Metro Approves Environmental Study Contract for L.A. Streetcar

RELEASE

Contact: Rick Coca
(213) 473-7014 or Rick.Coca@lacity.org

Today’s action will allow environmental study to begin, which puts Streetcar in line for federal funding

LOS ANGELES (March 24, 2011) – The Metro Board of Directors unanimously approved a $2.26 million plan today to contract with HDR Engineering to conduct the environmental assessment for the Downtown Los Angeles Streetcar.

Metro’s involvement will ensure that review will meet CEQA and also NEPA and federal guidelines. This action will also allow the project to submit for federal funding through the Small Starts program, which is anticipated to cover half of construction costs. The remaining funding for the public-private partnership will be raised through a Community Facilities District, which is anticipated to be voted on by registered voters in the streetcar area next year.

Los Angeles City Councilmember José Huizar sits on the Board of Directors for Metro and is spearheading the Bringing Back Broadway initiative, which aims to revitalize Historic Broadway and return the Streetcar to Downtown Los Angeles.

“Today’s Metro vote will allow us to begin our environmental study, while also putting us in line to receive federal funding,” said Councilmember José Huizar. “We are now one step closer to turning our dream of returning the Streetcar Downtown into a reality.”

The Downtown Los Angeles Streetcar is an approximate $125 million modern circulator system that will run 7-days a week, about 18-hours a day, serving areas including Bunker Hill, Grand Avenue and the Music Center, Historic Broadway and the Historic Core, South Park, L.A. LIVE and the Los Angeles Convention Center.

An AECOM report released last month indicates the Streetcar will generate 9,300 jobs, spur $1.1 billion in development and generate $24.5 million in annual tourism and spending. These gains are above projections for Downtown without the streetcar, which is good for the entire region.

Tasks to be completed during the environmental study will include documentation of alternative analysis, advanced conceptual engineering and environmental technical studies.

For more information on benefits from the streetcar, visit www.lastreetcar.org/resources. To learn more about the Bringing Back Broadway initiative, visit BringingBackBroadway.com.

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City Council Approve $8.4 Million for Downtown L.A. Streetcar

RELEASE

Contact: Rick Coca

Action completes funding for environmental review and engineering of project, which will generate 9,300 jobs, spur $1.1 billion in development and $24.5 million in annual tourism and spending

LOS ANGELES (March 9, 2011) – The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved last week’s action by the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles (CRA/LA) to obligate $8.4 million in funding for the Downtown L.A. Streetcar.

The streetcar effort is a public-private partnership project championed by City Councilmember José Huizar’s Bringing Back Broadway initiative and non-profit coalition of property owners, business and civic leaders, L.A. Streetcar Inc. Previous actions obligated $1.6 Million of the $10 million pledged by the agency for the project.

The $8.4 million action approved by City Council on Tuesday comes on the heels of council action two weeks ago to allocate $1 million to the project from Measure R Local Return. The combined actions will provide remaining funding necessary to complete state and federal environmental documentation underway at METRO, as well as complete conceptual, preliminary and final engineering and design for the streetcar.

“These actions will get us through the technical steps necessary to make us ready for shovels to build the Downtown L.A. Streetcar,” said City Councilmember José Huizar. “Thousands of jobs, millions in annual tourism and revenue and an additional billion dollars in development will be a tremendous driver of revitalization that will positively affect our entire city and region. That’s exactly the kind of impact the redevelopment agency can have and should continue to work towards in Los Angeles.”

The approved actions will also allow CRA/LA to contract with L.A. Streetcar Inc. for the establishment of a Community Facilities District, which will allow local registered voters the opportunity to approve a property assessment in order to raise private-sector funding. Private-sector funding is the last piece of the puzzle before federal funding can be sought. A blend of private and public funds is necessary to achieve full funding for construction of the approximate $125 Million streetcar project.

The Downtown L.A. streetcar will run 7-days a week, about 18-hours a day, serving areas including Bunker Hill, Grand Avenue and the Music Center, Historic Broadway and the Historic Core, South Park, L.A. LIVE and the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The AECOM Streetcar Economic Impact Study, executive summary, fact sheets, background materials, informational videos, B-roll, streetcar renderings and related materials for review and reference can be accessed at: http://www.golastreetcar.org/press.

# # #

CRA Approves $8.4 Million for Downtown L.A. Streetcar

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Contact: Rick Coca

Action completes funding for environmental review and engineering of the project which will generate 9,300 jobs, spur $1.1 billion in development and generate $24.5 million in annual tourism and spending

LOS ANGELES (March 3, 2011) – The Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles (CRA/LA) today obligated $8.4 Million in funding for the Downtown L.A. Streetcar, a public-private partnership project championed by City Councilmember José Huizar’s Bringing Back Broadway initiative and non-profit, L.A. Streetcar Inc. Previous CRA/LA actions obligated $1.6 Million of the $10 Million pledged by the agency for the project.

The $8.4 Million CRA/LA action comes on the heels of Los Angeles City Council’s action last week to allocate $1 Million to the project from Measure R Local Return. The combined actions will provide remaining funding necessary to complete state and federal environmental documentation underway at METRO, as well as complete conceptual, preliminary and final engineering and design for the streetcar.

“The CRA and City actions will get us through the technical steps necessary to make us ready for shovels to build the Downtown L.A. Streetcar,” said City Councilmember José Huizar. “Thousands of jobs, millions in annual tourism and revenue and an additional billion dollars in development will be a tremendous driver of revitalization that will positively affect our entire city and region.”

Today’s actions will also allow CRA/LA to contract with L.A. Streetcar Inc. for the establishment of a Community Facilities District, which will allow local registered voters the opportunity to approve a property assessment in order to raise private-sector funding. Private sector funding is the last piece of the puzzle before federal funding can be sought. A blend of private and public funds is necessary to achieve full funding for construction of the streetcar project.

