Making Los Angeles A Model For The Nation
Last week, I announced the formation of the Los Angeles City Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on Economic Recovery and Reinvestment. The goal of the committee is to develop strategies to help Los Angeles win the maximum amount of federal stimulus dollars for which we’re eligible and to create a plan for allocating the funding to most efficiently and effectively meet the needs of the city’s businesses and residents.
You may recall that in February, President Obama put local governments on notice, calling on us to “spend that money wisely, free from politics, free from personal agenda.” That’s precisely the spirit in which I convened the first meeting of the committee on Tuesday. At that meeting, we established a set of 9 guiding priorities by which we intend not only to fulfill the president’s vision for efficient allocation of the stimulus funds, but also to make Los Angeles the most accountable, transparent, and effective city in moving economic recovery programs forward. We’d like to see these priorities serve as a model for local governments all over the country, particularly in our nation’s cities where “urban acupuncture”, or the careful targeted allocation of funds to projects that have the most combined benefit, can be used to best effect.
Those priorities are as follows:
1. projects that are truly shovel-ready
2. projects that produce or protect jobs
3. projects that lessen the human impact of the economic downturn
4. projects that have the highest level of transparency and public involvement
5. projects that have the highest level of accountability, including internal city audits
6. projects that involve partnerships to better spend federal dollars
7. projects that have multiple benefits (green affordable housing could clean air, build affordable housing AND put people to work)
8. projects that promote adopted public policy goals of the city (clean port air, plant trees, promote transit-oriented development, etc.)
9. projects that promote strategic industries for long-term growth, such as green jobs in environmental technology
This committee will make sure we leave no stone unturned when it comes to identifying and winning federal stimulus dollars and will be working closely with the Mayor’s Office and City Departments to coordinate our efforts to bring badly needed federal money to Los Angeles. In fact, because we have already taken the lead on many of the policy areas where dollars are targeted (energy efficiency, green jobs, port and airport projects, etc.), I believe Los Angeles may be able to access as much as $1 billion.
As I work to make Los Angeles a model for quick, effective and accountable implementation of stimulus dollars, I’d welcome your input. What projects would you like to see us target? Where can we get the most bang for the buck and how else can cities lead the way toward economic recovery?
April 6th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
I think this may be a dangerous subject for the constituents. With all the talk about Wall Street & Main Street during the election, the stimulus may be something for Main Street, but sounds like is coming from Wall Street. A lot of these projects may be needed, however like most projects I believe will translate poorly to the public, some examples will include some stimulus money directed at Compton & Burbank Airport, great, but how will that help Mr. & Mrs. John Q. Public, or so they ask. As well as some of the stimulus money going to purchase more computers for the state EDD, that’s great for the EDD creating a cushion to support more citizens, however, what good are more computers going to help someone apply for unemployment insurance but not find a new job. The stimulus has not translated well to the public so far, and it is hard for the unemployed to worry about long term housing in a couple of years, when the unemployed are being kicked out of their apartment or house by the end of the week. Great to hear about the stimulus dollars coming in, but to get more involvement, this needs to be softened up and translated to the general public.
April 6th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
I’m a big fan of promoting desity and transit-friendly development in urban areas and I know a lot of people will post here to say that expanding the subway is a primary goal, but I’ll make a suggestion that might have a similar effect. I’d suggest giving employers a monetary benefit when they hire/employ people who live within five miles of where they work. I know it sounds auxiliary, but if you think about those who have lost their jobs because employers can’t afford to pay them, this would make it easier for companies to hire/keep their workers. Also, it would positively affect traffic/congestion which is a top concern in LA. Additionally, getting people to commute shorter distances would also likely increase those who use public transit. For instance, a person who lives in Wilshire Center is more much likely to catch a Rapid bus to get to work if their office is a mile down Wilshire than someone lives downtown but works in Sherman Oaks.
April 6th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
I urge you to use the money to get mass transit more viable for LA. I drool when I look at projects like CA’s High Speed Rail line, the MTA’s Expo Line, and the Westside Extension, but despair that I will be an old man before any of them are completed.
