Month: January 2008

Over the weekend an interesting blog found me called The Bus Bench. While checking out their site I found a depressing series on the state of escalators at Metro Stations. Because I haven't used Metro rail services outside of Vermont/Beverly, Union Station and Civic Center, I wasn't aware what an epidemic broken escalators are in LA today. Maybe Metro should think about sinking $30 million into a fund to make their stations more accessible instead of less so....

Rubin: Ridership Suffers Because of Metro's Rail Focus (Times)

A seemingly wonky piece of legislation introduced last week by Assemblyman Mike Feuer (D-LA) may have big implications for the future of transportation funding in Southern California. ACA 10, modeled after a ballot proposition for education bonds, would lower the threshold needed for counties to approve bond measures for transportation. Currently, 2/3 of all voters need to approve. Feuer's legislation lowers the threshold to 55%.

Attend an LACBC Board Meeting. The Board sets LACBC policy. Meetings are open to the public and are held on the 4th Wednesday of the Month, 6:45 - 9:00 PM at 634 S. Spring St, Mezzanine level, Los Angeles, 90014. Every spring, board elections occur - all LACBC members are eligible.

If you want to reduce congestion, you should first increase the cost of public parking, argued UCLA Professor, and Parking Policy Cult Hero, Donald Shoup at the recent "It's Time to Get LA Moving" conference.

Philippe The Original, 1001 N. Alameda St. Los Angeles CA. 90012 (Map)

The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks wants your input...The Citywide Community Needs Assessment will provide the City of Los Angeles with valuable information to be used in planning for the future and will contribute to the protection and expansion of Los Angeles' 15,000 acres of existing parkland.  Join us in shaping the future of parks in Los Angeles. Please invite your family, friends, neighbors and colleagues to the public meeting in your area. Don't miss the opportunity to have your voice heard!  The meeting will start promptly and will include a presentation and an interactive work session. Refreshments will also be provided.  Location:        January 26 (Saturday) 10 a.m. to noonRoss Snyder Rec Center1501 E 41st StLos Angeles, CA 90011

Though Los Angeles is famous for sending media messages across the globe, local news is as important as ever for those who live and work in L.A. -- especially when it comes to land use. The media that follows this storied business has a large hand in the rise and fall of the bricks and mortar as well as in the careers of the politicians impacted by it. So whether it's developers reading for the next deal, politicians deciphering their position or community activists gearing up for a fight, LA's constellation of print - and now online - media seeks to bring to light the changes in our urban fabric. This month, please join the Westside Urban Forum to meet the faces behind the bylines and to discuss the stories, the trends, the personalities they cover, and most of all to hear the latest buzz on the next big deal and emerging trends. Panelists Kerry Cavanaugh, Staff Writer, Los Angeles Daily News, Steve Hymon, Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, Josh Williams, Editor, Curbed LA.  Registration & Pricing$45 - Members ($15 for full-time students w/ ID)$55 - Guests ($20 for full-time students w/ ID)Online Registration For more information: Contact: Christyne ButeynPhone: 310-322-1520 Email: info@westsideurbanforum.com

For full coverage of the conference, please see my other posts: Feuer Seeks To Help LA County Help Itself , Professor Donald Shoup: How About Congestion Parking, and Villaraigosa Vows Return of "Ride Metro with the Mayor" .