PLANNING WATCH / PLAN-IT LOS ANGELES

The account of the Bastille Day SLAP protest event in the LA Times , was a humorous put down. Its focus was the odd-balls among the 150-200 people who Ron Kaye, former Daily News editor, mobilized for the event. Nevertheless, the article could not fully dismiss the positive impulses of most of those who attended the Save our City rally. They are definitely pushing in the right direction, although the organizers should not imply that city employees are part of the problem. Civil servants should not be confused with the city's decision makers or municipal unions. The staff and some of the officers or the latter are, for the most part, now allied with elected officials, not LA residents. This situation, however, has been different and could change. This broad brush critique of city employees is also wrong because there is a natural alliance between the providers and consumers of municipal services. This labor-neighbor alliance should be cultivated, and the Daily ...

During a deep budget crisis, business as usual includes subsidies for large, privately financed real estate projects. These practices, just a step up from corruption, not employee salaries and benefits, are one of the true causes for the layoffs and cutbacks at all levels of government . http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-anschutz14-2008jun14,0,4914075.story From the Los Angeles Times Affordable-housing funds earmarked for group with ties to billionaire Anschutz's tony Staples-area project State officials pass over nearly 100 requests for needy neighborhoods to recommend $30 million for improving the area around the L.A. Live entertainment complex. By Patrick McGreevy, Los Angeles Times, June 14, 2008 SACRAMENTO — State officials Friday earmarked $30 million in voter-approved housing bonds for a group with ties to Staples Center owner Philip Anschutz, for sprucing up the street next to his multibillion-dollar entertainment projects in...

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-grand8-2008jun08,0,296533.story Antonovich questions plan to again delay Grand Avenue project's start The developer says the postponement is necessary because of the tight credit market. County supervisor calls for the Frank Gehry-designed project across from Disney Hall to be put out to bid again. By Cara Mia DiMassa, June 8, 2008, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer June 8, 2008 A Los Angeles County supervisor is raising questions about an oversight panel's scheduled vote Monday to delay construction of the much-watched, $3-billion Grand Avenue project. Related Cos., developer of the Frank Gehry-designed project set to rise across the street from Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown L.A., said the delay was necessary because of difficulty in obtaining construction loans amid the real estate downturn. It would push the opening of the project's first phase to 2012. Supervisor Mike Antonovich issued a sta...