Neighborhood: Greater Wilshire
Councilmember: Highland Median Maintenance a Priority
The Highland Avenue medians, which create an expanse of green between Wilshire Boulevard and Melrose Avene in Hancock Park, are dotted with palm trees that are Historic Cultural Landmarks of the City of Los Angeles.
In the current economic climate, the Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services no longer has the staff or funding to continue the level of maintenance that this proud landmark has always enjoyed.
Councilmember LaBonge entered a motion on Tuesday to use Pipeline Revenue Funds, which are intended for street improvements, to maintain the medians for the next year. It passed unanimously. Under the motion, contractors, who already mow, weed and clean other City medians, will now care for the Highland Avenue medians as well.
“Medians are so important to a City,” Councilmember LaBonge said. “They are part of the aesthetics for the surrounding area. I couldn't allow these medians, which thousands of residents and motorists enjoy each day, to become overgrown or fall into disrepair.”
The Councilmember is working with the Department of Public Works to address the maintenance of other medians in Council District Four as well. Department of Public Works officials expect to begin a rotation of maintenance beginning in September.
Councilmember, Principal and Community Thank Disney
John Burroughs Middle School Principal Steve Martinez and members from Councilmember Tom LaBonge’s staff unveiled the final product of collaboration between Disney and the school’s neighbors. A brand new brick façade of the auditorium steps, matching the original brickwork of the building, has been installed.
The Councilmember, who could not attend due to pressing issues at City Hall, applauded Disney for their efforts. “There was a need expressed by the community and Disney worked with the people to address it,” LaBonge said. “Disney has brought magic to John Burroughs Middle School.”
“What’s most impressive is Disney’s appreciation for the historical structure of the building and their willingness to work in collaboration with the community,” Martinez said. “The people at Disney demonstrated to us all how working together can make great things happen.”
Since its opening in 1922, the brick façade has been a key feature of the building’s remarkable Northern Italian Renaissance Revival styling. The frontage of the steps leading to the auditorium, however, was made of concrete which was out of character for the historic building. Prior to kicking off production of new film ‘Prom’ at the site, Walt Disney Studios offered their assistance to rejuvenate the building’s aesthetics.
“John Burroughs Middle School was the first location that we locked in for the movie due to its unique beauty both inside and out,” says ‘Prom’ director Joe Nussbaum. “The brick exterior will be a memorable look for the front of our high school.”
Adds producer Justin Springer, "We were more than happy to use our resources to restore the brick in front of the auditorium. It resulted in a beautiful look for our film and it was really nice to help out the community while we were at it.”
Disney proposed to build a veneer for the steps, matching each brick to the unique façade. Neighbors rallied around the idea and provided guiding designs. The resulting veneer was installed by a masonry expert hired by Disney.
John Burroughs Middle School serves the Hancock Park area. Though not officially named an historic landmark, the building is one of the few campuses built in the 1920s that remains in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Bicycling Coalition: Look Forward to Working with Councilmember
Councilmember Tom LaBonge and the Los Angeles County Bicycling Coaltion (LACBC) joined nearly 60 cyclists at a walking and bicycling event at Shatto Park on Saturday. The LACBC hosted the event to champion Los Angeles' efforts to create friendlier roads for cyclists.
"It's a privilege to work with cycling advocates like the Los Angeles County Bicycling Coaltion," Councilmember LaBonge said. "I look forward to working with the cycling community to develop a network of bike-friendly streets."
You can view the Los Angeles Bicycle Plan Update, the city's long-term plan for improving bike transportation, by clicking here.
It identifies streets that are targeted for easier bike access with designated bike lanes or sharrows, which are shared lane markings.
Other speakers at the LACBC event addressed safety and other issues that face cyclists. Speakers included Jeff Jacoberger of the Mid-City West Neighborhood Council; Mike Russell of the Wilshire Center Business Improvement District; Megan Hirsch mother and author; Jackie Ruby a resident and recent 4th Street volunteer and Howard Krepak a lawyer who specializes in representing bicyclists. Residents and cycling enthusiasts began the day by taking a ride down Fourth Street to show support for Los Angeles to become a bicycling-friendly city.
Wilton Place's New Gardens
Councilmember Tom LaBonge joined the City of Los Angeles Board of Public Works Vice President Andrea Alarcon, Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services Director William A. Robertson, other city officials and members of the community to break ground for the new Wilton Place Traffic Islands on Thursday.
“The members of the Wilton community and I are celebrating today,” Councilmember LaBonge said. “These new medians will not only provide a welcoming gateway to this National Historic District, but will also slow traffic and encourage people to walk through this great neighborhood.”
“Among our many objectives is to maintain ‘walkable’ communities, where residents can safely walk during the day or in the evening,” Robertson said of the Department of Public Works, Bureau of Street Services’ goal in projects like the Wilton Place Traffic Islands. “The expanded traffic triangles will provide safety areas for pedestrians and enable them to cross the street safely in a shorter distance.”
"When finished, the project will increase both pedestrian and vehicle traffic safety," said Alarcon. "It is an outstanding example of the City and area residents working together to enhance the quality of life for the neighborhood. We are pleased to build this important and beneficial project.”
The garden medians, to be installed on the 1st and 2nd Streets intersections of Wilton Place, have been part of the Councilmember’s vision for the area for years. The traffic islands will include decorative crosswalks to make the intersections safer for people walking or biking to the Wilshire Branch Library at 1st and St. Andrews Place.
The project is funded by the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency. City landscape architects worked with residents on the designs for the project before finalizing the plans. The traffic islands are scheduled to be completely installed by December 2010. To view the landscape plans, click here.
