LA Now Volumes 3 and 4, Chapters 5-6

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    n a t u r alh abi t a t

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    natural habitat

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    The 48 miles of the concrete viaduct that stands in forthe Los Angeles River was once a thriving natural bodyof water capable of sustaining a population of 250,000about 6.25% of the current population. Discoveredand settled by colonists from Mexico in 1781, the rivercontinued to nurture and feed a growing Los Angelesfrom its early colonial period to its days as an emerg-ing metropolis.

    As the city grew exponentially, the Department ofWater and Power viewed the river as an insufficientsource and tapped and built the famous aqueducts tothe High Sierras.

    Additionally, in the 1930s the river flooded, killing 50people and damaging huge swaths of property. It wasapparent the river had neither the ability to sustain orcontrol its water capacity.

    As a result, in the late 1930s local politicians with theArmy Corps of Engineers initiated the bold decision tocontrol and revise the purpose of the Los Angeles River.It became a flood-control channel, an urban amenity.This industrial usage begat similar development alongits banks, negating any potential for it becoming an eco-logically sound and green recreational destination.

    Los Angeles River

    infrastructurewebsites:lalc.k12.ca.us/target/units/river/riverweb.htmllacity.org/councilcmte/lariverorganizations.oxy.edu/lariverfolar.org

    downtown site

    L o s A n g e l e

    s R i v

    e r

    river length: 51 miles

    channelized river length: 47.9 miles

    Los Angeles River unlined

    Los Angeles River channelized

    dams and reservoirs

    debris basin

    unlined stretch:

    Sepulveda Flood Control Basin

    unlined stretch:

    Glendale Narrows

    unlined stretch:south of Willow Street,Long Beach

    Chavez Ravine

    n a t u r alh abi t a t

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    1. A resurging interest in revitalizing the Los Ange-les River as a natural and cultural amenity in the cityhas emerged. Various academic and non-profit groupshave initiated a grass-roots effort to open discussionwith policy makers and developers on a viable, eco-logical, and economically sound model for the river.The Los Angeles City Council has formed the Ad HocCommittee on the L.A. River:The Ad Hoc River Committee will focus on major re-

    vitalization efforts on our historic river; opportunitiesfor parks, trails, recreation, nature, neighborhoodidentity, jobs, community development, tourism, civicpride and much more.The following are the Committees case studies:Guadalupe River, San Jose, CaliforniaPlatte River, Denver, ColoradoRio Salado, Tempe, ArizonaSan Antonio River, San Antonio, Texas

    2. Attempts to revitalize the Los Angeles River are ham-pered by too many agencies with jurisdiction, includingthe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles CountyDepartment of Public Works, Northeast Trees, and theSanta Monica Mountains Conservancy. Ironically, theseagencies are not responsible for preventing or clean-ing the graffiti and other eyesores that plague the river.Sound visions may emanate from politicians, but therivers immediate needs are maintenance and security.

    Los Angeles River

    historic routes

    10 miles864210

    1/2

    websites:lalc.k12.ca.us/target/units/river/riverweb.htmlorganizations.oxy.edu/lariverfolar.orgnow:1. lacity.org/councilcmte/lariver2. Jose Cardenas, Bureaucratic Shoals Slow River Effort, Multiple Jurisdictions Complicate Efforts to Revitalize the 51-mile Los Angeles River, Los Angeles Times, January 9, 2003, sec. B.

    website:deliriousla.net/lariver

    earliest documentation of the L.A. River

    downtown Los Angeles

    Rapid urbanization of Los Angeles con-flicts with the ecology of the river. Citybegins to receive water remotely from200 miles north.

    Army Corps of Engineers completethe channelization of the river.

    modern flooding

    1880

    1900

    1914

    1938

    1995

    2003

    18151825 18251889

    18891930 (pre-channelization) 1938 (channelized)today

    project site

    Los Angeles River

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    downtown site

    L o s A

    n g e l e

    s R i v

    e r

    Los Angeles River watershed

    land coverage: 834 sq. mi.

    northern watershed: 360 sq. mi.(forest or open spaces)

    southern watershed: 474 sq. mi.(urban development)

    flood plain: citywebsites:ladpw.org/wmd/watershed/LAlalc.k12.ca.us/target/units/river/riverweb.htmllacity.org/councilcmte/lariverorganizations.oxy.edu/lariverfolar.org

    200-year flood plain

    rainfall: 18802000Los Angeles Times, 2003description:Ingersoll, Raymond. Bringing Water to Los Angeles: A Guidebook to the Los Angeles Aqueduct and the Sierra Nevada (UC LA, 1996).now:1. Louis Sahagun, Cutback Allows Aqueduct Overhaul, Los Angeles Times, March 3, 2003, sec. B.