The Downtown L.A. streetcar will run 7-days a week, about 18-hours a day, serving areas including Bunker Hill, Grand Avenue and the Music Center, Historic Broadway and the Historic Core, South Park, L.A. LIVE and the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The AECOM Streetcar Economic Impact Study, executive summary, fact sheets, background materials, informational videos, B-roll, streetcar renderings and related materials for review and reference can be accessed at: http://www.golastreetcar.org/press.

Eagle Rock Day in L.A. this Friday!

INVITATION


Councilmember Jose Huizar invites you to the Los Angeles City Council Meeting declaring "Eagle rock Day" in Los Angeles!

Friday, March 4th @ 10 a.m. in Council Chambers

The City of Los Angeles will be honoring Eagle Rock, in recognition of the Eagle Rock Centennial. Eagle Rock incorporated into its own city in March of 1911, and chose to annex into Los Angeles in 1923. Please join us in celebrating this momentous occasion.

Refreshments will be served. Please RSVP. For more information, please contact our Eagle Rock field office at (323) 254-5295. For parking arrangements, please contact our office no later than Tuesday, March 1st.

District 14 News - February 24, 2011

Dear Friends:

Please read below for important updates in Council District 14, including the City’s first bike corral in Highland Park and upcoming events.

* City Launches First Bike Corral in Highland Park
* 16th Annual Community Job Fair at Dodger Stadium
* Eagle Rock Centennial Kick Off
* Ascot Hills Open House
* Hermon Park Playground Equipment Ribbon-Cutting

City Launches First Bike Corral in Highland Park

Working with local business and City departments, Councilmember Huizar helped bring the City’s first bike corral to Highland Park. Less than a year after the City Council officially approved his legislation to build it – a single parking location that can accommodate 10 bicycles – the biking community celebrated the inaugural corral outside of Café de Leche in Highland Park.Café de Leche co-owner Matt Schodorf brought the idea for a bike corral outside his business to Councilmember Huizar in order to better accommodate his customers. Councilmember agreed and introduced the motion in July 2009 and then went to work with the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), the Bureau of Street Services (BSS) and the City’s General Services Division (GSD) to design and build the model corral, which will be duplicated throughout the City.

Councilmember Huizar agreed to pay the cost of installing the bike corral.

Click here for the LADOT Bike Blog. Enjoy the slideshow from the event.

16th Annual Community Job Fair at Dodger Stadium

(Photo Credit: Stephanie Robinson)

Hosted by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Councilmember Jose Huizar invites you to this annual job fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 26th.

* Employers will be recruiting!

* On site Interviews!

* Dress for success!

For Resume prep, interviewing skills check your local city/county worksource center. Wear appropriate business attire and bring copies of your current resume.

FREE SHUTTLE

From Sunset Blvd./Elysian Park to STADIUM
FREE Admission and Parking

Please enter through Elysian Park Ave./Stadium Way entrance.

For more information, please contact: (323) 224-1466.

Eagle Rock Centennial Kick Off Celebration

Hosted by the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock, Councilmember Huizar invites you to a full day of events including:

* Kids & Family Program 2-4 p.m.
* Historical Presentation 4 p.m.
* Community Groups All Day
* Live Entertainment* Cocktail Reception 6-8 p.m. featuring Eagle Rock's own Morganne
* Silent Auction

Saturday, February 26th from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. @ the Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock at 2225 Colorado Blvd.

For more information, go to www.eaglerockcentennial.com.

Ascot Hills Open House

Councilmember José Huizar invites you and your family to join your neighbors to the “Open House” celebration of the much-anticipated Ascot Hills Phase II park improvements. See the progress of the new park improvements, which include the full stream restoration, an outdoor amphitheatre, irrigation and fire safety installations, landscaping, hiking trails, and native plantings, and much more. For more information, please call the El Sereno District Office at (323) 226-1646.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at 2 p.m. @ Ascot Hills Park, 4731 Multnomah Street at Gateside Drive.

Enjoy the slideshow and footage from the ground-breaking last year.

Hermon Park Playground Equipment Ribbon-Cutting

Join Councilmember José Huizar and the Hermon community for the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new state-of-the-art ADA compliant playground at Hermon Park, on Thursday, March 3rd at 10 a.m.

Aside from the new playground, the new Hermon Park improvements include more security lighting throughout the park, and new irrigation. Come, bring your children, celebrate with your friends, and neighbors this great community accomplishment. For more information, please call the El Sereno District Office at (323) 226-1646.

Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 10 a.m. @ Hermon Park, 5568 Via Marisol

Enjoy the slideshow and footage from the ground-breaking last year.

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City Launches First Bike Corral in Highland Park

RELEASE

Working with local business and City departments, Councilmember brings City’s first bike corral to Highland Park outside Café de Leche

LOS ANGELES (Feb. 18, 2011) – Less than a year after the City Council officially approved Councilmember José Huizar’s legislation to build the City’s first bike corral – a single parking location that can accommodate 10 bicycles – the biking community celebrated Friday the inaugural corral outside of Café de Leche in Highland Park.

Café de Leche co-owner Matt Schodorf brought the idea for a bike corral outside his business to Councilmember Huizar in order to better accommodate his customers. Councilmember agreed and introduced the motion in July 2009 and then went to work with the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), the Bureau of Street Services (BSS) and the City’s General Services Division (GSD) to design and build the model corral, which will be duplicated throughout the City.

Councilmember Huizar also agreed to pay the cost of the corral.

“The best ideas in the City often come from community members and business owners and that is certainly the case here,” said Councilmember Huizar. “I want to thank Matt Schodorf and our partners for working with me on this bike corral. The City has worked to improve services to the bicycling community, but we need to do more. Expanding this bike corral pilot program throughout the City is a great first step.”

