October 31, 2016 I VOL. 45 I #44
Every Week, Dozens of People Hit the Arts District For a Skee-ball League See Page 13
SPECIAL
SECTION
LAST MINUTE
Happy City Hall-oween! : 5
OFFICE
PARTI ES
A New Leader for CCA : 6
PAGES 7-12 photo by Gary Leonard
Monday, October 31 • 5 to 8 pm Grand Hope Park at FIDM
FESTIVAL FOR DTLA KIDS
For tickets and more info, go to DOWNTOWNLA.COM/HALLOWEEN
THE VOICE OF DOWNTOWN L.A. SINCE 1972
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AROUND TOWN
Arts District Park to Open This Week
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fter nearly two years of work, a long-awaited community space in the Arts District is ready to debut. An opening ceremony for the Arts District Park is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5. The half-acre, $1.6 million attraction at 501 S. Hewitt St. will kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with music, food and drinks, and 14th District City Councilman José Huizar will attend. Those who show up will be able to vote on a choice of mural for the park’s art wall. The park will include a children’s playground and a performance space. Construction began in December 2014 and the park was initially set to open last fall, but work was delayed by the discovery of contaminated soil on the site. The soil was cleaned and work resumed.
Big South Park Project Gets a Name, Opening Date
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eveloper Mack Urban has long been in construction on its multi-phase development rising on six acres in South Park. Now, the initial component has a name and an opening date: This month the developer announced that the seven-story building bounded by Pico Boulevard and Hill and Olive streets will be called the “Wren.” Move-ins at the 362-apartment structure will begin in February. The units in the $144 mil-
TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS lion project, being created in partnership with AECOM Capital and Capri Capital Partners, average 761 square feet. The average rent is $2,700, according to Mack Urban. The project will include a ground-floor restaurant and 382 subterranean parking spaces. There will also be 40 electric vehicle charging stations and space for 400 bicycles. “We’ve watched this neighborhood grow, and created Wren specifically to complement the vibrant community fabric of South Park,” said Mack Urban Founding Principal and CEO Paul Keller in a prepared statement. This year, Mack Urban broke ground on the second phase of the project, a 38-story tower at Grand Avenue and 12th Street with 536 residences. Leasing information and other details are at the newly launched website, livewren.com.
October 31, 2016
TAKE MY PICTURE GARY LEONARD
Figueroa Corridor Bike Path Breaks Ground
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onstruction on the long-awaited MyFigueroa project, which will transform the streetscape along the Figueroa Corridor from Seventh Street to 41st Street and make the road easier to navigate for cyclists, is finally underway. A groundbreaking ceremony took place on Monday, Oct. 24, at Figueroa and 12th streets in South Park. The roughly $20 million project will slash eight driving lanes to five on Figueroa, and significant segments of the route will feature curbs that protect cyclists from cars. MyFigueroa will also create bus platforms that extend the sidewalk for transit riders, improve landscaping and install pedestrian-friendly lighting and signage. A segment of 11th Street, between Figueroa Street and Broadway, will also get the streetscape treatment. The con-
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7th & Fig
Patrice Hopper, Brookfield Director of Marketing
struction is expected to wrap in June 2017. Entrances to the many car dealerships and other businesses on the street will be preserved even with the bike-friendly components.
Park Hyatt Hotel Coming to Oceanwide Plaza
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hinese real estate developer Oceanwide long stated that its Oceanwide Plaza mega-project, across the street from Staples Center, would snag a high-end luxury brand to run its 183-room hotel. But which one? The com-
October 16, 2016
pany last week revealed the operator: Park Hyatt, the flagship arm of juggernaut Hyatt Hotel Corporation. It will be only the sixth Park Hyatt in the United States. “A decade ago Downtown L.A. probably wouldn’t have fit the bill, David Tarr, a senior vice president with Hyatt, told the Wall Street Journal, which first reported the news. “Today it absolutely does.” Plans call for 34 of the rooms to be larger suites, and the hotel is expected to open in early 2019, along with Oceanwide Plaza’s other components: 504 condominiums and 166,000 square feet of open-air retail space. Continued on page 14
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October 31, 2016
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October 31, 2016
ACCOUNTING: Ashley Schmidt CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MANAGER: Catherine Holloway ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Brenda Stevens, Michael Lamb SALES ASSISTANT: Claudia Hernandez CIRCULATION: Danielle Salmon DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Salvador Ingles DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla
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A Park’s Unlikely Water Source
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t first mention, it sounds like it couldn’t possibly be true, and even a little stomach-turning: That pretty emerald grass taking root in Los Angeles State Historic Park, the expanse that beckons to passersby in cars and on foot, is growing thanks to treated toilet water. Give it some thought, however, and what could make more sense in a region about to EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Sue Laris enter its fifth winter of devastating drought? GENERAL MANAGER: Dawn Eastin What better use could there be for filtered sewage? EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Jon Regardie Los Angeles Downtown News last week reSENIOR WRITER: Eddie Kim ported on the coming $20 million park on the STAFF WRITER: Nicholas Slayton CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Kathryn Maese edge of Chinatown, specifically on the grass S I N C E 19 7 2 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer growing there. This has been one of the commuLos Angeles Downtown News 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 nity’s most eagerly anticipated projects, though ART DIRECTOR: Brian Allison phone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-250-4617 it has been beset by a series of frustrating delays. ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR: Yumi Kanegawa web: DowntownNews.com Today, the park is nearly complete, and with its email: realpeople@downtownnews.com PHOTOGRAPHER: Gary Leonard public areas and viewing platforms and amenifacebook: ACCOUNTING: Ashley Schmidt ties it looks fantastic and fantastically welcomL.A. Downtown News ing. Yet the California State Parks department CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MANAGER: Catherine Holloway twitter: won’t open the 32-acre attraction until the grass ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Brenda Stevens, DowntownNews S I N C E 19 7 2 Michael Lamb is established and can withstand the footsteps ment and transportation workers to create the framework and infraLos Angeles Downtown News ©2016 Civic Center News, Inc. Los Angeles Downtown News SALES ASSISTANT: Claudia Hernandez and playing of who knows how structure that will propel people out of their personal vehicles. is a trademark of Civic Center News Inc. All rights reserved. 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA many 90026 individuThe Los Angeles Downtown News is the must-read news- a phone: 213-481-1448 fax: 213-250-4617 als. Expect to enter •the site in January. Measure M would go a ways toward accomplishing that, with CIRCULATION: Danielle Salmon paper for Downtown Los Angeles and is distributed every web: DowntownNews.com email: realpeople@downtownnews.com Monday throughoutWhile the offices and residences ofLos Downtown Few people are likely• aware of the mandate ccording to the backers of Measure M, passingMANAGER: a new halfof projects across the county. Downtown AnDISTRIBUTION Salvadornetwork Ingles Los Angeles. cent sales tax in Los Angeles County to improve mass tran-Lorenzo geles would continue thecopy center of the regional transporto usefacebook: reclaimed water on these kinds twitter: of large DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS: Castillo, Gustavo Bonillato beOne per person. sit will reduce the time that people spend in traffic by 15% tation network — a rightful role, given its history as the hub and state projects. But News again, if you think about it, L.A. Downtown DowntownNews — not today or in five years, but in 2057, and those reductions will the huge number of jobs here — improvements would be seen it is reasonable. Although the trucking in of up be over levels 41 years in the future, not 2016 standards. Additionthroughout the region. to 80,000 gallons of water each day to the park EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Sue Laris EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Sue Laris ally, claim the proponents, approving theGENERAL measureMANAGER: will ultimately sounds MANAGER: costly and perhaps Measure M would fund numerous rail lines, along with some bus Dawn Eastin GENERAL Dawn Eastin bad for the envicreate 465,000 jobs. ronment — why don’t they just turn on the service and highway benefits. The project roster includes a light EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Jon Regardie EXECUTIVE Jon Regardie spigot, one might ask — the situation would rail line connecting Downtown and Artesia — another way to re Politics is full of examples where you tout reportsEDITOR: with numbers SENIOR WRITER: Eddie Kim SENIOR WRITER: Eddie Kim be more ridiculous if the water for the grass duce the flow of cars coming into the Central City each day — as favorable to your cause. That may be the case here, as the claims STAFF WRITER: Nicholas Slayton WRITER: Nicholas Slayton was potable.EDITOR: Kathryn Maese feel watery at best, full of spin and, when STAFF it comes to the jobs, hard well as expansions of the Crenshaw, Purple and Green lines. Also in CONTRIBUTING CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Kathryn Maese CONTRIBUTING Jeffrevealed, Favre, Greg Fischer the works is a massive tunnel project in to believe. Instead, asWRITERS: the article the water origS Ithe N CSepulveda E 19 7 2 Pass. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer inates at a treatment plant about seven miles The backers of Measure M, which is formally known as the Los The sales tax would generate $860 million a year in 2017 dollars, ART DIRECTOR: Brian Allison Los Angeles Downtown News away. TheART L.A.-Glendale Water Reclamation FacilAngeles County Traffic Improvement Plan,ART would be better off and could yield up to $120 billion over 40 years. This would allow ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Yumi Kanegawa DIRECTOR: Brian Allison 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 ity treats 17 million gallons of sewage a day, resticking with the more tangible gains. Those are real and they Metro to borrow against future revenue, meaning it 213-250-4617 could accelerphone: 213-481-1448 • fax: ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR: Yumi Kanegawa PHOTOGRAPHER: Gary Leonard web:projects. DowntownNews.com sulting in a daily average of 5.5 million gallons of stand to improve mobility across Los Angeles County for decades ate the construction of certain That’s huge. ACCOUNTING: Ashley Schmidt email: realpeople@downtownnews.com PHOTOGRAPHER: Gary Leonard One sticking point concerns recycled water. You probably wouldn’t want to to come. After the presidential election, this is the most important how the public can be assured that CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MANAGER: Catherine drink or shower with the stuff, but someHolloway of this is matter that local voters will decide this November. the money is well spent. Measure backers say an oversight panel facebook: ACCOUNTING: Ashley Schmidt ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Brenda Stevens, Michael Lamb making the park’s grass grow. That’s good, but the com Los Angeles Downtown News urges a yes vote on Measure M on will meet quarterly to discuss projects. L.A. Downtown News SALES ASSISTANT: Claudia Hernandez mittee must have teeth and the ability to demand answers. It This is another of those unlikely elements that election day, despite some concerns. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MANAGER: Catherine Holloway twitter: CIRCULATION: Daniellebut Salmon not be easily quashed. you rarely ponder, that power life forward Traffic is brutal in Los Angeles, and Downtown particular has ACCOUNTin EXECUTIVES: Catherineshould Holloway, DowntownNews DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Salvador Ingles Brenda Stevens, Lamb As a sales tax, Measure M needs the approval of two-thirds of in Southern California. It may be off the grid of become difficult to navigate in the past few years, due inMichael large part DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla ASSISTANT: Claudia Hernandez public perception, but it’s a smart response to to loads of construction. Though it smacksSALES of the obvious, unless voters, and many people are skeptical by theNews, lack of a sunset date. ©2016 Civic Center Inc. Los Angeles Downtown News is a trademark of Civic Center News the environment and persistent drought. people are willing to get out of their cars and utilize mass transit, The tax would go on in perpetuity. That could be changed later, ©2016 Civic Center News, Inc. Los Angeles Downtown News is a trademark of Civic Inc. All rights reserved. Center News Inc. All rights reserved. The Los Angeles Downtown News is the must-read conditions will become even worse. Keep that treated water flowing. We can’t wait CIRCULATION: Danielle Salmon though it is unlikely. The Los Angeles Downtown News is the must-read newspaper for Downtown Los Angeles newspaper for Downtown Los Angeles and is disand is distributed every Monday the offices and residences to walk on the grass inthroughout our beautiful new Down- of Downtown LosThe thing is, most people won’t give up their car unlessMANAGER: mass tran-Salvador While forevery some to swallow, DISTRIBUTION Inglesthe tax may be tough tributed Monday throughoutthe the benefits offices and Angeles. residences of Downtown Los Angeles. town park. sit is easy to access and use, and gets themDISTRIBUTION where they need to go Lorenzo are worth it. Measure M helps prepare the county for the future. It ASSISTANTS: Castillo, One copy per person. One copy per person. Gustavo Bonilla in a timely and affordable manner. Fair or not, the onus is on governdeserves support.
