Around the Halls: Broadway Sidewalks, Farmers Field, Signage and the Future of the CRA
Eric Richardson
[Flickr]
A reworked signage ordinance attempts to add more teeth to enforcement rules that did nothing to stop supergraphics like this one that went up in May of 2009.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Today is Monday, August 8. Broadway sidewalks, Farmers Field, a new signage ordinance and the future of the Community Redevelopment Agency are among the items at City Hall this week.
MONDAY: Public Safety, Personnel and Budget and Finance committees meet.
Neighborhood Council funding is the topic of CF 11-1020, at Budget and Finance. The motion calls for council budgeted and funding processes to be streamlined, and for other potential funding models to be explored.
TUESDAY: Council meets, as do three committees.
$3.8 million in federal and Metro funds to repair Broadway sidewalks between 2nd and 4th is at risk if the city doesn't start construction immediately. CF 11-1292, now at Council, calls for that work to begin immediately.
The deal for Farmers Field comes to City Council six days after its approval by the council's ad-hoc stadium committee. CF 11-0023 asks that the CLA and CAO be authorized to execute an MOU with AEG for the $1.2 billion project.
Jobs and Business Development will take on potential tweaks to the city's business taxes. Included will be a report by USC professor Charles Swenson.
A new signage ordinance goes to Planning and Land Use Management, a year and a half after the last shot at reform failed to move forward. The new rules, attached to CF 08-2020, create a ban on off-site signage, attempt to clarify rules on the create of sign districts and clean up other ordinance features. The report from Planning lists a number of items that it wanted to study, but didn't because of budget constraints.
WEDNESDAY: Council returns, as does Housing, Community and Economic Development committee.
The future of the Community Redevelopment Agency is again up for discussion. Keeping the agency alive would require a payment to the state of $96.5 million in 2011-2012 and between $25 million and $28 million after that. A report by the CAO and CLA—filed under CF 11-0763 calls making the payments and continuing the agency the option with the least risk and liability for the city. The item is at both an 8:30am committee meeting and the 10am Council meeting.
An ordinance to make the purchase of animals on city sidewalks illegal comes up for a second Council vote under CF 09-0632. The motion was approved last week, 11-0, but needed to 12 votes to avoid the second hearing. After a second approval, it would go into effect 30 days after the Mayor signs the bill.
baddicus on August 08, 2011, at 08:23AM – #1
Speaking of Broadway sidewalks, have you seen the horrible job around the Jewelry Trades Building at Broadway and 5th?
The owner just replaced the glass block sidewalk with little granite squares inset in pink colored concrete. Oh man, it's filthy already, the work is shabby, and there's no excuse for getting rid of the glass block!
Mario Teran on August 08, 2011, at 10:58AM – #2
I think I understand why we need a signage ordinance. The overall economy and housing market is thriving, so why should anyone be looking for ways to generate income? Look around, do you see big commercial projects filing for bankruptcy? Common sense people, common sense!
crystal on August 08, 2011, at 01:29PM – #3
@baddicus noticed that the other day. They don't feel sturdy at all. Better than the plywood but still not a permanent fix I hope.
jojinks on August 09, 2011, at 10:45AM – #4
When are they going to start re-paving streets where IT NEEDS IT MOST? ALL OF ALAMEDA, Central, Washington etc. are in such horrible disrepair with potholes and huge cracks! Meanwhile, they re-pave streets in Little Tokyo that don't even need repaving!!! Who is making the decisions????