Griffith Park Phase II
Councilmember LaBonge called another community meeting Wednesday night to update Griffith Park stakeholders and area residents for a briefing by the National Weather Service, Dept. of Recreation and Parks and LAFD on what they can next expect in terms of activity over the fall/winter months. Phase II of the Griffith Park Recovery Plan, managed by RAP, is the hydromulching of 500 of the 1,000 or so charred acres to help prevent erosion and mudslides.
Help Keep Amtrak Going!
Councilmember LaBonge received unanimous council support today for a City resolution supporting S.294 that would fund Amtrak through 2012. Amtrak, the nation’s passenger rail line, operates the popular Pacific Surfliner from San Diego to San Luis Obispo that carries nearly a quarter million passengers a month. “In our heavily congested region when more people than ever seek alternatives to traveling our crowded freeways, we cannot lose Amtrak,” he said at a press conference today outside Union Station. S. 294’s price tag is $1.2 billion for six years. It has bi-partisan support in Congress.
Turn It Down... Or Off!
Councilmember LaBonge joined Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Thursday to promote drought-wise measures LADWP customers should take to conserve water and power this record-dry year in Los Angeles. Standing amidst transformers at the DWP’s Van Nuys service yard, the officials touted upgrades that the agency has made to infrastructure since last year’s outages but cautioned Angelenos not to expect miracles if hot temperatures are sustained for long periods of time.
Hollywood's Historic Orchard Gables Saved
The historic Craftsman-style home at the southwest corner of Wilcox and Fountain in Hollywood not only will be saved, but will undergo restoration to become the headquarters for the Hollywood Community Housing Corp. under an arrangement with the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency. HCHC is a community-based non-profit committed to preserving and expanding the supply of affordable housing for lower income households in Hollywood and as part of its mission includes preservation of Hollywood’s history through the rehabilitation of deteriorated properties of cultural, architectural or historic significance.
As part of what once was the “Colegrove,” compound named for Sen. Cornelius Cole (1822-1924), the home has experienced a number of incarnations but under the new plan will be the centerpiece for a housing village comprised of newly constructed single-family homes. Under the leadership of Councilmember LaBonge, HCHC will receive nearly $200K to return the building to its original character as envisioned by noted architect Norman F. Marsh.
