8a.m. Cinco de Mayo Valley Bridge Opening Celebration in El Sereno!

Join me, Department of Public Works President Cynthia Ruiz and the El Sereno Middle School marching band tomorrow morning at 8 a.m., Cinco De Mayo, for the opening of new Valley Boulevard bridge in El Sereno! With up to 30 freight trains passing per day, this multi-million dollar bridge ends traffic jams at tumultuous train crossing and is what I consider to be an environmental justice victory for this community. It has been a 35+ year wait to ensure that this bridge became a reality. Located between Eastern and Marianna Avenues, the busy train crossing linking the San Gabriel Valley to downtown Los Angeles has long been a source of frustration for residents, commuters and police and fire officials. Eastbound lanes opened in January 2009 for the new bridge, which promises to be a source of community pride as artists have utilized personal photos of residents in tile and limestone art pieces on the bridge depicting the history of El Sereno.

Pictured: Design of the bridge as show at Eastbound lanes opening in January 2009.

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

State of Boyle Heights Future Bright: Chamber Breakfast

I had the pleasure of attending a breakfast Thursday at the U.S.C. Keck School of Medicine to address the Boyle Heights Chamber of Commerce on the “State of Boyle Heights.” Even with the economic circumstances we find ourselves in as a City, Boyle Heights saw an unprecedented $1.4 billion in public improvements come to fruition in 2009, including the Gold Line Eastside Extension, our soon to be re-dedicated Rudy De Leon Hollenbeck Community Police Station, four new schools and improvements to our parks, to name a few. Due to strong partnerships among the hardworking men and women of the LAPD, residents, community groups and my office, crime is down to record lows. And in the coming months and years, we’ll see more public investment in Boyle Heights, including multi-million dollar plans to support the creation of an Arts District along 1^st Street; improved streetscapes along the Chavez Business Corridor and a mini-Civic Center at Chicago and 1^st. There is no doubt that the City’s ongoing budget issues will affect services in all our neighborhoods. But by investing public dollars so significantly into this once-forgotten community, we are ensuring that Boyle Heights’ future is bright.