Councilmember Huizar’s staff worked with the LADOT, BSS and GSD to deal with the hurdles associated with implementing a pilot program, such as the specific design, manufacturing and installation plans.

“We're excited to be installing the first bicycle corral in the City of Los Angeles, which will help to get car-centric Angelenos out of their vehicles,” said Amir Sedadi, LADOT Interim General Manager. “The Department of Transportation isn't just about moving cars, but helping to 'move Los Angeles forward' by offering people multi-modal choices.”

Special thanks also goes to the bicycling community, the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council and the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce for their support.

Click here for the LADOT Bike Blog. Enjoy the slideshow from the event.

District 14 News - February 16, 2011

Dear Friends:

Please read below for important updates in Council District 14, including efforts to increase pedestrian safety at the iconic 4th street bridge, raise awareness for the Jessica Triangle designation, showcase the 1st Annual East L.A. Alumni Classic, provide entertainment for local seniors and adopting pets, and much more.

* 4th Street Bridge Improvements
* Jessica Triangle-Mt. Washington Designation
* 1st Annual East L.A. Alumni Classic
* 4th Annual Senior Snowball
* Adopt-A-Pet Adoptions
* Our Downtown El Sereno Vision Workshop
* Fitness Zone Ribbon Cutting

4th Street Bridge Improvements

Councilmember Huizar joined community members in Boyle Heights Saturday to celebrate the addition of a Smart Crossing Walk on 4th Street and Concord, which had long been identified by the community as a dangerous place to cross. Now when pedestrians push the cross button, large caution lights flash overhead, alerting drivers to stop. The improvements are part of $412,000 seismic retrofitting of the 4th Street Bridge. Other improvements include storm drain upgrades, landscaping and paving underneath the bridge.

Jessica Triangle-Mt. Washington Designation

Following on the heels of the Verdugo Village designation in Glassell Park, Councilmember Huizar joined members of the Mt. Washington community to celebrate the Jessica Triangle designation with two new signs. Jessica Triangle is a triangular shaped median at Cleland Avenue and Jessica Drive that has been turned into a mini-garden with trees, plants and a trail. This community improvement project, which has had many volunteer community stewards over the years, is a source of pride for the Mt. Washington community. In 2007, Councilmember Huizar protected it from destruction when he worked with Public Works to re-direct a proposed sewer line, which was scheduled to run right through the garden. He also had the City designate Jessica Triangle as an official City of Los Angeles site.

Bulldogs Win 1st Annual East L.A. Alumni Classic

Councilmember Huizar served as the Honorary Coach for the Rough Riders in the 1st Annual Alumni East L.A. Classic at E.L.A.C.C. Garfield dominated for three quarters but Roosevelt almost tied it up in the closing minutes. It was a great showcase for healthy competition, respect and sportsmanship. Congratulations went out to all of the alumni as the relived some of their gridiron glory. This should be the first of many alumni East L.A. Classics to come.

Enjoy the slideshow from the event.

4th Annual Senior Snowball

More than 600 seniors from all over Council District 14 came out for the 4th Annual Senior Snowball sponsored by Councilmember Huizar. Attendees were treated to a delicious meal and desserts. With more than 20 senior clubs present, all the seniors were recognized for their leadership and community involvement, and also had the opportunity to win raffle prizes. Musical entertainment by Chico followed dinner and the seniors took to the dance floor without invitation.

Enjoy the slideshow from the event.

Adopt-A-Pet Valentine Adoptions

As part of Valentine’s Day weekend, Councilmember Huizar participated in the Adopt-A-Valentine Pet Adoption at the North Central Animal Shelter on Lacey. Sponsored by his office, the City of Los Angeles, CD 13 and Friends of Hermon Dog Park, the community came out to adopt some of our four-legged friends in need of a home.

Enjoy the slideshow and footage from the event.

“Our Downtown” Living Streets Plan Workshop

Sponsored by Councilmember Huizar, the El Sereno community held its third vision workshop on how to spend funds for improving Huntington Drive. Friends and neighbors came out to vote on their priorities. Stay tuned for more announcements.

Fitness Zone Ribbon Cutting

Eagle Rock Recreation Center is the latest Council District 14 park to see new improvements. Councilmember Huizar secured $150,000 to install an Outdoor Fitness Zone at the park, consisting of 10 exercise machines, which were installed near the playground so parents watching their kids, and seniors from the nearby Senior Center, could get in some exercise free of cost. Other improvements at the park include upgrades such as a new gym floor, repaired basketball hoops and improved lighting in the Recreation Center and a new dumpster location to address trash and illegal dumping problems that were beginning to happen at the park.

Enjoy the slideshow from the event.

Slideshow from D.T.L.A. Bikes Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting

It was great to honor a new local business earlier this evening, D.T.L.A. Bikes on Broadway. Located at 425 S. Broadway, D.T.L.A. Bikes opened quietly (soft open) before the holidays. It has already become very popular for its 15,000 square foot mega store with an awesome indoor track to try any bike before you buy. They're all stocked up now and celebrating their downtown debut with lots of different kinds and brands of bikes, a full line of accessories and they provide competitively priced tuneups and repairs, too.

Enjoy the slideshow from the event.

Adopt-A-Valentine Pet Adoption

Saturday was full of events and activities but one of my favorites had to be the Adopt-A-Valentine Pet Adoption at the North Central Animal Shelter on Lacey. Sponsored by my office, the City of Los Angeles, CD 13 and Friends of Hermon Dog Park, it was great to see the community come out and adopt some of our four-legged friends in need of a home. Enjoy the slideshow and brief footage from the event.

