epian ways june 2005

12
How do you celebrate a 110 th birthday? Well, in the case of Echo Park Lake, it’s no fun holding one little get-together. So instead, the Echo Park Historical Society is throwing a year-long series of events and tributes for a beloved neighborhood landmark. The EPHS has designated 2005 as the “Year of the Lake” to mark the 110 th anniversary of Echo Park Lake’s opening to the public in 1895. Why make a big deal of 110 years? Well, no one threw a party for the lake’s centennial, and the EPHS wants to make up for that oversight by giving this community icon the proper recognition and respect it deserves. (Continued on page 4) Echo Park Improvement Association Meets at 7 p.m. the 1st Thursday of each Month in Williams Hall at Barlow Hospital 2000 Stadium Way in Elysian Park ECHO PARK LAKE CELEBRATING 110TH BIRTHDAY Drawing from a Los Angeles Parks Department annual report of the early 1930s. Last summer, officials from the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) came to Echo Park to declare their need for a new elementary school. After a rapid- fire set of meetings, the district in September selected as its preferred site an area on Alvarado Street just south of Sunset Boulevard an area currently occu- pied by 40 homes and two businesses. The Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Coun- cil was troubled by this process from the very begin- ning, and worked pro-actively to set up a series of meetings with schoolboard member David Tokofsky. The district's site selection process pitted two adja- cent blocks against each other, with each battling to survive the eminent domain process. The last site to be considered -- known as Site 9A -- drew the short straw and was chosen by default. Once the proposal reached the school board, no more than seven speak- ers were allowed to testify. Those who lived on Site 9A, who were about to lose their homes, were barred from speaking because they had not used the district's ad- vance reservation system for testifying. Most importantly, however, the neighborhood coun- cil argued that there is another, better site nearby (Continued on page 5) WHY WILL LAUSD CONDEMN NEIGHBORHOOD ON SITE 9A WHEN SITE 12 IS FOR SALE? By Christine Peters

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Page 1: EPIAn Ways June 2005

How do you celebrate a 110th

birthday?

Well, in the case of Echo Park

Lake, it’s no fun holding one little

get-together. So instead, the Echo

Park Historical Society is

throwing a year-long series of

events and tributes for a beloved

neighborhood landmark.

The EPHS has designated 2005

as the “Year of the Lake” to mark

the 110th anniversary of Echo Park

Lake’s opening to the public in

1895. Why make a big deal of 110

years? Well, no one threw a party

for the lake’s centennial, and the

EPHS wants to make up for that

oversight by giving this community

icon the proper recognition and

respect it deserves.

(Continued on page 4)

Echo Park Improvement Association Meets at 7 p.m. the 1st Thursday of each Month

in Williams Hall at Barlow Hospital 2000 Stadium Way in Elysian Park

ECHO PARK LAKE CELEBRATING 110TH BIRTHDAY

Drawing from a Los Angeles Parks Department annual report of the early 1930s.

Last summer, officials from the Los Angeles Unified

School District (LAUSD) came to Echo Park to declare

their need for a new elementary school. After a rapid-

fire set of meetings, the district in September selected

as its preferred site an area on Alvarado Street just

south of Sunset Boulevard – an area currently occu-

pied by 40 homes and two businesses.

The Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Coun-

cil was troubled by this process from the very begin-

ning, and worked pro-actively to set up a series of

meetings with schoolboard member David Tokofsky.

The district's site selection process pitted two adja-

cent blocks against each other, with each battling to

survive the eminent domain process. The last site to

be considered -- known as Site 9A -- drew the short

straw and was chosen by default. Once the proposal

reached the school board, no more than seven speak-

ers were allowed to testify. Those who lived on Site 9A,

who were about to lose their homes, were barred from

speaking because they had not used the district's ad-

vance reservation system for testifying.

Most importantly, however, the neighborhood coun-

cil argued that there is another, better site nearby –

(Continued on page 5)

WHY WILL LAUSD CONDEMN NEIGHBORHOOD ON SITE 9A WHEN SITE 12 IS FOR SALE?