At the very least, I would strongly urge some of it to go towards making sure the Westside Extension goes up through West Hollywood, as is one of the two proposals on the table. The budget difference may sink that very crucial piece of rail, which is a shame — there is no good way to go east-west through that part of the city, short of going down to the 10. It’s sorely needed, and I’d love to see it done sooner rather than later.
April 6th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Subway to the sea. It is desperately needed. The 10 freeway simply cannot be traveled after 6:30am with any measure of success. Believe me, I need to be on it by 6:20 minimum to get to work on time.
I’ve been an east/west commuter for almost 10 years and the freeways prove I’m not alone. The sooner this can happen the better. With how many people live in Los Angeles and how many problems traffic creates, not to mention how non-green our city is just based on traffic alone, I view a lack of significant change in this area as completely irresponsible.
I’m not sure how successful the current rail lines have been, but I think many people haven’t used them yet. I haven’t because they don’t go anywhere I need to go with any efficiency.
The bottom line is – from Pasadena to Westchester would take approximately 2 buses, 3 trains, and 3 hours if you are lucky, to arrive by 7:30am, and there is no earlier option.
Thanks so much for taking comments on this issue.
April 7th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Thank you for asking for our input!
The number one issue effecting quality of life in Los Angeles is traffic. I would urge you to spend the money on fast-tracking subway and light rail projects in the city. Some of these projects should be shovel-ready by now considering they have been in the planning stages for many years. How about converting the Orange line to light rail, and extending it to Burbank airport?
April 7th, 2009 at 10:16 am
I would love to see the money go towards transportation (i.e. subway to the sea) along with streamlining energy such as investments in renewable energies.
April 7th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Grade separated mass transit.
April 7th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
I would like to urge the need for funding bicycle infrastructure projects within the city. Portland has shown what dedicated funding and planning for safe bicycle transportation can do to grow ridership. A small gain in bike commutes can have a significant impact on congestion and parking demands. Bicycle infrastructure is by comparison to other transportation projects extremely inexpensive. For example, currently repaving 3 miles of the 710 freeway with “hardier” pavement is costing about 75 million dollars, and the old LA Bicycle master plan that was hardly started let alone finished, was estimated at 60 million, and that was with bike lanes, paths and parking facilities across the city. Bicycle use compliments transit by helping with the last mile problem, and offers an alternative to park and ride lots, that creates less congestion and requires less land use then driving to stations.
April 7th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
The Metro Westside Extension, that is, the Subway the Sea, is one of most important projects planned to be built in Los Angeles, and the most important transportation project. Nobody can look at the packed 720 buses on Wilshire Blvd. and deny that there is a demand for the subway.
April 8th, 2009 at 7:59 am
As a REALTOR, I am doing what I can to help first time home buyers get into a home. Often times that means starting with a condo or townhome. More than ever, I am finding that the Homeowner’s Associations are lacking reserves due to the foreclosures in their complexes. In many cases the associations have not recouped any of the money when the bank took back the property. If an association has no reserves, banks will not lend for that complex. Which of course means that those condos and townhomes have to sell for cash value. In today’s market, that is causing huge problems.
I would love to see some small business loans made to homeowner’s associations to help rebuild their reserves and upgrade their properties to make them safer, more appealing, and more energy efficient.
For example, there are several associations in the north Valley that could install solar on their buildings to help save on energy costs. A loan to help with that along with painting could make the investment attractive to many homebuyers.
April 8th, 2009 at 8:29 am
Priorities (in order):
* Digital access for all (lowcost green wifi community projects, creates jobs + opportunities)
* Safe and sustainable community centers and shelters (includes new education & security jobs, retrofitting old theatres and buildings for sustainable living built on regenerative models)
* Expand subways and lightrail (Westside/LAX)
* New educational opportunities — work with LACC, trade schools and community centers to train in repair of sustainable systems
* Upgrade tax credits & rebates for green projects in LA (solar, wind, weatherization)
* Turn over abandoned/city owned properties to neighborhoods for community gardens + meeting centers
April 8th, 2009 at 8:30 am
Bring Hollywood home. Other countries and states are offering incentives to production companies, and film friendly locations and studios in los angeles sit idle. The movie industry creates good middle class jobs that we need to protect.
