LA Weekly Takes a Look at Skid Row
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Sam Slovick has a story on Skid Row in this week's issue of the LA Weekly titled, "Down on Main Street." It's good alt-weekly irreverence, but it paints an interesting picture of the conflict between market-rate developers and those who want to secure Downtown's building stock for SRO's.
K. Lynn on July 05, 2005, at 11:15AM – #1
Many years ago, San Diego wanted to rid the streets of the homeless and provide decent living quarters for the homeless. They proceeded to renovate the San Diego Hotel, located in the heart of the downtown area. Once renovated they went around the area and rounded up the homeles, and took them to their new home..the hotel. As soon as the "do-gooders" [well intended ]had left the area the transplanted homeless left the building...not to return. We need to keep in mind that many of these people are mentally ill. Some are sick because of drug abuse but many ARE NOT. These people do not look at life the same. Their values are different than ours and many are suspicious of buildings. They do not like rules and are paranoid. As long as we keep trying to force them into "our world" we will not succeed. Some of these people should be pitied but I have found that in their own little world...many are content. As hard as that is to believe...that has been my observation & I live "inside" downtown.