Proposal Could Change LA's Historic Landscape and Housing
The richness and vibrancy of downtown LA stems from its historic architecture and reuse of this architecture as it mingles with the newly built modern skyscrapers. South Park has benefited greatly from the renovation of historic properties that are now The Proper Hotel, The Hoxton Hotel, and the home of ASU. The Grand Lofts condos at Grand and 11th built for George Pepperdine, founder of Pepperdine University in Malibu, as the headquarters for his Western Auto Supply Company is now celebrating its 100th birthday. We love the Apple store in a transformed Broadway Street theater. The Eastern Columbia Building is an icon in downtown. And the list continues. The renovations, rehabs, and reuse did not happen without help from the 1999 Mills Act. And now proposed changes could have a chilling effect on the future of our historic buildings.
The Mills Act, along with other city-sponsored initiatives, has incentivized the rehabilitation of some of the oldest buildings in LA with dynamic mixed-uses that have sparked business investments and affordable housing. The success of the Mills Act in diversifying our neighborhoods and allowing first-time property ownership cannot be overstated. However, recent recommendations proposed by Chattel, Inc. (a consultant on historic development) and currently under review by LA City Council, would disrupt this transformative journey.
Key proposed changes include revising all existing contracts, replacing automatic contract renewals with a "sunset" clause, and eliminating the existing valuation exemption. Downtown boasts the richest concentration of historic buildings in Southern California. And given the higher preservation costs of these historic buildings, removing the existing exemptions would lead to the disqualification of most of downtown’s historic buildings from the program. These and other proposed changes are likely to escalate building costs and potentially hinder the ongoing revitalization efforts across DTLA.
Renters, property owners, and other stakeholders can visit Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council – www.dlanc.com - to keep informed of the proposed changes and learn how to voice concerns to City Council. The potential impact on the preservation of historic properties and housing affordability in DTLA could be substantial. We need to voice our concerns.
By Samir Bitar (Historic Core DLANC representative)and Debra Shrout