April 8th, 2009 at 8:46 am
Transportation, transportation, transportation. Los Angeles will never become a great, leading city unless we have a real transportation system that links all parts of the city and connects all the different public modes of transportation–buses, metro rail, commuter trains, DASH buses, bikes lanes, pedestrian walkways, etc.
I am a Los Angeles native, and I still can’t believe how our leaders–and anyone who can afford a car–have ignored public transportation for so long. My mother grew up with the Red Lines here in LA, so I always knew that it was possible for LA to have a great public transportation system.
April 8th, 2009 at 8:47 am
Big ideas are great, but small ideas can happen quickly.
Why not spend some of the stimulus money to build a small fleet of mobile “soup kitchens” that can feed the homeless folks downtown.
Each mobile kitchen could be a steady, regular job for one to four people, and would help provide sustenance to those most in need of affordable, healthy food.
Couple this with jobs for those very homeless to then keep the downtown area clean, and suddenly LA’s entire downtown begins to experience revitalization (rather than just the ultra- rich development projects).
April 8th, 2009 at 8:51 am
I also see the value and need in improving public transportation in order to fulfill the vision of a “green” city. My concern is that money evaporates quickly and a billion doesn’t go as far as it use to. Such a project – as described in the mails here – is needed but will also take a long time. A broader reach and more immediate remedy would be to by a new fleet of green buses and given them specific routes with less stops: to downtown, to the beach, to the valley and back. Give them a hub, like the subway stations and let people come to the bus. Other buses can drop people off at the hub so they can transfer to an Green Express Bus.
Also, more practicle needs are adult day care centers with early to late hours at an affordable rate. Families have more than kids to care for in order to work. Certify more caregivers, shuttle drivers, and activity assistants. Some should also cover nightshift workers.
Subsidized housing credit if you live within eight or ten miles of your work. I own a home in Fontana but couldn’t bear the 1 1/2 hr. commute each way, but I can’t afford to buy in LA so I rent in order to live close to my work. Most people do the commute. It’s not good on so many levels. Or give them an incentive to take the train. More work shuttles from the train stations. Give business a credit if they will pick their employees up at the train station. Make commuting easier and preferable to driving.
Put people to work cleaning up the city. No one needs a special skill in order to make $10 an hour cleaning. Start with inner city schools. Paint them, do long needed repairs, restore pride and value to our kids and employ people at the same time. We need the basics done on an ongoing bases, maintanence never ends. Community Pride Clean-up Crews. These city businesses can be all over the city.
City run child care centers. Have them near the train and subway stations.
What will create the most jobs and provide the most long term benefits as well as immediate relief? How many people in LA are out of work? What are the five major areas of work of the unemployed? What does the city need and can these people be helpful in meeting those needs? How many down streams of employment will building a new subway create? What can be done to inspire people to spend? What city around the world had this problem and solved it? What did they do?
April 8th, 2009 at 8:59 am
Plain and simple. Public Safety
April 8th, 2009 at 9:01 am
Eric,
First, I am so proud to have the opportunities to work with you and your staff on occasion and admire your ability to lead and think creatively. I truly appreciate how you sincerely want the opinion of the your constituents.
I whole heartedly agree with others on the mass transit issue, waiting until 2032 for a subway to the see is just ridiculous. I know it can’t happen over night but that target date sounds like it is full of bureaucratic red tape and delays! There has to be a way to bring this project to fruition in a much timelier manner.
On another note, I implore you and the City Council to look at ways this money can directly benefit the every day citizens in ways that are easily noticeable. I look at our state and how mismanagement of budgets and poor leadership has lead to appalling tax increases on the people of California. I wonder with our state leading the nation in unemployment where they think we will actually come up with the money to bail out the state. On a local level I see the talks of cutting services and raising rates in a time when the people can’t give anymore. I currently get gouged by the city for my extra refuse container, which happens to be an extra recycling container!! I produce far more recycling per week than I do trash and the city is punishing me for that by charging me extra on a program that the city was supposed to be making money off of. I can see charges for extra trash containers but why recycling and greens? The reason it is so hard to change the culture and habits of people is because the City uses negative reinforcement tactics on them.
