area newsletter JULY 2018 • SAN FERNANDO VALLEY
20 18 TM
Community News Metro reveals plans for Sepulveda rail line
A proposed transit line between the San Fernando Valley and the Westside made small steps forward recently when the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority revealed six possible plans for the project. The concepts represent different combinations of modes and routes, utilizing either heavy rail, light rail, monorail, or a rubber tire train system. Specific stops vary per plan, but the Sepulveda line would generally connect the Metrolink and Orange Line in the Valley to the Expo and Purple Lines on the Westside. The line would run between 10 and 14 miles and carry between 400 and 1400 passengers per train. The project is funded by the Measure M initiative that was approved by voters in 2016. Metro hopes to have construction completed prior to the 2028 Olympics. An additional phase of the project would later link the route to LAX.
Another new hotel tower coming to Universal City The owners of the Sheraton Universal hotel have filed plans with the city to build a new 31-story tower on their Universal City lot. The project would add 551 hotel rooms to the existing 20-story, 451-room structure on the property. The expansion follows the recent announcement by owners of the neighboring Hilton hotel that they intended to build their own 15-story tower. Upon completion, the Hilton expansion would 365 rooms to
the existing 495 rooms. The boom in hotel expansion in the area coincides with the rise in international tourism to the Los Angeles area and the enormous popularity of the Harry Potter attraction at the Universal City Hollywood amusement park.
Residential and retail complex planned for Van Nuys Developers have submitted plans to the City of Los Angeles to build a mixeduse complex at the intersection of Van Nuys Blvd. and Kittridge St. Named Van Nuys Plaza, the project calls for the construction of a six story building on the southwestern corner of the intersection which would include 174 apartments and 18,400 square feet of ground floor commercial space. The site is located about a mile from the Orange Line rapid bus line and would be one of the few residential buildings on an otherwise commercial district of Van Nuys. If approved by city officials, the project is expected to break ground in Autumn 2018 and be completed in 15 months.
Community News Mall of America owners eyeing Rocketdyne site
Progress in fight against homelessness Officials recently announced that the number of homeless people in the county of Los Angeles has decreased to 53,195 people, a drop of 3% since 2017. This marks the first improvement in four years and follows a 23% increase from 2016 to 2017. The decline also mirrors increased government efforts to provide housing and
Triple Five Group Ltd., the Canadian firm that owns the Mall of America, is in talks to buy a 47 acre property at 6633 Canoga Ave. in Warner Center. The site was home to Aerojet Rocketdyne engine facility from 1955 to 2013, before the operation was moved to DeSoto Ave. United Technologies Corp., the former owner of Aerojet Rocketdyne, began redeveloping the property in 2016, with plans to build a dense, transit-centric community called “Uptown at Warner Center.” It is not clear if Triple Five will continue with such a plan, which would build 3,950 residential units, 1.1 million square feet of office space, and 200,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space.
services to LA’s homeless population. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti recently announced plans to build 15 emergency shelters around the city, and the City Council also unanimously passed a resolution to build transitional housing in each of the city’s 15 districts. Among Garcetti’s announced shelters is a project located at 11010 Santa Monica Boulevard, at a city-owned parking lot in West LA. Recent changes to state law allows the city to build the shelters quickly, bypassing much of the typical red tape that is typically required.
Restaurant
Spotlight
The Swingin Door
Sushi | Bar
Joe’s Falafel
11018 Vanowen Street North Hollywood
11049 W. Magnolia Boulevard North Hollywood
3535 Cahuenga Boulevard West Studio City
This restaurant does everything from tri-tip to pulled pork to brisket. The barbecue joint serves big portions at low prices. Swingin Door Texas BBQ shares a parking lot with a gas station. Inside you will find a few tables along the brick walls. Here you can also enjoy hot links, baby back ribs, chicken, which are all smoked out back and covered with a tangy sweet sauce. For a side, make sure to order their potato salad or mac and cheese. For dessert, try their deepfried Twinkies or fruit cobbler. Swingin Door is open Tuesday – Thursday from 11 a.m. – 8:30 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., and Saturday – Sunday from 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Sushi|Bar is Phillip Frankland Lee’s Omakase speakeasy sushi bar hidden inside a back room of his cocktail lounge Woodley Proper. The eight-seat counter allows you to sit right in front of the chef ’s cutting boards and enjoy a sushi experience. The menu here is seasonal and changes daily. Reservations are released bi-weekly at 10 a.m. You can book their Omakase inspired tasting menu, which costs $110 per person and includes a complimentary welcome cocktail and involves a 17-course meal. Supplemental food, alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic beverages, coffee or tea is not covered in the base meal. Sushi|Bar is open Tuesday – Sunday.
This restaurant can be found in a small Studio City strip mall. Joe’s Falafel offers a variety of tastes from the Middle East to Greece and Turkey. Most customers come for the falafel, which is available on a plate or a pita sandwich. The plate options come with six pieces of falafel, rice, salad and hummus, alongside a warm pita. Other items on the menu: Lamb Shank, Hummus & Shawarma, Chicken Kabob, salads, and a variety of sandwiches and bowls. Joe’s Falafel is open Monday – Friday from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS in LOS ANGELES
Annenberg Space for Photography 2000 Avenue of the Stars #10 Los Angeles, CA 90067 CURRENT EXHIBITION: Not An Ostrich: and Other Images From America’s Library April 21 - September 9, 2018 Noted curator Anne Wilkes Tucker has displays nearly 500 images selected from the archives of the U.S. Library of Congress including photos that are rarely seen by the public as well as iconic portraits of Abraham Lincoln, Cesar Chavez, and Elizabeth Taylor. The exhibit shows a vivid cross-section of the history the United States in photographic form.
LACMA
MOCA Grand Avenue
5905 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90036
152 North Central Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012
CURRENT EXHIBITION:
CURRENT EXHIBITION:
A Universal History of Infamy: Those of This America January 27 - October 6, 2018
Jackson Pollock’s Number 1, 1949: A Conservation Treatment March 4 - September 7, 2018
As part of LACMA’s community art education program, this exhibition is presented at their satellite gallery at Charles White Elementary School, featuring the work of contemporary Latino artists, writers, and activists, alongside pieces from LACMA’s permanent collection. Public hours are on Saturdays, 1-4 pm.
In collaboration with the Getty Conservation Institute, MOCA is undertaking an extensive restoration of a Jackson Pollock painting in a gallery that will be open to the public. Three other Pollocks from the MOCA collection will also be displayed.
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