The First Green-Roofed Fire Station
The last beam of the fire station is lifted into place
Councilmember LaBonge and LAFD Chief Peaks joined other city officials, firefighters and community members for the “Topping Off Ceremony for Fire Station 82,” the City’s first green-roofed fire station. The long-anticipated event was held at the building site on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Van Ness Avenue on Thursday. Commissioner Steven Nutter from the Department of Public Works and Chief Deputy City Engineer Deborah Weintraub were also in attendance.
“This station will meet the needs of the firefighters of Battalion 5, making it easier for them to answer the calls of residents,” Councilmember Tom LaBonge said. “Not only will the fire station promote public safety, but it will be environmentally friendly. The residents in this area will think green whenever they hear those sirens.”
The original fire station on Bronson Avenue was over-crowded with outdated equipment and will now be transformed to include a community room, classroom space and equipment storage. The new building is nearly three-times the size of the old structure at 18,900-square-feet and can house 16 firefighters per shift, far exceeding the six-per-shift maximum of the old station. The building will also boast underground parking and a variegated roof with a garden. The roof garden, which will keep the station cool, is part of a rainwater treatment system.
City officials and community members signed the final beam, symbolizing the nearly 10 years of community collaboration and the interdepartmental negotiation involved in the project. The crowd looked on as a crane lifted the final beam to the top of the third story.
"This is a very exciting occasion for both our City family and the community. This project is symbolic of the vision Los Angeles voters had back in 2000 to construct and renovate fire stations and animal shelters across the city,” said Board of Public Works Commissioner, Steven Nutter. “The Department of Public Works is very proud to be part of this rewarding partnership."
The $30 million building is being funded through the Prop F General Obligation bond, approved by voters in November, 2000. The new fire station, designed by RRM Design Group, will qualify for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED certification through the U.S. Green Building Council. Since 2003, all Department of Public Works’ newly designed and constructed projects of 7,500 square feet or more must be LEED-certified.
Fire Station 82 serves areas of Councilmembers LaBonge and Garcetti’s districts, including parts of East Hollywood and Hollywood Hills.
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 Steps Toward Cyclist-Friendly Stairs
(Picture taken from the Councilmember's Summer Bike Series. For updates on the next bicycle ride, subscribe to LaBonge.News@lacity.org)
On Wednesday, Councilmember LaBonge proposed to install “bicycle stairs” to address wear and tear on outdoor City stairways. Bicycle stairs are channels that run alongside a set of stairs, allowing cyclists to wheel the bicycle up or down steps with ease.
“Some of the world’s greatest cities have taken cyclists into consideration when designing or updating their urban areas,” Councilmember LaBonge said. “There is no greater city than Los Angeles, and it’s about time we incorporate the needs of bicyclists into our architectural plans.”
Councilmember LaBonge envisions a bicycle-friendly city and has made strides in improving the infrastructure to include bicycles. A number of cycling-minded initiatives have been instituted by the Councilmember, including the Fourth Street bike sharrow in the Wilshire district. The sharrow was recently the setting of the Los Angeles County Bicycling Coaltions (LACBC) event in July held to promote awareness and movement towards a city friendly towards cycling enthusiasts. The Councilmember spoke at the event, asking constituents to give the City feedback on the proposed bicycle plan.
Angelenos 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.
For more information or to track the motion, please click here.
LAPD to Receive Funds for Wilshire Center-Koreatown Camera System
Councilmember Tom LaBonge and his colleagues approved the recommendation of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) to transfer funds to the LAPD for a wireless camera system. The CRA’s recommendation came after a request from Councilmember LaBonge who sought to address security concerns of community members and patrons of theWilshire Center-Koreatown district.
“I follow the recommendation of the LAPD,” Councilmember LaBonge said. “Cameras are an effective tool for preventing crime and it will boost the quality of life for people who visit this unique part of Los Angeles.”
The LAPD will use nearly $300,000 in AB1290 (State) funds for the cameras. The system has the ability to be monitored and recorded—an effective method for preventing crime and catching criminals. In the coming months, the LAPD will determine where the cameras should be located within the commercial zones.
AB1290 was established by the State in the 1990s in order to protect redevelopment projects. The funds are used to rebuild older or economically downtrodden communities. The City’s General Fund will not be affected.
Councilmember Champions Valley Business Leadership
Councilmember LaBonge attended a sold out luncheon held by the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) on Thursday. The annual meeting is held between elected officials and members of the San Fernando Valley business community in order to discuss business sustainability and growth.
"VICA is an important organization for Los Angeles," Councilmember LaBonge said. "They work to promote the businesses that serve the over 40 percent Angeleno population residing in the San Fernando Valley. Today, we're going to open the discussion about what other avenues the City can take to champion business growth in the Valley."
About VICA
VICA is widely considered one of the most influential business advocacy organizations in Southern California. With its knowledge of the legislative process and economic issues, VICA's access to public officials ensures that the San Fernando Valley's business perspective will be heard in the interest of improving our business climate and quality of life. With input and guidance from its members, VICA maintains a regular presence at all levels of government to effectively represent Valley businesses.
Council Committee Approves Koreatown and Little Bangladesh Designations
Councilmembers LaBonge and Krekorian with members of Los Angeles' Bangladeshi and Korean communities.