I hope that there will be ways for the City to use this stimulus to help all of the citizens in a clear, noticeable and expedient manner.
Thanks for all of your hard work!!
April 8th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Along the line of Evonne Heyning’s comment, connecting the Green Line to LAX would be a great idea.
I think another idea she touched on would be to take abandoned, foreclosed, or condemned properties and creating more community parks. This is especially important in South Los Angeles where parks are in short supply. Pocket parks could be built on single parcels, and larger parks where multiple contiguous parcels exist.
When taking down existing buildings, as much material as possible should be recycled and used to create new community centers, athletic complexes, and community gardens. These new centers should also be environmentally friendly: LEED certified, solar power, rainwater capturing, etc.
April 8th, 2009 at 10:19 am
Hi Eric,
I concur with many of the people who have posted. Mass Transit. The Westside extension and commitment from city leaders to build a comprehensive system. But it must be done expeditiously and competently, two things which have been severely lacking. 30 years to build 15 miles of rail for the Westside Extension? That is not acceptable. People don’t want to support a project that they won’t live to see completed. And we cannot have another Green Line situation (which for some insane reason doesn’t connect directly to LAX. Why?).
I believe you are one of the few city leaders who “get it” and I would love to see a Mayor Garcetti in the near future. We need a strong unwavering voice to get this done. Not just the cheap political theater we’ve seen in the past with catchy names like “subway to the sea”.
April 8th, 2009 at 10:41 am
So many jobs in Los Angeles are tied to TV/film production, and between one actual strike, one defacto strike, and shows filming in other cities and countries, LA’s economy has been devastated. Therefore, we need to provide financial incentives to boost Los Angeles-based production and put so many unemployed people back to work.
April 8th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Rather than taking on new endeavors, how about using Federal money to do what the City already does, but do it better and faster:
* Quicker cleanup of public streets, public parks
* Faster repair and replacement of damaged/vandalized street signs (See Glendale/Hyperion/I-5 bridge signs: unreadable for years!)
* 24-hour graffiti removal
* Speedier response to reported crimes, even “minor” ones like “theft from vehicle”
* Swifter response to 311 complaints (3-4 days to investigate someone using a lawn as a parking lot?)
April 8th, 2009 at 10:54 am
Silver Line – a train line from Sunset/Vermont to El Monte Station via Sunset Blvd & Union Station.
If not this, then please put the money towards the Purple Line (Wilshire Line) or the Expo Line.
Or for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines (a la Curitiba, Brazil & Bogota, Colombia) along the major transportation and density corridors.
This needs to be the city’s paramount concern.
April 8th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Eric: The City should use the funds to repave as many roads as possible. As you know, the roads and streets in L.A. are in terrible condition and the City can’t keep up with the process. There are several real advantages to this proposal. First, it is a simple proposal that does not need a lot of time to plan. This means that work can begin right away. Second, this is a simple program that will not require massive expenditures of time and money on consultants, planners, etc. who are expensive and will eat up valuable stimulus funds. Third, this is not a controversial program so we won’t have to deal with angry community or other interests trying to block the proposal. Fourth, these expenditures will reduce the City’s liability expenses relating to damage caused by the poor roads. Finally, this expenditure will ease the City’s fiscal situation for many years to come since it will otherwise have to find funds to repave the roads in the future. This way we get the benefits now.
April 8th, 2009 at 11:08 am
Firstly, let me say that I truly applaud you for taking a stand and attempting to connect with the community. Asking for input is one of the most important tasks (and often missed) of anyone in a high ranking office.
From what I’ve read, the most important issue to Angelenos seems to be mass transit. Providing “Subway to the Sea” (the route going down the Miracle Mile) would provide us with a quick, easy, less expensive way to get to work and would free up the streets for those that actually need to use them. I moved here from Atlanta, and I often wish that there was something in effect more substantial to MARTA. I used to take it to work, and would much rather do that than drive. Not only would this project add jobs, but it could greatly reduce the effect that our cars produce on the environment.