    1880

    1890

    1900

    1910

    1920

    1930

    1940

    1950

    1960

    1970

    1980

    1990

    2000

    0 inchesyear 10 20 30 40

    average

    1. The Colorado River Aqueduct saw its most exten-sive overhaul by the Metropolitan Water District in fiftyyears. Today they began refilling the entire system af-ter shut down and draining.Colorado River Aqueduct performance:capacity: 1 billion gallons / daypopulation: 10 million peoplelength: 242 milescost: $8.2 million

    The original aqueduct intercepted the Owens Riverwithin the Owens Valley and brought water, drivenonly by gravity, 231 miles south to L.A. In 1970, a sec-ond L.A. Aqueduct was constructed south of HaiweeReservoir in the Owens Valley; this increased waterdelivery by 50%, so that the combined L.A. Aqueducttoday supplies approximately 70% of L.A.s water. Theremainder comes from the California aqueduct (StateWater Project; completed in 1973), the Colorado River

    Aqueduct (completed in 1941), and local groundwatersources. Complex ecological and societal consequenc-es have resulted from this human intervention of thelandscape. The most obvious include the desertifica-tion of parts of the Owens Valley, the complete drying-up of Owens Lake, the lowering of Mono Lake, and therapid development of the Los Angeles area.

    Chavez Ravine

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    description

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    flood region: metro

    water infrastructurewebsites:lalc.k12.ca.us/target/units/river/riverweb.htmllacity.org/councilcmte/lariverorganizations.oxy.edu/lariverfolar.orgdeliriousla.net/lariver

    websites:organizations.oxy.edu/lariverdeliriousla.net/larivernow:1. Tim Quinn, Plan Alters Water Flow to L.A., Los Angeles Times, August 9, 2003, sec. B.2. Miguel Bustillo, Giant inflatable rubber dams would create an artificial lake downtown that could serve as a centerpiece for urban renewal, Los Angeles Times, January 24, 2003, sec. B.3. George Ramos, Cleaner Water on Tap at Citys Echo Park Lake, Los Angeles Times, March 2, 2003, sec. B.

    groundwater basin / sub-basin

    filtration plant

    aqueduct

    watershed boundary

    river / creek

    lake

    dam

    river

    100-year flood plain

    200-year flood plain

    historical flood plain

    L . A .

    R i v e

    r

    S a n t a

    A n a R i v

    e r

    California Aqueduct

    Colorado River Aqueduct

    L . A .

    R i v

    e r

    S a n t a

    A n a R i v

    e r

    3. Initiated by a search for a missing girl, publicattention focused on the continually stagnant murkyquality of the Echo Park lake water. The girl was locatedbut concerns over water quality persisted. To addressthe concern, biofilters will be used to clear the water inEcho, Machao, MacArthur, Debs, and Reseda Parks.Biofilters utilize live wetlands plants and air pumpsbelow the surface to aerate and oxygenate the water.The lake cleanup will cost $1 million.

    1. A 15% drop in water coming from the ColoradoRiver has resulted in a new proposal to review howSouthern California can receive more water. Part ofthe project involves altering existing infrastructuralsystems in Northern California that will free up morewater for Los Angeles and San Diego. The operationis a joint effort by the State Water Project and thefederal Central Valley Project.

    2. A local artist has generated buzz with his idea tocreate an artificial lake in downtown Los Angeles us-ing giant inflatable rubber dams strung along the LosAngeles River. Politicians are attracted by the notion;it could form the centerpiece for an urban renewalplan that would unite neighborhoods currently discon-nected by rail yards and warehouses.

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    websites:factfinder.census.gov (2000 U.S. Census)Los Angeles Almanac, 2001lacity.org/lahd/curriculum/gettingfacts/infrastructure/parks.html

    total residential yard acreage

    City of Los Angeles

    1,200 sq. ft.average size of yard per

    single family house (R1 zone)

    1,287,679 homes in City of Los Angeles

    x

    =

    34,482 acrestotal size of residential front and back yards

    41 Central Parks in New York City

    New Yorkers champion Central Park as the culturalheart and physical lung of Manhattan. Its location anddesign serves as the perfect antidote to the hyper-dense urbanity that envelopes every individual. . It iseveryones yard and collective shared space.

    Los Angeless geological response is Griffith Park.Centrally located and offering a more rugged and hillyexodus from the metropolis, it represents a piece of

    found nature rather than a designed piece of land-scape. Unfortunately, many residents bypass the larg-est municipal park in the United States serving insteadas a more visual and acoustic backdrop for freewaysand the neighborhoods that encircle it. Griffith Parkalso suffers from a less exportable mythological iden-tity than its more popular local rival, the beach.

