Neighborhood: Greater Wilshire
Signposting Great Art at LACMA
Councilmember LaBonge presented a specially-made “Pacific Standard Time” Sign to Michael Govan, CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The sign commemorates the acclaimed series of Art Exhibits entitled: “Pacific Standard Time: Art in LA 1945-1980”, which are currently on display at LACMA. The Pacific Standard Time sign will be posted outside the museum, inviting museum-goers to attend this thought-provoking series of exhibits that celebrate Art in Los Angeles.
In the aftermath of WWII, a generation of consumers eager to overcome the Depression and wartime rationing transformed California into America’s most important center for progressive architecture and furnishings. These elements helped form the aesthetic of California mid-century modern design, which played a central role in shaping material culture across the country in the decades to follow. LACMA will offer the first major scholarly study and exhibition of California’s unique contribution to postwar visual culture with California Design, 1930-1965: "Living in a Modern Way,” featuring over 300 works ranging from household items to “lifestyle” objects like automobiles and surfboards.
Dedicating a new bench for Robert L. Burns Park
from left: Mike Genewick, Windsor Square Association, Sheila Irani, Councilman LaBonge's office, Andrea Ceragioli, Paramount Pictures Community Relations, Kevin Regan, Assistant General Manager LA Dept. of Rec and Parks, Sharon Keyser, Senior Vice President of Real Estate Government and Community Relations.
Nestled in a shady area of Robert L. Burns Park is a new bench for visitors to enjoy. The bench was donated by the folks at Paramount Pictures, who teamed-up with Councilman LaBonge's office and the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks to see that the bench was installed in first-class fashion so that it will weather many seasons at the park. The bench replaces a bench that was stolen. We thank the generosity of Paramount Pictures for funding this beautiful addition to a beautiful park in Council District 4. We also recognize Windsor Square Association for all the work they've done to beautify Robert L. Burns Park. This is a great example of how the City, Industry and residents can work together to improve neighborhoods.
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Councilmember LaBonge pushes for needed repairs to Wilshire Boulevard
Councilmember Tom LaBonge introduced a motion at the February 24th Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board meeting to fix Wilshire Boulevard as soon as possible. Wilshire Boulevard is the heaviest-traveled MTA bus corridor in Los Angeles County and provides vital service to the residents, workers and tourists in the City of Los Angeles and throughout the County. Unfortunately, this heavy load takes a significant toll on the street itself. It also results in more wear and tear on MTA buses and private vehicles that ply Wilshire on a daily basis.
The City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works has been working to maintain this important thoroughfare, filling more potholes than at anytime in the city’s history. A more substantial resurfacing and reconstruction of Wilshire Boulevard is planned by the city and MTA as part of the Wilshire Bus Rapid Transit Curbside Bus Lane Project. While this project and other planned city resurfacing work will restore Wilshire Boulevard to a first-class condition, more can and should be done now.
Councilmember LaBonge has introduced a motion, seconded by Los Angeles Mayor and fellow MTA Board Member Antonio Villaraigosa, that the MTA Board direct the CEO to work with the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works to identify immediate strategies to eradicate damage and unsafe road conditions on Wilshire Boulevard. Further, the motion calls for the MTA Board to direct the CEO to develop a long-term strategy for ensuring that Wilshire Boulevard and other heavily traveled MTA bus routes are maintained in a first-class condition.
Adding beauty and safety to Wilton Place in a single bound!
We had the pleasure February 17th of holding a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Wilton "Green-Triangle" traffic-islands. There are two of them ... at 1st and Wilton and 2nd and Wilton. These islands beautify the neighborhood, with landscaping and trees that will be nourished by an automated sprinkler system. They also make the area safer for pedestrians, bicyclists and for vehicles. The traffic islands include special crosswalks, a traffic-signal and street-lighting. This was a real team-effort, by my office, City agencies and the community to install these traffic islands on a curvy, well-travelled area of Wilton Place, which runs through a Federally-designated Historic District.
