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.

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.

Neighborhood Council Elections TODAY for CD14 2-8pm

Today, the City of Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Elections for Region G (East and Northeast LA) will take place. In general, eligibility is extended to any person, 16 years and up, who lives, works, or owns property within a particular Neighborhood Council's boundaries.

Voting will take place from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. TODAY at your neighborhood council (listed below).

Lists of certified and write-in candidates are available at the City Clerk’s Neighborhood Council Election webpage, HERE.

Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council

There are 12 certified and two write-in candidates running for19 seats on the council that represents Mt Washington, Hermon, Montecito Heights, Monterey Hills, and Sycamore Grove. Polling is at Ramona Hall (lobby) 4580 N. Figueroa St., LA 90065.

Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council

There are 25 certified and four write-in candidates are running for 35 seats on the council that represents the northwest, northeast, southeast and southwest regions of Boyle Heights. Polling is at the Hollenbeck Recreation Center (Boyle Heights Room), 415 South Saint Louis St., LA 90033.

Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council

There are 10 certified candidates and one write-in candidate running for one of 18 seats on the council that represents eight districts. Polling is at the Eagle Rock City Hall (Community Room) 2035 Colorado Blvd. LA 90041.

Glassell Park Neighborhood Council

There are 9 certified and two write-in candidates running the 15 seats on the council that represents seven regions. Polling is at the Glassell Park Community/Senior Center (Conference Room 2), 3750 North Verdugo Rd., LA 90065

Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council

There are 15 certified and three write-in candidates running for 21 positions. Polling is at the Highland Park Recreation Center (Dining Room), 6150 Piedmont Ave., LA 90042.

LA- 32 (El Sereno) Neighborhood Council

There are 17 certified and no write-in candidates running to hold one of 21 positions that represent 4 regions. Polling is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the El Sereno Senior Center (Lobby/Music Room) 418 Klamath Place, LA 90032.

Highland Park Lands City’s First Bike Corral

Today the City Council unanimously passed my motion to create the City’s first bike corral on York Boulevard in Highland Park. Bike corrals allow for 12-14 bikes to be parked in a space that would normally accommodate one automobile. They are a great use of space and offer bicyclists a safe and secure place to park their bikes, while keeping sidewalks clear for pedestrians. I want to thank the bicycle enthusiasts who supported this legislation. And a big thank you to Café de Leche and the Highland Park Chamber of Commerce, who are putting up the money for the bike corral, which will be placed on York Boulevard between Avenues 50 and 56. Hopefully, we can follow Portland’s model, where at least 20 single-parking spaces have been converted to bike corrals. LAist covered this issue, which you can read HERE.
Photo illustration by Cafe de Leche

El Super Opens and Brings Jobs to Highland Park

Today I had the distinct honor of welcoming El Super to the Highland Park community. For some time now, the lot on York Ave. and Ave. 56 has sat empty and isolated, weakening the value of the neighborhood. In these hard economic times, a grand opening for a business is rare. El Super showed interest in the community of Highland Park and has worked closely with my office to make sure that community needs were met. El Super brings 100 local jobs and has employed local residents, offering opportunities in a time when not many companies can. At today’s Grand Opening celebration, I was happy to join Carlos Smith, President and CEO of El Super, vendors, community leaders, and the newly hired staff to celebrate the grand opening of this new supermarket that will offer fresh and affordable produce to residents. I think I can safely say that many residents are thankful for the investment being made in Highland Park and I look forward to the many positive benefits El Super will bring.