Tour LaBonge Tours Miracle Mile & Hancock Park
Mayor Villaraigosa stepped outside to support Tour LaBonge
Miracle Mile and Hancock Park received a flurry of nearly 60 cycling visitors Wednesday as Councilmember Tom LaBonge rolled Tour LaBonge, his series of summer evening bike rides, through the historic neighborhoods.
“There is immense history here in the Miracle Mile and Hancock Park areas,” Councilmember LaBonge said. “The vision of A.W. Ross and the Hancock family who developed these areas in the 1920s is still readily apparent. Many of the founders of Los Angeles lived right here.”
Midway through the ride in Windsor Square, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa stepped outside his home, the Getty House, to greet riders. Councilmember LaBonge continued the tour with a stop by one of the councilmember’s favorite landmark eateries, Pink’s Hot Dogs. Afterwards, the riders took a break at the Farmer's Market where Councilmember LaBonge treated them to ice cream. The trail ended at Fire Station 27 where firefighters powered on their emergency vehicle lights, illuminating the end of the trail.
The last two Wednesday evenings of Tour LaBonge will take cyclists through other portions of Councilmember LaBonge’s district. July 14 will include a ride by the LA River and Griffith Park. The series will conclude with a tour of Hollywood on July 21st.
Councilmember Celebrates 5th Annual Culture Day
Over 100 folk musicians, dancers and singers from around the world performed at The Grove at Farmers Market on Sunday at the 5th annual Culture Day sponsored by Councilmember LaBonge and Los Angeles Sister Cities.
"We're here today to celebrate the diverse cultures of the world, all of which have found a home in this cosmopolitan City," Councilmember LaBonge said. "We are the world right here in the heart of Los Angeles."
Clapping and dancing crowds greeted dance groups from sister cities Jakarta,Indonesia; Taipei, Taiwan; Beirut,Lebanon and Mumbai, India. Drum ensembles from Nagoya, Japan and Lusaka, Zambia were followed by Berlin's recreation of 1930s German cabarets and Mexico City's Tenor of the Americas, Maximo. Irish singer, Ken O'Malley, emceed.
The Councilmember, President of Sister Cities of Los Angeles, Inc., at one point led the crowd and a group of performers in singing "We Are the World."
Presdient Dwight D. Eisenhower created the Sister Cities program in 1956 to build people-to-people relationships among Sister Cities and increase cultural understanding and awareness. Sister Cities of Los Angeles was formed in 1959 with Nagoya, Japan and Eilat, Israel. Today, Sister Cities of Los Angeles is a major force in international relations and trade with 25 member cities.
Shatto Recreation Center Renovations Completed
Councilmember Tom LaBonge celebrated vast improvements to the Shatto Park and Recreation Center on Thursday 11 months after a $685,000 renovation project began at the Koreatown park. Members of the Wilshire Center community, including and representatives of the Department of Recreation and Parks, joined Councilmember LaBonge for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
"More people live in the surrounding neighborhoods of Shatto than any area of the U.S. outside of Manhattan," Councilmember LaBonge said. "It's important that the community has a place to gather, exercise and play sports. These improvements make Shatto Park the centerpiece of the community."
The renovations were sparked after community elder Yong Mok Chun, a member of the Shatto Badminton Club, contacted city officials about the deteriorating asphalt on the badminton court. Councilmember LaBonge and the Department of Recreation and Parks General Manager Jon Mukri responded.
Major safety renovations consist of new lighting around the playground, handicap-accessible play structures and bleachers. Other improvements include new fitness equipment, a larger playground area, cushioned athletic surfacing at a badminton court and drought-resistant plants.
The Shatto Recreation Center is one of the finest examples of public parks in Southern California. It boasts an auditorium, baseball diamond, basketball courts, children’s play area, community room, tennis courts and volleyball courts.
The project was funded through Quimby funds. California Quimby Act was first established by the California legislature in 1965. The legislation was a response to California's increased rate of urbanization and the need to preserve open space and provide parks and recreation facilities for growing communities.
Councilmember Leads 50 Cyclists on Sharrows in Wilshire
Night number two of Tour LaBonge, the Councilmember's series of summer evening bike rides, titled “Positively Fourth Street” for the 1967 Bob Dylan song, toured the beautiful Wilshire district in the heart of Los Angeles. Councilmember LaBonge led the nearly 10 mile excursion, showcasing the new bike lanes on Fourth Street.
“It’s so important that the Los Angeles car culture become friendlier to the environmentally-conscious alternatives,” Councilmember LaBonge said. “Sharrows like these enable cycling enthusiasts to enjoy the great City of Los Angeles and demonstrate to motorists that we can live in harmony.”
Interesting sites included a view of the Los Angeles County Museum of Arts Urban Lights installation, a trip by the La Brea Tar Pits and a tour around Larchmont Boulevard.
The Tour LaBonge bike rides are fun events that promote cycling as an inexpensive, environmentally friendly and healthy form of transportation. Every route is approximately 10 miles long and includes a police escort that leads, accompanies and follows the group.
The following four Wednesday evenings will take cyclists through other portions of Councilmember LaBonge’s district. On June 30, riders will enjoy the sights and sounds of Toluca Lake and North Hollywood, known for its up-and-coming status as the art center of Los Angeles. Other nights will explore the Miracle Mile area, the LA River and Griffith Park and a tour of Hollywood on July 21st.
All riders are required to wear helmets and sign liability waivers. Participants must be at least 12 years of age, and children must be accompanied by parents or other responsible adults. No pets allowed.
