Amerland Conversation
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Given today's Times story about a lawsuit filed against Amerland by former tenants of the Alexandria, it's worth mentioning Ed's September interview with Lance McKay, a 69 year old resident of the hotel who defended its management. Bert Green, also an Amerland tenant, has been less enthusiastic. When Bert writes a long post you know he's riled up about something, and this post on Amerland is a serious read (with followup here).
The longer this story's gone on, the less straight forward it has seemed to become.
Bert Green on December 21, 2007, at 07:53PM – #1
I think there are a few different things gong on here. Firstly, while I do have issues with the management of the Rosslyn Lofts, I don't believe that Amerland has the wrong intentions, I simply think they are clueless when it comes to the actual hands on management of the building.
This lawsuit is another animal entirely. It is a ruse to pump up the fortunes of organizations like LA CAN, which refuse to assist tenants in need, but come in later to accuse landlords of abusing those same tenants. It has been alleged (via word on the street) that LA CAN arranged to have the elevators and hot water disabled at the Alexandria just days before a CRA hearing. The morning after the water and elevators had been vandalized, LA CAN was handing out flyers in the Alexandria telling people to go to the hearing to testify against the landlords. Many people refused to do so, but some did.
Amerland's cluelessness is evident here. Why was anyone able to get in to cause such damage? Why are the critical systems of the building accessible?
LA CAN will use this lawsuit to demonstrate to its funders that it is doing its job to protect the downtrodden and the poor. They do so to keep the donations flowing. In fact, they selectively assist only certain people for the best effect on their bottom line.
I was a tenant organizer for many years in other cities, and organized rent strikes which resulted in significant improvements in conditions for the tenants I worked with. There is a right way and a wrong way to do this. If it's the tenants you want to help, there is a legal process that usually works. If you are trying to subvert an entire organization to make an example, to draw a line in the sand and drag down renovation and revitalization of a community, then this lawsuit is the way to go.
The sad truth is that lawsuits like this only serve to divert money away from housing. They drain resources from public agencies and housing providers, perpetuate a culture of antagonism, and pad the pockets of consultants, lawyers, and activists. And this is a deliberate strategy. It's a form of job security.
Terri on December 21, 2007, at 09:37PM – #2
LA Community Action Network (LA CAN) sounds like a social-welfare version of the sleazy, unethical owner and developer of apartment buildings in the USC area who received a lot of publicity a few months ago for harrassing a competing developer with frivolous lawsuits. That competitor and USC have since filed a counter-lawsuit.
It sounds like Amerland should do the same thing to LA CAN.
Sadly, the major winners in entanglements like this are the trial lawyers.
Benjamin Pezzillo on December 26, 2007, at 12:56AM – #3
The sidewalk on the Main Street side of the Rosslyn Lofts building is in great need of repair -- there now appear to be sections where several glass skylight tiles have broken through and the holes are now larger than in the recent past and capable of snagging feet (not to mention dog paws).
I want to believe most of the damage to these sidewalk skylights over the years has come from film-making equipment being parked atop the 'hollow' ground (heavy camera dollies, grip carts, scissor lifts, etc.) but it could also be erosion of the cement loosening the glass tiles.
In any event, it needs fixed before someone breaks a leg walking down the street.