Politics & Governnment

Long Time Olvera Street Merchant Sent Eviction Notice

By Eric Richardson with Ed Fuentes — July 24, 2009 — 6 Comments

Coffee House Ed Fuentes

|Photo Gallery| As a broader struggle over rents on Olvera street works its way through city departments, tenants are already feeling the pressure.

On July 15, gallery and coffee shop Casa De Sousa received an eviction notice. Owner Conchita Sousa and her family have operated the shop for decades, but are puzzled by the notice, which cites the lack of a concession agreement as the reason for expulsion. — Continued Inside...


New Ordinance Aims to Solve L.A.'s Water Problems through Conservation

By Eric Richardson — July 22, 2009
4 Comments

Water Conservation Press Conference

Los Angeles could save a billion gallons of water yearly thanks to an ordinance passed by City Council today. The new rules require that fixtures installed in the city meet low-flow guidelines. "We don't have a water supply problem in Los Angeles," said Council President Eric Garcetti at a press conference held earlier in the morning. "We have a water conservation...


Around the Halls: July 20 - 22

By Eric Richardson — July 20, 2009

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Today is Monday, July 20, and the wheels of government continue moving into the summer. On the agendas this week are a quartet of items related the the Michael Jackson memorial service, new rules for recycling chutes and funding for signage and facade rehabs.


Around the Halls: July 13 - 15

By Eric Richardson — July 13, 2009

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Today is Monday, July 13, and city agendas are busy. On the agendas this week are talk of the Michael Jackson memorial, a bike rental facility for El Pueblo, a beer and wine license for the Cecil and funding for signage enforcement.


Planning Commission Approves Broadway Design Guide

By Eric Richardson — July 10, 2009

Broadway

The City Planning Commission yesterday approved the Broadway Theater and Entertainment District Design Guide, a planning document intended to guide renovations and new construction along the Broadway corridor. A companion to the Streetscape Plan, the design overlay deals with issues like signage, building mass and facade treatments.


Convention Center Signage Passes Planning Commission, Headed to Council

By Eric Richardson — July 09, 2009
1 Comment

An ordinance update that would permit 30 new signs to be installed on the outside of the Convention Center passed through the City Planning Commission today, despite concerns that too little detail had been presented about how the signage would be designed and a letter from the new City Attorney asking that the body hold off on making a decision.


Around the Halls: July 6 - 9

By Eric Richardson — July 06, 2009

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Today is Monday, July 7, and even as the rest of the world can't stop talking about Michael Jackson, City Council is back at work. On the agendas are motions to make it harder for minors to get access to graffiti tools and alcohol sales for Famima!!.


Around the Halls: June 22 - 24

By Eric Richardson — June 22, 2009

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Today is Monday, June 22, and this week City Council continues to concentrate on the budget situation. Also on the calendar are a new City Librarian, historical artifacts and plan approvals for a Figueroa tower.


Around the Halls: June 15 - 17

By Eric Richardson — June 15, 2009

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It's Monday, June 15, and fiscal issues again weigh heavily on the city's agendas. Budget & Finance considers juggling parking funds and whether to sell off the city's parking resources to a private entity. Also on the calendar, bicycle issues are headed to Transportation committee.


Around the Halls: June 8 - 10

By Eric Richardson — June 08, 2009

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It's Monday, June 8, and tomorrow is marijuana day at City Hall, with multiple pot-related items at both City Council and the Planning committee. Wednesday, Transportation committee will take up $5 million in funding for the Downtown streetcar.