After Transfer of Pershing Square Recreation Director, Community Calls for Transparency
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Pershing Square is about to get a new Recreation Director, much to the dismay of those involved in helping to bring more community to the park. Louise Capone, who has held the position for a decade, sent out an email to the Pershing Square Park Advisory Board on Sunday alerting them of her upcoming departure and thanking them for the chance to have worked together.
This week, motions will be presented at the neighborhood council's parks committee and the Pershing Square Park Advisory Board supporting Capone, expressing concern over her transfer and demanding transparency on budget issues at the park.
2008 was a very successful programming year for Pershing Square. In the fall, the Friday Night Flicks series produced with DLANC drew hundreds of guests to the park to view films such as "Blade Runner" and "Chinatown." Capone also brought the arts community to the park, helping to set up the Downtown Artists Project's Art Squared gallery.
Emails to blogdowntown this week praised Capone's ability to get great bands to Pershing Square. "Her long-standing relationship with the musicians in the community, her exceptional taste in placing the right talent in the right venue, her knowledge of music production and coordination, and her finesse as a music management liaison, have gained her great respect in the music industry," one emailer wrote.
An emergency meeting of DLANC's Parks, Recreation and Open Space committee has been called for Wednesday evening. Three motions will be presented. The first expresses support for Capone, listing examples of her leadership in bringing programming to the park. The second expresses a "vote of no confidence for the lack of communication and partnership by existing upper management at the park."
The final motion asks for a presentation on the finances of the park, claiming that "repeated requests for public information on programming budgets, staffing and other financial matters have been ignored and thwarted."
Pershing Square's garage, owned by Recreation and Parks and operated by the General Services Department, generates significant revenue for the department. In April, rates were raised for the first time in ten years. At the same time, the amount transferred from garage to the department's general fund was increased from $500,000 to $800,000. A December report to the Parks Commission estimated gross revenue for fiscal year 2008-2009 to be just over $4 million.
DLANC's parks meeting will be held at 6pm on Wednesday, January 14, at the neighborhood council's office (Spring Arts Tower #1020, 453 S. Spring). Similar motions will be presented at a Thursday morning meeting of the Park Advisory Board, to take place at 8am at the park's Administration Conference Room, located under the northwest corner of Pershing Square.
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Dog Walker on January 13, 2009, at 05:18PM – #1
I'm still hoping for that dog park...
rob on January 13, 2009, at 07:51PM – #2
thats what the civic center park if for.
Bert Green on January 14, 2009, at 12:11AM – #3
There is a dog park plan for Pershing Square. It will be presented soon.
Marc Loge on January 14, 2009, at 10:06AM – #4
I now ENJOY my walk through Pershing Square on my way to and from work everyday! How many downtowners remember avoiding Pershing Square completely when it was a "scab" of a so-called park ... commonly referred to in the past as downtown's outdoor toilet or "shooting gallery" !!! We found a visionary for Pershing Square in Louise Capone, who genuinely reached out to the community to find solutions and brought programming for all generations of Angelino’s, not just downtown dwellers. Ms. Capone should be given a medal before her departure. She listened to the community and involved us in vision to recapture this park from the gangs and addicts! This was no easy feat and it took a decade but SHE tirelessly worked to make Pershing Square a destination, accomplished with little funding and big ideas … is there anyway we (the downtown community) can get her to stay?
Bert Green on January 14, 2009, at 10:36AM – #5
She will stay. The community has demanded that her transfer be reversed.
Wipe it clean and start over on January 14, 2009, at 10:52AM – #6
A failed design that included a toxic water fountain.
Zero attraction for anyone outside of downtown as a destination. (There are actual ice skating rinks in winter most people would rather support.) and little for those from downtown.
Polluted with rats.
A half-assed attempt at arts programming.
Wipe it clean and start over, including the programmer. Make it a destination for both downtowners and those from outside who can get to it via Metro -- a stop across the street.
No playground and no dog park as a dog park is merely a transference of stench and another attraction for rats.
out my window on January 16, 2009, at 11:53AM – #7
I can see the park from my window. I don't always have alot of good things to say about Pershing Square but Louise is a good thing for the park. Even with crime all around, her office door is open to the community. I have seen homeless people spit and swear at her. I have seen locals complain to her about everything from light bulbs to dog poop. I've watched her own security staff refuse to help her in tough sitautions. I've been a regular pain in the butt myself. I'll tell you one thing if she had more money and Department support she might be able to start turning the place around. On a lighter note I saw Louise on stage last Tuesday singing with the M80's doing a Gun's & Roses song. The audience gave her a standing ovation.