Vote Yes on Measure M
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EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Sue Laris GENERAL MANAGER: Dawn Eastin
S I N C E 19 7 2 Los Angeles Downtown News 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 phone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-250-4617 web: DowntownNews.com • email: realpeople@downtownnews.com facebook: L.A. Downtown News
twitter: DowntownNews
EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Jon Regardie SENIOR WRITER: Eddie Kim STAFF WRITER: Nicholas Slayton CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Kathryn Maese CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer ART DIRECTOR: Brian Allison ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR: Yumi Kanegawa
PHOTOGRAPHER: Gary Leonard ACCOUNTING: Ashley Schmidt CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MANAGER: Catherine Holloway ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Brenda Stevens, Michael Lamb SALES ASSISTANT: Claudia Hernandez CIRCULATION: Danielle Salmon DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Salvador Ingles DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla
©2016 Civic Center News, Inc. Los Angeles Downtown News is a trademark of Civic Center News Inc. All rights reserved. The Los Angeles Downtown News is the must-read newspaper for Downtown Los Angeles and is distributed every Monday throughout the offices and residences of Downtown Los Angeles.
One copy per person.
October 31, 2016
Downtown News 5
DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM
Happy City Hall-oween IX Another Visit to the Scariest, Strangest, Most Frustrating Building in Downtown By Jon Regardie ity Hall is one of the prettiest buildings is Los Angeles. The 1928 landmark is instantly recognizable, and it is hard to wander its marble corridors or gaze up at the majestic ceiling of the City Council Chambers without feeling a sense of awe. Stray from the public areas, however, and awe can turn to ahhhh! as the egos, ambitions and financial donations get churned into policy, punishments and big fat contracts. It is
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THE REGARDIE REPORT even more frightening on Halloween, and with the holiday landing Monday, we make the totally invented ninth annual pilgrimage to the not-so funhouse. Happy hauntings in the structure patrolled by Eric Gar-yeti, Ron Gal-goblin, Council President Herb Werewolf and Minotaur Mike Feuer. March This Way: You walk into the building for your first day of work, bright-eyed and bushy tailed. As soon as you enter, you see everyone is frozen in place, ears perked up. What could this be? You freeze too, not wanting to draw attention. After what could be two seconds or two hours, a few council staffers race through the structure and hand pieces of paper to everyone. One is thrust into your fingers. You look down and it says “Marching Orders.” You also see the emblem of Council President Herb Wesson. Hey, did everyone in City Hall wait to get marching orders from Wesson before doing anything? Strange, you coulda sworn Eric Garcetti is in charge. M Factor: You walk down the hallway. You hear a cooing. You follow it and see a smiling Garcetti cradling something tenderly. It’s a baby! It’s adorable! “What’s his name?” you ask. “Measure M,” says Garcetti, as he hands you the baby.
You hold it close and then see Metro CEO Phil Washington on your other side. He looks at you and says, “Please, pass Measure M.” You do as requested, then Washington hands the baby right back to you. “Please, pass Measure M,” Garcetti says, arms extended. Suddenly a flood of politicians from across the county materialize. “Pass Measure M!” they all implore with reaching hands. Suddenly you’re inundated, and everywhere you look a politician is asking you to pass Measure M. Then labor and business leaders appear and join in. “Pass Measure M! Pass Measure M!” You briefly wonder what the baby will look like when he grows up, then you run from the deafening noise. The Case of the Missing Councilman: You wander through the council suites. You decide to visit the Seventh District office, a seat that Felipe Fuentes won in 2013. You stick your head in the door, but where’s Felipe? Is he doing important city business? Is he raising his chickens? (He does too have chickens.) “Has anyone seen Felipe?” you ask, at which point 13 pained-looking staffers turn and hiss “Shhhh!” You look around but don’t see his photo or name anywhere. Felipe couldn’t have willingly left office during his first term, could he? Why would he abandon this powerful job, not to mention the $185,000 salary? “Where’s Felipe?” you ask. Someone points to a news article that mentions “new challenges” and “lobbying,” but the paper is ripped, and you feel like you’re not getting the whole story. You shrug and walk out the door. No News Is Good News: You head to the media room so you can introduce yourself to the reporters covering City Hall. You see a few baby-faced interns, but where are the grizzled, inkstained veterans? Someone from the L.A. Times flits by for a Continued on page 20
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New Leader for Central City Association South Park BID Head Jessica Lall to Replace Carol Schatz At Powerhouse Business Group By Jon Regardie new leader has been chosen to run the powerful Downtown business and lobbying group the Central City Association. Jessica Lall, who for nearly four years has served as executive director of the South Park Business Improvement District, will replace Carol Schatz as president and CEO. Schatz has spent 26 years at CCA, and has been in charge since 1995. She announced in January that she would step down this year, and retired on Sept. 30. She continues to run the Downtown Center Business Improvement District. Lall will begin her new job on Jan. 3, 2017. She said she was drawn to the position by the leading role that CCA has had in the community. “I see there being potential to expand on the role CCA has played, cultivating the vision and bringing the pieces together so Downtown can get to its full potential,” Lall, 32, said in an interview. “I’m really excited about the opportunities.” Lall took over the South Park BID in January 2013. She has overseen the organization’s ubiquitous cleaning, safety and neighborhood improvement programs. One significant achievement was helming an expansion of the BID, adding 20 blocks, so it encompasses a total of 52 blocks. The SPBID has an annual budget of $2.5 million.
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She has also addressed streetscape issues and pushed a number of unique programs, including mural creation and working with Metro Charter Elementary School and a local developer to have children create artworks for the construction walls of a housing project. That led to a sizable drop in graffiti at the site. Shelby Jordan, vice president of the SPBID board of directors, credited Lall for her ability to work with a variety of stakeholders, whether large companies or a shop owner. He said she revitalized an organization that needed help. “What Jessica inherited was not a highperforming, efficient organization,” said Jordan, who works as the director of business systems at Anschutz Entertainment Group. “She got tasked with something extremely difficult. It was challenging to say the least.” Jordan credited Lall with establishing strong clean-and-safe programs, then building up other efforts that fit with a developing neighborhood. “She really paid strong attention to what the residents were saying and began addressing those issues,” he said. Lall, who was elected Student Body President while at USC, began working for then-First Deputy Mayor Austin Beutner in 2010. She left for a role on Beutner’s brief campaign for mayor in 2011, then returned to the city, where she
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worked under Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on the ultimately failed Farmers Field football stadium effort and the privatization of the Convention Center. Lall said her initial tasks at CCA will include meeting with area stakeholders and other business advocacy organizations. She also hopes to develop a list of longer-term goals and objectives, and expects to take on issues such as homelessness and housing. “In addition to that, it’s continuing to look at the brand of Downtown,” she said. “I think this is something CCA has done: What is the message we are sending, and how does that attract jobs, new industries? We have folks that are moving in and we need to make sure there are jobs Downtown to support the people who are living there.” CCA Board Chair Martha Saucedo said the business organization conducted an extensive search for a new leader. “Jessica has been a strong champion for Downtown and understands the importance of Downtown to the region’s economy,” Saucedo said in a prepared statement. “She is a proven advocate for business, having revitalized the South Park BID and transformed the district into one of L.A.’s most desirable and sustainable neighborhoods.” Schatz ran CCA as Downtown experienced unprecedented growth, and turned the organization into one of the most influential bodies in City Hall. When she arrived, CCA had fewer than 100 members and a budget of about $750,000. Today, it claims an approximately $3 million budget and has about 500 businesses on its roster. Schatz’s achievements include helping get the city to pass the Adaptive Reuse Ordinance in 1999. That made it easier and cheaper for
October 31, 2016
photo courtesy Jessica Lall
Jessica Lall ran the South Park Business Improvement District for nearly four years. In January, she will take over as president and CEO of the influential business group the Central City Association.