By Christine Peters

Page 2: EPIAn Ways June 2005

NEWSLETTER CREDITS

EDITORS:

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1201 N. ALVARADO (213) 413-5355

LOS ANGELES, CA 90026 (213) 413-5469 FAX

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Page 3: EPIAn Ways June 2005

(323)

girl’s teen yoga

Pilates

Dear EPIA members,

We need your help. The Echo Park Improvement Association has played an important part in the recent

history of Echo Park and many of our members have major involvements in other local organizations, includ-

ing GEPENC, the Echo Park Historical Society, the Edendale Library Friends Society. What does this mean to

EPIA? It means that fewer and fewer of us are involved in the leadership of EPIA. Specifically, it means a very

small group of people plan the meetings, arrange for speakers, work the telephone tree, bring refreshments,

take minutes, publish the newsletter, plan and organize our Lotus Festival booths, summer and holiday par-

ties and any other EPIA related activities.

Now for the help. Something has to change. We’d like it to be more people participating in the organizing

end of EPIA. We try to get speakers on topics that are relevant and interesting to the community and need

someone who can chair this committee (even if it’s a committee of one). Or, we could go to less frequent

meetings. Or we could close EPIA.

At one time EPIA had tree plantings, cleanups, graffiti paint-outs. We’d like to do improvement projects

again, in addition to our monthly meetings. But we need volunteers to lead these projects. If you have a pet

project, volunteer to organize it.

Help decide EPIA’s future. Tell us your thoughts. Come to the EPIA Steering Committee meeting. Or call

the EPIA phone line, (323) 882-4835. Volunteer – all help is greatly appreciated. EPIA has been a positive,

well-respected force in the neighborhood. We need your help to continue being one.

Lynn Barbé

Chair, Echo Park Improvement Association

Page 4: EPIAn Ways June 2005

1911 SUNSET BOULEVARD

LOS ANGELES, CA 90026

(213) 484-1265

110th Birthday

Here is a rundown of lake

events and programs:

● Monthly Walking Tours: The

Echo Park Lake Anniversary

Walking Tour will be held on the

second Saturday of every month

through November. This approxi-

mately two-hour long tour hits all

the highlights of the lake as well

as the hillside neighborhoods that

ring the park. The guided tour

begins at 10 am and leaves from

the Echo Park Boathouse. Please

call (323) 860-8874 or visit the

Walk ing Tour sect ion o f

www.HistoricEchoPark.org to

make a reservation.

● Historic Echo Park Lake Exhibit & Guide: In partnership

with the city’s Recreation & Parks

Department, the EPHS will

present a display of historic

photos, drawings and information

about the lake at the Echo Park

Boathouse. The year-long display,

which was designed by society

member Jerry Campbell, is

scheduled to be available for

viewing in time for this year’s

Lotus Festival, July 9 & 10, when

the boathouse will reopen after

undergoing repairs. In conjunction

with the exhibit, the EPHS will

produce a small, pocket guide of

The History & Landmarks of Echo

Park Lake, which will be

distributed free of charge to

boathouse visitors.

● Historic Echo Park Home

Tour: This year’s Historic Echo

Park Home Tour, Lakeside Living:

Life Along the Urban Shore, will

focus on the homes and apart-

ments near Echo Park Lake. The

tour will take place on Saturday,

Nov. 12.

● Landmark Nomination & Lake

Fund: The EPHS will ask the City

of Los Angeles to designate Echo

Park Lake and the surrounding

buildings and landscape as an

official city cultural historic land-

mark. In pursuit of this goal, the

EPHS has hired Historic Re-

sources Group, one of the city’s

most prominent preservation

consultants, to research and pre-

sent the landmark application.

This is an expensive effort, and

the EPHS is seeking contributions

to defray the cost. You can help

by making a donation to the Echo

Park Lake Landmark Nomination

Fund. Details are available at

www.HistoricEchoPark.org

● Education & Awareness: Read

about the interesting history of

Echo Park Lake in stories that will

appear in our quarterly newsletter

this year. The stories will also be

posted in the

www.HistoricEchoPark.org

(Continued from page 1)

Page 5: EPIAn Ways June 2005

one known as Site 12 – that would

take away fewer homes and there-

fore would result in the displace-

ment of fewer families.