Another issue that faces us is the city center. Downtown. It is so beautiful, yet so decaying. There are multiple architectural masterpieces that are sitting vacant. These buildings need to be renovated, and put to use as movie houses, concert venues, and museums. Making downtown more appealing to drivers and pedestrians alike would be nice. GOOD magazine approaches the subject nicely. http://www.good.is/post/the-street-of-the-future-is-a-livable-street/ Also, having downtown recycling bins and more trash bins would be nice. Or even having recycling be mandatory in all of Los Angeles. It would save us quite a lot of money that we in turn could use for special social projects. Also, it would reduce our footprint on the environment.
Lastly (and probably most importantly), Los Angeles needs to take care of it’s people. I’m referring to the homeless. We MUST not turn our backs on these people. We need more facilities for them to get the resources they need to get back on their feet.
April 8th, 2009 at 11:08 am
I would like to see new Transit Oriented Developments be funded the following way:
Convert large surface parking lots near rail to compact-footprint garages topped with solar arrays with the stimulus money.
The Land created will then be developed for mixed incomes with much affordable units.
This way we create more residences to forever increase our tax revenues in LA County, instead of losing those people to the outskirts where it is typically cheaper to live.
Financially benefit those who choose to use transit by not requiring parking for every unit, and pass the cost savings to the renter or owner.
We can increase density without using more land, which strengthens the city, and provides protection from future oil crisis.
April 8th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Los Angeles is such a terriffic city to live in. The truth is everybody wants to be here. I feel that with the conscienceness of Los Angelinos is the example of so many up and coming oppertunities that can help to support the economy of Los Angeles. My opinion, of a sole enterprise, being the film Industry as our main source of economic support has been diluted and is no longer unique. (unfortunately) When productions went to other states as well as Canada, WE taught them our craft. I feel there is so much being drained on an industry that has lost its power. Although the bright side is there is the potential for quality living here. Alternative medicines, recycling, sustainable living, alterative fuels, & transportation. The uniqueness is here! it (hopefully) will redevelope and influence others beneficially
April 8th, 2009 at 11:13 am
This money is no where near enough to fund the public transit projects discussed here. These projects will take billions of dollars and require years of preparation.
How bout focusing on something within your district…like cleaning up Echo Park Lake? I’ve lived a block away for nearly five years and the park’s cleanliness has not improved one bit. The lake needs to be drained and the paths repaved. Additionally, the park needs added personnel to stop dumping and littering in the park (absolutely rampant). The basketball court across the street should be repaved and have proper hoops put in for kids. The community center there should also be completed. I know there is bond money floating around to fund this project and it is set to begin next year, but why not fast track this.
Consider:
1. It is a project in your district and it would improve the neighborhood a lot
2. It is something that certainly needs to be done
3. Any investment in beautification will help stabilize plummeting home values
4. The lotus festival is held there every year, premier event in Echo Park, and the park is so disgusting that the lotus have all but died
5. Creates jobs
Thanks for listening,
Dan Krassner
April 8th, 2009 at 11:34 am
To create a truly 24 hour city. The City should remove the 2am serving of alcohol limit within the DT LA area. My vision, make Downtown LA (along Broadway and other streets) strictly walking areas.
Think Santa Monica Promenade for DT LA . Then allow those restaurants/bars/dancing halls/Jazz bars/theaters to serve alcohol until 8am on weekends. Why because you know that all those who chose to drink got there on foot.
Bring the Broadway car back down Broadway to service the area. The tracks are still there underneath…
You create engineering and construction jobs, service industry jobs, you create security jobs, you create bus and subway fare collector and driver jobs. You allow for street performers, and creative expression, and the only way to get there is if you walk in or take the subway or new broadway train.
If you want to be apart of the action, leave your car at home and come to DT LA on the weekends.
It will never happen.
April 8th, 2009 at 11:56 am
Above ground rail. Disney has it, Chicago has it, so can we!
