"We Really Shut Down the Neighborhood"
Eric Richardson
[Flickr]
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — You might remember back in October that the Roosevelt used a filming permit to get 7th street closed for a party held in front of the building. Representatives of the development claimed that the LA Femme Film Festival simply wanted to film a masterwork titled "Roosevelt Lofts Promo Video" and that no way were they using the filming as a cover for closure.
Today Roosevelt Sales Manager Randelle Green sent out an email to those who had RSVP'ed for the October gathering. Take a look at how it begins (emphasis mine):
We here at the Roosevelt want to thank you for coming out to our Mega- Block Party back in October. We really shut down the neighborhood that evening, thanks for making it such a success.
Thank you Roosevelt. Shutting down the neighborhood is exactly what we all want here in Downtown. We gloat about how successfully we disrupt the community as well. I'm sure you'll fit right in.
VictorAtomic on December 20, 2007, at 12:43AM – #1
ehh let them party! Would of been nice if I was invited though.
Shawn on December 20, 2007, at 08:37AM – #2
well at least they had the party on a saturday night when there wasnt much if any traffic.
Scott Mercer on December 20, 2007, at 08:47AM – #3
Yeah, great, because, you know, nobody actually LIVES in that neighborhood. That's why the ROOSEVELT is so cool, it's absolutely the only building in downtown that will have people living in it.
br on December 20, 2007, at 10:50AM – #4
If blocking off 50 yards of 7th street at night to have a party is a bad thing for downtown then lets be bad!!!
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on December 20, 2007, at 11:11AM – #5
br: I'm all for street parties when they're done right.
First, make it an actual street party that's open to the public and not a closed affair that's tarp'ed off on both sides. I realize that may make it where you need to actually be legal about your alcohol consumption, but such are the rules.
Second, focus on making the neighborhood better, not shutting it down.
Third, don't cheat. Don't skirt the rules by taking out a filming permit. Don't call blocked off sidewalks with security guards "occasional pedestrian control." Be up front and let the neighborhood support you.