Recently, blogdowntown succinctly described some of the complexities of revitalizing the Los Angeles River through downtown Los Angeles, quickly realizing that Nothing is Simple. The blog post highlights outdated land use patterns and various proposed developments in relation to river revitalization efforts, highlighting the PBy Vision as an alternative design for a single use railyard – no matter who the owner. Lewis MacAdams was interviewed, noting specifically that “there’s no space in the central city that’s not contested space” and that the real question is how to work around the existing rail tracks and create river access. Click on the link above to read the whole story.

 A recent letter of support from Robert Garcia, President and Counsel for the City Project, to Lewis MacAdams and Leigh Christy expressed “enthusiastic support” of the PBy vision and conceptual plan.

The City Project, a Los Angeles based nonprofit, seeks to achieve equal justice, democracy, and livability for all.  They carry out their mission by influencing the investment of public resources to achieve results that are equitable, enhance human health and the environment, and promote economic vitality for all communities.

 “The vision and conceptual plan for the Piggyback Yard Park reflects these diverse values,” writes Robert.  It also “reflects the resolution by the Los Angeles City Council requiring that River revitalization meet the needs of the people as well as the environment.”

The City Project’s participation in the PBy process encouraged the collaborative group to emphasize the needs of the people in addition to the needs of the physical environment.  Robert’s comments helped to bring the PBy purpose further into focus and led to the definition of our fourth principle: Community.

Robert closes the letter of support by saying that the City Project looks forward to “continuing to work with you to make the dream of the Piggyback Yard Park come true for all.”  Hear hear!

A Vision of a Park on a Restored Los Angeles River, read the article in today’s New York Times.

The Los Angeles River runs for 52 miles, draining a watershed shared with millions of other people. 60% of the L.A. River runs through the City for which it was named. Until William Mulholland captured Owens Valleys’ water in 1913, the Los Angeles River supplied the water for a city of 200,000 people. When the railroads came to Southern California in the 1870’s the river become the industrial corridor it has been ever since. Factories went up where once were wetlands. Railroad tracks lined the River’s banks. (more…)