April 8th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Like someone else said, the roads here are in awful condition. I’ve had two flat tires due to potholes in the past 6 months. I’m absolutely in favor of transit, but those projects aren’t all shovel-ready, and the ones that are already have funding through measure R. So let’s repave Wilshire Blvd, but if we want to make this a more walkable city, we could also use some sidewalk repair and better street-lighting. That will increase usage of our growing transit infrastructure and have other benefits like reducing crime by putting more eyes on the street. Broader beautification efforts with an eye towards “broken windows theory” – improving our parks, cleaning up graffiti- is shovel-ready and has long term benefits.
April 8th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Council Member Garcetti,
I wish I was more informed such that I might point out actual “shovel-ready” projects for Los Angeles to implement, but I appreciate that you recognize that one person’s shovel is another person’s drafting pencil; that jobs can be created immediately through implementing long term strategies. I also greatly appreciate the opportunity to share my views with you and thank you for reaching out to the Los Angeles community.
I think that one of the long term strategies that would greatly benefit Los Angeles would be “complete streets.” GOOD Magazine recently did a clear and simple explanation (http://www.good.is/post/the-street-of-the-future-is-a-livable-street/) of how design of our street infrastructure can benefit the public on many levels: from faster public transportation and increased biking, to safer intersections and a more lively pedestrian-friendly community. Car alternatives will reduce pollution within the city. Safer intersections will save lives and reduce the burden from traffic accidents on our emergency services. This is a great long term investment in a more livable city.
I would also like to point out that in order for the economic stimulus to both ease individual economic hardship and benefit more a more sustainable city, it is important that the economic stimulus work to employ a broad spectrum of the population. This is one of the strategies that helped make FDR’s New Deal so successful: that when infrastructure projects such as the Hoover Dam were considered, they included not only structural and civil engineers, but architects and artists alike to create new public works. These projects not only employed a diverse group of those affected by the depression, but because of the foresight and inclusiveness of their planning became great achievement that speak to the American spirit. I hope to see a similar multidisciplinary effort will be made with Los Angeles’ economic stimulus.
Kind regards,
Michael MacDonald, LEED AP
West Adams, Los Angeles
April 8th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
From my Facebook page:
Johnny F. at 9:12am April 8 via Facebook Mobile
stop the dropouts!our kids and our future is failing
Lianne J.-G. at 9:21am April 8
Work with our teens in foster care- they need our support!
Melissa L. at 9:34am April 8
Save my daughter’s first grade teacher’s job at Ivanhoe!! Too many great teachers are pink slipped/ terminated in Los Angeles Unified. Please do something about it.
Lanette P. at 9:38am April 8
education and health care
Joel C. at 9:52am April 8
How will local money help healthcare?
Eddie S. at 9:53am April 8
Stop the violence in L.A.! Stop the Drug Wars! Spend more on Real Education, and Yes, We Need a Much Better Health Care System! – other countries have it. Why don’t we ? Ahh, CONGRATULATIONS on trying to make the the Public Transportation work in Los Angeles. Best Regards !
Darrell T. at 9:58am April 8
Subsidize non-profit eployee salaries so organizations this city needs can stop laying off staff.
Victoria M. at 10:18am April 8
Don’t fire city employees!
Melissa D. at 10:20am April 8
PLEASE get some help completing the unprocessed rape kits!!!
Wanda R. at 10:38am April 8
Left-turn arrows – reduce idling pollution/save fuel while waiting to make a left turns…and, enhance flow of traffic.
Jason P. at 11:24am April 8
BIKE LANES / SHARED LANES
Reza A. at 12:06pm April 8
Finish the Expo Line all the way to Santa Monica please.
Tom C. at 12:12pm April 8
Eric obviously LA has vast needs. First priority must be to help out those who are struggling during and before the “recession”. Other stuff that probably would help everyone is reducing our dependence on the automobile and beefing up our mass tranportation. Let’s create more parks and nice places for families to hang out. Do something with the… Read More river. Lot of our communities have such dense population and so many cars, yet no place to have affordable parking. So those who can least afford it are getting tickets left and right including in the middle of the night. Just off the top.