    One has to recalibrate an understanding of green

    space per person. As with automobiles and transporta-tion, the individual trumps the collective. Rather thana collective enterprise, the green spaces are the actualback and front yards of each resident, their own slice ofthe public park pie.In Los Angeles, the average single residential plot is5,000 sq. ft. offering aproximately 1,200 sq. ft. of greenlandscape to tend, enjoy, and hold dominion over.

    Griffith Park, City of Los Angeles4,217 acre

    The City of Los Angeleshas 15,600 acres of parkland,

    including the largest municipal parkin the United StatesGriffith Park

    =

    Central Park, New York City843 acres

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    beaches in Los Angeleswebsites:usc.edu/org/seagrant/beach/beach.htmlbeaches.co.la.ca.us/BandH/Beaches/Main.htm

    cityLos Angeles River Basin(non-mountain area)Los AngelesChicagoBostonNew York CityMinneapolis

    park ratio152 sq. ft. per person

    130 sq. ft. per person115 sq. ft. per person166 sq. ft. per person300 sq. ft. per person756 sq. ft. per person

    MalibuPoint

    TopangaBeach

    Will RogersState Beach

    Santa MonicaState Beach

    Venice CityBeach

    DockweilerState Beach

    ManhattanBeach

    RedondoBeach

    HermosaBeach

    Las TunasCounty Beach

    845 acrestotal beach surface

    aproximately1 Central Park inNew York City

    =

    45 miles approx . length of beach

    155 feetaverage depth

    of beach

    low tidehigh tide

    x

    =

    City of Los Angeles382 public parks123 recreation centers52 centers52 pools

    28 senior citizen centers13 golf courses18 child care centers7 camps

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    2. Edwin Schlossberg, disciple of Buckminster Fullerand reknowned advocate of interactive projects, plansa $2.7 billion communal spirit in Playa Vista with anumber of ceremonial rituals throughout the year.The project is supported by Steve Soboroff and pro-motes empowering ideas such as competitive gar-dening. Schlossberg says, Its such a great opportu-nity to create tools for a woven, integrated community.Theres something epic about it.

    3. 244 acres of vibrant nature with 2,300 trees wereslated for a secluded luxury housing development.After 10 years of community and environmentalopposition by a Glendale group, the developer sold theland for $25 million to the Santa Monica MountainsConservancy, City of Glendale, and the State ofCalifornia to be converted into a park. The purchase ofthis park came through Governor Daviss Urban ParksInitiative.

    1. Los Angeles has . . . the least accessible park sys-tem of any major city in America. Only 30 percent ofAngelenos live within a quarter mile [0.4 km] of a park,compared with between 80 percent and 90 percent inBoston and New York. Here in Los Angeles more than700,000 children do not live within walking distance ofa park, Mayor Villaraigosa, 2005

    websites:navigatela.orglaparks.org/info.htmnow:1. interenvironment.org/pa/trzyna-smmc.ht2. Martha Groves, Making Parks Work So People Can Relax, Los Angeles Times, July 20, 2003, sec. E.3. Li Fellers, 244-Acre Development Dies, Los Angeles Times, April 1, 2003, sec. B.

    parks and open spaces

    downtown Los Angeles

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    4 56

    7

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    1011

    1213

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    parks and open spaces

    Grand Hope ParkPershing SquareCentral LibraryBunker Hill stepsCalifornia PlazaAngels FlightMOCA Grand AvenueBiddy Mason ParkMusic CenterPaseo de los pobladoresCourt of FlagsCriminal Courts BuildingLos Angeles City HallEl Pueblo Historic ParkMOCA Geffen Contemporary andJapanese American National MuseumLittle Tokyoother

    1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.

    10.11.12.13.14.15.

    16.17.

    topography

    downtown Los Angeles

    300280

    260

    240

    220

    320

    400380

    360

    340 +400

    +225

    area (approx.)

    162,863 sq. ft.225,002 sq. ft.

    76,686 sq. ft.17,786 sq. ft.

    264,997 sq. ft.108,267 sq. ft.432,681 sq. ft.

    41,469 sq. ft.59,255 sq. ft.

    236,806 sq. ft.101,434 sq. ft.116,864 sq. ft.339,413 sq. ft.592,757 sq. ft.

    87,770 sq. ft.

    83,314 sq. ft.1,304,596 sq. ft.

    total green space 4,251,960 sq. ft.(97.61 acres)

    97.61 acrestotal acreage of downtown

    parks and open spaces

    Bunker Hill Financial District

    websites:navigatela.orgnationalmap.gov

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    Los Angeles Riverwarehouse district

    parks and open spaces

    1. Taylor Yards

    2. Elysian Park

    3. The Los Angeles State Historic Park

    area (approx.)