Now there is an urgent reason

for the school district to change

course. Why? Much of Site 12 has

gone up FOR SALE! While the

school district has been conduct-

ing its environmental analysis of

Site 9A, signs went up on a one-

block stretch of Alvarado Street

just a few blocks south.

Site 12, located on Alvarado

between Bellevue and Kent, has 28

homes on it -- compared to 40 on

9A. Half of it is zoned for industrial

uses. Even some residential lots

are used as truck yards. And now,

an entire one-block section is lined

with For Sale signs. Go take a look!

The signs only went up a few

weeks ago. That means the school

district has the opportunity to pur-

chase from a willing seller today

instead of forcing out 40 house-

holds, some of whom have lived

here for decades, even genera-

tions. In short, the school district

should rethink its plans and select

the site that has less of a commu-

nity impact.

The school district has repeat-

edly argued that any change in

strategy for Echo Park would deter

it from its effort to relieve over-

crowding on its elementary school

campuses. Overcrowding is a criti-

cal issue and must be addressed.

However, the school district simply

is not grasping the decline in en-

rollment that Echo Park has al-

ready experienced over the past

four to five years.

According to the school dis-

trict’s own web site, Echo Park’s

six elementary schools – from

Rosemont Avenue on the south-

west to Elysian Heights on the

northeast – have declined in enroll-

ment by 780 students since 2001-

02. Over the last five years, those

schools have experienced a decline

of 883 students. And if Allessandro

Elementary School, which serves

some Echo

Park fami-

lies, is

added to

the calcu-

l a t i o n ,

Echo Park

has de-

clined by

983 stu-

dents since

2000-01.

I n

o t h e r

words, the

d e c r e a s e

in enroll-

m e n t

should give

Echo Park

su ff ic ient

time to

find the

appropriate school site. With the

“For Sale” signs visible on Alva-

rado Street, the obvious choice is

Site 12.

Echo Park has spoken out

against unwise land use proposals

in the past -- from a ridiculous plan

to pave over 65 acres of Elysian

Park to the state's effort to ram the

2 Freeway down Glendale Boule-

vard and Alvarado Streets. In the

same way, Echo Park wants the

district to build an elementary

school on a site with willing sellers

and displace the smallest number

of families.

(Continued from page 1)

Site 12 FOR SALE

EchoParkYouthEmpowermentCouncil Serving Echo Park / Temple-Beaudry since 1993

Luiza Padilla-Mavropoulos Founder-Activist/Craft’s Instructor/Face Painter

(323) 662-2081 Tel/FAX

Mexican Cultural Awareness, ArtsCrafts classes,

Face Painting for children’s Parties,

Assistance filling our legal forms,

Translation of forms or letters English/Spanish,

Para-professional gang death Grievance counseling

Site 12, located on Alvarado between Bellevue and Kent. Now one-block section is lined with For Sale signs

Page 6: EPIAn Ways June 2005

Event Date Location Comments

EPIA Meetings 1st Thursday, 7:00 pm July 7, Aug 8

Williams Hall at Barlow Hospital, 2000 Stadium Way in Elysian Park

Call EPIA message phone for additional information

EPIA Steering Committee Meetings

3rd Thursdays, 7:15 pm June 16, July 21

Call (323) 882-4835 for location

Take an active part in EPIA. Join the Steering Committee

Echo Park Security Association

2nd Thursday, June 9, July 14

LAPD Stop-in Center (on the side of Bank of America)

Call (323) 666-3228 for additional information

Citizens Committee to Save Elysian Park

1st Wednesday,7:30 pm July 6, Aug 3

Williams Hall at Barlow Hospital, 2000 Stadium Way in Elysian Park

Call 213-666-9651 for meeting location

Greater Echo Park Elysian Neighborhood Council Meeting

4th Tuesday, 7 pm June 28, July 26

Logan Street School Auditorium, 1711 W. Logan Street

Call (213) 413-3196 for info or visit www.GEPENC.org

Edendale Library Friends Society

>=> ELFS <=<

2nd Wednesday, 7 pm June 8, July 13

Edendale Branch Library 2011 W. Sunset Boulevard in the Community room

Join the library’s support group and find out how you can help your neighborhood’s branch. New members are always welcome.