developers to turn empty office buildings into housing, leading to the Downtown residential renaissance. Schatz also sparked the creation of and helms the DCBID, which has an annual budget of $6 million. The BID’s purple-shirted cleaning crews and its bicycle-riding safety officers are a frequent presence throughout the district. Jordan said that the SPBID board is working on a plan to find a permanent replacement for Lall. After she departs, Ellen Riotto, the BID’s director of communications and policy, will serve as interim director. Jordan added that the team Lall assembled is strong enough to ensure that services will continue at the same level even after she departs. “There will be no drop-off, no falloff there,” he said. regardie@downtownnews.com
October 31, 2016
Downtown News 7
DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM
Last Minute
Office Parties Tips From the Party-Planning Experts and a Rundown of Great Downtown Options
8 Downtown News
October 31, 2016
LAST MINUTE OFFICE PARTIES
This Newcomer Is Ready to Roll The Just-Opened Brack Shop Tavern Welcomes Holiday Parties With Small Bites, Loud Music and Craft Cocktails By Tom Fassbender he Brack Shop Tavern opened Sept. 13, replacing the short-lived Barrel Down on Seventh Street. It’s got a neighborhood vibe, with a comfortable atmosphere and TVs to show the big game. When it comes to food and drink, they serve quality cocktails and craft beer alongside a menu featuring small bites made with locally sourced, fresh ingredients. We spoke with General Manager Mike Santos about arriving on the Downtown scene at a time when people are ready to plan their holiday parties.
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Los Angeles Downtown News: We’re in late October. Do you still have any dates and times available for holiday parties? Mike Santos: Since we’re pretty new, right now we have a good amount of space and availability for last-minute event planning. Q: What can people expect from a party at Brack Shop Tavern? A: Brack Shop Tavern is a very versatile place. We’re essentially a bar that serves food, shows football games and plays really loud music at night. We appeal to a broad demographic, and that translates well to holiday parties. Q: What size groups can you accommodate? A: We can host parties as small as 16 and as large as 150. We also have an upstairs private
Mike Santos, general manager of Brack Shop Tavern, which recently opened in the former Barrel Down space on Seventh Street. He said a lot of party times are still open.
room that’s perfect for as many as 30 guests. Q: Can you handle short-term notice for events? A: Right now we only have a couple of parties planned, so booking a week in advance would be fine. As it gets closer to the holidays and we continue to book up, that will probably change. Q: How much should a company expect to spend on a party at Brack Stop Tavern? A: Prices depend on a few factors, such as the day of the week, time of day, number of people, and the food and drink being served. Our food and beverage minimum starts at $25 and goes up to about $40 per person. Q: What can people do to keep within their budget? A: Thursday, Friday and Saturday are our busiest nights, so holding the party earlier in the week helps keep that cost down. Also, small things like making the event something that is less like a formal dinner and more like a cocktail party with tray-passing, and more focused on drinks over food, can keep the cost down. Q: What kind of menu do you offer for parties? A: We select items from our standard menu but serve it family-style — our fried chicken, twicebaked wee potatoes and pickled shrimp are perfectly suited to this. We can also establish a special beverage menu, anything from an open
photo by Gary Leonard
bar to wine, cocktail or beer pairings. Q: Any recommendations for making a work event more fun? A: Building an event around something that’s a big draw, like a football game, can make for a really fun time. And when we turn TVs off and the music up, it gets very high energy in here. Q: What’s your advice for people who are planning last-minute parties? A: Be as organized as possible — know how many people will be coming, any dietary restrictions, and what the people have a good time doing. And get calls out as soon as possible. Q: What can people do to make party planning easier for the restaurant? A: They don’t have to have an exact momentby-moment breakdown of how they want the
event to go, but they should know what kind of party they want. It falls on us to make the event happen for them, and we’re pretty flexible, but not having good information leaves us in the dark. Q: What is the biggest mistake people make when planning a holiday party? A: Sometimes an organization will get set on one specific place and lose track of their options. It’s worthwhile to look around for other venues and make sure they find the right spot. Q: What do you look for in a holiday party? A: For me personally, the space should feel warm, hospitable and comfortable. Having approachable food and drink is a big one for me, too. That always leads to a good time. Brack Shop Tavern is at 525 W. Seventh St., (213) 232-8657 or brackshoptavern.com.
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Downtown News 9
LAST MINUTE OFFICE PARTIES
Flexible on Sunset The New Winsome Offers Customizable Menus, Craft Cocktails and Indoor or Patio Space By Tom Fassbender insome is on the ground floor of The Elysian, the former Metropolitan Water District headquarters on Sunset Boulevard that the development firm Linear City turned into upscale apartments. Winsome opened in February and is laid out like a retro diner but with a fresh, modern feel. It serves dishes inspired by California cuisine and offers a selection of innovative craft cocktails. The restaurant is owned by Marc Rose and Med Abrous, who also run the Spare Room inside the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel and recently bought Genghis Cohen, the famous Fairfax district destination. Rose recently revealed his secrets to planning a successful last-minute event.
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Los Angeles Downtown News: We’re in late October. Do you still have any dates and times available for holiday parties? Marc Rose: The exciting thing for us is that although we’ve been open since February, we only started serving dinner seven weeks ago. So, yes, we have a lot of availability. Q: Can you handle short-term notice for events? A: If things permit, we can pull off a great, seamless event in 24 hours. It’s all about what’s available and what the client hopes to do. We’re not afraid to get into the trenches and make that happen.
Med Abrous and Marc Rose opened Winsome in February on the ground floor of the apartment complex The Elysian. It offers indoor dining space as well as a refreshing patio.
Q: What size groups can you accommodate? A: Any night we’re not closing down, we can host about 20. But there are certain areas of the restaurant where we can do a half buy-out, like our patio, which seats 55. For a seated dinner in the entire restaurant we can host 105 people, and more if we’re just serving cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Q: What kind of menu do you offer for parties? A: We focus on seasonal ingredients as well as the ingredients we use every day to customize which dishes we’ll serve. We encourage familystyle, which works well for big groups. Q: What else can people do to make their event feel unique? A: People choose a venue for a specific reason — location, design, food and drink. But to really stand out, even a little customization goes a long way. Think about naming a cocktail or using an ingredient that reflects the company having the party. Your guests will get that and remember it. Q: How much should a company expect to spend on a party at Winsome? A: That is always the hardest question to answer. We really like to talk to the client about their budget. Based on that, we show them what they can get from us. There are certain minimums, especially with a buy-out, but aside from that, everything at Winsome is customizable.
Open until 2am
photo by Gary Leonard
Q: What can people do to keep within their budget? A: Tell us what you’re looking for and let us do the rest. The thing about Winsome is that you don’t need to spend a bunch of money to host a fabulous event. We ask all of our clients to tell us what they want and then trust us to create the perfect event for them. Q: Any recommendations for making a work event more fun? A: Two things make an event more fun: One, our cocktails. We believe in everything being communal, so we create large-format craft cocktails for larger groups. Two, music. We’ll help create a playlist to set the vibe throughout the party. Q: What’s your advice for people who are planning at the last minute?
A: Anyone trying to plan a last-minute event must understand that time is of the essence, and we just can’t pull off certain things. We like to do everything perfectly or not do it at all. Then, once everyone arrives, take a look around at the people and remember why you’re having this event in the first place. Everyone’s there for one reason — to celebrate and have a great time. Q: What’s something special that a party planner can get at Winsome? A: We are able to offer daytime events and not just dinner events, so we can do an event during brunch. To be able to have a December event on the outdoor patio in the sun is a special thing. Winsome is at 1115 Sunset Blvd., (213) 4151818 or eatwinsome.com.
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10 Downtown News
October 31, 2016
LAST MINUTE OFFICE PARTIES
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Hello Cleo New L.A. Live Spot Aims to Accommodate Every Request By Tom Fassbender leo is one of Downtown Los Angeles’ newest arrivals, having debuted in the former Farm of Beverly Hills space at L.A. Live on Oct. 11. It is part of chef Danny Elmaleh’s family of restaurants and is the fourth Cleo, though the first not housed in a hotel. Cleo specializes in small-plate Mediterranean cuisine, reflecting Elmaleh’s Moroccan and Japanese upbringing. General Manager Jason Hammons talked about the excitement of opening a new restaurant and expectations for his inaugural holiday party season.
Jason Hammons, general manager of Cleo at L.A. Live, which specializes in small-plate Mediterranean cuisine. He said a lot of dates are still available for holiday parties in the justopened restaurant.
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Catering Menu
Party Platters: 10 person min. $99.99 (Serves 10) Charbroiled Brochettes or Fajita Platters 15 Brochettes Skewers of your choice marinated Fish, Shrimp, Beef and Chicken, or Vegetarian. Includes: Pico de Gallo, Beans and Rice w/corn and Flour tortillas. Skewers are 10” and are cut in half.
$79.99 (Serves 10) Taco Platter and Wraps (Burritos) Includes: Beans and Rice with red and green salsa.
$19.99 Chips and Guacamole
Los Angeles Downtown News: You just opened. What kind of dates and times do you have available for holiday parties? Jason Hammons: Because we are so new, we have a lot of openings right now, but we’re booking up really fast. Q: Can you handle short-term notice for events? A: Our motto is say yes to everything. Even if someone calls on the day of, if we can do the event, we will. We try to find a way to make things work and make everyone happy by giving them the experience they want.
With fresh tomatoes and slices of avocado and red onion. Your choice of Italian, Ranch or Thousand Island.