    30 acres

    575 acres

    33.2 acres

    1

    2

    3

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    websites:navigatela.orglaparks.org/info.htmLos Angeles Almanac, 2001nationalmap.govdescription:Elysian Park Master Plan. City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation & Parks. August 2005. downloadable from laparks.org

    parks and open spaces

    Chavez Ravine and Elysian Park

    Elysian Park: Originally part of the Spanish land grantfrom King Carlos III of Spain to El Pueblo de Los An-geles in the late 18th century and officially declared apark in 1886, Elysian Park is the citys oldest park. Theparks 604 acres comprise urban trails, panoramicoverlooks, picnic spots, and green recreation areas.

    Elysian Park is bounded by Dodger Stadium to thesouth, the Los Angeles River to the east, the 5 Free-way to the north, and residential neighborhoods to

    the west. Bisected by narrow neighborhood and parkroads, as well as wide arterial streets including Sta-dium Way, Academy Road, and Elysian Park Avenue,the park is accessible from local neighborhoods anddowntown Los Angeles.

    In 2005, the Department of Recreation & Parks drafteda new Master Plan to revitalize the park, based on thedesires of the community and the city to preserve and

    protect the natural resource. According to the MasterPlan, revitalization of Elysian Park is a key componentin the citys strategy to create and maintain a desirablequality of life in Los Angeles.

    description

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    2. The Nature Conservancy hired E. J. Remson threeyears ago to create a parkway along the Santa ClaraRiver in Ventura County. Using money provided by theCoastal Conservancy, Remson and his team identify andacquire the biological and strategically significant landparcels needed to execute the project. The Nature Con-servancys seeks to find a balance between burgeoningdevelopment and preservation concerns, and to suc-cessfully combat what it calls killer sprawl.

    water consumptionwebsite:mwdh2o.com/mwdh2o/pages/yourwater/ywater01.htmllacity.org/ead/EADWeb-WNR/drinking_water.htmLos Angeles Almanac, 2001

    = 1,273 x

    5,958,581,000 gallons/day(9 Silver Lake Reservoirs)

    metropolitan Los Angeles

    4,680,739 gallons/day(1% of Silver Lake Reservoir)

    project site

    = 1,270 x

    10.54 quadrillion BTUs/day

    metropolitan Los Angeles

    .0083 quadrillion BTUs/day

    project site

    power plants

    local power plants

    energy consumption and sourceswebsites:factfinder.census.gov (2000 U.S. Census)Los Angeles Almanac, 2001now:1. Nancy Rivera Brooks, Setting Up a Windmill in County Is Almost Quixotic, Builders Say, Los Angeles Times, February 11, 2003, sec. C.2. Penelope Grenoble OMalley, Ex-Builder Now Battles Killer Sprawl, Los Angeles Times, April 21, 2003, sec. B.

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    Big Creek Hydroelectric SystemCastaic Power PlantColumbia River Power System, OregonHarbor Station

    Haynes Generating StationHoover Dam, NevadaIntermountain Power Project, Utah

    1.2.3.4.

    5.6.7.

    Mojave Generating Station, NevadaNavajo Generating Station, ArizonaPalo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, ArizonaSan Onofre Nuclear Generating Station

    Scattergood StationValley Station

    8.9.

    10.11.

    12.13.

    power plants

    electricity generatedby DWP plantscoal 50%

    natural gas 25%

    nuclear 12%

    hydroelectric 11%

    green 2%(solar and landfill gas facilities)

    1. Los Angeles Countys conservative approval processis at odds with state law that supports backyard windturbines. Many homeowners and builders complainof the regulatory difficulties in installing turbines inbackyards. County officials defend their approach asthey regulate the proliferation of turbines relative to thedensity of a regions population. Turbines are bannedin the City of San Francisco and other environmentallysensitive areas.

    One homeowner in Acton cut his power bills in halfby installing three windmills on his five acre property.However, it took him nine months to gain approvalfrom the county.

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    landslidesMichael Dear and Heidi Sommer, eds., Atlas of Southern California, vol. 2(Los Angeles: Southern California Studies Center, University of Southern California, 1998).

    air pollutionwebsite:losangelesalmanac.com

    fault line

    magnitude 16magnitude 6.17

    magnitude 7.1+

    agglomerationhigh ground agglomeration

    number of acres moved10 + acres

    100 + acres1,000 + acres

    high landslide eventmoderate landslide event

    agglomeration

    high ground agglomeration

    faultlineswebsites:geopubs.wr.usgs.gov/fact-sheet/fs110-99Southern California Earthquake Data Center (scecdc.org)now: 1. Gary Polakovic, Smog Fighters Out of Weapons, Los Angeles Times, July 16, 2003, sec. B.2. Miguel Bustillo, Californians Are Willing to Pay for Cleaner Air, Poll Finds, Los Angeles Times, July 10, 2003, sec. B.3. Usha Lee McFarling, Major Threat Seen in L.A. Quake Fault, Los Angeles Times, April 4, 2003, sec. A.