Deadline for June EPIAn ways

Friday, July 22 Send submissions to EPIA, Attn: EPIAn Ways Editor

SPECIAL EVENTS

Lotus Festival Saturday, July 9 and Sunday July 10

Echo Park Lake Call (323) 882-4835 to volunteer for the EPIA booth

UPCOMING EPIA TOWN HALL MEETINGS

Parking ● Councilmember

ECHO PARK CALENDAR

To All,

The Department of Animal Services, East Valley Animal Shelter has had so many cats come into our facility

recently that we have run out of room! If you are looking for a pet or know someone who would like one,

please come by our Shelter or check out our available animals on the web. We have many, very cute

kittens as well as adult cats that are available for adoption. Our Address is:

13131 Sherman Way

North Hollywood, CA 91605

tel: 888-452-7381

On the Internet at: LAAnimalServices.com

Page 7: EPIAn Ways June 2005
Page 8: EPIAn Ways June 2005

July Library Computer Classes 7 & 21 Thu. Computer Comfort Learn to use the Library’s

electronic catalog to search for materials, renew items, and

place your own holds. Learn the basics of surfing the

Internet. Introduction to various databases and search

engines. Bring your library card. Adults only. Familiarity

with the keyboard and mouse is recommended but not

mandatory. Please arrive 10 minutes before class begins.

Call 213/250-7808. Echo Park Branch, 4pm.

14 Thu & 26 Tue. Introduction to Basic Web Design Learn

about HTML codes to create a simple web page. Computer

experience is mandatory. Call 213/250-7808. Echo Park

Branch, 4pm.

28 Thu. ProQuest Database An introductory class in

searching for full-text articles. Recommended for adult

school and college students. Computer experience is

mandatory. Call 213/250-7808. Echo Park Branch, 4pm.

Events 16 Sat. Tarot Reading Program Come and receive short

mini-tarot readings. Sign-ups are required. Adults only. Call

213/250-7808. Echo Park Branch, 4pm-6pm.

30 Sat. Mystery Movie Madness Join us for a movie classic

– “mystery genre.” Adults only. Call 213/250-7808. Echo

Park Branch, 4pm.

Just For Teens 5 & 19 Tue. College Club Get ideas on how to apply for

scholarships, how to choose a college, and what you can do

now while you’re still in high school to get ready for college.

Call 213/250-7808. Echo Park Branch, 4:15pm.

23 Sat. Graffiti Verite Film. This documentary about the

world of urban art and Hip Hop includes behind-the-scenes

interviews with some of Los Angeles’ most talented graffiti

artists. The filmmaker will answer questions after the

screening. Call 213/250-7808. Echo Park Branch, 2:00pm.

Fun for Kids

Tuesdays Summer Reading Club @ Echo Park Explore new

worlds in books in our SUMMER READING CLUB program.

Echo Park Branch, call 213/250-7808 for a schedule.

Daily GAB. Books come alive for kids when they share the

fun of reading with GAB Library Volunteers. GAB reading

times are frequently held in most branch libraries. Daily

Echo Park Branch, call 213/250-7808 for a schedule.

5 Tue. Brenda Roberts Author/dancer Brenda Roberts

shares and dances her new book JAZZY MIZ MOZETTA!

Call 213/250-7808. Echo Park Branch, 3pm.

12 Tue. Lotus Festival Origami Make lotus flowers &

dragon boats with Jeni! Call 213/250-7808. Echo Park

Branch, 3pm.

14 Thu. Bilingual Library Little Ones Program Babies,

Toddlers, Parents… join us for 30 minutes of songs, books,

& bilingual fun, every 2nd Thursday of the month. Call

213/250-7808. Echo Park Branch, 11am.

19 Tue. Magic Show Celebrate Harry Potter’s new book

with Tony Daniel’s

26 Tue. Game Day Play “I Spy” and Zoom games for cool

prizes! Call 213/250-7808. Echo Park Branch, 3pm.