Q: What size groups can you accommodate? A: For a full restaurant buy-out, we can handle anywhere from 300 to 400 guests. For half buy-outs we can do between 50 and 150, depending on which half of the restaurant is reserved. We also have a patio, which is great for cocktail receptions. We can handle a small group of 10 to 20 for dinner there as well.
$19.99 Ceviche Fish or Shrimp
Q: What’s your advice for people planning last-minute parties?
Start your party off with 24oz of our delicious homemade guacamole and corn tortilla chips.
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12 oz. Cans of assorted soft drinks, diet, regular and water. 10 Person and $100 minimum order. Platters can be split on orders of 20 people or more. Tax and Gratuity Not Included. Prices subject to change without notice. For smaller orders please see our web site.
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photo by Gary Leonard
A: Just give us a call. If we’re not booked and there’s not a game at Staples Center, we will work to accommodate you. Even on game nights, it’s likely we’ll have availability after 8 p.m. Q: How much should a company expect to spend on a party at Cleo? A: We can accommodate a lot of different price points starting around $34-$40 per person for food only. We’ll always work with the event coordinator to find out what works for them. Q: What kind of menu do you offer for parties? A: Most of our large party menus are based off our regular menu and tailored to fit the size of the group. Our food is served small-plate sharing style, and that’s something we encourage for parties. Q: How do you accommodate vegetarians, vegans or people with dietary restrictions? A: Our menu has a Mediterranean focus, so it’s already very accessible to vegetarians and vegans. As for other dietary restrictions, we’ll always find a way to work with people without having to change the entire menu for the whole party. Q: Any recommendations for making a work event more fun? A: Our windows make you feel like you’re
right in the center of the action at L.A. Live and provide a party with an energy you’re not going to get at other restaurants. Plus, because we’re near Staples Center, we have many TVs throughout the restaurant, and we can easily tailor the entertainment to what the client is looking for. Q: What can people do to make party planning easier for the restaurant? A: The biggest thing is to trust that we’re going to give you the best experience. A lot of people get hung up on the details without knowing the experience they’re going to have. We’re here to make your experience great. Q: What is the biggest mistake people make when planning a holiday party? A: Trying to create an experience that isn’t what the restaurant provides. Be aware of where you’re having the party and having fun with what it is rather than trying to make it something else. Q: What makes a great holiday party? A: For me, it’s flawless service, like when you go to a party and don’t have to think about finding a drink, it’s just there. Letting me enjoy the party — that’s what I love. That and some really good music. Cleo is at 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (424) 8887818 or sbe.com/cleolalive.
Six More Last-Minute Party Picks Try These Downtown Restaurants for a Group Outing By Eddie Kim omehow, it’s already almost November. That means colder weather, gray skies and way too many ads for Christmas sales even though Thanksgiving hasn’t even arrived. It also means panic time for anyone tasked with arranging their office’s holiday party. Those in this precarious position may find that their favorite places are already booked, or that choice weekend time slots have all disappeared. The good news is that Downtown Los Angeles’ dining and drinking scene is overflowing with options, whether you want an intimate evening with your small staff or a blowout for 100 or more. Check out our list of lively spots to host a last-minute group outing. It’s just a starting point, but remember — don’t delay!
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The Art of Dining: The March opening of the Hauser Wirth & Schimmel gallery in the Arts District was a big deal for anyone who wanted more arts institutions in the neighborhood
(even if it’s pricey art). One cool part of the gallery is the restaurant Manuela, which arrived in September. Chef Wes Whitsell is in the kitchen, pumping out a menu inspired by his native North Texas roots — think grilled red snapper with smoked cabbage and crunchy hush puppies with molasses butter. The beautiful al fresco dining room (it is covered) flows to a patio and the main gallery courtyard. Manuela can host events from 14 people (in the cozy private room) to 1,500, making it a flexible choice. At 907 E. Third St., (323) 849-0480 or manuela-la.com. Vienna Vibes: For a second there, it looked like Bierbeisl Imbiss was gone for good. But after a menu and pricing revamp from chef-owner Bernhard Mairinger, the Austrian joint in the Spring Arcade Building is alive and kicking. The dining room is fairly petite, but the patio and the spacious arcade itself means plenty of room for partygoers. The key is the array of sharable Austrian street food dishes: sausages, schnitzel Continued on page 11
October 31, 2016
Downtown News 11
LAST MINUTE OFFICE PARTIES
PARTY SPOTS, 10 sandwiches, burgers and authentic pastries from the in-house bakery, to name a few. There’s also wine and Austrian beers on tap. Be sure to try the Steigl radler, a refreshing mix of Steigl lager and grapefruit juice. At 541 S. Spring St., (213) 935-8035 or bierbeisl-imbiss.com.
CATERING
ABOVE ALL... CELEBRATE
An Irish Affair: The Downtown outpost of Rock & Reilly’s holds no surprises for anyone who’s been to the West Hollywood spot or, frankly, any other Irish-themed sports bar. But it’s still a top choice for a group outing, mainly because it’s a crowd-pleasing concept. Come for the spacious dining room and patio; stay for the… margherita pizza (nobody said it was authentic), tasty cocktails and pints of Guinness. Considering its location in the heart of the Financial District, expect Rock & Reilly’s weekends to fill up quickly. At 615 S. Flower St., (213) 537-0554 or rockandreillys.com/dtla.
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X Lanes in little Tokyo has a number of options for office parties, including drinks, a restaurant, arcade games and bowling.
For private parties, a 10,000 sq. ft. 9th X Marks the Spot: If any spot can accommodate a big party floor space that was once home to the last-minute, it’s Little Tokyo’s X Lanes. The gargantuan bowling, twitter.com/ArtisanHouseLA instagram.com/artisanhouseLA Jonathan Club, is available for the asking. arcade and sports venue has all kinds of space for group events, whether it’s to congregate around the bar, roll a few frames or Pricing on request. View our group dining grab some drinks and food and play video games. The menu has options and see why the Artisan House the expected sports bar-fare (think wings, pizza and burgers) can be yours anywhere you want to be. but also entrees like charred miso-glazed salmon and chicken
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marsala. There’s a full menu of beer, wine and cocktails if loosening up the co-workers is the goal. And that should be a goal. At 333 S. Alameda St., (213) 229-8910 or xlanesla.com.
e gives you endless Partnering exclusively with Intelligentsia CoffeeIron andTriangle Babycakes, Artisan Housea gives endless Brews Clues: Brewery occupies quietyou corner of to go or join us coffee and breakfast options to get your day started right. Grab something to go or join us ting Monday, July 29th at 7:30am
the Industrial District, but be fooled by the low-key facade Partnering exclusively with Intelligentsia Coffee and Babycakes, Artisan House givesmarket youdon’t endless at our indoor/outdoor café. — this is a classy venue perfect for a party. Less boisterous than coffee and breakfast options to get your day started right. Grab something to go or join us the nearby Angel City Brewery or Arts District Brewing Compawith Intelligentsia Coffee and Babycakes, House gives you endless atArtisan our indoor/outdoor market café. ny, the minimalist space features a long main bar with plenty of st options to get your Get day started right. Grab something to go or join us Partnering exclusively with lunch and dinner space for sitting, mingling or just playing cornhole. The beers are at our indoor/outdoor market café.
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pretty darn good, too, with specialties including the easy-drinking signature Gold ale and offbeat options. The Berliner Weisse, blended with a shot of raspberry syrup, is a winner. At 1581 Industrial St., (310) 424-1370 or irontrianglebrewing.com.
Go With the Flow: Downtown bar magnate Vee Delgadillo has a track record of creating attractive spaces for locals, and her newest wine bar, The Overflow, is no exception. This isn’t the spot for a 200-person blowout, but rather a destination for a smaller get-together with great drinks and a moody, elegant atmosphere. The food menu focuses on little snacks (like baconwrapped dates), cheese and charcuterie, but your officemates twitter.com/ArtisanHouseLA instagram.com/artisanhouseLA will probably be too distracted by the smart wine list and the option to taste flights. However you structure the evening, this is instagram.com/artisanhouseLA a spot that screams “cool.” At 210 W. Fifth St., (213) 628-3140 or theoverflowdtla.com. eddie@downtownnews.com
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12 Downtown News
LAST MINUTE OFFICE PARTIES
October 31, 2016
Escape the Traditional Holiday Party Escape Room L.A. Offers a Unique Way To Bring Employees Together By Tom Fassbender nside an unassuming building on Eighth Street, a world of adventure awaits. Well, four worlds, actually. This is the headquarters of Escape Room L.A., a collection of four themed rooms that groups get locked in together. They have an hour to solve clues and puzzles and get out. Communication and working together are key. John Hennessy opened his first escape room, called “The Detective,” in 2014, and has since added “The Alchemist,” “The Cavern” and “The Theatre.” While social groups are the primary players, Hennessy also caters to businesses, including those arranging a unique spin on the office party. Hennessy spoke about the appeal of the escape rooms and just what a company — and its employees — get out of an event.
I
Los Angeles Downtown News: Do you have any availability for holiday parties? John Hennessy: Yes. This tends to be a very popular time of year for us, so we have added some extra game times for December. The Escape Rooms run every Tuesday through Friday starting at 6 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday beginning around 11:30 a.m. We can also hold private events during the weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. That’s a popular option with corporate groups. Q: How long does it take to complete a room? A: The rooms take between 50 and 60 minutes
John Hennessy created Escape Room L.A. in 2014, and has four different locked room mysteries. He says companies often book his rooms to get a sense of how well people work together.
to complete, but after a brief introduction to go over the rules and a recap afterward, an event will run closer to 90 minutes. Q: How many people can you accommodate? A: We can host 44 people total at one time — two of our rooms have a maximum of 10 people, and the other two have a maximum of 12. But if a group is booking the entire room, we can squeeze in one or two more per room for a maximum of about 50. Q: What can a company expect to pay? A: We charge $32 per person on the weekdays and $37 per person on the weekends. For a private game during the weekday we add a 15% surcharge. But if a company books all four rooms, then we waive the surcharge and give them a 10% discount. Q: Do you provide any food and drink? A: No, we can’t have any food or drink here. But we’re close to many great places that serve dinner and drinks, and we offer our guests a list of places they can walk to after the event. We stress that you should have cocktails after the event — you’ll need all your brain cells to play the game. Q: What do the company and its employees get out of the experience? A: It’s a really great event for team-building.
photo by Gary Leonard
The main reason companies come here is to take a look at how well — or not — a particular group of people works together and communicates with each other. By the time it’s over, people discover if there are issues to work on or if they’re really good at this. Q: Do the employees usually get into it right away? A: Sometimes we’ll see a group of people who just don’t want to be here. But within five minutes of entering the room, they’re really into it and get very competitive. That happens almost every time, and the change is incredible. Q: Are office groups better or worse than other players in terms of solving the rooms?