    1

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    1

    2

    3

    4

    5

    San Andreas fault zone

    San Antonio fault

    San Gabriel fault

    Stoddard Canyon faultClamshell-Sawpit Canyon fault

    Red-Hill faultCucamonga fault

    SanJose fault

    San Jacinto fault

    Chino fault

    Ensinore fault zoneNewport-Inglewood-Rose Canyon fault zone

    Peralta Hills faultEl Mondeno fault

    Los Alamitos fault

    Whittier fault

    Sierra Madre fault zoneEagle Rock fault

    Raymond fault

    Verdugo fault

    Hollywood fault

    Santa Suzanna fault zoneNorthridge fault

    Chatsworth fault

    San Fernando fault zone

    Malibu Coast faultSanta Monica fault

    Newport-Inglewood fault zone

    Redondo Canyon fault

    Cabrillo fault

    Palos Verdes fault zone

    1.2.3.4.5.

    major landslides

    La Canada debris flow (1,920 acres),1983Portuguese Bend slide (270 acres),1956Big Rock Mesa slide (200 acres), 1983Anaheim Hills slide (60 acres), 1993Northridge slides (2,560 acres), 1994

    1.2.3.4.5.

    major earthquakes

    San Juan Capistrano-Wrightwood (7.5), 1812Long Beach (6.4), 1933Sylmar (6.6), 1971Whittier Narrows (5.9), 1987Northridge (6.7), 1994

    Beverly Hills fault

    Puente Hills fault

    100400

    fewer than 100

    4001,000

    more than 1,000

    chances of getting cancerfrom toxic air pollution

    2. Environmental issues and lifestyle preferences havecome to a head when it comes to Californians and theirattitude toward cleaner air. In a poll taken by the Pub-lic Policy Institute of California and the Hewlett, Irvine,and Packard Foundations, Californians will sacrificefor air polllution but not with their vehicles. The big-gest culprits are the SUVs owned by smog-concerneddrivers.

    3. Downtown Los Angeles sits on the Puente Hillssystem, which has the capacity to be 15 times strongerthan the Northridge earthquake. Capable of a 7.5earthquake, this faultline is more dangerous due tothe basins soft silt and its ability to magnify and orientthe energy towards downtown. The ground will thrustupwards between three to eight feet. But the fault canremain inert for another 1,000 years.

    1. Supplemental smog-control measures are underreview as California still struggles. Despite vehicularregulations controlling smog, other sources emergeas culprits. Though vehicular exhaust accounts for75% of emissions, household consumer products,including anti-perspirants and perfume, rank sec-ond. Additional measures range from saving 2 tons ofemissions daily from idling diesel trucks electrically toa 30 cent tax on California processed oil.

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    20

    30

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    5060

    70

    80

    90

    Amended Little Tokyo Redevelopment PlanCommunity Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles

    Amended Little Tokyo Redevelopment PlanCommunity Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles

    Arts District water table map

    L

    PL

    LL

    liquefaction zones

    Arts District liquefaction zone

    (liquefaction potential map)

    approximate historically highest ground watercontours (measured in feet)

    L

    PL

    LL

    PL

    LL

    L

    liquefiable: ground water to 50 ft. below ground

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    p e o p l e &

    c u l t u r e

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    people and culture

    185 p e o pl e

    & c

    ul t ur e

    r e s e ar c h

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    Skid Row , also known as Central City East and TheNickel because it centers on Fifth Street, is a 52-block area that houses some of the citys most desti-tute residents. It is the largest skid row in the nation.Each night, thousands sleep on the streets in tents andcardboard boxes, while others are able to take refugein emergency beds managed by a multitude of socialservice organizations. Drug use, prostitution, and oth-er illicit activities are commonplace on the streets, as

    are deaths by overdose and murder.The history of this area began as downtown Los An-geles segued from a predominantly agricultural to anindustrial based economy. With the advent of the rail-road on Main Street, a large, mostly male, transientpopulation began arrivng looking for work and theirfuture. The area surrouding the railroad stationthemain entry point to Los Angelesquickly became aplace of transition, embracing those who sought but

    ultimately failed to obtain the prosperity and good lifethat Southern California seemingly promised. This at-traction was exasperated during the Great Depression.In response to the rising population, the area developedan array of Single Resident Occupancy (SRO) hotels andsocial services to help those in need. In the 1970s, aspart of the urban renewal process, the city devised apolicy of containment that defined the boundaries ofSkid Row and concentrated on improving the SRO hous-

    downtowndaily population

    * Based on estimate of14.6 million per year

    23,894

    3,668

    40,000

    3,66810,000 homeless*

    downtown dailyvisitors population

    The Downtown Los Angeles Market Report & Demographic Survey Of New Downtown Residents,January 2005website:themeparkinsider.com

    downtown dailyhomeless population

    40,000 visitors

    Donald R. Spivack, History of Skid Row Series, Paper 1,weingart.org/institute/research/colloquia/pdf/HistoryofSkidRow.pdf2005 Greater Los Angeles Homeless CountSteve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, Points Westmotherjones.com

