The South Park Neighborhood Committee Newsletter February , 2021 Volume 1, Issue 1
Downtown Los Angeles is a thriving metropolis that many have chosen to call home.
Among DTLA’s many neighborhoods, the South Park District has come to represent one of the most desirable areas of Los Angeles. The residents of South Park have worked arduously to create and maintain a residential neighborhood that is the jewel of DTLA. Recent events & social issues have exposed the fragility of the South Park District and the necessity for increased efforts to protect our residents, a need for a stronger community and the platform to influence the future. To start, four residential building’s (Elleven, Luma, Evo, & Ten50), have decided to band together to create a Neighborhood Committee. Totaling almost 900 units, these four buildings represent a large block of highly motivated constituents intent on preserving and enhancing South Park living. The committee is eager to engage with all SP residents and identify pressing residential concerns. Thereafter the committee will work diligently to bring recommendations with desired remedies to our local agencies and/or our elected city representatives. Our mission is “to seek to utilize a united voice that has strength and influence for the mutual benefit of The South Park homeowners and residents.”
This free, introductory newsletter will be published monthly featuring 4 distinct sections: 1. PROJECT & BUILDING DEVELOPMENT - This section will be comprised of proposed, upcoming, and ongoing projects within the district. The goal is to inform SP Residents of projects within the district and their possible impact. 2. SAFETY and WELFARE – These two elements are crucial for anyone that resides in any major metropolitan city. Issues surrounding homelessness, personal & property protection, and disaster preparedness represent a continual presence in the everyday lives of all Angelinos. A committed South Park advocacy group can guide policies for increased awareness, education, and stronger ties to local law enforcement agencies. 3. SOUTH PARK SCENE – A curated listing of events and activities that could be of interest to SP residents. These could include new venue openings, social events, or civic action/ engagement. 4. COMMUNITY FEEDBACK – The South Park Neighborhood Committee is committed to providing an avenue for residents to share their comments and concerns to the community at large. We sincerely appreciate your input and comments. The best way to contact the committee is via email at Southparkneighborhoodcommittee@gmail.com. Though only a limited number of emails will be shared via the newsletter, a committee member will respond to you directly in a timely manner.
Safety and Welfare
WE ARE SEEKING MORE SCOOTER AND BICYCLE REGULATION Residents continually express concern with the increased level of travel from scooters and bicycles on the sidewalk. With the recent addition of a dedicated lane, it appears many operators are continuing to use the sidewalk for travel. The SP Neighborhood Committee has made this item of concern a priority and has initiated action with both the South Park Business Improvement District (SPBID) and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT). Luc Sasseville, General Manager EVO Condominium Association, has contacted Ellen Riotto, Executive Director SPBID and discussed these concerns and what action would be appropriate to reduce the influx of scooters & bikes on the sidewalk. Ellen suggested contacting Helen Amalga and Adriana Velazques with the City of Los Angeles Department of Production and coordinating the installation of additional signage. Possible sign installation would be on Grand Ave. (Between Olympic & 12 St.). On Hope St. (Between 11 and 12 streets). And on 11 St. between Hope and Grand. We will provide additional information in future additions of this newsletter.
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A mid-market hotel developmen small parcel immediately northwest Hope. The developer of this project hotel with 144 rooms, 61 parking sp feature a blank wall with a glass elev outdoor rooftop pool/lounge for ho offered at the hotel. The hotel guests alley access. The HOA’s of LUMA, EVO and E and have been meeting with the dev to find workable solutions for the be requests include: 1. Requested sunlight/shade stu 2. Traffic study of both Hope St 3. Redesign of the blank wall to 4. Additional information regar
In addition, there has been an this project and are encouraging oth over 100 owners have signed an elec clude: 1. Developer is requesting appro south side and to transfer dev would benefit the developer b without providing significant 2. Not enough landscaping, ope 3. The project does not conform Design Guidelines. 4. Not enough maneuvering clea 5. The project will provide signi
For those who would like of this group and/or to be dates, contact Patti G
Project and Building Development PROPOSED HOTEL PROJECT 1130 S. Hope
nt is in the approval stages to be constructed in the t of Evo, and south of Luma and Elleven at 1130 S. t is seeking a 12 story, 175’ tall, 61,000+ square foot paces and automated lift parking. The hotel would vator 20’ away from LUMA’s southern units, with an otel guests. There will be no food or beverage service s, employees and service vehicles would share the
ELLEVEN have major concerns with this project veloper on this project to get better clarity and to try etterment of the community. Some of the pending
udy with details. as well as the 2 public alleys adjacent to property. include softscapes or murals. rding circulation, operation and construction
n active group of residents who are seeking to block hers to contact their local representatives. Thus far ctronic petition. Some of their main concerns in-
oval to remove the requirement for a yard on the velopment rights to allow a larger building. To do so but harm the entire Elleven/Evo/Luma community t benefit to the community. en space or greenery provided m to Citywide Design Guidelines or the Downtown
arance is provided for trucks exiting the loading zone ificant noise and alley congestion.
e information about upcoming meetings e added to the mailing list for other upGagan(pattigagan571@gmail.com)
“THE SHOWROOM” 1036 S. GRAND AVE.
