'Joel Bloom Square' Proposed

By Ed Fuentes
Published: Tuesday, June 26, 2007, at 07:47PM

Ed Fuentes

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Joel Bloom may soon join Tom Bradley, Famous Amos, Gene Autry, and Raymond Chandler as an official Los Angeles icon.

In a rare honor for a living Angeleno, East 3rd and Traction has been proposed to be a City-designated square named after the long-time Arts District community leader. According to Stephanie Magnien, Legislative Deputy for 9th District Councilmember Jan Perry, final approval will be voted on July 3 in Council chambers.

There is bound to be very little debate on this. Joel’s years of commmunity work with DLANC, LARABA, LADAD, Little Tokyo and MTA have shaped the neighborhood just east of Downtown, even before it was known as the Arts District.

Joel recently received a proclamation from the City of Los Angeles signed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo, and all the members the City Council. It was presented to him at the V.A. Hospital in Westwood, where he currently recovering from his latest round of cancer treatments.

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Added 1:45pm June 28: As of 10am this morning, the Arts District now has a new sign. at East 3rd and Traction.

Added July 6: As expected, and as noted in the last DotDotDash , council approved “Joel Bloom Square” July 3.

Pictured: Joel Bloom, December 2006 by EF

Comments

Don Garza writes:

Congratulations Joel. I sure am glad Joel is being recognized.

# on Jun.27.2007 AT 12:23 AM

LA City Nerd writes:

Here's the list of City Squares as of last May.

# on Jun.27.2007 AT 07:27 AM

Dennis Smith writes:

According to the obituary printed in the Los Angeles Times, next year will see the addition of Albert J. Langer Square at 7th & Alvarado to the official list of city designated squares.

Albert J. Langer R.I.P.

# on Jun.27.2007 AT 08:15 AM

Coleman writes:

Does this mean that the triangle parking lot that's currently fenced off will be opened up and landscaped? That would make that area a lot more pedestrian friendly, especially once the Mura residents start moving in across the street. The current chain-link fence with barbed wire is pretty damn ugly.

# on Jun.27.2007 AT 10:00 AM

Eric Richardson writes:

Though the two actions aren't connected, Jan Perry is also working to acquire that land as a small park. We wrote about that back in May.

# on Jun.27.2007 AT 01:05 PM

Don Garza writes:

Word is that Joel is not doing well. Keep him in your prayers. This comes from reliable sources.

# on Jun.28.2007 AT 12:30 AM

Ed Fuentes writes:

I heard that too Don. Reports this evening are not good. Light a candle.

# on Jun.28.2007 AT 12:55 AM

Lynn Bernau writes:

Though I have known Joel my entire life, I continue to be amazed at what a very special human being he is. How many lives he has touched and helped! I am lucky enough to be Joel's sister . . .

# on Jun.28.2007 AT 10:22 AM

Michael Bloom writes:

Thank you all for your concern and recognition. Joel's brother,Michael.

# on Jun.28.2007 AT 10:58 AM

Ed Fuentes writes:

It's the least we can do, Michael and Lynn.

# on Jun.28.2007 AT 11:36 AM

Dayna Sethness writes:

Thank you very much for your thoughts and concern. It is greatly appreciated. He is truly a wonderful person. Joel's niece, Dayna.

# on Jun.28.2007 AT 12:53 PM

Richard & Anette writes:

Congratulation Joel! And thanks to everyone that made this possible. Now we have another meeting place; you can’t miss me, I’ll be waiting on the North West corner of Joel Bloom Square… ;-)

# on Jun.28.2007 AT 06:39 PM

Sandra Goldberg writes:

Joel is my best cousin and I love him very much. Thank you for doing this for him he really deserves it.

# on Jun.29.2007 AT 04:14 AM

JoAnne "Joey" Lee writes:

I am Joel's first counsin, living in Atlanta, grew up with him in Chicago. He and his siblings, Michael and Lynn, always had the most wonderful, warm personality as did their parents. I'm very happy he "bloomed" where he was planted in L.A. and gave so much to all of you out there. Take good care of Joel Bloom Square and love to all of you. Thanks so much for keeping an eye on him and welcoming him into your lives. - Joey

# on Jun.29.2007 AT 06:27 AM

Susan Bloom writes:

Thank you for recognizing Joel and welcoming him into your world. He has wonderful friends in LA. Joel's sister-in-law, Susan.

# on Jun.29.2007 AT 10:43 AM

Whitman Lam writes:

Joel Bloom has done alot for our city. He helped to make the neighborhood livable, enjoyable, and walkable.

Before, I only knew Traction Ave. from those Crazy Gideon commercials of a deranged man smashing TV's and being hauled away in a straight jacket. A dark corner of our city so far removed from the glitz and glamour image we identify with. Now Traction is one of my favorite streets in Los Angeles, and it is still growing as a community today.