    249,734 government

    201,000 private

    100,000

    200,000

    300,000

    400,000

    500,000

    Downtown

    h o m e l e s s

    v i s i t o r s *

    r e s i d e n t s

    w o r k e r s

    SkidRow

    A l a m e d a

    M a i

    n

    2 n d

    3 r d

    The Los Angeles Downtown Center Business Improvement DistrictCalifornia Employment Development Department ES202 DataThe Downtown Los Angeles Market Report & Demographic Survey Of New Downtown Residents,January 20052004 Downtown Economic Overview and Forecast, Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation

    more people sleepon the streets each night than

    the combined capacity ofLos Angeles Cathedral (3,000 seats) andWalt Disney Concert Hall (2,265 seats)

    t h o u s a n d s o f p e o p l e

    * Reports on the number of homeless have varied from a one-nightofficial count of 3,668 by LAHSA to informal estimates of 7-10,000

    10

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    L o s A n g e l e s

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    U n i v e r s a l

    C i t y w

    a l k

    S e a W o r l d

    d o w n t o w

    n

    D i s n e y l a n d

    518,296 persons

    p e o p l e &

    c u l t u r e

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    ing stock, stabilizing social services, and encouragingindustrial development within the area.The concentration of development has had the adverseeffect of attracting even more people and making SkidRow a human dumping ground. Recently releasedcriminals from the county jail just a few blocks awayeasily make their way to the Nickel. In late 2005, sev-eral hospitals admitted to dropping off mentally ill pa-tients in the area and, over the years, there have been

    23,894 residents15,929 households

    sex

    age

    race / ethnicity

    downtownresidential population

    The Downtown Los Angeles Market Report & Demographic Survey Of New Downtown Residents,January 2005website:factfinder.gov (2000 U .S. Census)

    450,734 workers249,734 goverment

    201,000 private

    downtown dailyworker population

    d o w n

    t o w n

    L . A .

    C o u n

    t y

    D o w n

    t o w n

    L A C o u n

    t y

    residents occupation

    distribution of business

    private sector government sector

    The Downtown Los Angeles Market Report & Demographic Survey Of New Downtown Residents,January 2005California Employment Development Dept., Labor Market Information Div. ES202website:factfinder.gov (2000 U.S. Census)

    4 0

    4 9

    5 0

    5 9

    3 0

    3 9

    2 0

    2 9

    1 0

    1 9

    0

    9

    20

    30

    0

    40

    50

    L a

    t i n o

    A s i a n

    b l a c k

    w h i t e

    10%

    20%

    30%

    40%

    50%

    0%

    s e r v

    i c e

    r e t a i l

    w h o

    l e s a

    l e

    m a n u

    f a c t u r i n g

    o t h e r

    0

    50

    100

    150

    200

    250

    300

    350

    400

    450

    1 9 9 4

    1 9 9 5

    1 9 9 6

    1 9 9 7

    1 9 9 8

    1 9 9 9

    2 0 0 0

    2 0 0 1

    10

    20

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    0

    f r e

    % o

    f p o p u

    l a t i o n

    6 out of 10 residents are men

    % o

    f p o p u

    l a t i o n

    t h o u s a n

    d s o

    f w o r k e r s

    2 0 0 2

    2 0 0 3

    2 0 0 4

    unconfirmed reports of police from other jurisdictionsdoing the same.As downtown continues to resurge, the problem ofwhat to do with Skid Row and the homeless populationremains one of the most difficult and pressing issuesfacing developers and the city.

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    Downtown Los Angeles, like many other downtowns,sees an enormous influx of people during the workday.Nearly half a million workers converge daily; morethan half are government employees. In the eveningsthe streets are sparse, but that has begun to change.All neighborhoods throughout downtown are experi-encing an explosion of development.New cultural, commercial, and entertainment venuesattract diverse visitors at all times of day. An estimat-ed 14.6 million people visit downtown each year.

    Vital to the continuous after hours activity is a slowlyburgeoning residential population. In 2004 (latestdata), 3,500 units were under construction; almost5,000 were permitted or planned. A recent survey con-ducted by the DCBID reveals the demographics of thenewest residential developments (market rate and af-fordable). Occupants are generally young, white, pro-fessional, and have high incomesthe median house-hold income is $90,000; nearly half work downtown.

    persons/sq. mi.downtownpopulation density

    The Downtown Los Angeles Market Report & Demographic Survey Of New Downtown Residents, January 2005California Employment Development Dept., Labor Market Information Div. ES202websites:factfinder.census.gov (2000 U.S. Census)Los Angeles Almanac, 2001

    20 minute walking distance

    persons/sq. mi.