Described by its owner/developer as a “Venue for performance and the arts”, the proposed “Showroom” located at 1036 S. Grand Ave will replace a currently vacant warehouse. The project will be adjacent the Ten50 Homeowners Association. The venue proposes to present “anything and everything” to the neighborhood including- but not limited to - comedy, special events, charity events, art shows, circus/Cirque du Soleil, Playhouse presentations, podcast taping and “private parties” including weddings, birthdays and special events. In addition, there will be a coffee shop/restaurant with food take out capabilities. The current design of the venue will allow for a capacity of 200 - 250 patrons.
The licensee request includes authorization for the serving of alcohol from 7:00 AM to 2:00 AM, 7 days per week. While cafe/restaurant, community and art functions are certainly in keeping with the residential environment of the neighborhood, residents have voiced concerns regarding the potential impact of a venue without defined programing. These concerns would be compounded with the a liquor license that would allow sales until 2:00am. There is wide-ranging potential for community disruption that could pose a serious detriment to the residential nature of this area of South Park. As more information becomes available regarding this project, it will be presented in this newsletter.
If you are interested in learning more about this project, please contact dtlanow@gmail.com
PROPOSED HOTEL 1099 S GRAND AVE.
AEG, the outfit that brought us LA Live, is proposing a 13 story, 160 room hotel with a maximum height of 178 feet. The facility will feature a restaurant and bar ancillary to the hotel use and a 13th floor gym, pool, bar and meeting area. According to the City Planning document on the project, “The applicant has requested the following entitlements in order to construct the proposed project: 1) A Conditional Use to permit the sale and dispensing of a full line of alcoholic beverages at a proposed hotel with ancillary restaurant, bar, and meeting rooms 2) A Transfer of Floor Area To permit 26,897 square feet of additional floor area 3) Redevelopment Plan Project Permit Compliance Review for the City Center Redevelopment Plan 4) Redevelopment Plan Project Adjustment for a Transfer of Floor Area under 50,000 square feet 5) Site Plan Review for a development that adds 50 or more untis and 6) A Waiver of Dedication and Improvements to permit the waiver of a 3-foot dedication and street widening improvements along 11th Street. Initial meetings with City Planning are indicating that there will be no City objection to these requirements. In a recent telephone conference call with representatives of the developer (AEG), the City Planning Office and members of the public, comments were submitted concerning the impact of the project’s construction. These impacts include loss of access to sidewalks during construction, minimization of views created by the project, limiting the number of guests using the roof top facility, concern for the ground level restaurants and their hours of operation, & delivery/ trash pickup conflicts with traffic flow in the neighborhood. The general tenor of the meeting was helpful and cooperative and the feeling was that the developer had done a good job of anticipating the possible negative impact of the project on the neighborhood. We are anticipating an approval of the project in the near future. The developer stated construction could begin with 18-months of city approval.
South Park Scene
Welcome South Park Pharmacy, Marketplace & Cafe! It is no secret that 2020 has presented many different challenges to the district. Despite these challenges, South Park Pharmacy, Marketplace & CafĂŠ has persevered and continues to call South Park home! In addition to providing an upscale pharmacy in close proximity to the residents of South Park, this business is also a marketplace and cafĂŠ! SP Pharmacy, Marketplace and Cafe will offer a wide variety of gourmet treats all served by a friendly staff.
The South Park MarketPlace is located in the ground level of the AVEN Building located at 1120 S. Grand Ave. Hours of operation are 9:00 AM to 8:30 PM.
SOUTH PARK BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT VOTES TO SUPPORT THE LA STREETCAR A special meeting of the SPBID Board of Directors was held on Jan 8, 2021 where a presentation was made by LA Streetcar Inc. The meeting highlighted efforts to construct the LA Streetcar line in time for the 2028 Olympics planned for Los Angeles. Proponents of the project argued it would propel the recovery of DTLA’s tourism, visitor, and service economy. The Streetcar is to be a zero emissions EV covering a 3.8-mile one-way route from Broadway to 11th to S. Figueroa St to 7th St to Hill St and back to Broadway with 4,181 to 7,760 anticipated daily riders / 1.3-1.6 million riders annually. The seven-to-tenminute loop would have the same fares as LADOT DASH system.
The SPBID, with a vote of 8 in favor, 2 opposed and 1 abstention voted to: *Affirm SPBID’s position of support for the LA Streetcar * Write letters to Planning to support LA Streetcar in DTLA 2040 Plan * Communicate support to Councilman Kevin de Leon and Mayor Eric Garcetti * Support LA Streetcar in all applications for funding from federal and other sources
See video on the LA Streetcar: https://vimeo.com/491905271.
Community Feedback This space reserved for your questions and comments! Contact us at Southparkneighborhoodcommittee@gmail.com if you’ve got ‘em