ECHO PARK LIBRARY HAPPENINGS

Library Hours Mondays 10:00 am - 8:00 pm Tuesdays 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm Wednesdays 10:00 am - 8:00 pm Thursdays 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm Fridays 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Saturdays 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Sundays CLOSED

Library Address Echo Park Branch Library 1410 W. Temple Street Los Angeles CA 90026 Phone 213.250.7808 FAX 213.250.3744 World Wide Web Address http://www.lapl.org 24 Hour Renewal: 888-577-LAPL

Who responds to your alarms?

Experience does matter. With so much at risk why take chances? Count on the experience of Select Patrol.

For more information about our 24 - hour alarm response service, call us today.

Select Patrol A superior level of service since 1984

323.644.1014 Lic. PP0-9229 2150 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, 90026 CA

Page 9: EPIAn Ways June 2005

The Edendale Library Friends Society (ELFS) seeks

volunteer participation from local residents. The

ELFS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to

supporting our local library. All are welcome. We

urgently need to cover three activities with as many

volunteers we can muster: SORTING, BOOK SALES

AND INVENTORY.

Volunteers will report to the volunteer bookstore

manager.

SORTING of the incoming used books by category.

We need 2-3 book-loving people for 3 hours every

week. It’s fun, festive and easy. There are pre-

designated categories. We play music and supply

beverages. The more, the merrier. Flexible schedules

available during or outside normal library hours.

BOOK SALE

SET-UP the book sale. On the SECOND FRIDAY, 2

pm to 5 pm, of each month, 5-8 volunteers needed.

Organize tables, pull books out of boxes and place

on table. Place signs and easels, hang banners.

Decorate appropriately.

CONDUCT BOOK SALE on the SECOND SATURDAY,

9am – 3:30 pm Three hour shifts for 5-8 volunteers.

Attend books sale, add more books, help customers,

collect money.

BREAKDOWN the book sale. 2 pm – 3:30 pm. 5-8

people.

Pack and store unsold books, remove signs, tidy

room.

INVENTORY Our biggest project is very special.

Local Silverlake physician and philanthropist D. C.

Mogge M.D., donated 3600 books. The collection

dates from the 1930’s to the present. We need to

inventory the collection and pull out valuable books.

We need 3-4 people for three-hour shifts each week.

These people should be computer (PC) friendly. We

use an Access database which was custom designed

for our project. One need only scroll down and click.

It merely requires entering title, author, date,

publisher and size. This is very easy for a modestly

computer literate person. We're up to 700 entries

now. This is a limited project, which should be

finished by the end of the summer.

Book sale proceeds go to the purchase of new books

for the library.

For more information, sign up and training email

[email protected] or call Joelle Dobrow at

213/ 353-0066.

EDENDALE LIBRARY HAPPENINGS

Library Hours Mondays 12:30 pm – 8:00 pm Tuesdays 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm Wednesdays 12:30 pm – 8:00 pm Thursdays 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm Fridays 10:00 am – 5:30 pm Saturdays 10:00 am – 5:30 pm

Sundays CLOSED

Library Address Edendale Branch Library 2011 W. Sunset Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90026 Phone (213) 207-3000

FAX (213) 207-3097 24 Hour Renewal: 888-577-LAPL

Page 10: EPIAn Ways June 2005

Saturday Special Typical Haitian

Food

Mon — Sat 11 am — 7 pm Sundays — Group of 10 or more by Reservation Wood Burning Rotisserie

309 N. Glendale Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90026

www.tigeorgeschicken.com Email: [email protected]

THIS SPACE IS WAITING for

YOUR AD

Call the EPIA (323) 882-4835 for

Hola All,

It's been a whirlwind of activity with the

Neighborhood Council issues, gentrification in our

community, the military hitting our local elementary

schools, and lack of parking being a major issue not

just in Echo Park but everywhere in the city. We wel-

come all new folks who have moved in, and mourn

the loss of long time friends and neighbors due to

the changes in Echo Park.

I volunteered to chair this years Holiday Parade.