    2 0

    , 0 0 0

    1 5

    , 0 0 0

    1 0

    , 0 0 0

    5 , 0

    0 0

    1 , 0

    0 0

    census track

    site

    downtown Los Angeles

    Pasadena

    Los Angeles agglomeration

    San Francisco

    New York

    0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000

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    downtown residents:

    49.8% between the ages of 23 and 34

    46.1% work downtown

    57.9% Caucasian

    17.1% Asian/Pacific Islander

    53.8% males

    56.8% single

    50.5% executives and professionals

    11.0% writers/artists/entertainers

    15.3% students

    1 0 m i l e r a d i u s

    1 0 m i l e r a d i u s

    1 0 m i l e r a d i u s

    1 0 m i l e r a d i u s

    population densityby ethnicity

    The Downtown Los Angeles Market Report & Demographic Survey Of New Downtown Residents, January 2005California Employment Development Dept., Labor Market Information Div. ES202websites:factfinder.census.gov (2000 U .S. Census)scag.ca.gov

    PasadenaGlendale

    MontereyPark

    HollywoodHollywood

    Palms

    Pasadena

    Florence

    Compton

    Pasadena

    Montebello

    Lynwood

    Hollywood

    WestAdams

    Inglewood

    Burbank

    Pasadena

    SilverLake

    OlympicVillage

    BeverlyHills

    Palms

    Asian population(6,400 people)

    African American population(6,600 people)

    white population(10,300 people)

    Latino population(17,500 people)

    persons/sq. mi.

    2 0

    , 0 0 0

    1 5

    , 0 0 0

    1 0

    , 0 0 0

    5 , 0

    0 0

    1 , 0

    0 0

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    incomewebsites:downtownla.comartscenecal.comcsun.eduusc.edu/dept/geography/losangeles

    websites:downtownla.comartscenecal.comcsun.eduusc.edu/dept/geography/losangeles

    downtownfestival and events, 2003

    Shakespeare in the Square, Los Angeless Romeo and JulietGrand Performances

    Pershing Square Summer Concert SeriesLos Angeles Latino International Film Festival

    ALSO SWISS Arts FestivalLos Angeles Tofu Festival

    Pershing Square Summer Concert SeriesGrand Performances

    Chinese New Year FestivalDinosaur Day

    Symphony for Youth, the Evolution of the Orchestra

    Oshogatsu Festival Celebrating Japanese New YearDowntown on Ice, Winter Wonderland

    Pershing Square Summer Concert SeriesBlue Four Festival, Queer History Festival Asian & Pacific Islander OlderAdult Festival

    Family FunFest and annual Kodomo-no-Hi, Childrens Day CelebrationPerforming Arts Concert Series, Very Special Arts Festival

    Cinco de Mayo Celebration

    Grand PerformancesPershing Square Summer Concert Series

    Los Angeles Kids Read FestivalArtWallah Festival of South Asian Arts

    Macys Plaza Presents Kids Club

    Grand PerformancesPershing Square Summer Concert Series

    Grand Performances

    Feria de Los Ninos Festival, Los Angeles Mariachi FestivalDowntown on Ice, Winter Wonderland Outdoor Skating Rink

    Downtown on Ice, Winter Wonderland Outdoor Skating Rink

    h o u s e h o l d s

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    cultural institutionswebsites:Automobile Club of Southern California Street Mapdowntownla.comartscenecal.comcsun.eduusc.edu/dept/geography/losangeles

    theaters

    museums

    galleries

    civic centers

    educational institutions

    sports and recreation centers

    religious institutions

    20 minute walking distance

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    2

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    theaters and concert venueswebsites:Automobile Club of Southern California Street Mapdowntownla.comartscenecal.comcsun.eduusc.edu/dept/geography/losangeles

    1 Dodger Stadium2 Ahmanson Theater3 Mark Taper Forum4 Dorothy Chandler Pavilion5 Walt Disney Concert Hall6 Laemmle Grande7 East-West Players8 Japanese American Cultural

    and Community Center9 Million Dollar Theater10 Los Angeles Theatre Center11 Palace Theater12 Lowes State Theater13 Orpheum Theater14 Shrine Auditorium15 Imax Theater

    1

    8

    20 minute walking distance

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    1 The Brewery Arts Colony2 MOCA Grand Avenue3 MOCA Geffen Contemporary4 Japanese American National Museum5 Museum of Science and Industry6 Natural History Museum7 California African American Museum8 California Science Center9 INMO Gallery10 China Art Objects11 Instituto Cultural Mexicano12 El Pueblo Gallery13 Wells Fargo History Museum14 Los Angeles Artcore Center15 4th St. Gallery16 Art Share