Slideshow from the 1st Annual Alumni East L.A. Football Classic

It was a pleasure to serve as the Honorary Coach for the Rough Riders in the 1st Annual Alumni East L.A. Classic at E.L.A.C.C. last night. Garfield dominated for three quarters but Roosevelt almost tied it up in the closing minutes. Great sportsmanship. Congratulations to all of the alumni who relived some of their gridiron glory. I hope this is the first of many alumni East L.A. Classics to come. Enjoy the slideshow from the event.

Slideshow from the 4th Annual Senior Snowball

A great time was had by all at the 4th Annual Senior Snowball in El Sereno. Enjoy the slideshow from the event:

District 14 News - February 10, 2011

Dear Friends:

Please read below for important updates in Council District 14, including efforts to clean up parks, bring jobs and economic development to Los Angeles, bringing the Streetcar back Downtown and the Broadway Arts Center.

* Community Cleanups at San Pascual and Yosemite Parks
* Massive Job Growth & Economic Development with the L.A. Streetcar Project
* Broadway Arts Center Workshop

Community Cleanups at San Pascual and Yosemite Parks

San Pascual and Yosemite Parks were the launching points for two Community Cleanups this past Saturday as volunteers picked up trash, painted over graffiti and beatified the areas. Special thanks to Victory Outreach, the Graffiti Busters, students and local residents for cleaning up. Here are Councilmember Huizar’s welcoming remarks from the San Pascual cleanup, where volunteers going out into various locations in the neighborhood. Click here for the slideshow.

Building on a plan already in place to increase safety at Yosemite Park, Councilmember Huizar and the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council (ERNC) hosted the Yosemite Park Cleanup, which brought out a large contingent of volunteers. Earlier this month, a resident jogging in the park was attacked and robbed by a group of young men. Police say the crime was an isolated incident in the low-crime community, which saw a 33 percent drop in Violent Crime in 2010. Two suspects have already been arrested and a third is being sought. While such assaults at the park are unheard of, there had already been proactive improvements and safety enhancements installed at the park — including resurfaced tennis courts, retrofitting of the pool and the installation of a security camera.

Following the attack, Council District 14 quickly organized a meeting with the ERNC, LAPD, LAUSD Police, and General Services park police and the Department of Recreation & Parks and came up with an immediate plan to step up patrols, enforce curfew, remove graffiti even quicker, expedite the installation of a previously approved second security camera and organize the Community Cleanup.

Enjoy the slideshow from Yosemite Park.

Bring the Streetcar and Jobs Back to Downtown to Help L.A.

As part of his Bringing Back Broadway initiative, Councilmember Huizar announced the release of a study Tuesday stating that building a streetcar downtown would create 9,300 jobs and generate $1.1 billion in new development, $24.5 million in new annual tourism and consumer spending and $47 million in new City revenue. The Streetcar would not only make Downtown Los Angeles an easier place to get around, it would bring jobs to residents throughout the City and much needed revenue when we need it most. We're hoping to get it built by 2014. You can view the press release, as well as links to stories on CBS, Daily News and the Downtown News

Enjoy the slideshow and footage of Councilmember Huizar’s remarks.

Broadway Arts Center Workshop Held to Get Community Input

About 100 downtown community members attended a workshop to get their input and feedback on a planned mixed-use arts facility on Broadway. The proposed Broadway Arts Center would provide affordable housing for artists, serve as a performance and exhibition space, have a commercial/retail component and provide parking and loading facilities for commercial and theater use on the street.A location for the project has not been chosen yet for the project, a partnership between Councilmember Huizar’s Bringing Back Broadway initiative, various city departments, The Actors Fund and Cal-Arts.

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Bring the Streetcar and Jobs Back to Downtown to Help L.A.

As part of my Bringing Back Broadway initiative, we released a study yesterday stating that building a streetcar downtown would create 9,300 jobs and generate $1.1 billion in new development, $24.5 million in new annual tourism and consumer spending and $47 million in new City revenue. The Streetcar would not only make Downtown Los Angeles an easier place to get around, it would bring jobs to residents throughout the City and bring much needed revenue when we need it most. We're hoping to get it built by 2014. Here are links to stories on:

• CBS
• Daily News
• Downtown News

CD 14 News - February 2, 2011

Dear Friends:

Please read below for important updates in Council District 14, including efforts to expand the City’s recycling program; restore a 34-year-old Highland Park mural; install signs in Verdugo Village; historically survey Los Angeles and clean up the air and green up businesses in Boyle Heights and beyond.

* A Call to Increase Recycling for Businesses and Apartments
* Restoring the Iconic “History of Highland Park” Mural
* Historically Surveying L.A.’s Unchartered Neighborhoods
* Verdugo Village Signs Highlight Areas Rich Past
* Clean Up/Green Up Plan New Era of Environmental Justice

Expansion of City Recycling Program Sought

With 70 percent of the City of Los Angeles’ 3.5 million tons of trash that ends up in landfills and incinerators every year coming from commercial and multifamily properties, Councilmember Huizar joined a coalition of organizations and City leaders who called for the City to franchise recycling collection for businesses and large apartments.

Here is footage of Councilmember Huizar’s remarks.

Los Angeles needs to do more to create a more efficient, safer and better managed recycling service for commercial and apartment buildings. While great progress has been made, particularly over the past year, the current pace of progress is not fast enough to ensure that we will reach the Zero Waste goals we’ve set for our City by 2030. The City collects all trash from single family homes.Councilmember Huizar supports franchising recycling collection for commercial and multi-family units in the City to ensure that all Angelenos have the opportunity to recycle, that the trucks and work conditions used to process the recycling are safe, that rates are uniform and fair, and that we cut down on the amount of recyclable refuse that ends up in our landfills. A report by Don’t Waste L.A., a coalition of 30 organizations, outlines these and other recommendations.