Thanks, Joel, you've turned this sad place into something really special.

# on Jun.30.2007 AT 01:01 AM

Bobbi writes:

Ya gotta love it.....Morton Grove boy moves to LA, makes a place for himself, makes the place better for everyone else and then gets honored for all that he is and all that he has done.

Joel you make us proud. Bobbi

# on Jun.30.2007 AT 01:12 AM

Alana writes:

I too am very proud of the Morton Grove boy. Joel, thank you for making it better than it is today! You proudly demonstrate an important value of life. Bobbi's sister Alana

# on Jun.30.2007 AT 02:56 AM

Barbara writes:

Joel was one of the families that lived around the corner from us in Morton Grove. His brother Michael and my brother Bill were very good friends. Speaking for Bill(who passed away in Jan of 2006 of ALS)and myself we are very proud to see all of Joel's wonderful accomplishments. He will not be forgotten. Barbara (Bloom)Jarol

# on Jul.03.2007 AT 08:49 AM

Ed Fuentes writes:

We at blogdowntown are flattered to have so many members of Joel Bloom's family and friends from his hometown writing here.

On behalf of Eric, Dave and I, and LA Downtowners who have worked with Joel, thanks for sharing your thoughts.

# on Jul.03.2007 AT 09:06 AM

Paul Mackley writes:

Joel, you deserve this. You really deserve this. The immeasurable, undauntable passion you have devoted to nurturing this little patch of earth next to the L.A. river, as well as your support and encouragement for the dreams of those who have shared it with you, has inspired so many of us. Congratulations, Joel. -Paul M.(from Prague)

# on Jul.07.2007 AT 01:15 PM

Margery Bloom writes:

I am sorry to pass the news on. Joel passed away this morning.

He fought long and hard against the scourge of his cancer. Randy and I were so grateful to all of his friends who visited, called, helped, and generally made life easier for him and for us.

I am always astounded at the vast number of people whose lives he has touched. We are trying to plan a block party memorial for next Saturday. Please pass the news on.

Thank you.

# on Jul.13.2007 AT 03:56 PM

Angelo La Pietra writes:

As many will be, I am saddened by Joel's death. We were friends for many years and I hope that his love, belief, and downright stubborness to make that little gray patch of Los Angeles a great place continues in the hearts and minds of every person who ever enjoys a moment there.

# on Jul.13.2007 AT 06:37 PM

Ed Fuentes writes:

Note: As Margery Bloom writes, a memorial was tentative set for Saturday, July 21. As of this afternoon, it has been moved to July 22. Details will be posted here.

# on Jul.13.2007 AT 10:27 PM

Michael Palecki writes:

In the early 1990's,when the Art Loft District was truely grity, Joel Bloom was living in the L.A Artcore building on Mateo Street, a block away from LACE and my studio on Seventh Street. I saw him daily as he walked his dogs, and together we doused small fires lit by transients during the L.A. Riot.

When the art scene began to sour, Joel was the only one who had the vision to hang on for Traction Avenue. He opened Bloom's General Store and planted trees and even when Al's Bar closed, there was still some magic left thanks to Joel.

Fortunately, Joel Bloom Square was dedicated before he died, and hopefully there will also be a park created in his memory. Without Joel, there would be few traces of a magical time and place in the Loft District, that he was able to preserve and nourish for a new generation.

# on Jul.13.2007 AT 10:49 PM

audrey stevens writes:

Joel, you are one great guy. I never knew just how great. I love you and will miss you always. You will always be a part of our family. A very loved part. Cousin Audrey

# on Jul.15.2007 AT 04:55 PM

Robert Calix writes:

Dear Joel,

Thank you for your persistence and leadership. I am privileged to have worked with you on resurrecting the "Little Tokyo/Eastside" Extension. It takes people like you to make meaningful things happen. You always made sure to make your voice heard above the "noise". And what a voice! Thank God for that.

Thank You Joel.

With all my respect,

Robert Calix

# on Jul.20.2007 AT 04:35 PM

Joe writes:

I had the honor of interviewing Joel for my USC journalism coursework in 2005, and I found it the most fascinating interview of my professional career, both then and now. Gruff and compassionate, youthful and world-weary, artistic and gritty... in two short hours I glimpsed a complex personality at the heart of the Downtown community. I realized then I would never be able to write a story that captured the man Joel Bloom was, or the impact he's had on the people around him. I will not be able to attend his memorial, but I wanted to share my moment with Joel with you all.

# on Jul.11.2008 AT 05:51 PM

David Kennedy writes:

Did you record the interview? Do you still have it?

# on Jul.11.2008 AT 10:17 PM

'Joel Bloom Square' Proposed

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