    17 The Project18 Cirrus19 Gallery 83520 Museum of Neon Art21 Lindhurst Gallery

    museums and gallerieswebsites:Automobile Club of Southern California Street Mapdowntownla.comartscenecal.comcsun.eduusc.edu/dept/geography/losangeles

    1

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    20 minutes walking distance

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    1 primary2 primary3 primary4 primary5 primary6 secondary7 primary8 primary9 primary10 secondary11 primary12 primary13 secondary14 secondary15 Evans Community Adult School16 secondary

    17 secondary18 Colburn School of Performing Arts19 primary20 primary21 Golden Gate University22 Los Angeles City College23 primary24 primary25 primary26 primary27 SCI-Arc28 secondary29 primary

    30 Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising31 Loyola Law School32 primary33 secondary34 Mount St. Marys College35 Los Angeles Trade Tech College36 University of Southern California37 primary38 primary

    20 minute walking distance

    educational institutionswebsites:Automobile Club of Southern California Street Mapdowntownla.comartscenecal.comcsun.eduusc.edu/dept/geography/losangeles

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    17

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    11122023

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    1 Cypress Park Branch Library2 La Biblioteca de Lincoln Heights3 Los Angeles Police Academy4 Chavez Ravine Arboretum5 U.S. Naval Reserve/Armory6 Echo Park Branch Library7 Chinatown Branch Library8 Los Angeles County Jail9 Metropolitan Transit Authority10 Metropolitan Detention Center11 Federal Building12 Los Angeles Police Department

    Parker Center13 Federal Courthouse14 Hall of Justice15 Hall of Records

    16 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration17 Department of Water and Power18 county courts19 law library20 City Hall21 Caltrans District 7 Headquarters22 (new) Los Angeles Police headquarters23 state offices24 Central Library25 Ronald Reagan State Building26 Central Police Station

    20 minute walking distance

    civic institutionswebsites:Automobile Club of Southern California Street Mapdowntownla.comartscenecal.comcsun.eduusc.edu/dept/geography/losangeles

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    website:Automobile Club of Southern California Street Mapdowntownla.comartscenecal.comcsun.eduusc.edu/dept/geography/losangeles

    1 Elysian Valley Recreation Center2 Cypress Recreation Center3 Montecito del Lio Politti4 Elysian Park Therapeutic Recreation5 Los Angeles Youth Athletic Club Center6 Dodger Stadium7 Alpine Recreation Center8 YMCA9 Staples Center10 recreation center11 recreation center12 recreation center13 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

    20 minute walking distance

    sports centers

    The Staples Center in downtown LosAngeles is a multipurpose, state-of-the-art sports arena that also hosts enter-tainment events, concerts, and awardsshows, including the Grammys. The are-na is located adjacent to the Los AngelesConvention Center complex, near theintersection of the 10 and 110 Freeways.With the nearby Pico Metro Rail Stationon the Blue Line, many Metro bus routes,and 8,900 parking spaces within four cityblocks, the arena is easily accessible bycar and public transit.

    Designed by the architecture firm NBBJ,the 950,000 square foot, 20,000-seatarena was completed in 1999 at a costof $375 million. Staples, the office-sup-ply chain, paid $100,000,000 for twentyyears of naming rights. Owned and oper-ated by Anschutz Entertainment Group(AEG), the Staples Center is part of theplanned 4-million square foot L.A. Liveentertainment, retail, and residential de-velopment.

    The Staples Center is the home of fiveprofessional sports franchises: the NBAsLos Angeles Lakers and Los AngelesClippers, the NHLs Los Angeles Kings,the AFLs Los Angeles Avengers, and theWNBAs Los Angeles Sparks.

    In 2003 the city controller released a re-port that declares the Staples Center asuccessful and positive contributor toboth the South Park business and to thecity. The city receives more than $3 mil-lion annually from business generated bythe Staples Center.

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    1 Sung Ji Korean Baptist Church2 Khandakapala Buddhist Temple3 Brosnan John St. Ann Catholic Church4 Unity Church of Truth5 San Conrado Catholic Mission6 Golden West Christian Church7. Ukranian Orthodox Church of St. Andrew8 Holy Hill Community Church9 Chinese Catholic Church10 St. Peter11 First Chinese Baptist Church12 Chinese United Methodist Church13 Croatian St. Anthony Catholic Church14 Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels15 Mission Church16 Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple

    17 Japanese Catholic Center18 St. Vibianas19 United Church

    20 min walking distance

    religious institutionswebsite:Automobile Club of Southern California Street Mapdowntownla.comartscenecal.comcsun.eduusc.edu/dept/geography/losangeles

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