Councilmember Tom LaBonge was greeted with thunderous applause after he expressed support for the official designation of Koreatown and Little Bangladesh in a committee meeting on Wednesday. The Councilmember worked alongside community members in the Wilshire-Koreatown District in order to accommodate each community’s needs in the ethnically diverse neighborhood.
“In the future, this will inspire other communities to collaborate and contribute to the City of Los Angeles,” Councilmember LaBonge said of the cooperation among three cultural communities that reside in the area. “It’s been a pleasure to work with your neighborhoods to make the Wilshire District a multicultural center of Los Angeles.”
For years, Koreatown became a hub of Korean culture, food and entertainment, but the area was never formally recognized. Bangladeshi residents sought formal recognition for a cultural center within Koreatown. In response, community activist, Chang Y. Lee, proposed that the City define the borders for an officially recognized Koreatown. The action was met by dismay from many of the areas El Salvadorian and Bangladeshi residents. Councilmember LaBonge stepped into the dispute, calling for all members to work together for a compromise.
The Education and Neighborhoods Committee, chaired by Councilmember Krekorian (in photo) also heard testimony from community members on the subject. Letters of support were presented by key players of the El Salvadorian community. Residents of Koreatown lauded praise on the coalition of communities that compromised on the designations while of the Bangladesh community voiced their delight at the resolution.
“It is a great day for all of us living in Los Angeles to have a little part of the City known as Little Bangladesh,” said one constituent. Another touted the multi-ethnic diversity of the area as the reason Los Angeles can be called “the quintessential American city.”
The Los Angeles City Council is scheduled to hear the committee’s recommendation on the designations in the coming weeks. Both district names are expected to be approved.
Lunch Trucks Update: Councilmember Hears Testimony
The Transportation Committee heard testimony from community members, business owners and government officials about the surge of gourmet food trucks occupying expired metered parking on Wednesday. The meeting is the result of Councilmember LaBonge's motion to address illegal parking by the catering trucks that have some residents and business owners concerned.
“I’m not against the catering trucks,” Councilmember LaBonge said. “My concern is that metered parking was installed as a solution to the limited public parking in business district. We need to find a place for these trucks to park so they don’t interfere with the flow of personal vehicles through a shopping district.”
Councilmember LaBonge, who is on the committee, introduced two motions to City Council in June to create specific parking zones for food trucks outside of commercially zoned areas, study how other municipalities have worked to integrate the new trend successfully and establish fines for trucks that repeatedly violate city and county codes. City agencies including the Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Health, will report back to the committee with their findings in approximately two months.
Councilmembers and Community Honor An Historic Olympian
Michelle Park Steele from the State Board of Equalization, Dr. Kee Wan Ha, Olympian Frank Gorman and others join Councilmembers Herb Wesson, Jr. and Tom LaBonge to celebrate Dr. Sammy Lee (holding plaque)
Councilmembers Tom LaBonge and Herb Wesson joined numerous Olympians and members of the community on Thursday to dedicate a square in the cultural center of Koreatown to Dr. Sammy Lee. The 90-year-old Olympian and pillar of the community also received commendatory proclamation from the Los Angeles City Council declaring August 5, 2010 “Dr. Sammy Lee Day.” David Simon, President of the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games (SCCOG) and Barry Sanders, Chairman of SCCOG and President of the Los Angeles Coliseum Commission, were also present.
“Dr. Sammy Lee is a great American,” Councilmember Wesson said. “He has honored America throughout a lifetime of service to his community and his nation. Our tribute to him is a small token of appreciation for his many contributions, and his distinguished record of achievement.”
“We’re here today to honor a celebrated Olympian and an American legend,” Councilmember LaBonge said. “We dedicate this square to Dr. Sammy Lee for his lifetime of remarkable achievements.”
David Simon added, “Dr. Sammy Lee is a great Olympic champion whose contributions to the world of sport have continued for decades since he last stepped out of an Olympic pool. I am sure he will continue his inspirational work on behalf of the Olympic Movement.”
ABOUT DR. SAMMY LEE
Ninety-year-old Dr. Sammy Lee is the first American of Asian descent to win an Olympic gold medal. He is also the first person of color to win a medal in diving and the first man to win back-to-back gold medals in Olympic platform diving.
In 1942, Lee became the first person of color to win the National Diving Championships, sending him to the top of the list for Olympic trials. At the 1948 Olympic Games hosted in London, Lee won the gold medal in Men’s Platform Diving and took home a bronze for the 3-meter Springboard. In Helsinki’s 1952 Olympic Games, Lee struck gold again for Platform Diving, making him the oldest person to win a gold medal in diving at the age of 32.
In addition to coaching diving champion, Greg Louganis, to a silver medal (1976) and two gold medals (1984), Lee is credited with coaching Olympic gold medalist Bob Webster (1960, 1964). Lee served on the State and President's Council for Physical Fitness during five presidential administrations and was appointed by President Reagan as the President’s Commissioner on White House Fellows in 1981.
While competing at the Olympic level, Lee studied pre-med at Occidental College and graduated the four-year program in three years. In 1947, he graduated with his MD from the University of Southern California (USC) Medical School and became a Major in the US Army Medical Corps. Lee is a retired ear, nose and throat physician and surgeon.
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