This week, we’ve got a major event coming up for anyone interested in the future of Los Angeles: the Urban Land Institute’s “Transit Oriented Los Angeles” event, featuring Metro’s new CEO, Phil Washington. Also, the City Council will consider 90 new homes two blocks from the future Expo light rail station, the Westside Urban Forum will host a panel on Los Angeles’ new Mobility Plan, and it’ll be a busy weekend for Buy Local! events in town.
Transit Oriented Los Angeles
“Door by door, block by block, city by city, neighborhoods are transforming and becoming connected through transportation alternatives,” the website for ULI’s Transit Oriented L.A. event reads. “From a potential transportation ballot measure to high-speed rail, learn the latest opportunities and tools for success from local and national experts.”
On Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Japanese American National Museum in Downtown Los Angeles, attendees will have a chance to hear from leading experts in transportation and land use about what the future holds for our region.
The opening keynote panel, moderated by Publisher and Managing Editor of The Planning Report David Able, includes Metro CEO Phil Washington and California High Speed Rail Authority CEO Jeff Morales.
Throughout the day, you will hear from experts in the fields of transportation and land use on topics such as Metro’s opportunity sites as economic development tools, resources for community development projects along transit corridors, and the growing pot of resources available for transit-oriented growth.
You will also hear about examples of successful case studies throughout the country. Topics that will be touched on include how market-rate transit-oriented development can stimulate broader economic growth, how Denver has achieved success with its “transit-oriented communities” initiative, and examples of mixed-income transit-oriented developments helping to stabilize underserved neighborhoods.
The closing keynote speaker will be L.A. County Supervisor for District 2, Mark Ridley-Thomas.
For more information, including a complete bill of panelists and how to register, visit Transit Oriented Los Angeles’ website here.
When: Thursday, December 10 from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Japanese American National Museum, 100 N Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Westside Urban Forum Discusses L.A. Mobility Plan 2035
This Friday from 7 to 9 a.m., hear what the experts and activists have to say about the city of L.A.’s recently approved (then rescinded and reapproved) Mobility Plan, the city’s roadmap to a multi-modal future.
“The plan envisions Los Angeles as a truly multi-modal city, with emphasis on transit, bicycling, walking, and place-making — and de-emphasis on the personal automobile. It also seeks to reduce the city’s 200 annual pedestrian fatalities to zero. It will institute road diets, speed restrictions, and infrastructure upgrades in every corner of the city,” according to Westside Urban Forum’s website.
Panelists include: Laura Lake, Board Member, Fix the City, Jessica Meaney, Managing Director, Investing in Place, and Hilary Norton, Executive Director, Fixing Angelenos Stuck in Traffic (FAST). The panel will be moderated by Megan McCarty, Community and Mobility Reporter, 89.3 KPCC.
For more information or to register for the event, visit westsideurbanforum.com.
When: Friday, December 11 from 7 to 9 a.m.
Where: The Olympic Collection, 11301 Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90064
Council Considers 90 New Expo Adjacent Homes
The Santa Monica City Council on Tuesday will consider approving a 4-to-5 story mixed-use apartment building that, if approved, would add 90 new homes — including nine three-bedroom apartments for families — on the former site of Norm’s, about two blocks from the future Downtown Santa Monica Expo light rail station.
The project at 1601 Lincoln Boulevard is designed by local architectural firm Michael Folonis Architects and will set aside 18 apartments to be rented below market-rate to households with qualifying incomes.
For the full Council agenda for this meeting, click here.
When: Tuesday, December 8 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: City Hall, 1685 Main St. Santa Monica, CA 90401
Buy Local and Pub Crawl this Weekend
The benefits to shopping local are myriad. It’s greener, better for the community, and overall less stressful. This weekend, Ocean Park Boulevard and Bergamot Station are celebrating the holiday season.
And, there is also a pub crawl to benefit the Westside Food Bank. To find out more about all these events and more, visit buylocalsm.com/events.
