles, CA
	View Map

Description

 

Will Wright and Paige Pitzer invite you to attend a Saturday Supper to break in our new digs at the Pacific Electric Lofts.

Loft #515 will be our home away from home, aka - where WrW keeps all of his stuff and more or less lives. As many of you know, we were originally trying to find a house together in Woodland Hills but instead decided to keep a place in Downtown LA in addition to Paige's condo in Thousand Oaks.

We invite you and a guest to stop by for dinner and drinks. 

As this will be a housewarming of sorts, feel free to bring a bottle of wine, an extra toothbrush or two for each of us, fancy underwear for Paige Pitzer and pairs of clean socks for Will Wright.

-Will Wright

310.309.9580

P.S. Paige is actually going to Reno this weekend, so no need to bring extra toothbrushes for her.  We'll have to celebrate in her absence.

Action Alert -- N. Spring Street Bridge in Jeopardy

Historic North Spring Street Bridge Needs YOUR Help! Action Alert:   On Wednesday, June 2, Lewis MacAdams spoke in front of the Public Works Commissioners for the City of Los Angeles in opposition of  the North Spring Street Bridge widening project.  Unfortunately all but one Commissioner, Paula Daniels, voted in favor of the project. The end is near for the historic North Spring St. Bridge – this is probably your last chance to support its preservation Public Hearing Wednesday, June 9 Please attend and/or write to show your support What: L.A. City Council Transportation Committee Meeting Date: Wednesday, June 9, 2010 Time: Arrive by 2 p.m. Location: Los Angeles City Hall, 200 N. Spring St., Room 1010, Los Angeles, CA  90012 Valid photo I.D. required for entry Parking: Los Angeles Mall (enter from N. Los Angeles Street between Aliso and Temple) City Hall map, directions, and parking info Meeting agenda (This is Agenda Item #7) Please submit written comments to: Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, Chair Transportation Committee   Attn: John A. White, Legislative Assistant Email: john.white@lacity.org Please send a copy to Karina Muniz, the Conservancy's Community Outreach Coordinator, at kmuniz@laconservancy.org What's at Stake? As you know, the city's Bureau of Engineering (BOE) is rushing to approve a project that would destroy the 1929 North Spring Street Viaduct, a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument and one of the iconic bridges spanning the Los Angeles River. The project would nearly double the bridge's width, strip away all historic ornamentation, and eliminate its eligibility as a local landmark.  After years of inaction, the BOE is now scrambling for quick approval of this project in order to qualify for $5 million in state funds.  The Conservancy has been pushing for an alternative that would retrofit the historic bridge and construct a separate pedestrian-cyclist bridge alongside it.  The Conservancy, the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission, and residents from communities on both sides of the river are protesting the project. Yet our voices have been largely excluded from the planning process. Thanks to everyone who wrote to the Board of Public Works or attended last week's meeting. Unfortunately, the board approved the BOE's project, bringing the bridge one step closer to destruction. If you've ever wanted to speak out in support of the historic bridges of the Los Angeles River, now is the time. Please attend the City Council Transportation Committee meeting this Wednesday, June 9 to voice your opposition to the project.   This hearing is the public's last opportunity to voice opposition to the project before the full City Council vote next week – and there is no guarantee that the City Council will allow public comment. It will be critical to have a large turnout of supporters, so please attend if at all possible. We encourage you to state your personal opinion in addition to, or instead of, these points. If you have any questions, please contact Mike Buhler, the Conservancy's director of advocacy, at mbuhler@laconservancy.org or (213) 430-4203. Talking Points 1)  You can't put a price tag on our heritage.  After years of inaction, the BOE is now scrambling for approval of its plan in order to qualify for $5 million in state funds.  Certainly, our heritage is worth more than that!  2)  The BOE has never seriously considered an alternative to ruining the bridge. The environmental impact report for the project does not consider a single alternative that would maintain the bridge's status as a Historic-Cultural Monument.  With several historic Los Angeles River bridges slated for widening or replacement, we need to take a stand now, for today and for future generations.  3)  Building a separate pedestrian-cyclist bridge alongside the viaduct would meet the project goals, enhance safety, and provide greater connectivity.  And the BOE is already doing just that with another historic bridge. Pedestrian and bicycle access can be provided with a stand-alone bridge alongside the North Spring Street Viaduct.  The BOE says it's not possible, even though it plans to build a pedestrian bridge next to historic Riverside-Zoo Drive Bridge. A pedestrian-cyclist bridge would provide greater safety for children, adults, and cyclists crossing the river by separating them from vehicular traffic. The city recently acquired six acres on the Los Angeles River next to Downey Park in Lincoln Heights. The property is slated to become a park to serve the Lincoln Heights community.  A stand-alone pedestrian-cyclist bridge could connect directly to this park, enhancing connectivity for communities in Lincoln Heights and William Mead Housing. For more information, visit the Albion Park Project website.   More Information:  Los Angeles Conservancy

Remove my name from all future email correspondence

 

Address postal inquiries to:

Friends of the Los Angeles River

570 W. Ave 26, Ste. 250

Los Angeles, CA 90065-1047

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