Read the Los Angeles Times story here.

Read the Daily News story here.

Restoring Mural and Pride in Highland Park

On behalf of the Highland Park community, Councilmember Huizar successfully brokered an agreement to restore the 34-year-old “History of Highland Park” mural, a mammoth piece of work that stretches around two sides of the AT&T building on Avenue 56. The treasured community mural was painted in 1977 and had fallen into disarray over the ensuing decades as an anti-graffiti coating deteriorated and graffiti removal had to stop to protect the underlying mural.

Here is footage of Councilmember Huizar’s remarks.

AT&T, whose former company Pacific Bell first commissioned the work to be done by Barrio Planners in 1977, has agreed to fund the restoration, estimated at about $78,000. Social and Public Art Resource Center’s Judy Baca, one of the mural’s original artists, will be at the helm of the restoration.

Councilmember Huizar was joined by the artists, the Highland Park Heritage Trust, the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council and students from Yorkdale Elementary for the kickoff cleanup of the mural, which included a steam cleaning and biodegradable soap bubble bath.

The restoration will include new anti-graffiti coating using the latest industry advancements and should be completed in the next few months.

Enjoy the slideshow of the event.

Historic Survey L.A. Presentation in Boyle Heights

A historic walking tour and results of the Survey L.A. pilot project, one of the largest historical surveys ever conducted in the nation, were presented this month at the Puente Learning Center in Boyle Heights. Councilmember Huizar successfully lobbied for Boyle Heights, one of the city’s oldest suburbs, to be surveyed as the pilot community for the new citywide historic identification project. Previously, only 15 percent of Los Angeles has been historically surveyed.

Here is footage of Councilmember Huizar’s remarks.

More than 200 people attended the seminar and tour and learned that two areas (Boyle Avenue and Mt. Pleasant) and 33 individual buildings were identified as potentially historic during the survey. It was coupled with a walking tour of five sites on Boyle Avenue, including the “Max Factor home.” The house represents a microcosm of Boyle Heights’ diverse history, having seen homeowners of Jewish, Japanese and Latino descent through the years. Attendees participated directly in the survey through MyHistoricLA, suggesting places in Boyle Heights that are historically important to them. Special thanks to the Puente Learning Center; the Los Angeles Planning Department’s Office of Historic Resources; the Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles; the Boyle Heights Historical Society; the Los Angeles Conservancy; the Getty Foundation; the Jewish Historical Society of Southern California; the Breed Street Shul; Keiro Senior Healthcare; the International Institute; ELACC; Hollenbeck Palms; the Alba Family; a crew of Cal Poly Pomona students and other volunteers.

Enjoy the slideshow of the event.

Signs are Great in Verdugo Village

Community members gathered recently with Councilmember Huizar to celebrate the culmination of a two-year plan to design and install dozens of Verdugo Village signs along a two-block stretch of Verdugo Road, just north of York Boulevard.

Councilmember Huizar worked with the Glassell Park Improvement Association (GPIA) to come up with the plan and agreed to provide funding for the Verdugo Village sign project, which has added five street signs, 18 pedestrian signs, and 250 decals for businesses and residents along the Verdugo Road corridor.

Here is footage of Councilmember Huizar’s remarks.

The uniquely designed signs feature an outline of the nearby mountains and Verdugo Village name, while others also include a brief history of the area, which dates back to 1784.

The Verdugo Village signs will help identify the local community while promoting local business. Special thanks to Helene Schpak, Jim Kiehl, GPIA President George Brauckman and Zazu Faure.

Enjoy the slideshow of the event.

Clean Up Green Up – A New Generation of Environmental Justice

Councilmember Huizar recently introduced legislation to create “green zones” and eliminate “toxic hot spots” in communities with more than their fair share of heavy industry, a long-time practice that has created health hazards that lead to increased episodes of cancer, asthma and other pollution-related illnesses.

Here is footage of Councilmember Huizar’s remarks.

Joining with community and environmental activists and City Council colleagues, Councilmember Huizar announced the legislation, known as “Clean Up/Green Up” at Breed Street Elementary School. The legislation will focus primarily on the communities of Boyle Heights, Pacoima and Wilmington, three areas that have been hard hit by industrial sites and uses. A new generation of Environmental Justice, the goal of the Clean Up Green Up campaign is to work with existing businesses to create incentives and standards that lead to greener, cleaner and more sustainable communities. The Clean Up Green Up legislation will also encourage new, green industries that bring green jobs, with the long-term goal of creating healthier communities.

Enjoy the slideshow of the event. Click here for the press release on Councilmember Huizar recent work on environmental justice.

Read the L.A. Times story here.

Read the EGP News story here.


# # #

AT&T Mural Restoration and the Verdugo Village Sign Dedication

Below are remarks I made on Saturday for the AT&T Mural Restoration and the Verdugo Village Sign Dedication. I have also included the slideshows for each.

Umami Burger and Two Boots Pizza Announce New Job-Creating Ventures on Broadway

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
Contact: Rick Coca
(213) 473-7014 or rick.coca@lacity.org

Iconic businesses to become neighbors to the historic Orpheum Theatre on Broadway, contributing to the Bringing Back Broadway’s initiative’s revitalization effort, which is celebrating its third anniversary - Orpheum Theatre turns 85

LOS ANGELES (Jan. 25, 2011) – Two formerly vacant spaces in the historic Broadway corridor will soon house top-notch eateries designed by top designers, bringing fame, popularity and a foodie following from their respective coasts to Downtown L.A. while adding 50-75 jobs to the area.