A: I don’t think they’re any better or worse. It’s really about how well you can communicate with one another. The solutions don’t require any special knowledge or special skills, but someone who does a lot of puzzles might have an advantage. It’s really about working together. Q: How many of these have you done personally? A: Before I started Escape Room L.A., I only did a couple of them. I didn’t want to get any ideas into my head, but I did want to see how other companies structured the set-up. Now I’ve done quite a few in many parts of the world, and ours are some of the best I’ve seen. Escape Room L.A. is at 120 E. Eighth St., (213) 689-3229 or escaperoomla.com.
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October 31, 2016
Downtown News 13
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Lanes, Luck and Lager Yes, Downtown Has an Actual Skee-Ball League By Nicholas Slayton ndrew Jacobs took a sip of his beer, set it on a counter and walked confidently to the lit-up Skee-ball lane. With one hand behind his back, he leaned over and picked up a baseball-sized wooden orb from a rack. His arm rocked back and forth. He paused, then let loose. The ball jetted up a slight incline and off a short ramp. It hung in the air for a fraction of a second, then landed neatly into the second circle from the top. Bingo, 40 points. That set Jacobs off. Not missing a beat, he grabbed the next ball from the rack and settled into a routine. He sank a series of 40-point shots. The scene took place in late August at the Arts District Brewing Co. in the Arts District, where the Los Angeles Brewskee-Ball league was holding the championship night for its second season. Many balls were rolled. Nearly as many beers were consumed. It will probably surprise many that Downtown Los Angeles has a competitive Skee-ball league. There isn’t a long break either, as the next eight-week season — or “skeeson,” as players call it — began Oct. 4. Games take place every Tuesday night. Last season there were 14 teams and approximately 45 players. Registration costs $300 per team and covers fees and T-shirts. Although Skee-Ball at the Arts District Brewing Co. normally costs $1 per game, players roll for free on league nights.
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Although you need some semblance of physical acumen, Brewskee-Ball is less a sport and more a bar game akin to trivia or darts. Currency comes in both Skee-Ball skill and the ability to generate puns. Teams last season included Rollin’ With My Homeskees, Skeezburger in Paradise and, in a rare Harper Lee-goesto-a-bar reference, Brew Radley (the team also won the season two championship). Then there are names that are unrelated to the game, but big on wordplay, such as Star of David Cross. According to Brewskee-Ball organizers, the first modern competition started in Brooklyn in 2005. It has since spread to five other cities, including Austin and now Los Angeles. A San Francisco-based company called Joey the Cat set up the Skee-Ball lanes at the Arts District Brewing Co. It also organized the league, according to Andrew Herrold, who calls himself the “Skee.E.O.” of Brewskee-Ball Los Angeles. Paging Clayton Kershaw Skee-ball was invented in Philadelphia in 1909, and according to the Joey the Cat company, the first Skee-ball tournament took place in 1932 in Atlantic City. It has remained a boardwalk and arcade staple, even as pinball machines and then video games rose to prominence. Over the years the length of the lane has varied, from more than 20 feet long to today’s standard of 10 feet. For those who haven’t played in decades, Skee-Ball has wooden balls that are solid without being heavy. Players get nine balls a game,
Andrew Herrold runs the Los Angeles Brewskee-Ball league. A new season begins this week. Games take place at the Skee-ball lanes at the Arts District Brewing Co.
photo by Gary Leonard
which they roll or ricochet up a ramp and into a series of circles where scores range from 10-50 points — the higher the score, the smaller the hole. There are also small twin 100-point circles on the upper left and right corners of the lane. A typical round takes about three minutes, and on league nights is usually interrupted by friendly taunts and stops for a sip of beer. The best players in the league often break 300 points a game, and it’s not uncommon for someone to hit a groove and sink five or six 40-point shots in a row. The crowd at Brewskee-ball Los Angeles in season two was a nearly even split of men and women. Most players were in their 20s and 30s and dressed casually, though on championship
night a few said they had come straight from work and were still in dress clothes. Anika Warden, a member of the Rolling With My Homeskees team, said the league offers low-stress competition. “I heard about it through friends and really got into it,” she said. “This is my second skeeson.” Jacobs, a member of the Skid Roll team, began playing Skee-Ball in 2006. He said each lane has a different feel, and requires adjusting the throwing style to get the highest score possible. In what might qualify as an overstatement, he compared the rolling skills required for SkeeBall to those utilized by baseball pitchers. “Clayton Kershaw would be phenomenal at Continued on page 14
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When it comes to Skeeball team names, puns are big. Past monikers include Skid Roll, Skeezburger in Paradise and Brew Radley.
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SKEEBALL, 13 this,” he said. Each season ends with an eight-team tournament, and the winners each get a ceremonial mug. Herrold said that the tradition, as it were, is for the winners to drink from the mugs while standing on the Skee-ball lanes. Individual awards are also dispensed. One prize goes to the player with the highest overall individual score of the season, while certain achievements, such as getting all nine balls in the 40-point circle, can earn a roller a special pin. Although some players have serious skills, Herrold emphasized the open nature of the game and the league. “Some people are kind of intimidated in the beginning. They’re brand new rollers who haven’t played competitive Skee-Ball in their life,” he said. “But you have a supportive community. Of course, when you get into match mode, it gets a bit more competitive.” He added that people don’t even need to have a team to compete. Last year, some solo rollers signed up and were put on teams that were short a player, or matched with several other newbies. Herrold said some of those teams returned in the current season. Naturally, the people who join alone are known as “skee agents.” Brewskee-Ball is at the Arts District Brewing Co., 828 Traction Ave., (213) 817-5321. Teams can sign up at brewskeeball.com/losangeles. nicholas@downtownnews.com
Available only to qualified customers through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. Not everyone will qualify. MSRP of $35,375 less the suggested dealer contribution resulting in a total gross capitalized cost of $33,376. Dealer contribution may vary and could affect your actual lease payment. Includes Destination Charge and Premium 1 Package. Excludes title, taxes, registration, license fees, insurance, dealer prep and additional options. Total monthly payments equal $10,764. Cash due at signing includes $2,549 capitalized cost reduction, $795 acquisition fee and first month’s lease payment of $299. No security deposit required. Total payments equal $14,108. Exp. 11/6/16.
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October 31, 2016
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AROUND TOWN, 2 Arts District to Get an Animal Museum
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owntowners love their dogs and other pets. Now, the community is about to get an attraction that shows just as much affection for the non-human set: On Dec. 3, the Animal Museum will officially open in the Arts District. Originally founded in 2010, the facility dedicated to protecting animals from cruelty was previously located in Hollywood. It will occupy a three-story building at 421 Colyton St. A small exhibit opened there this month, but the December grand opening will see the entire space activated, including two exhibits, one about animals in need of homes, and the other exploring the effects of pollution on marine wildlife. The museum will be open Thursday-Sunday; admission is free for members and $7 for non-members. More information is at theanimalmuseum.com.
Alexan Tower Clears a Hurdle
A
big project proposed for the southern part of the Financial District has taken a step forward. At a hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 25, the three members of the Central Area Planning Commission voted unanimously to deny an appeal of the 27-story The Alexan, which would rise at 850 S. Hill St. Developer Trammell Crow Residential has long been pushing the tower that would create 305 apartments and 6,200 square feet of retail space. The project has faced significant opposition from residents of the neighboring Eastern Columbia Building and the group the Society for the Preservation of Downtown Los Angeles, who argue that it is out of character with the neighborhood, and that it would block views of the Eastern Columbia’s historic clock tower. A representative for TCR said that opponents can still appeal other aspects of the development, and that no groundbreaking date has been set.
Correction
T
he Oct. 10 “What’s in My Loft?” article on Liana Georgoulis contained a picture of a framed photo that incorrectly identified the subject as Debbie Harry. The person in the photo, taken by Leee Black Childers, was actually Jackie Curtis.
