Neighbors and residents in South Park and downtown LA mobilized quickly after the street takeover and breech of the Circa residences on Figueroa at 12th in the early hours of Sunday morning, March 8. While street takeovers with throngs of cars doing donuts and hundreds of people watching have become common place, the entry into Circa, broken windows, stealing packages, throwing furniture, fist-fighting, and one resident injury from a knife wound were an escalation requiring immediate attention.

Some rather earthshaking Hollywood news has just been announced!  After 20 years at the Dolby Theater on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Academy Awards ceremony (AKA – The Oscars) will move to the Peacock Theater in LA Live.

 Due to South Park resident and stakeholder concerns regarding safety after the street takeover and Circa fiasco on March 7, South Park Business Improvement District/Social District is hosting a public safety meeting along with South Park Neighborhood Association (SPNA) and Downtown LA Residents Association (DTLA RA) on Tuesday, April 7 from 5:30 – 6:30 pm at the SPBID office at 1150 S. Hope between 11th and 12th streets.

You have heard – for years – See Something, Say Something – until it has lost its meaning. But it is still very good advice. 

We started with 41 declared candidates but only 14 completed the process, met the requirements, and are on the June 2 ballot. Starting May 4, ballots will be mailed for vote-by-mail. You have two months to decide on whom to vote for mayor of Los Angeles. 

  We started with 32 candidates but only 10 completed the process, met the requirements, and are on the June 2 ballot. Starting May 4 ballots will be mailed for vote-by-mail. You have two months to decide on whom to vote for Governor of California.

‍The South Park condo market continues to move slowly as inventory remains elevated and transaction volume stays thin. This monthly column tracks key metrics within the South Park BID boundary to provide a consistent view of supply, pricing, and buyer activity in the neighborhood.

Dr. Luigi Di Stefano, Director of the Emergency Room at Dignity Health California Hospital (DHCH), met and spoke with South Park residents at the second annual Ask a Doctor event on March 16 at Ten50’s lounge. Luigi is a former South Park resident, and his wife was an original owner at Luma. He knows the neighborhood.

‍ ‍If you’ve ever attended a show at Belasco or the Mayan in the last few years you will have no doubt noted the taco operation right across the street at Olive and 11th.  Nicole, Emiliano, and Lilly are there ready to serve your pre-show and post-show hunger!

‍Early-on, at the introduction of rental scooters to the South Park/Social District neighborhood in 2017, I wrote several letters to Christopher Antonelli, who was at the time the “get it done” person for CD14’s then Councilman Kevin de Leon.   According to an internet search, Mr. Antonelli is currently the Director of Community Engagement for CD 2.  I have attached below a copy of the second and final attempt in 2017 at “getting something done” on what has been recognized from the start as a near and present danger to anyone who walks on our neighborhood’s sidewalks:

‍ 4/20 is right around the corner. Dispensaries and smoke shops can be found in South Park to obtain the essentials for celebrating the holiday of cannabis culture.

During the presentation at Ten50 sponsored by SPNA last week, Dr. Luigi De Stefano, Director of Emergency Room Operations at California Dignity Health Hospital, revealed the emergency room operation desperately needs donations of clean casual clothing (shirts, pants, socks, coats and underwear for both men and women) and  serviceable shoes of all sizes. 

Late this afternoon (Monday, 2/23/26) articles began hitting the internet confirming a buyer for the long-suffering Oceanwide project.  Then, just an hour ago, the LA Times submitted a confirming article.  We may have a solution to our neighborhood’s most visible problem!

California Assemblymember Matt Haney spoke with downtown residents on February 13 about downtown recovery. He was invited by the DTLA RA (Downtown Los Angeles Residents Association).

Mayor Karen Bass has declared intent to run for reelection. Rick Caruso indicated interest but decided not to run. On the last day to file, Councilmember Nithya Raman entered the race, bringing the total of interested candidates to 41.

Current Governor Gavin Newsom is ineligible for election to a third term which has opened the race to include former presidential candidates, U.S. representatives, former Los Angeles mayor, San Jose mayor, former U.S. cabinet secretary, former advisor to UK prime minister, college student, actor, and more.

With the start of a new year, South Park Neighborhood Association (SPNA) hosted an evening for new volunteers at The Wine Station on Hope at 12th Street. SPNA is an all-volunteer organization. With no paid staff, SPNA hosts events, supports local businesses, and advocates for the neighborhood through the work of volunteers.

  Daniel Aman, is the newest member of the South Park/Social District BID, the entity tasked with making our South Park neighborhood a vibrant, clean, and safe community.

Look around and what do you see? Here are some neighborhood updates.

‍ ‍I’ve lived in South Park since 2009 and track our condo market closely as part of my day-to-day work. Beginning this month, I’ll be including a short, data-focused snapshot in each SPNA newsletter so owners and renters alike can see what is actually happening inside our neighborhood boundaries.