The UMAMIcatessen, a new concept from the gastronomic experts behind the vastly popular Umami Burger restaurants dotted across L.A., will open at 852-854 S. Broadway. And hailing from New York City, Two Boots Pizza will premier at 828 S. Broadway.

“Thanks to a strong collaboration between property owner, entrepreneurs and the City, Bringing Back Broadway will soon celebrate the arrival of two new businesses that will bring as many as 75 jobs to Broadway,” said Los Angeles City Councilmember José Huizar, who is spearheading the Bringing Back Broadway revitalization effort. “This collaboration between the private and public sector is a prime example of what the Bringing Back Broadway initiative is all about and one we hope to duplicate again and again.”

The UMAMIcatessen will incorporate a burger joint, bar, deli, dessert, as well as rotating concepts from some of America’s greatest chefs. The Broadway location will be the sixth Umami establishment and the largest among the company’s independent, locally-owned L.A. eateries. The downtown restaurant will be designed by SO/DA and will seat approximately 60-80 people. By operating 7 days a week until 2 a.m., this new restaurant will be a welcomed addition to Broadway’s nightlife. The ambitious plan came about after several months of discussions with property owner Steve Needleman and assistance from the Bringing Back Broadway initiative.

“We are thrilled to call Broadway home for our newest and biggest venture yet,” said Adam Fleishman, CEO of Umami Burger. “Downtown L.A. is a dynamic, rapidly changing area, and we can’t wait to turn a vacant, lifeless storefront into Downtown’s own unique Umami location as part of Bringing Back Broadway.”

In New York City, Two Boots Pizza’s flagship pizzerias have earned a wide and devoted following for their delicious blend of Italian and Cajun flavors, cornmeal-crusted pizza, over-stuffed po' boys, organic salads, plus calzones, strombolis and strombolinis. Downtown will join Echo Park as the only current Los Angeles locations for the popular eatery.

Phil Hartman, owner of Two Boots Pizza feels historic Broadway is a natural location for Two Boots Pizza because of the area’s similarities to the pizzaria’s New York roots.

“Two Boots loves Downtown L.A.!” said Hartman. “With its vintage theater district, amazing architecture and diverse and eclectic culture, we feel right at home here and are thrilled to be part of the Bringing Back Broadway effort. We're looking forward to creating amazing signage that harkens back to the area’s glory days and to creating a tribute pizza that celebrates Broadway’s glorious history.”

Every Two Boots branch is unique. Some have full-service dining, some have full bars, while others have live music. Like all the company’s locales, Two Boots Broadway will display the work of local artists. The restaurant design will feature a large viewing window into the kitchen where patrons can watch pizza dough being tossed and food being prepared for the eatery’s streetside service or delivery. Well-known architect George Kelly is spearheading the design.

Both additions to the street bode well for the future of revitalizing Broadway. Umami will add 35 to 50 jobs downtown. Two Boots Broadway is expected to create 15 to 25 jobs. The new restaurants will complement other revitalization at the southern anchor of the Bringing Back Broadway initiative, which is celebrating the third year of its 10-year plan.

Much of the credit for the welcomed new additions goes to property owner Steve Needleman, owner of Anjac Fashion Buildings and the historic Orpheum Theatre, who recruited both businesses and worked out deals and long-term agreements to make them viable.

“My belief is that the best way to build your own community is to bring in that unique type of tenant who will complement existing businesses and attract residents and visitors alike to the historic area,” Needleman said. “Economics cannot be the driving force behind these deals; at times, you have to be willing to take a risk, make incredible deals and forge long-term partnerships.”

The fully restored historic Orpheum Theatre is turning 85 years old this year and is the centerpiece of Broadway’s south-end revitalization, which also includes the iconic Eastern Columbia Building and the recently renovated Blackstone Building, both former department stores adapted for residential use above the commercial ground floor. The Broadway Bar was one of the first night-life establishments in the area.

Needleman credits Bringing Back Broadway for providing critical assistance with these projects and with others in the pipeline.

“When we were facing obstacles with City departments, both on the Umami project and with the upcoming renovation of the Singer Sewing Machine Building, Councilmember Huizar’s Bringing Back Broadway Executive Director stepped in and worked directly with us, cutting red tape and getting the answers and responses we needed in order to allow these job-creating projects to move forward,” Needleman said. “The partnership for revitalization and the problem-solving, can-do spirit in the City that each of these projects benefited from never existed before Bringing Back Broadway.”

Needleman’s Anjac Fashion Buildings is providing offices on the ground floor of the historic Wurlitzer Building on Broadway for downtown publication BlogDowntown in a space that also features a community center. Anjac is also in preparation to reactivate the long-vacant Singer Sewing Machine building at 808 S. Broadway into unique, live/work style lofts that will include about 2,700 square feet of living space and 3,500 square feet of work area on each floor. Renovations on this project are planned to begin this summer.

“Steve Needleman sets the pace – and the example – for other Broadway property owners,” Councilmember Huizar said. “Bringing this plan to fruition in the historic district was no small feat and what Steve is doing should be considered a model for other owners on the street. But the City must also use this as model and continue the collaboration that made this happen. Solving problems for businesses on Broadway takes out-of-the-box thinking and leadership.”

Launched in January of 2008, key components of the multi-faceted Bringing Back Broadway initiative include a major streetscape and infrastructure improvement plan; the introduction of modern streetcar service in Downtown; reactivation of historic theater venues; support for entertainment and cultural activities; implementation of historic preservation, urban design and lighting guidelines and a Broadway historic sign district.

Considering there is approximately 15 to 20 percent ground-floor vacancy rates on Broadway and more than one-million square feet of empty space on the upper floors, a major component of the plan is economic development opportunities and job creation. With the world-famous Clifton’s Cafeteria set to undergo a major renovation and expansion, which will bring 100 jobs downtown, and now the opening of these two new restaurants in underused retail space, Broadway is beginning to see much-needed improvement.