The theme was chosen to be Holidays Around the

World. I have spoken to members of the L.A.F.D-

SERTOMA club and they are onboard with the use

of the old fire trucks. I have also spoken to mem-

bers of a local car club, they have the old cherried-

out bombs, and they are interested in participating.

We have a volunteer Santa on standby.

We plan to hold monthly meetings, with more

and more meetings as we get close to our target

date of Saturday December 3, 2005. We need vol-

unteers to make this parade happen, so be on the

look out for posted meeting and action dates.

EPYEC is currently holding painting classes at

the Echo Park Library. We hope to continue this

throughout the summer, Thursdays 3-5pm.

As District 5 Neighborhood Council representa-

tive, I will be at the Echo Park Library from 5pm

until 7pm Thursdays to listen to com-

plaints/concerns regarding District 5 Temple-

Beaudry issues, flyers will be made and passed out

regarding this time frame. There’s so much to say,

so with that, call me (323) 662-2081 for more info

or concerns. Until we meet again.

Luiza

Podiatric Medicine and Surgery

ELISABETH S. YOUN, D.P.M.

City of Angels Medical Center 1711 W. Temple St #5606 Los Angeles, CA 90026 Tel. (213) 483-6563 Fax (213) 989=6159

ProcCare Medical Center, Inc. 4515 Eagle Rock Blvd #133C Los Angeles, CA 90041 Tel (213) 483-6563 Fax (323 259=8835

Page 11: EPIAn Ways June 2005

Just seems like CCAC is always having a party for

someone or some special event. This past week,

Paul Meza retired from CCAC. He and his wife

moved into to their new home in Bullhead City,

Arizona on Memorial Day weekend. Some of you,

who have been around for many years may

remember Paul as being our resident graffiti and

Echo Park beautification expert. He originally

teamed up with Maryanne back in the days when

there were Teen Posts in the housing projects. From

there a friendship bonded and the two of them

began a working relationship. After working 8 hours

a day for LA Unified, he would come to CCAC and

work with kids. When the City approached Maryanne

after the Olympics about a graffiti removal program,

Paul became the first graffiti supervisor of Central

City Action Committee.

Paul took his time with the youth in training them

to become expert graffiti removers. Some of those

youth from back in the early days have been or still

are paid staff at CCAC. From graffiti to the LA

Dodgers, Paul took every job with pride. He

organized a group of our kids to work with the LA

Dodgers to help improve the area around Echo

Park. These kids were paid money each week and

also grew up with a sense of pride in their

community while working with Paul. Another job

that Paul fulfilled was resident camp cook. How he

loved to go camping. He would plan menus and

enjoy cooking up pancakes, chicken, carne asada

and other delectables. His position at CCAC will be

missed by all staff and youth. We wish him success

and are already making plans to go and visit him.

Wonder if he has room for tents?

Remember the little kid’s basketball league I told

you about? Well they are still going strong despite

their no win record. The basketball is bigger than

the kids. Most are only 9 years old. They are

showing some promise as they made about 6

baskets this season. Most of these kids will be our

next generation. They make me laugh as I see them

running around. Sometimes their legs get in their

way as they run and they just seem to topple over

each other.

Summer. Well, as you can already guess we have

a lot planned. Thanks to several successful

rummage sales, a group of about 10 off-track kids

are going to Magic Mountain, Knottsberry Farm and

camping. Also a big thanks to Councilman Eric

Garcetti's Office in providing funds to allow off-track

kids to get paid for emptying the ceramic trash bins

along Sunset Blvd. Look for kids in red T-shirts

twice a week emptying the trash and putting in new

bags to prevent overflow of trash on Sunset.

Thanks again to everyone in the community who

donates items to CCAC. Your help and concern are

always welcome at the center.

Central City Action by Gloria

TNI funding has provided $305,000. We secured the ad-

ditional $172,000 in the remaining months of 2004 and

there are no longer any funding gaps. The pylons and dock-

ing will go out to bid because General Services doesn’t have

the capability to do that type of work. At this time specifica-

tions are being drawn up for that bid. With the rains end,

work on the ramp and other hardscape improvements will

begin. The hardscape (dock, ADA ramp, back wall) improve-

ments and the dock/pylon work will go forward concur-

rently. The Project Manager for the Boathouse is Paul Luna.

