City Passes Moratorium on Taking SROs Off the Market
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — I feel like this is an issue I took on just the other day, but I'm kind of annoyed with the coverage of yesterday's Council action to put a one-year moratorium on SRO conversions. For once the AP's headline (or at least the most popular of its variations) -- "L.A. Bans Demolition Of Downtown Flophouses" -- is more accurate than the Times, who ran that "1-Year Ban OKd on Loft Conversions." Thankfully the Times story is much more accurate than its headline.
You can count on one hand (perhaps one hand that's missing some fingers) the number of properties Downtown that this will have a practical effect on. There is no rush to convert properties currently operating as SROs.
The proper course for the SROs is going to be decided on a case by case basis. In my opinion a renovation like the one slated for the Alexandria is a best-possible outcome. But that's not going to be feasible for every building.
And this moratorium is certainly not going to slow down Downtown or bring prices down. There's too much happening for that.
Don Garza on May 11, 2006, at 08:48PM – #1
I think this Moraorium just made it easier for the MArket rate developer to buyild as much as they want.
Wendy on May 16, 2006, at 10:26AM – #2
I assume the thought behind this moratorium is that conversions of these hotels would result in a new wave of homeless. However, the state of some of these places is simply unconscionable, and to allow them to persist as they are is abdication of responsibility. For example, the Huntington on Main and 8th. The place hosts a constant stream of illegal activity, and is a danger to its occupants and the community in general. If you want to read more about it, check this article out. http://www.laalternativepress.com/v03n16/feature/sorrentino2.php
What a mess! It seems to me that the city council, and all the city, county and state authorities fail year after year to do anything about Skid Row. This moratorium is simply evidence of their stop gap measures, instead of dealing with the shocking conditions in that area.
David Kennedy on May 16, 2006, at 02:06PM – #3
Well, remember Wendy, since Skid Row has been such an outstanding success over the past generation, the authorities plan on duplicating Skid Row at four more yet to be determined locations in Los Angeles County. Then, even more people will be able to witness Skid Row living first-hand and marvel at the wisdom of our leaders.