UMAMIcatessen and Two Boots Broadway are expecting approximately 18 months of renovation, tenant improvement, construction and design before their grand openings.

“Bringing Back Broadway is a 10-year plan that has already seen enormous success, and this is another example that we are beginning to see the seeds of progress begin to sprout,” Councilmember Huizar said. “As we celebrate the third year of success of Bringing Back Broadway, we look to a bright future for this important and historic street.”

'Clean Up Green Up': L.A.’s Next Generation of Environmental Justice

Today I joined with colleagues on the City Council to introduce legislation to create “green zones” in communities that are inundated with more than their fair share of heavy industry, a long-time practice that has created health hazards that lead to increased episodes of cancer, asthma and other pollution-related illnesses.

The legislation will focus primarily on the communities of Boyle Heights, Pacoima and Wilmington. As someone who grew up in Boyle Heights and lives there today with my wife and four children, I am very concerned about the effects the surrounding industrial sites have on the air that my children, and my neighbors’ children, breath.

The Clean Up Green Up legislation represents the work of dedicated community activists and elected officials to create a new generation of Environmental Justice, where instead of fighting some proposed industrial use site or expansion of an existing one, we want to work with existing businesses to create incentives and standards that lead to greener, cleaner and more sustainable communities.

We also want to encourage new, green industries that bring green jobs, with the long-term goal of creating healthier communities where our children can be successful and thrive.

Enjoy the slideshow from the event. You can also view coverage in LAist, CBS and Eastern Group Publications.

Survey L.A. Aims to Unearth Historical L.A.

With only 15% of Los Angeles ever surveyed for potential historical sites, I was proud to see Survey L.A., a comprehensive historical survey project, kick off in Boyle Heights. While Survey L.A. will eventually cover the entire City, I worked with the Los Angeles Conservancy, the Boyle Heights Historical Society, the Planning Department’s Office of Historic Resources, the Getty Foundation and other community stakeholders to begin the project in Boyle Heights, one of the city’s oldest suburbs.

More than 200 people recently attended a walking tour of several historic sites located on or near Boyle Avenue, as well as a presentation releasing preliminary results of one of the largest surveys ever undertaken in the nation. Here is the podcast and footage of my welcoming remarks.

During the survey of Boyle Heights, we identified two potential Historic Districts (Boyle Avenue and Mt. Pleasant) and 33 individual buildings in Boyle Heights as potentially historic. The walking tour featured more than a dozen sites, including five on Boyle Avenue where docents offered tour-goers a glimpse into the long and varied history of Boyle Heights, including the “Max Factor home.” The house represents a microcosm of Boyle Heights’ diverse history, having seen homeowners of Jewish, Japanese and Latino descent through the years.

I want to personally thank all of those who helped make the event a success: the Puente Learning Center; the Los Angeles Planning Department’s Office of Historic Resources; the Community Redevelopment Agency of Los Angeles; the Boyle Heights Historical Society; the Los Angeles Conservancy; the Getty Foundation; the Jewish Historical Society of Southern California; the Breed Street Shul; Keiro Senior Healthcare; the International Institute; ELACC; Hollenbeck Palms; the Alba Family; a crew of Cal Poly Pomona students and other volunteers.

Enjoy the slideshow of the event.

Paying Tribute to Civil Rights Leader Dr. Martin Luther King

I join others today across America in pausing to reflect on one of our greatest civil rights leaders, Dr. Martin Luther King. His life and example continue to be an inspiration to us all. And his words ring just as true now as when they were said during the turbulent times in which he lived.

CD 14 News - January 14, 2011

Dear Friends:

Please click here or read below for important updates in Council District 14, including reduced crime in your community, surplus food policies in the City, Vision workshops, keeping street service workers year-round, standing up for environmental justice, and much more.

* Crime Continues to Drop Citywide and in CD 14
* New Program to Support Small Businesses
* Highland Park ‘new York’ Plan Workshop
* Surplus Food Policy Update – Feeding Working Families
* Promoting Jobs & Economic Development in CD 14
* Fighting for Environmental Justice
* Supporting Street Service Repairs Year-Round
* “Our Downtown” El Sereno Vision Plan Workshop

Crime Continues to Drop Citywide and in Council District 14

Our investment in public safety and focus on prevention programs like Summer Night Lights continues to pay off for the City of Los Angeles.Councilmember Huizar, who has been an outspoken advocate for a strong police force and gang-prevention programs, joined LAPD Chief Beck, Mayor Villaraigosa and other elected officials to announce that once again crime dropped Citywide in 2010.

Crime dropped in all Council District 14 police divisions. In the Northeast, Violent Crime is down 18% from 2009 and 27% from 2008. In Highland Park, where Summer Night Lights, a gang and violence prevention program, was launched in 2010, homicides dropped 60% and Violent Crime dropped nearly 30 %. In the Hollenbeck Division, Violent Crime was down about 7% as well as 6% at Central in 2010.

Citywide, Violent Crime was down 11% in 2010 and homicides dropped to 297, the first time since 1967 that Los Angeles has had fewer than 300 – a remarkable feat for a city of 4 million people. New York, in comparison, has about twice as many.

Enjoy the slideshow and footage from the press conference held with Councilmember Jose Huizar, L.A.P.D. Chief Charlie Beck and other City Leaders.

New Program to Support Small Businesses

In a bid to increase the number of small business owners working on City projects, Councilmember Huizar joined Mayor Villaraigosa, Councilmember Alarcon and business leaders to announce the Business Inclusion Program. Los Angeles has more small businesses than any other city in the nation and is home to some of the most diverse small businesses in the world. The Business Inclusion Program requires all City departments to post all contracting opportunities that are subject to advertising on the City’s Los Angeles Business Assistance Virtual Network (BAVN). This will ensure equal and fair access to those contracts and allow the city to tap more fully into Los Angeles’ rich and diverse small business market. Businesses with City contracts are now required to use BAVN to outreach and negotiate with potential subcontractors, including minority and women-owned businesses.