Steve K. at 1:15pm April 8
I don’t understand how it’s a stimulus if the state is taking money ONLY to reverse its budget deficit, or if the city uses it to preserve jobs instead of creating them
Nicole K. at 1:21pm April 8
Subsidize more affordable housing.
Adolfo V. N. at 2:19pm April 8
How about developing a youth arts emplyment program to save LA’s murals? SPARC has a great proposal to do just that. I will aks them to send it to your website. al
April 8th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Parks and green space! Help our youth!
Freeway Cap park (Hollywood Central Park), would fit all of the above criteria. Include an Edible Garden headed up by Alice Water’s Chez Panisse Foundation for teaching children about better health and nutrition. Include after school enrichment programs as part of the parks program which will keep our youth off the streets and teach them skills.
Build medians in your district xeriscaped with with drought tolerant trees and shrubs to help cleanse our air, beautify our city and create pride.
-Tammy
(ps – thanks for putting up with me, Eric. I know i’m a pill…)
April 8th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Parks! With real estate prices going down, now is the time for the City to buy up some of that cheaper land and build more parks. The money will stretch farther now because prices are so low, and you’ll make a lasting impact on the quality of life in the city. Every kid should be able to walk to a local park- it is so important to the health of both individuals and the community.
April 8th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Think beyond the city limit. Build more multi-story parking garages at rail stops in adjacent communities like Long Beach. Newark, Santa Ana, etc…
Most people have to drive to a rail stop to take a train into downtown. The lack of adequate, free parking at the rail stops make it impossible to park and ride–defeating the purpose of commuter rail. Every other stop on the outer fringe of every line should have double the car parking capacity they currently have. Parking lots in Norwalk and all along the Long Beach area are completely full by 6 am–people have little choice but to drive their cars to work at that point.
lThere’s a doubling of investment return as well for the areas around some of the rail stops are populated by dilapidated strip malls, CALTRANS land, or underutilized industrial areas. Buying the land helps the existing owners trade a non-performing asset for cash they can invest as well.
Mike S.
April 9th, 2009 at 7:55 am
Thanks, everyone! These are great responses and I will work on a post to respond to everyone’s suggestions (and don’t worry, Tammy–awesome suggestions, too!)
A few other Facebook responses:
Suzanne T at 3:16pm April 8
Public works projects which include employment of “at risk youth” on public art projects. In addition to murals, the Poetry Walls on Venice Beach need repairs and there is space on adjacent walls to add more poetry.
Mike A at 7:33pm April 8
Hire a ton of people to help pull invasive plant species from the waterways where they clog systems, pollute beaches, and gobble up too much of our native supply of water. Its a great work project that requires lots of hand labor (can’t do it with machines), doesn’t require much training (anyone can do it), and it helps us out in the long run. http://www.weedwatch,org, http://www.cal-ipc.org
Mike A at 7:34pm April 8
And, supporting teachers and tutors for our students is a good one too.
April 9th, 2009 at 9:54 am
Bikeways please.
Live the Dream!
April 9th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Beyond shovel ready, some attention needs to be paid to, for lack of a better term, “Development Ready” projects. By that I mean those where the developer or civic entity controls the land and has a program ready to initiate DESIGN and ENGINEERING…..the 2 professions severely impacted by the economy that are often overlooked in the “ready” process.
April 9th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
The less taxes we have, the more business will thrive and create new thriving members of our state and local economy. Thank you, Councilman for all the tax reform you’ve managed to do thus far. We need a lot more.
April 9th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Hi Eric,
Downtown, in general, needs a lot of attention in terms of improving roads and sidewalks.
I live in Little Tokyo and would love to see better roads and sidewalks along Alameda where the Goldline station is being constructed (There is work being done on that intersection but the rest of Alameda is pretty bad!)… Creating green spaces, bike-friendly roads, and pedestrian-oriented sidewalks will make it a true destination and entryway into downtown LA.
Paul Yeh
Getfit Little Tokyo- a coalition to build healthier community