Local South Park News: Expansion, Build, Close in the Neighborhood
The Los Angeles Convention Center expansion and modernization project was on the agenda at the December 11 meeting of the LA City Council’s Trade, Travel & Tourism Committee. SPNA (South Park Neighborhood Association) offered public comment in support of the project. Debra Shrout, representing SPNA, said the revenue generated by the Convention Center spills over to benefit South Park and downtown LA and even more areas. As the second largest city in the nation, the LA Convention Center needs to be at least the second best in the nation if not the best to attract conventions and visitors to our warm and inviting city. For additional details – see Urbanize Daily article https://tinyurl.com/yhjrpyem.
· SPNA is supporting a bike lane project on 12th Street as a related project to the Venice for All Campaign – bus and bike infrastructure from Venice Beach to DTLA. The bike lane project enters downtown on 11th Street which becomes a one-way street at Flower. Adding a bike lane on 12th Street through South Park provides a bike lane for bikers traveling in the opposite direction. SPNA sent a letter in support to the DLANC’s (Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council) Livability Committee chair Debby Zhou for their December 16 meeting agenda item regarding the project.
· The Ace Hotel, a historic Gothic building on Broadway between Olympic and 9th, is closing on January 31 after 10 years in operation as reported by several media sources. “The Ace Hotel brand took over the 1920s-era former California Petroleum property in 2014 as well as its adjoining United Artists Theatre. At the time, it was a huge acquisition for downtown, as the area began to emerge to prominence for incoming tourists.” According to one source, “the neighborhood’s slow post-pandemic recovery” was the reason for closing the Ace Hotel. It is also reported that the property will be converted to a “limited-service, rooms-only operation managed via a tech platform.” In other words, no services and self-check in and self-management. The theater will be under separate management.
· The Morrison Hotel at 1246 S. Hope between 12th and Pico recently sold to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF). Approximately six years ago, Relevant Group bought the Morrison Hotel with plans to build a hotel and apartment building on the site. Relevant’s loan default led to the sale. No details have been provided from AHF as to the plan for the building. AHF is a global nonprofit that began in 1987 as an effort to provide HIV and hospice care, according to its website. Through its Healthy Housing Foundation, which began in 2017, the organization has purchased and converted 18 properties nationwide into affordable housing. South Park history - The 1914 Morrison Hotel fame came after it was featured on The Doors album titled Morrison Hotel in 1969.
· The Toy Drive for California Hospital at EVO, Luma, Ten50, HiDef, and First Draft yielded over 200 toys for the children at Margolis Center at Hope and Venice. In addition, approximately 50 residents bought toys from the Amazon list. Thank you for your generosity and helping our neighbors during the holiday season.
By Debra Shrout