As Chair of the Public Works Committee, Councilmember Huizar will help ensure the program meets its goals and that department heads are doing all they can do to meet benchmarks, which includes improving participation for Small Business Enterprises and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises.

Working Together on the ‘new York Vision Plan'

A workshop sponsored by Councilmember Huizar was held on York Blvd. to solicit community input and feedback for the new York Vision Plan, a community driven project to bring short-term and long-term improvements to York Boulevard in Highland Park. Held at The Glass Studio and done in conjunction with the Green L.A. Coalition, over a hundred people from the Highland Park community turned out to participate.

The evening workshop is just the latest effort of this unique, project to support York Boulevard.The new York Vision Plan kicked-off in September and involves the design and installation of creative, low-cost pedestrian improvements on York Boulevard, between Avenue 50 and Avenue 56. Councilmember Huizar brought the plan to the community with the Green L.A. Coalition working as the project’s facilitator. The goal is to identify a project to implement in the next two months, as well as other low-cost improvement projects to develop within the corridor.

Enjoy stories in Eagle Rock Patch and the Arroyo Seco. You can also view the slideshow.

City Adopts New Surplus Food Policy

The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to enact Councilmember Huizar’s groundbreaking surplus food policy for all City departments and elected offices last year. The new policy represents a historic step in eradicating hunger in the City of Los Angeles. By establishing a Surplus Food program, we will increase food donations to needy Angelenos, including a growing number of families and children. Working with non-profit partners like Hunger Action L.A. an the L.A. Regional Foodbank, Councilmember Huizar is working to establish a policy that can be expanded to the private sector. With more children and families joining the ranks of people in need of emergency food services, the goal is to make donating surplus food in the City of Los Angeles as common as recycling.

Here is an in-depth report on the Surplus Food program courtesy of National Public Radio.As part of Councilmember Huizar’s legislation, a website, HelpFeedLA.org, was established and City of Los Angeles 311 operators now refer callers to local food banks to donate or receive emergency food services.

Promoting Jobs & Economic Development

Councilmember José Huizar had held and participated in a number of local events to promote job growth and economic development in CD 14.These include the Job Fair & Business Expo, helping bring 100 jobs downtown at Clifton’s Cafeteria as part of Bringing Back Broadway, the Grand opening of Mama Churro y Mas and the launch of the “Shop El Sereno Campaign” and assisting bringing YMI Jeans to Boyle Heights.

Enjoy the collection from these events.

Councilmember Huizar Continues to Lead Environmental Justice Fight

Working with the City Attorney’s Office, Councilmember José Huizar continues to lead an environmental justice fight against a concrete-recycling facility operating illegally for years in Boyle Heights without proper permits.A California Court has denied the appeal of Shamrock Base Corporation, which for decades has generated tons of dust and other pollutants in Boyle Heights. The appeal court’s recent decision means that the City of Los Angeles is one step closer to significantly curtailing or shutting down the operation, located on Mission Road, and scoring a victory for Boyle Heights’ residents. The City of Los Angeles took action against Shamrock after Councilmember Huizar called on the City to close the company down for illegally doing business in an area that is not zoned for industrial use such as rock and cement recycling.

Boyle Heights’ residents also joined with surrounding communities to block an effort to build a massive power plant in the City of Vernon. Councilmember Huizar supported that effort and successfully introduced legislation that officially laid out the City of Los Angeles’ opposition to that power plant, which research showed would lead to three to 11 additional deaths per year in the surrounding communities of the proposed site. A judge eventually ruled against the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s plan to sell pollution credits to the proposed Vernon Power Plant, as well as other hazardous waste facilities. Plans for the proposed plant were withdrawn by Vernon officials in 2009.

Click here for the press release.

Keeping Street Service Workers Year-Round

Councilmember Huizar joined City Leaders to call for restoring critical street services and ending work furloughs in the Bureau of Street Services that are specially funded, which are not part of the City’s General Fund and therefore do not affect the City’s budget deficit. The Councilmember introduced legislation instructing the City Administrative Office to report to Council on options for exempting certain classifications within the Bureau of Street Services that are fully or near fully paid for by special funds or can be covered among various non-General Fund sources.These funds include federal ARRA dollars, Measure R dollars, Gas Tax money, the wastewater fund in the case of street sweepers and more.

The function of filling potholes is fully reimbursable, for example, though we only have a few employees who work on this activity exclusively. Filling potholes, resurfacing streets and removing tree limbs from our roadways are a core City service and the City needs to explore all possible options to keep these services as fully funded as possible. Despite the success of Operation Pothole, there is more work to be done to continue this service year-round.

Read the Daily News story and enjoy the footage from the announcement. Click here for the motion.

“Our Downtown” El Sereno Vision Plan Workshop

Councilmember Huizar joined residents, business owners and community stakeholders in El Sereno for the first workshop of the Our Downtown El Sereno Vision Plan Workshop.Held at Barrio Action Youth & Family Center, located on the 2nd floor of the Council District 14 El Sereno Office, the Our Downtown Vision Plan involves the design and installation of creative, low-cost pedestrian improvements on designated sections of Huntington Drive. The program is part of Councilmember Huizar’s plan to revitalize main corridors of Council District 14. Huntington Drive has seen about $1.3 million in streetscape, crosswalk, sidedwalk, façade and monument improvements. About 70 people participated in the workshop to begin selecting which improvements are to be built.

Enjoy the slideshow from the event.

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