John Crandell on January 16, 2009, at 02:02PM – #8
You're on the right track, 'Wipe It'!
An inordinate point of destination is the only solution. People can take their dogs to the new Gil-ville Green instead. Dog crap would only detract, make the place far less that what it needs to become.
We need a magnetic combination of art and magic at Pershing Square, not dog dung. The Councilwoman and/or the Parks Department's kow-towing to the needs of local dog lovers would be a great mistake, equal to all of the past mistakes made for this very particular place.
Dear Councilwoman Perry, please think twice about this... It is far more than just a problem to be solved. It is an opportunity. Imagine if MOCA was to set forth to determine the future of Pershing Square - in tandem with the local council of architects, with environmental artists and landscape designers. Perhaps Disney Incorporated could (as well) go where it has never gone before, in Downtown L.A.
Again, this is an opportunity. Get on the phone Mr. Mayor. Call MOCA. Call Robert Irwin. Call Lawrence Halprin, Call Frank Gehry. We need an exciting new prospect at this particular point in time.
Jim Winstead on January 16, 2009, at 02:40PM – #9
man, i'll never get tired of john/juanito's feces fetish.
Juanito on January 16, 2009, at 06:44PM – #10
Thanx, Win-Man....... I think.
Gee, I wonder what Robert Graham would have said about the subject. Would he like the idea of a Doberman Pinscher taking a dump next to an installation of his in the city's pre-eminent urban square? Would he roll over in his crypt beneath the cathedral?
Only the angels would know for sure. Just abstract speculation you understand..
Victoria on January 17, 2009, at 06:53AM – #11
I am still curious to see an audit of the park's finances. It seems like Louise does an awful lot of programmin on a shoe string potato budget. Open the books, let the sun shine in. Where is all of the Rec and Parks revenue? How many dead bodies are buried under Pershing Square?
Purple Haze on January 17, 2009, at 10:10AM – #12
It's the live bodies that ya' gotta look out for.
Noah on January 17, 2009, at 10:24AM – #13
I'm about ready to take tape printed with "biohazard" and do a Christo on that piece of shit non-park.
Dennis Smith on January 17, 2009, at 12:18PM – #14
Noah,
You better hurry or the city will beat you to it! After Monday, there will most likely be yellow tape barring public admission to the Pershing Square greensward until March 17 when it will be reopened for St. Patrick's Day.
Juanito on January 17, 2009, at 01:19PM – #15
Would "Blackjack" John Pershing want to be at all associated with Pershing Square? He was not from L.A., had no connection with this town.
On the other hand, he participated in the Spanish American War and in World War I. In the Philippine Islands, troops under his command practiced genocide on a massive scale. Hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians were wiped out per his direct intent.
Is it proper that a major public space at the center of the present multicultural constellation of this city be associated with John Pershing?
It should be reconstituted with great imagination, ought once again become known as Central Park.
number for hire on January 18, 2009, at 12:25PM – #16
Victoria is right a full audit is what is needed. If they spend 300k + on the ice rink then spend 300K+ on the downtown stage. If they spend 75,000 on kids programs spend 75,000 on the film festival and art project. It's wrong that Louise has to ask the community to sponsor talent when you know the park has lots of money. Why haven't the park money people given the park money for top bands and better lighting and programs that the community wants to enjoy. P/S had to put 800K back into the city fund because they made so much money last year. Spend the money on downtown's community. I'm sick of going to PAB meetings and hearing P/S faclity manager say there is no money. I don't think any downtown folks are going to partner with Pershing Park until Pershing ponies up their own money. Stop crying poverty Pershing. Find the bodies their pockets are lined with cash.
Norbie 7 on January 18, 2009, at 03:19PM – #17
Hey, Pershing Square isn't a particular 'special interest.' Money is, i.e. - realms of desire and influence (power).
Stop trying to build a career on it. You're sounding like a one-person neighborhood council.
Bert Green on January 18, 2009, at 10:23PM – #18
Pershing Square garage is a big money maker for the city, but most of the funds are diverted to the general fund, as far as I know. But the PAB will be asking the city controller to audit the park's finances. The figure thrown out that was spent on the ice rink this year was 1.2 million. That's fishy, don't you think?
A & C on January 19, 2009, at 10:49AM – #19
As the Arts & Crafts Walk grows, Pershing Square could be used as a venue for performances.
Frank on January 19, 2009, at 12:12PM – #20
1.5 million ... i thought the amount mentioned in the board report was 142,000.00. then i heard it cost about 350,000.00. audit audit audit