Politics & Governnment

New Rampart Station is a City-Minded Step

By Ed Fuentes — September 09, 2008
4 Comments

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Last week saw the opening of a new $37 million station for LAPD's Rampart Division, located just west of Downtown. Chief William Bratton introduced the station by speaking of its design as a symbol of LAPD openness. Current events have long played a heavy role in shaping the civic architecture of Los Angeles. On a slight hill with grass and plenty of glass...


Downtown Gets Its Goats

By Eric Richardson — September 08, 2008 — 16 Comments

Goats at Angels Knoll Eric Richardson

|Photo Gallery| Commuters coming out of the 4th and Hill subway station got a bit of a start this morning, as their escalator ride brought them face-to-face with the sight of a hillside of goats.

The herd of 100 goats are part of a CRA program to clear the steep hillside between Upper and Lower Angels Knoll parks. The goats, from Ranchito Tivo Boer Goat in Chino, are slated to be on the site for two weeks. Those on hand for the project's kickoff this morning doubted it would take the hungry animals that long to clear the hillside. — Continued Inside...


Around the Halls: September 8 - 10

By Ed Fuentes and Eric Richardson — September 08, 2008

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It's Monday, September 8, and Council's finally hitting its swing after a two-week recess and light week back in session. There's no signature Downtown issue this week, but we've gathered a collection of items that Downtowners should be aware of.


CRA To Use Goats to Clear Angels Knoll Hillside

By Eric Richardson — September 05, 2008
14 Comments

Chopped Ficus

Here's one you don't see everyday: On Monday morning one hundred goats will be brought Downtown and released into Upper Angels Knoll park. The animals are intended to clear the steep hillside below the park, a job that has previously been performed by crews with loud weedwhackers. The animals will be on-site for two weeks, tended by a full-time herdsman.


After Year of Stability, Numbers Up in Skid Row

By Ed Fuentes — September 04, 2008 — 12 Comments

tired eyes Ed Fuentes

Last night's Skid Row Neighborhood Watch Walk was fairly light compared to Septembers before. Maybe without an anniversary milestone, the Safer Cities Initiative off activists' agendas (for now) and a DASH service ready to go through the heart of Central City East, an urgency is missing.

It could also be fatigue.

Yet however you picture, accept, deny or live with Skid Row, the number of homeless individuals living on the streets has made its first significant increase in a year. According to LAPD Captain Jodi Wakefield, the August 2008 count reached 923 before September's count dipped to 889; both a rise compared to the August 2007 count, which showed 750 men and women living on the streets of Central City East. — Continued Inside...


Ban on Smoking in Outdoor Dining Areas Held for 45 Days

By Ed Fuentes and Eric Richardson — September 03, 2008
7 Comments

A city council committee today passed a ban on smoking at farmers' markets, but held onto a ban that would have outlawed smoking at outdoor dining areas citywide. The Arts, Parks, Health and Aging committee considered the two items at a meeting that was well attended by non-smoking advocates.


Location Cops Get Backup from Film Industry

By Ed Fuentes — September 03, 2008
22 Comments

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The LA Times reports today on the ongoing debate over motion picture officers. Whereas New York City uses active duty officers to police film shoots, Los Angeles has historically given that role to a group made up largely of retired officers. The department has been working on a plan to bring shoot duties back under its control, and that's got Hollywood unhappy...


Around the Halls: September 2 - 4

By Ed Fuentes and Eric Richardson — September 01, 2008

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It's Monday, September 1, and as you enjoy your Labor Day, City Council is preparing to return from its two-week recess. The agenda is a little sparse this week, as one might expect, but Wednesday offers a pair of items that will be of particular interest to those who enjoy their cigarettes.


Trip to San Diego Shows the Value of Planning

By Eric Richardson — August 25, 2008 — 15 Comments

Bringing Back Broadway SD Field Trip Group Shot Eric Richardson

|Photo Gallery| What can the redevelopment of San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter teach us about how to foster Broadway redevelopment? That was the question that a group of more than fifty stakeholders from Downtown Los Angeles set out to answer last week, taking part in a two-day trip organized by the Bringing Back Broadway effort.

While there were plenty of options for good conclusions to take away, perhaps the most important theme was the value of a strong planning process. — Continued Inside...


Downtown Delegation Heads to San Diego

By Eric Richardson — August 21, 2008

Moving Trolley

A large group from Downtown is headed south today, taking part in a Bringing Back Broadway field trip to San Diego's Gaslamp District. Councilman Jose Huizar and Councilwoman Jan Perry headline a list of fifty-two folks taking the short trip down the coast, looking to learn lessons that can help in the revitalization of Broadway.