For Mural Installation, Los Angeles Looks to Portland
A Los Angeles City Council panel is investigating Portland, Oregon’s Public Art Mural Program for inspiration on how to deal with murals locally. Once known as the mural capital of the world, Los Angeles has fallen far behind with mural maintenance as well as commissioning, funding, or allowing new murals to be put up.
Greuel Says Audit of Planning Dept. is 'Among the Most Disappointing'
Following up on a 2005 audit that examined the time and efficiency the Los Angeles Planning Department handles land-use applications, City Controller Wendy Greuel was left disturbed. "Out of all of the audits I have done so far, this is among..."
LA’s Bicycle Master Plan Workshops; Road Service or Lip Service?
The City of Los Angeles is in the process of updating its Bicycle Master Plan, a component of the Transportation Element of the City’s General Plan.
Los Angeles Hero: Simon Pastucha, Urban Designer
Simon Pastucha is the kind of city government employee Los Angeles needs more of. Why? He walks the talk and the Daily News tagged along for a day of his car-free, public transportation life. The Pasadena resident is an urban designer and planner at the Urban Design Studio, a two-person office charged with making the city a more community oriented, walkable and people friendly one. With his salary, Pastucha used to lease a Mercedes...
Who is Jack Chiang?
On Monday, not many people in Los Angeles knew the name Jack Chiang, a city planner overseeing a project in Valley Village. Then on Tuesday, The Daily News published the Department of Planning staffer's name. Come Wednesday, the LA Times caught on. Why all the sudden popularity? Sometimes when you pick up the phone and dial a number, you call the wrong person and leave a message.A Los Angeles City Council panel voted Tuesday...
My failed attempt to get a crosswalk
Last December, I embarked on a mission to find a solution to a problem in my immediate neighborhood. Trying to cross Moorpark St. on foot (or left turns in a car) during rush hour is a nightmare. There is just too much constant flow and you really have to have a brave moment to cross at the unmarked crosswalk because as we all know, there is about .001% of drivers in the city who...
Two Openings for Sherman Oaks Today
Today brought on two major changes for Sherman Oaks. Some are cheering, some are jeering. The first is the opening of the 405 on-ramp just south of Valley's busiest intersection of Ventura/Sepulveda at Greenleaf Street. This means no more traveling a couple miles to Burbank Blvd. to get on the 405 North and possibly a tiny bit less congestion. The second and controversial neighborhood newbie (to some) is the grand opening of Best Buy on...