October 31, 2016
Downtown News 15
DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM
DT
BETA TESTING
CALENDAR
AT THE MAIN MUSEUM
Though It Won’t Open Until 2020, a ‘Pop-Up’ Performance Art Piece Launches at Tom Gilmore’s Old Bank District Museum By Nicholas Slayton n the summer of 2014, developer Tom Gilmore stunned Downtown Los Angeles for the second time. Nearly 15 years after he had kicked off the residential revolution by acquiring three derelict buildings at Fourth and Main streets and turning them into a housing project dubbed the Old Bank District, he was turning his attention to art. He and his business partner Jerri Perrone announced plans to open what Gilmore dubbed a “non-museum museum.” The project won’t be complete until 2020, but Downtowners can get a look into the future with a sort of pop-up exhibit. On Sunday, Oct. 30 (after Los Angeles Downtown News went to press) the developers and the museum’s director Allison Agsten were set to launch what they call Beta Main. The moniker is an indication of what the project is, the Main Museum in its beta stage. Although plans call for a 100,000-square-foot contemporary art museum filling parts of the Farmers and Merchants Bank, the Hellman Building and a garage, Beta Main involves turning 4,000 square feet of space in the lobby of the Hellman Building, accessible and visible off Fourth Street, into an exhibition and performance area, while construction continues on the rest of the project. Agsten, who previously worked as the curator of public engagement at the Hammer Museum, said that Beta Main is the first step in a goal of bringing in local artists, which in this case is Suzanne Lacy and Andrea Bowers, who will launch the 10-day exhibit Performance Lessons: Suzanne Lacy Teaches Andrea Bowers Performance Art. Gilmore said that Beta Main will help the museum team get a handle on operations and programming. “By opening our storefront space, we’re able to try out ideas we have for the making of the museum now, rather than waiting for the entire project to be complete years down the line,” he said in an email. The Main Museum involves transforming the buildings so that the art plays off the physical space. Displays will be across floors in various buildings and there will be a sculpture garden on the roof. Performance Lessons does not include any paintings, sculptures or traditional visual art. Instead, as the title implies, it is a performance art piece that unfolds live. Through Nov. 8, Lacy and Bowers will live in the gallery while the former teaches the latter performance art. The space will be open daily from noon-8 p.m. so people can glance from the street or walk in and watch the proceedings. They can stay for a few minutes or a few hours. This is actually a follow-up to a project the pair did in New York in 2014, where Bowers taught Lacy how
I
Suzanne Lacy is one of two local artists participating in Performance Lessons. It involves her teaching Andrea Bowers the ins and outs of performance art over 10 days. The two will live in the space off Fourth Street during the time.
photos by Gary Leonard
Allison Agsten, director of Tom Gilmore’s art museum in the Historic Core. She is overseeing a “pop-up” exhibit that takes place there this week. The full museum will open in 2020.
to draw. Here, one wall will serve as a canvas for the artists to draw on, as they map out and catalogue their work. After the exhibit ends, the drawings will remain on the wall and on display through Nov. 20. Lacy said that the Main Museum is showing its ambitions with this kind of opening. “They chose a work of two women, dealing with feminism, that takes over the space in a very particular way,” she said. “They care about how open it is to the outside world. People can come by and come in.” During the run, guests such as performance artist Ed Bereal and conceptual artist and filmmaker Eleanor Antin will drop by for lectures and discussions on the history of performance art. As they help with Lacy’s lessons to Bowers, the aim is also to educate visitors. Construction of the Main Museum, which is being designed by the firm Tom Wiscombe Architecture, is taking place in three phases, with Beta Main being an early part of the first phase. The second phase will involve 40,000 square feet of space in the basement and on the ground floor of the buildings, and will include adding a restaurant to the Farmers and Merchants Bank structure. The final phase will address the rooftop, adding an amphitheater and cafe along with the sculpture garden. When it comes to programming and exhibits, Agsten said she is taking a flexible approach, both for the Main Museum and Beta Main. She anticipates bringing in artists for months-long residencies and also hosting pop-up happenings similar to Performance Lessons. She is open on format, and said any medium in contemporary art, from sculpture to video to installation, will be considered. Agsten said some of Beta Main’s programming has been decided on, and that certain shows will involve Downtown artists. In November, after Performance Lessons wraps, she intends to launch a program called “office hours.” Artists will be able to come in and talk with her one-on-one to present their artwork; some pieces will be set up in the Beta Main space. Agsten said it’s a way for the museum to connect with local artists. Public access will be intermittent. At the end of the year, Beta Main will shut down to visitors for a few months while construction continues. The space will return in the spring for an exhibition featuring work by Boyle Heights-based photographer Star Montana. Performance Lessons: Suzanne Lacy Teaches Andrew Bowers Performance Art runs through Nov. 8 at Beta Main, 114 W. Fourth St. or the mainmuseum.org. nicholas@downtownnews.com
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October 31, 2016
Fear and Fortune in the Chinatown Food Scene Mulling Over New Bars, New Faces and Signs of Gentrification
Kim Chuy in Far East Plaza doesn’t get the buzz that places like Chego and Howlin’ Rays generate. But it’s been serving a loyal clientele for decades.
photo by Eddie Kim
By Eddie Kim ’m sitting in Kim Chuy at Far East Plaza, slurping up egg noodles with hunks of seafood and meat from a bowl the size of my head. Laughter from the long lunch line for the new-school hot-chicken joint Howlin’ Rays floats through the door, mingling with jolts of Mandarin from the tables around me. Kim Chuy is run by two generations of the
I
Lim family, who opened the Teochow-style noodle shop in 1982 after escaping violence in Cambodia three years before. I’ll chase their $7 bowl of noodles with, naturally, a $4 coffee at Jack Benchakul’s excellent Endorffeine, where he personally makes every cup. It opened in 2015, and while only about 30 yards separate Endorffeine from Kim Chuy, the generational gap is obvious, and not just in the pricing.
When people ask me to name the “next Arts District” in Downtown Los Angeles, there’s only one answer: Chinatown. I usually say it with a half-grimace, half-smile, because it’s a loaded response. The arrival of hyped restaurants is often the first sign that a neighborhood’s about to get real bougie real fast (to use the scientific terminology) — think of how Urth Caffé, Church & State and Bestia were early arrivals in the Arts District. I shook my head when I recently saw the announcement of not one, but three major drinking spots slated to open next year in Chinatown: a 5,500-square-foot Highland Park Brewery, New York City speakeasy transplant Apotheke, and a wine bar from Dustin Lancaster, the guy behind Covell and L&E Oyster Bar in Silver Lake. The collision of old and new feels like a tension that, as in so many communities before, will tip headfirst into a perhaps bland strain of increasingly pricey hipsterdom, saturated with the shops you would find in, well, parts of the Arts District. But if you squint, there’s a utopia to imagine, one that preserves Chinatown’s history and cultivates its traditional businesses while ushering in new concepts with an egalitarian vibe. Look to the Past Credit modern hotspots such as Chego, Pok Pok, Little Jewel of New Orleans and the incubator restaurant Unit 120 for shining the spotlight on Chinatown. We can also cast blame — their success has triggered a wave of forces that could lead to the dreaded “G word,“ gentrification,” whether through rising rents or the replacing of old businesses. We’ve been here before. Chinatown’s history is one of displacement and renewal. L.A.’s original Chinatown came when mostly male Chinese immigrant workers settled in an area that today is near Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard and Alameda Street. Between 1890-1910, the neighborhood swelled to about 15 streets and alleys. As more women arrived, young families began to set their roots, which spurred the growth of amenities like a Chinese opera theater and temples. The fact that Chinese people couldn’t legally own property, however, meant that most rented their homes, leading to a dispiriting exodus with the development of Union Station in the
1930s. Today’s Chinatown is where L.A.’s original Little Italy stood. It was propelled by ChineseAmerican Department of Water and Power employee Peter Soo Hoo, who headed a group that raised money and built up one square block with about 60 stores and offices. It opened in 1938, and represented a more modern and organized future for the community. Today, that block on Gin Ling Way sports the modern Vietnamese restaurant Blossom and the hip General Lee’s cocktail bar, as well as the historic Hop Louie pagoda building. Leadership from stakeholders who understood the needs of the community, and the power of development discretion, proved key in the past. I’d like to think it remains key today. There have been losses. Dim sum behemoth Empress Pavilion reopened in October 2014, but its return was muted. It’s now closed, save for some private events. I’ll mourn the loss of Wing Hop Fung, the wonderland of Chinese herbs, tea, cooking ingredients, home goods and beyond that took up two floors of Far East Plaza. Its 20,000 square feet will likely be subdivided into spots for shops and restaurants. A strong leasing push to get intriguing businesses in there en masse could be a tipping point. Still, the tide hasn’t quite turned. Pok Pok chef/owner Andy Ricker, for one, earlier this year described to me the plummeting foot traffic after sunset each day in Chinatown. Night brings a somber quiet to the streets, with the only activity for long stretches of sidewalk being elderly couples shuffling on an evening walk, hands clasped in the smalls of their backs. Evening Activation The Chinatown Business Improvement District regularly hosts programming that focuses on nighttime activation. The monthly Thursday events and the Chinatown Summer Nights draw not only tourists, but new businesses — the recently arrived Far East Plaza Taiwanese spot Lao Tao was developed over sessions at the street festivals, say co-owners David Wang and Ying Xie. These days it is easy to overlook local spots like My Dung (try the $3 banh mi), Queens Bakery and Kim Chuy, which don’t have much in the way of social media or marketing. Such gems can falter amid a dispiriting swell of mediocre 3-star Yelp reviews, which is to say Yelpers are often wrong. Known favorites like Plum Tree Inn and Yang Chow will be fine. I’m convinced more hidden spots will only thrive if new residents settle in Chinatown and take time to explore. The pricey new apartment complex Blossom Plaza (where, it should be noted, 20% of the units are set aside as affordable housing) remains an enigma, for now. It’s lined with empty retail and commercial spaces, and so far only one corner spot near Broadway has anything to offer — Eastern Projects, a gallery-like space that features bits of artwork including a large hieroglyphic Retna piece (because of course it does). Longtime Downtown players Izek Shomof and Tom Gilmore have Chinatown development plans in the works. Meanwhile New York City-based Atlas Capital is prepping designs for College Station, which would bring a staggering 770 apartments and 51,000 square feet of retail to a 5.7-acre plot near the southern tip of Los Angeles State Historic Park. The scale and power of that project alone brings to mind the old Union Station job. I wonder what Peter Soo Hoo would think. My advice? Keep your eyes on the dining scene. It’ll say more about the future of Chinatown than anything else. eddie@downtownnews.com
DT
The
EVENTS
ROCK, POP & JAZZ
Au Lac/Café Fedora 710 W. First St., (213) 617-2533 or aulac.com. Nov. 5: Cheryl Barnes is not to be confused with Cherylyn Barnes. Belasco 1050 S. Hill St., (213) 746-5670 or belascous.com. Nov. 3, 6:30 p.m.: A touch of San Diego soul from Andra Day. Nov. 5, 6:30 p.m.: Weirdly, Porcupine Tree veteran Steven Wilson does not have blackest eyes. Blue Whale 123 Astronaut E. S. Onizuka St., (213) 620-0908 or bluewhalemusic.com. Nov. 1: Thelonious Monk Institute Ensemble Jam Session. Nov. 2: Kei Akagi and Kojiro Umezaki. Nov. 3: Kevin Yokota Group. Nov. 4: Marcel Camargo Group. Nov. 5: Mike Moreno Group. Nov. 6: Burnt Hibiscus. Continued on next page
DON’T MISS
‘
CALENDAR LISTINGS
’List
The 1936 Olympics, Hurdy-Gurdies and Langston Hughes All Get Refreshed This Week in Downtown Courtesy of Library of Congress
By Dan Johnson | calendar@downtownnews.com
That Adolf Hitler was an evil man flaunting ideas of extremely dubious intellectual merit is a foregone conclusion these days. Back in 1936, however, a solid contingent of folks at the Berlin Olympics were ardent believers in Aryan supremacy. Enter Jesse Owens, the African-American sprinter and inaugural refuter to Hitler’s ideology. The California African-American Museum recently opened an exhibit on Owens and the collective tumult of the ’36 games. Politics, Race, and Propaganda: The Nazi Olympics, Berlin 1936 is full of photos, films, documents and first-person accounts. The show is yours to view free of charge from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. every Tuesday-Saturday and 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. on Sundays. The Exposition Park exhibit continues through Feb. 26, 2017. At 600 State Dr., (213) 744-7432 or caamuseum.org. Though it has a name that sounds like the sort of torture method an older sibling might have used to ruin your childhood, the hurdy-gurdy is, in fact, a complex instrument that was popular in Europe between the 12th and 19th centuries. The crank-pumped resonator produces violin-esque timbres with a bagpipe-ish drone. On Thursday, Nov. 3, at 7:30 p.m., self-proclaimed hurdy-gurdy man Curtis Barak takes to the stage with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra to participate in a Baroque program at the Colburn School’s Zipper Hall. Barak, by the way, collects and restores hurdy-gurdies, and has a workshop in Downtown’s Fashion District. At 200 S. Grand Ave., (213) 622-7001 or laco.org.
