Politics & Governnment

Filming Nodes Proposed for DWP HQ, City Hall and 650 S. Spring

By Eric Richardson — Thursday — 6 Comments

Criminal Minds Shoot Eric Richardson

A three-site pilot of "infrastructure nodes" to provide power for filming sites and base camps could be in operation by February of 2010, four years after the idea was first introduced at City Council. In the process, the estimated cost per site has ballooned. — Continued Inside...


What Makes a Film Location Unfriendly?

By Eric Richardson — Wednesday — 4 Comments

bomb squad entering bank jim Winstead

Two days after the City released a report listing Los Angeles' ten "hardest to film" locations -- six of which are located Downtown -- it is clear that the document has raised more questions than answers.

One thing that did become obvious at a Tuesday afternoon meeting of the Jobs and Business committee is that much of the issue revolves around money. — Continued Inside...


Location Managers Say Six of Ten "Hardest to Film" Spots Downtown

By Eric Richardson — Monday — 23 Comments

bomb squad entering bank jim Winstead

Downtown Los Angeles has six of the City's top ten "hardest to film" locations, according to a report released on Monday.

On that list is the Farmers and Merchant Bank at 4th and Main, and owner Tom Gilmore finds that interesting. "I find it odd that we are both one of the most filmed locations in Los Angeles and also the hardest to film location in Los Angeles," said Gilmore. "I find that contradictory." — Continued Inside...


Around the Halls: November 2 - 4

By Eric Richardson — Monday

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Today is Monday, November 2, and the week begins without an obvious blockbuster item. A request to house the Joint Terrorism Task Force inside the new LAPD headquarters moves through committees and Council and the Amerland Group is looking for $20 million in bonds to purchase the Rosslyn Hotel.


Bratton Says His Final LAPD Goodbye

By Ed Fuentes — November 01, 2009

BrattonBye Ed Fuentes

|Photo Gallery| A few days after stepping down as chief, William Bratton returned to the Los Angeles Police Department's new headquarters on Saturday to take care of one last task before waving goodbye.

In a small, informal ceremony, Bratton passed the keys to his briefly-used 10th floor office over to Interim Chief Michael P. Downing.

Bratton, credited with bringing major advances to the department over his seven-year tenure, announced in August that he was leaving for the private sector. His departure came the same week the department dedicated its new home, the 500,000-square-foot Police Administration Building. — Continued Inside...


The Mayor's Love of Big Scissors

By Eric Richardson — October 29, 2009 — 9 Comments

The Mayor's Scissors Eric Richardson
The Mayor's Scissors Eric Richardson
The Mayor's Scissors Eric Richardson

Standing outside the new Center for Community Health on Thursday morning, waiting for a ribbon cutting to take place, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was in a playful mood.

"I like big scissors and I can not lie," Villaraigosa sang in his best Sir Mix-A-Lot voice.

The Mayor's had plenty of chances to exercise that affection around Downtown this week, participating in three ribbon cuttings over the past six days. — Continued Inside...


Around the Halls: October 26 - 28

By Eric Richardson — October 26, 2009

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Today is Monday, October 26, and while no items on the Council agenda may match Friday's three hour signage debate, there is still important stuff going on. High Speed Rail and the River get a discussion, as does smoking in outdoor eating areas.


Saturday: Ribbon-Cutting and Tours at New LAPD Headquarters

By Eric Richardson — October 23, 2009
2 Comments

New LAPD Headquarters

The Los Angeles Police Department will officially open its new 500,000 square foot headquarters across the street from City Hall on Saturday, just days before Chief William Bratton leaves the department for the private sector. A ribbon-cutting for the Police Administration Building will take place at 10am, after which the public will be invited to tour the building...


Council Chastizes City Attorney, Supports Signage for L.A. Live's Regal Cinemas

By Eric Richardson — October 23, 2009 — 18 Comments

City Hall Ed Fuentes

Members of the Los Angeles City Council berated the office of City Attorney Carmen Trutanich on Friday during a three hour hearing over signage proposed for the exterior of the Regal Cinemas at L.A. Live.

Council voted 12-0 to direct Building and Safety to issue the signage permits, and AEG CEO Tim Leiweke said that he expects to see the permits issued today. He also said that his company is moving forward on plans for other approved signage on the project, including a 10,000 square foot LED sign on the side of the L.A. Live hotel tower. — Continued Inside...


LAPD Holds First COMPSTAT Meeting in New Headquarters

By Eric Richardson — October 20, 2009

COMPSTAT Meeting Eric Richardson

|Photo Gallery| Outgoing LAPD Chief William Bratton presided over his first and only COMPSTAT meeting inside the new Police Administration Building on Tuesday afternoon, praising the data and analysis effort for the impact it has made on the department's operations.

The system, which Bratton brought with him from New York City, uses computer mapping to drive crime trends and drive the deployment of officers. — Continued Inside...