LA Times, Timothy Rutten writes back...

After writing the post below entitled Broadway Revitalization as compared to Blade Runner, I submitted it to Mr. Rutten of the LA Times.

Kindly, he responded:

Dear Mr. Seirafi:
Thanks for this. I'm certainly not arguing tht Broadway be left as it is or that it would not be wonderful to restore the theaters. I'm simply saying that, as we go about doing whatever is done with the street, the city needs to give equal consideration to those who already use the street and to where their economic activities can continue to occur.
Tim

Broadway Revitalization as compared to Blade Runner

Timothy Rutten of the LA Times, writes an opinion about the revitalization of Broadway. A plan heralded by residents, business owners, stakeholders and just about everyone who lives in LA. His piece is:

"L.A.'s 'Blade Runner' plans"
Will we allow the movie's nightmarish view of downtown to come true?

If you consider his opinion, Broadway would remain the same, because changing it would be a nightmare. He proposes preserving the graffiti, broken windows, flashing strobe lights, bacon wrapped sausage cooking on shopping carts, strip clubs, merchandise spilling out on sidewalks, public urination, trash, a desolate evening scape and dilapidated buildings. In my opinion letting the Historic Core of LA fall into such disrepair is the nightmare. Most cities take care of and receive many benefits from the historic and cultural centers.

No one has proposed changing Olvera street because it truly is a gem and represents Los Angeles well. What is currently on Broadway does not. This kind of resistance to progress has currently put in jeopardy the much anticipated Grand Avenue project. With continued harassment by opponents of the project it has been delayed several times now and we have a giant hole in our civic center to show for that.

I don't disagree about the 14 story light show billboard but to call the collective effort of residents, business, and city leaders to revitalize Broadway "a nightmare" is irresponsible.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention, that the beautiful building where they shot the most memorable scenes in Blade Runner is on Broadway called the Bradbury building. It's a good thing it didn't meet with the wrecking ball like so many other historic buildings along the Broadway corridor. By leaving the status quo we only invite more urban flight and the destruction of our collective history.
Z.

Downtown Recreation and Parks Meeting January 30th

The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) has
embarked on its 2006/2007 Citywide Parks Needs Assessment
(Assessment) that will examine current and future recreational needs
in the City of Los Angeles. This Community Needs Assessment is the
first step in developing a citywide park master plan and a five year
capital improvement plan.

The foundation of the Assessment is to engage community leaders,
stakeholders, users and the general public to gain detailed insight
into current and future needs for the recreation and parks system.
The overall objective for the Needs Assessment includes:

* Address needs for additional recreation facilities and park land
*Identify improvements to facilities to meet current and future
demands
*Prevent future maintenance issues
*Offer positive alternatives to an increasingly dense and urbanized
population

The consulting team of Mia Lehrer + Associates with PROS Consulting,
LLC (MLA/ PROS Team) has been retained to work closely with the
Department to conduct the process. The MLA/PROS Team is also joined
by The Robert Group who will assist in organizing and implementing
the public participation program.

The MLA/PROS Team will utilize existing contacts and relationships of
RAP, City officials and MLA/PROS Team members to identify
stakeholders, gather their input, and disseminate information to help
gain consensus on key strategies and recommendations. This process
is broad, gathering both qualitative and quantitative information
from which these strategies will be developed.

An additional meeting for Downtown Los Angeles stakeholders has been
scheduled for January 30, 2008, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the LADWP
Cafeteria, located at 111 N Hope St, Los Angeles. It is okay if you
can't arrive at 6:30 p.m. - it IS important that you attend. So, if
you arrive late, no worries - just be there.

If you are unable to attend, you can still provide input by
completing the online survey, which is located at:

http://losangeles.prosconsulting.com/Online%20Survey.htm

This could be a great next step in bringing more recreational space
to downtown! Whether it be saving Gladys Park, bringing a dog park
to downtown, a community garden to a pocket park - don't assume that
someone will bring up your idea.

Hope to see you there,

Ginny-Marie Case
DLANC Boardmember, Historic Core Resident
VP, Outreach and Communications
213.248.0698 or ginny@ginnycase.com

Bring Back Broadway Kick-Off / Press Conference

Schultheis, Herman
SPNB Collection, Los Angeles Public Library

cjanebuy's photos



Please read this invitation from Tara:

Hi there,
Most who know me know that I have been involved with the Broadway
Theatre District revitalization efforts for sometime. I am very
excited to announce that the initiative is now being taken to the
next level by Councilmen Jose Huizar and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
I hope you can join us for this very exciting event to announce the
City's involvement in Broadway's revitalization and what their plans
are to move it forward. The event is open to anyone who is interested
so bring your friends!

Please RSVP with the names and number of people in your party to
Trisha.Fleming@lacity.org or 213-978-3020

Best Regards,
Tara Jones Hamacher


BRINGING BACK BROADWAY KICK-OFF / PRESS CONFERENCE
Monday, January 28
arrival 9:30am
press conference at 10am (reception to follow)
Los Angeles Theatre 615 S. Broadway

Please share this with interested downtowners. All are welcome -- we
appreciate RSVPs so we can plan accordingly for the reception.

Hope to see you there!

Bill

Bill Cooper
The Loft Expert!
www.TheLoftExpertGroup.com

Downtown LA Housing Tour Saturday Sept. 29th

SATURDAY HOUSING BUS TOUR

Dear Potential Downtowner,

Our next Housing tour is on Saturday, September 29th and we will be seeing the following projects and welcome you (and guests) to join us!

1. Roosevelt Lofts—For Sale—We will see the gallery
2. Santee Village—For Sale—We will see a model unit
3. Luma—For Sale—We will see a model unit
4. South Park Lofts—For Lease—We will see a model unit
5. Biscuit Company Lofts—For Sale—We will see a model unit
6. 2121 Lofts—For Sale—We will see a model unit

Please sign-up now at www.downtownla.com. On the home page, just look for “Saturday Downtown Housing Tours” and simply RSVP.

Shocking! LA Zoning Wants Skid Row to Remain the Same

Blogdowntown reported that the LA zoning commission has refused to give major developers permits to operate restaurants and nightlife -- the reason, "Permitting the sale of alcoholic beverages on the scale requested by the applicant will contribute to the incremental upgrading of the subject building and the image and character of Main Street while also contributing to the incremental dislocation of the Skid Row community. Because of the lack of balance, the Finding defaults to the negative."

So basically they don't want Main street and areas as far away as the Metlofts near Staples center to get nice because that may improve the neighborhood and push out Skid Row. They should give developers their permits and require them to contribute to the betterment of Skid Row rather than advocating to keep the blight that currently exists.

This kind of negative action can have big consequences for all the new loft buildings coming on-line with hopes of filling their retail space. The decision was appealed and looks like the developers will get their permits but that won't be decided for sure until the October 9th meeting.

Read all about it in blogdowntown
Z.