No Overnight Parking on Sycamore
You asked ... we listened and delivered. Homeowners on Sycamore Avenue in the La Brea/Hancock Park neighborhood were concerned about crime and wanted to prohibit overnight parking in their neighborhood. We are pleased to announce that your request for no overnight parking has been granted by the Department of Transportation. The new restriction will be "No Overnight Parking" on the west side of Sycamore between 4th and 6th street. The east side of the street already had the restriction. A notice will be sent to your home prior to enforcement. We hope this change of restriction alleviates your concerns about crime and quality of life issues.
Visiting Dr. Dorr and Operation Walk
The Councilmember visits with Dorr and the Good Samaritan Hospital staff.
Operation Walk celebrates the holiday season by opening its services to U.S. patients this year who suffer from debilitating bone and joint conditions.
Founded in 1994 by Dr. Lawrence Dorr, also founder of The Dorr Arthritis Institute at Good Samaritan Hospital, Operation Walk has provided orthopedic surgery and treatment to underprivileged populations around the world free of cost. Because of the economic downturn and the need seen by Dr. Dorr, nine teams of surgeons will perform some 80 free surgeries across the nation for the first time.
"These patients have inescapable pain and these surgeries can cost thousands of dollars," Councilmember LaBonge said, after he stopped by The Good Samaritan Hospital to wish the team of doctors good luck. "Giving back to the community is so important--not only in the holiday season but every day. To these patients, Dr. Dorr is performing Angels' work in the City of Angels."
Operation Walk supports physician teams that raise money for treating underprivileged populations in the United States and globally. Operation Walk makes at least 10 trips per year to underprivileged populations in 12 countries each year to provide training and consultation.
For more information, please visit www.OperationWalk.org.
Park Upgrades Celebrated
Center Left: Surrounded by the community, Jane Galbraith from the DWP, Tom, Margy Hudson and Fluff McLean from the Windsor Square-Hancock Park Historical Society
Tom, members of the community, officials from the Department of Recreation and Parks and the Department of Water and Power gathered at Robert Burns Park on Thursday. The pocket park in the Windsor Square area has undergone improvements funded largely by State Quimby funds.
“Parks are the centerpiece of a neighborhood,” Councilmember LaBonge said. “It’s so important to have a place for the community’s members to connect, for their kids to play together and for neighbors to relax together. It’s all about celebrating nature and these improvements will encourage more visitors to enjoy and love Los Angeles.”
Carl Cooper from the Department of Recreation and Parks applauded the upgrades that include new playground equipment, fencing and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant facilities. Jane Galbraith, the representative from the Department of Water and Power spoke about the improved irrigation system, estimated to save 554,000 gallons of water annually.
In addition to City-implemented improvements, members of the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council added new park benches and trees. The Windsor Square Association painted the exterior fence.
The reopening culminating in the unveiling of a new plaque donated by the Windsor Square-Hancock Park Historical Society memorializing Robert L. Burns, after whom the park was named. Known for championing the City he loved so dearly and for his strong leadership during World War II and economic crises, the former City Council President and representative of the Fourth District was honored in 1959 for 30 years of public service which included a stint as president of the Board of Recreation and Park Commission. Burns served as councilmember from 1929 to 1945.
Since 1975, local governments have been authorized by the State to require developers to contribute to the green spaces of a neighborhood by setting aside land, donating an easement or pay fees for park improvements. These Quimby Funds may not be used for park maintenance.
Councilmember: Highland Median Maintenance a Priority
The Highland Avenue medians, which create an expanse of green between Wilshire Boulevard and Melrose Avene in Hancock Park, are dotted with palm trees that are Historic Cultural Landmarks of the City of Los Angeles.
In the current economic climate, the Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services no longer has the staff or funding to continue the level of maintenance that this proud landmark has always enjoyed.
Councilmember LaBonge entered a motion on Tuesday to use Pipeline Revenue Funds, which are intended for street improvements, to maintain the medians for the next year. It passed unanimously. Under the motion, contractors, who already mow, weed and clean other City medians, will now care for the Highland Avenue medians as well.
“Medians are so important to a City,” Councilmember LaBonge said. “They are part of the aesthetics for the surrounding area. I couldn't allow these medians, which thousands of residents and motorists enjoy each day, to become overgrown or fall into disrepair.”
The Councilmember is working with the Department of Public Works to address the maintenance of other medians in Council District Four as well. Department of Public Works officials expect to begin a rotation of maintenance beginning in September.