Paul Luna’s team is proceeding with putting work out to bid

for the pile “wrappings”. The lumber for all the planking will

be ordered and construction began the 2nd week of February

starting with the demolition to replace the planking/dock.

The floor decking under the building and the dock needs

complete replacement. The piling will all be plastic wrapped

for future preservation, one pile needs a concrete pile

jacket. The shade structure contains hand-hewn beams and

detailed entablature and can be rehabilitated as it stands.

With the current funds, the following can probably be done:

1. Restore structural stability to the entire structure with

PVC pile jackets & on concrete pile jacket.

2. Rehabilitate the dock shade structure.

3. Provide an ADA accessible ramp.

4. Replace the dock decking & maybe some building floor

sheathing.

The lake in the area of the boathouse will need to be

drained to make any repairs. This will be coordinated with

the Bureau of Sanitation.

The Dept. of Rec. & Parks is completing an in-house

plan for the renovation of the boathouse including historic

elements that were removed in the previous 1970's renova-

tion. Completion date not yet determined.

Echo Park Lake Boat House News from the CD13 Office

Page 12: EPIAn Ways June 2005

CHICKEN CORNER, ROUND TWO: The new owners

of a vacant lot at Echo Park Avenue and Delta Street

– just north of the Chango coffee house – have

stepped forward with new high-density construction

plans. The previous owner of the lot, once known for

its chickens and rabbits, even a cow for awhile, had

hoped to wedge 38 units of affordable housing onto

the property. Instead, they sold to Civic Enterprise

Associates, which is now planning 36 condos that

would cover not only Chicken Corner but also the

adjacent now abandoned convalescent home. The

new proposal would certainly be less dense than the

previous one, since it involves the convalescent

property. But details are still scarce.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles City Council smacked

down critics (including the Greater Echo Park Elysian

NC) of a proposed 52-unit affordable housing project

planned for Temple Street, across the street from the

Echo Park branch library. The project, with the help

of Council Member Ed Reyes, one of 10 subsidized

projects approved in Echo Park over the past five

years, sailed through unanimously.

NOTHING SAYS LOS ANGELES like the sad story

of the “Black Dahlia,” the mysterious 1947 murder

that went unsolved by the Los Angeles Police

Department. So it makes sense that a new movie of

that topic will be filming around Echo Park Lake over

the next few weeks. More puzzling, however, is why

the producers of the movie apparently decided to film

the majority of the film in Eastern Europe. It’s hard to

picture the cobblestone streets of Bulgaria doubling

as mid-century Los Angeles. Too bad the production

company filming at the lake couldn’t chip in and help

contribute a few red tiles for the roof of the

boathouse – which needs a makeover.

SPEAKING OF THE LAKE, representatives of

Council member Eric Garcetti’s office say that money

has been found to repair the bridge to the island.

Supposedly, the funding will allow the bridge to

retain its current appearance – not a sad, wrought-

iron imitation.

Walgreens pharmacy finally opened at Sunset and

Echo Park, in the building that once housed Pioneer

Market, the neighborhood institution that closed in

August. Although it’s still an open question whether a

grocery will occupy the other part of the Walgreens

building, the owners are already rumored to be

looking to replace Pioneer Chicken with a Starbucks

coffee.

The 40th anniversary picnic for the Citizens

Committee to Save Elysian Park was a smashing

success, providing a lovely afternoon of food and

conversation in – where else? – Elysian Park.

Newcomers to the neighborhood, and there are

many, are still amazed by the pitched battle that

erupted over the park in the mid-1960s, when city

leaders decided they wanted to build a convention

center in the middle of the park and pave over nearly

everything on both sides of Stadium Way.

Fortunately, Echo Park activists rallied on the park’s

behalf, safeguarding it for the following generations,

who even today enjoy its walking trails and open

spaces.

Opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Echo Park Improvement Association

LOTUS PAD NOTES NEWS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST

FROM ECHO PARK & ANGELINO HEIGHTS by E.P. Lagoso