1 2 photo by Taso Papadakis photo courtesy of Brainfeeder
MONDAY, OCTOBER 31 Dia de los Muertos Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-8080 or grandparkla.org. Through Nov. 5: Fifty outdoor altars are on display at the park. The altars welcome the spirits of the deceased. Shep Gordon in Conversation with Alice Cooper 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 or bootlegtheater.org. 8 p.m.: Few things are spookier this Halloween than a public discussion between shock rocker extraordinaire Alice Cooper and the man who christened the cult of branding in popular music. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1 How Do You Fix a Bad Neighborhood? MOCA, 250 S. Grand Ave., (213) 621-2766 or zocalopublicsquare.org. 7:30 p.m.: At this Zocalo Public Square event, Sara Catania moderates a discussion between UCI criminologist Charis Kubrin, GRYD Foundation president Adrienne Newsom, St. John’s Well Child Center physician Chris Mike and Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson. First to mention Jane Jacobs wins. T.C. Boyle at Aloud Central Library, Mark Taper Auditorium, 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7500 or lfla.org. 7:15 p.m.: One of the most celebrated Southern California authors of our time dishes on his latest novel, “The Terranauts.” THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3 Doug the Pug Last Bookstore, 453 S. Spring St., (213) 488-0599 or lastbookstorela.com. 7 p.m.: Those still recovering from the lobotomy that was the last debate are encouraged to plop down in a seat and stare listlessly at this pug that now has his own book. The Idea of the Oceans at MOCA MOCA, 250 S. Grand Ave., (213) 621-2766 or moca.org. 2 p.m.: In a multifaceted program, artists and scientists collide to discuss climate change, natural rhythms and Drab Majesty’s assertion that “the oceans were the killing machines.” Pop-Up Magazine Ace Hotel, 929 S. Broadway, (213) 623-3233 or acehotel.com. 7:30 p.m.: Ira Madison, Josh Kun, and Los Jornaleros del Norte will be your insightful guests of honor in this live staging of magazine-style content. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4 L.A. Fight Club 1050 S. Hill St., (213) 746-5670 or belascous.com. 5 p.m.: Times are tough and money’s tight, so we completely understand if you want to skip tonight’s Golden Boy boxing card and watch “Rocky” for the 109th time. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6 The Rock ‘N’ Roll Flea Market 448 S. Main St. or theregenttheater.com. Noon: Pick up your official “Bob Dylan Nobel Laureate” Tshirts.
Downtown News 17
DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM
3 “Surprise and provocation.” So goes the invitation to John Sinner’s An Invasion of Decency, an alluring theatrical pop-up haunting a 1920s warehouse in the Arts District through Nov. 13. A crew of curiously clad performers cut from a sort of hipster rococo cloth build a live performance over augmented media in a deeply engaging mélange of art and humor. An Invasion of Decency is available to a select few audience members during 8:30 p.m. shows on Fridays and Saturdays and 7 p.m. performances on Sundays. The location of the warehouse is revealed after tickets are purchased. At theatrerevelation.com.
From Alexander Hamilton High School to the festival circuit, Los Angeles contemporary sax master Kamasi Washington has crafted an unlikely if potent musical odyssey for himself. His 2015 magnum opus The Epic (which he debuted at The Regent) earned innumerable accolades. Now Washington returns to Downtown Los Angeles for a one-night stint at the Walt Disney Concert Hall with the Ron McCurdy Quartet on Sunday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m. Together they’ll be scoring a stylistic recapitulation of jazz set to Langston Hughes’ 12-part poem “Ask Your Mama.” At 111 S. Grand Ave., (213) 972-8000 or laphil.com.
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Come with Bobby Gillespie and you’ll be in a world of sonic re-imagination. The founder of Scotland’s Primal Scream prides himself on a perpetually malcontented drive to reconfigure his band’s sound. From garage rock to psychedelia to house, Primal Scream has been starting fresh album after album for nearly 35 years. This year’s Chaosmosis found the outfit gambling on dance pop with a little help from the likes of Sky Ferreira and Haim. On Saturday, Nov. 5, Gillespie and company will be down at The Regent. Come catch up. At 448 S. Main St. or theregenttheater.com.
photo courtesy John Sinner
October 31, 2016
5 photo courtesy The Regent
Send information and possible Don’t Miss List submissions to calendar@downtownnews.com.
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18 Downtown News
Bootleg Bar 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 or bootlegtheater.org. Nov. 1: Walking on Cars are at the self-congratulatory stage in their career as a band where they laud themselves for “sticking to their guns.” Nov. 2: Gram Rabbit is a glammed-out super-cut of Instagram model tropes and post-9/11 music video aesthetics. Nov. 3: If you’re interested in a sonic recapitulation of the now terminal hipster indie folk scene, pop on in for Paper Bird. Nov. 4: Zander Hawley likes to tell people that he has charted with iTtunes. Nov. 5: Husband and wife team La Sera will have you feeling
Dim Sum
Lunch and Dinner • An Extensive Seafood Menu including Dim Sum at Moderate Prices • Relaxed Dining in an Elegant Ambiance • Live Lobster Tank
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bad that the only thing your marriage created was a bratty child and a generation of debt. Nov. 6: If you’re in search of lo-fi affectations, then Cave Singers might be for you. Escondite 410 Boyd St., (213) 626-1800 or theescondite.com. Oct. 31: Skip Spiros and The 10 Piece Jazz Band Project propel the Hideout through the Witching Hour right into November. Exchange LA 618 S. Spring St., (213) 627-8070 or exchangela.com. Oct. 31: Hi Lo Ween. Nov. 4: Minnesota.
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Nov. 5: Alan Fitzpatrick. Grammy Museum 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org. Nov. 1: Recovery expert Bob Forrest’s “Survival Songs” are more about spiritual resilience than starting a fire with a #2 pencil and a lot of elbow grease. Ham & Eggs Tavern 433 W. Eighth St., (213) 891-6939 or hamandeggstavern.com. Oct. 31: Ohm Mantra, The Planters, Lord Buffalo and The Mud Howlers.
October 31, 2016
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October 31, 2016
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To place a classified ad in the Downtown News please call 213-481-1448, or go to DowntownNews.com Deadline classified display and line ads are Thursday at 12pm. FORfor RENT All submissions are subject to federal and California fair housing laws, which make it illegal to indicate in any advertisement any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial status, source of income or physical or mental disability. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.
LEGAL FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2016243892 The following individual(s) is (are) doing business as: (1) DTLA Shirt Company, 206 W. 6th St., 1239, Los Angeles, CA 90014, are hereby registered by the following registrants: Marcos Beltran, 206 W. 6th St., 1239, Los Angeles, CA 90014. This business is conducted by an individual. Registrant(s) have not begun to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above. This statement was filed with Dean C. Logan, Los Angeles County Clerk, by Joseph Isip,
Deputy, on October 04, 2016. NOTICE—This fictitious name statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et. seq. Business and Professions Code). Pub. 10/17, 10/24, 10/31, and 11/07/2016.
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REAL ESTATE COMMERCIAL OFFICE SPACE LEASE/SALE DTLA FASHION DISTRICT 3 second floor office units: #203: 700 SF; #204: 700 SF; #205: 2,000 SF with window. Just south of Olympic Blvd. Light and bright! Must see. Contact Rafael for details: rafael@majorproperties.com. 213-222-1208. RETAIL SPACE LEASE/SALE DTLA FASHION DISTRICT 2 ground floor retail units available. 1,000 SF each + 150 SF mezz. Prime Santee Street Location! Just south of Olympic Blvd. Great exposure with heavy traffic. For details, contact Rafael: rafael@majorproperties. com. 213-222-1208
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NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS MORLIN ASSET MANAGEMENT, LP, a Delaware Limited Partnership as Agent for the JOINT MANAGEMENT COUNCIL, an unincorporated association, will receive qualifications packages from historic preservation consultants and architects wishing to become pre-qualified for an available bidding opportunity at Los Angeles Union Station. It is the intent of this Joint Management Council to select a firm that will provide general historic consulting services at Los Angeles Union Station at the best overall value. In order to be fully considered for prequalification and subsequent bidding opportunities, please proceed to the RFIQ questionnaire at: https://goo.gl/ forms/6yOk74CDE9wIAaKr2 . Completed forms are due on or before close of business by November 4th, 2016. Submissions received after 5:00pm on November 4th, 2016 will be rejected.
NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS MORLIN ASSET MANAGEMENT, LP, a Delaware Limited Partnership as Agent for the JOINT MANAGEMENT COUNCIL, an unincorporated association, will receive qualifications packages from general contractors wishing to become pre-qualified for an available bidding opportunity at Los Angeles Union Station. It is the intent of this Joint Management Council to select a general contractor that will provide services to install new Wayfinding Signage at Los Angeles Union Station at the best overall value. In order to be fully considered for prequalification and subsequent bidding opportunities, please proceed to the RFIQ questionnaire at:https://goo.gl/forms/CHdNJxBWIwCytC8r1 . Completed forms are due on or before close of business by November 18th, 2016. Submissions received after 5:00pm on November 18th, 2016 will be rejected.
Ideal candidates will have a minimum of three years of auditing experience from a large regional, national, or Big Four firm, with excellent oral and written communication skills coupled with the drive to progress professionally rising up to a partner role. Furthermore, this candidate should have passed all parts of the California CPA examination, focused on achieving efficiencies in their engagement management, problem solver and solution provider, engaged in the practice development activities and demonstrated the ability to foster relationships with both co-workers and client contacts. Should the above qualifications describe you and you’re interested in exploring this opportunity further, please contact us by sending your resume to info@fwllp.com or by fax (213) 688-9899.
PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF LOS ANGELES ENVIRONMENTAL NOTICE. Notice is hereby given of the availability for public review and comment on the Active Recycling Company, Inc. Draft Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND), and Notice of the City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety Local Enforcement Agency’s Intent to adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) on the following project: The project site is currently used as a material recovery facility (MRF) and transfer station that is permitted to accept up to 250 tons per day (TPD) of source-separated construction, demolition/inert (CDI) debris, greenwaste, and mixed municipal solid waste (MSW) (Solid Waste Facility Permit (SWFP) 19-AR-1250). The proposed project would: 1) Increase the maximum daily capacity from 250 TPD to 500 TPD; 2) Revise the public use hours from 6 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Sunday (internal hours of operation will remain 24 hours/day, seven days a week; 3) Include the continued processing of up to 300 TPD of scrap metal; and, 4) Expand the area where operations are conducted from 24,200 square feet (sf) to 38,500 sf. The expanded processing area is being requested to allow load-out of transfer trucks which will increase throughput capacity. No new construction is proposed. The solid waste facility is located within the property of an existing Recycling Center. The MRF and transfer station operations would make up approximately 38,500 sf (0.88 acres) of the 3.56 acre Recycling Center parcel. Printed copies of the IS/MND are available for review at the following locations: City of Los Angeles Local Enforcement Agency, 221 N. Figueroa Street, Room 1250, Los Angeles, CA 90012 tele. (213) 252-3348, and the Angeles Mesa Library, 2700 West 52nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90043 tele. (323) 292-4328. Comments on the IS/MND may be mailed to: City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety Local Enforcement Agency, 221 N. Figueroa Street, Room 1250, Los Angeles, CA 90012, Attn: Jose Gutierrez, LEA Program Supervisor, (213) 252-3348, or sent via email to jose.gutierrez@lacity.org The review and comment period will end on November 30, 2016. Questions may be directed to Jose Gutierrez, LEA Program Supervisor at (213) 252-3348.
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October 31, 2016
CITY HALL-OWEEN, 5
Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore! It’s our business to make you comfortable... at home, downtown. Corporate and long term residency Call Now Fo is accommodated in high style at the Towers Apartments. Contemporary singles, studio, one r bedroom and two bedroom apartment homes provide fortunate residents with a courteous full service lobby attendant, heated pool, spa, complete fitness center, sauna and recreation room Move-In Spec with kitchen. Beautiful views extend from the Towers’ lofty homes in the sky. Mountain vistas and ial slender skyscrapers provide an incredible back drop to complement your decor. Far below are a host of businesses s ready to support your pampered downtown lifestyle. With spectacular cultural events nearby, even the most demanding tastes are satisfied. Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore. Visit the Towers Apartments today.
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255 GRAND
255 South Grand Avenue Leasing Information 213 229 9777 www.255GRAND.com Community Amenities: ~ 24 Hr. Manned Lobby ~ Concierge ~ Pool / Spa / Saunas ~ Fitness Center ~ Gas BBQ Grills ~ Recreation Room
On-site: ~ Dry Cleaners / Dental Office / Restaurants Apartment Amenities: ~ Refrigerator, Stove,Microwave & Dishwasher (most units) ~ Central Air Conditioning & Heating ~ Balconies (most units)
PROMENADE TOWERS
123 South Figueroa Street Leasing Information 213 617 3777 www.THEPROMENADETOWERS.com Community Amenities: ~ 24 Hr. Manned Lobby ~ Pool / Spa / BBQ Grills ~ Fitness Center ~ Covered Parking
Apartment Amenities: ~ Refrigerator, Stove & Dishwasher ~ Central Air & Heating ~ Solariums and/or Balconies
On-Site: ~ Convenience Store / Beauty Salon
MUSEUM TOWER
225 South Olive Street Leasing Information 213 626 1500 www.MUSEUMTOWER.com Community Amenities: ~ 24 Hr. Manned Lobby ~ Concierge ~ Pool / Spa / Saunas ~ Fitness Center ~ Gas BBQ Grills ~ Recreation Room
TOWERS
Apartment Amenities: ~ Refrigerator, Stove, Microwave & Dish washer (most units) ~ Central Air & Heating ~ Balconies (most units)
T H E
A PA RT M E N T S
MAID SERVICE • FURNITURE • HOUSEWARES • CABLE • UTILITIES • PARKING
RESIDENCES: SINGLES • STUDIO • ONE BEDROOM • TWO BEDROOM
moment, but then you hear a rumor that he or she got Tronc’ed and is going somewhere else to work. Where are all the knowledgeable reporters with a sense of context? You poke your head out the window and see a bunch of reporters at red carpet movie premieres and more covering pet parades and a whole brigade assembling “10 Hottest” lists. No, you think, the media could not have abandoned City Hall. Someone must be keeping an eye on the henhouse, right? Right? Power Play: Bored, you leave the media room. In the hall you hear a familiar gruff voice. You follow it, open a door and see Brian D’Arcy, the business manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers-Local 18, the powerful union that represents most Department of Water and Power employees. Over in a corner you see a well-dressed figure wobbling. D’Arcy dashes to the man and assembles a small mountain of cash for him to lean against. “You’ve got an election coming. Lemme help prop you up,” D’Arcy says, and, whaddya know, the politician seems comfortable with the IBEW money. So that’s how City Hall works! D’Arcy keeps racing about the room, propping up politicians up for re-election with IBEW cash. No one complains. You feel disgusted and faint. It’s the 7-10 Split, Jake: You wake up and see a man talking to two crowds that couldn’t be more different. “I represent you,” he tells a group with residents of Koreatown, the Fairfax district and Crenshaw. “I represent you,” he repeats to the people of the eastern reaches of the San Fernando Valley. How can one man represent two districts, you wonder. Then you realize this isn’t just any man, but rather Wesson, and you remember that he won a 10th District election and then, after Fuentes left, decided he could do a better job than anyone with the far-off Seventh District, so he just took it, and no one tried to stop him. “I represent the 10th,” he says. Then he slaps himself. “I represent the Seventh!” Slap. “The 10th!” Slap. “The Seventh!” Slap. “10th! Seventh! She’s my sister! She’s my daughter!” Holy Jake Gittes. “I represent the 10th and the Seventh,” he wails before collapsing. Run! Take a Stand: You race down a hall and hear what sounds like tap dancing. It seems to be emanating from the mayor’s suite. You follow the footsteps and see the door wide open. There’s the mayor! “Hi multicultural Eric!” you yell as he posts something on Instagram. You look and see a giant “JJJ” on the floor, and for some reason Garcetti will step briefly on the letters, then dance away, never staying still. You remember there is a controversial Proposition JJJ, sponsored by labor groups and relating to construction projects, on the November ballot, but that the mayor hasn’t announced whether he is for or against it. You watch, and notice that many others are also watching, but Garcetti keeps bouncing — with all the wavering no one can tell where he stands on JJJ. Why won’t the highest elected official in L.A. take a stance on JJJ? You have no idea. A Long Look: You’re exhausted. You decide to head to the top of City Hall and enjoy the view. When you get there, you find 16 well-dressed men and one woman already standing at the edge, staring off. Is that Mike Feuer? It is! You’d know that ’stache anywhere. You say hi but he seems focused on something far away. Is he looking in the direction of Sacramento? You see words in the distance all around the building, and they seem to spell “Future.” Why is Mike Feuer gazing into the future in Sacramento while he still has an awesome job as City Attorney and is up for re-election next year? Then you realize he’s not alone. Wesson is there, and he’s also looking into the future, though not toward Sacramento. So is Garcetti, and as he looks into the future you think he also sees a big white house. The other council reps are here, too. Why is everyone focused on this when there is so much to do in City Hall? You ask 1,000 times what they’re looking at, but no one will directly answer the question. You pass out. Thanks for Playing: You come to on the sidewalk in front of the building, feeling dazed, confused and a little sick. You stand up and dust yourself off, wondering what you endured. For some reason your wallet is lighter and your soul feels dirty. You decide, like so many others in Los Angeles, never to think about what happens in City Hall again. regardie@downtownnews.com