I had the pleasure of touring the grandiose Belasco (1050 S. Hill) and talking with the enthusiastic, efficient, multi-talented General Manager, Danielle Rubio. The Belasco was purchased by Live Nation in early 2020. After a total of 3 events, the venue shut down because of the COVID pandemic. Before the pandemic, The Belasco Theater was primarily known as the home for Hillsong LA Church services.

The South Park Neighborhood Association was organized by caring residents from the South Park neighborhood in early 2021. 

With work experience in business and neighborhood improvement organizations spanning 15 years, Nolan Marshall III now joins the South Park Business Improvement District (SPBID) as Executive Director.

A new banner spanning 3 stories at the front entrance of Packard Lofts at Olympic and Hope says, “Stand with the women of Iran. Woman. Life. Freedom. #MahsaAmini.” It’s a bid for solidarity with the women in Iran facing unimaginable crime and persecution and need the world’s support.

The Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council (DLANC) is a link between neighborhoods and LA city agencies. The South Park neighborhood has 4 representatives on the Council – 3 residential and 1 business representative. All positions are open for the next election.

Mark your calendars for December 14th. The SPNA (South Park Neighborhood Association) is hosting our first holiday party for South Park! Mix and a-mingle with your neighbors and celebrate the upcoming holiday season at HiDef Brewing (corner of Olive and 12th Street).

A period of no news or, at best, murky news on the stalled, three-towered development project known as Oceanwide Plaza has started finding its way out of the fog.

The LA City Council voted to permanently close 11th Street/Chick Hearn from Figueroa to Georgia at their November 22 meeting. SPNA (South Park Neighborhood Association) submitted a letter to the City Council noting 11th Street is a direct route to the 110 for a neighborhood of 20,000 residents and future residents from 9 new residential units in progress. However, there was no discussion at the City Council meeting, the vote was combined with other measures on the agenda, and the vote was 10 in favor of closing 11th Street/Chick Hearn and 0 opposed.

On the eastern edge of South Park on Main Street just below 11th is an exciting little pocket of light, food, sound, and family activity dubbed The Alameda Night Market. I spoke to the organizer, Robert Preece, about this caldron of action in an otherwise quiet part of DTLA.

The holiday season is already upon us, which means that there is no shortage of things to do in our city! Here, we’re giving you the inside scoop on some of the most interesting things happening in DTLA from November - December 2022.

The holiday season is already upon us, which means that there is no shortage of things to do in our city! Here, we’re giving you the inside scoop on some of the most interesting things happening in DTLA from November - December 2022.

City Councilmember Kevin de León needs to resign or be recalled. The South Park’s district representative has violated our trust to treat all equally, with respect and decency. Many influential and high-ranking political leaders and civic minded organizations, including the South Park Neighborhood Association, have gone on public record strongly urging that CD14 Councilmember de León resign his official position. Unfortunately, as of this writing, he has refused to step down.

Ellen Riotto resigned her position as Executive Director of the South Park Business Improvement District (SPBID) in October. In a letter to the SPBID Board, Ellen said, “I have decided it is time for me to close this chapter.” Ellen’s last day is November 18.

Over 70 of South Park’s finest costumed pups came together with 200 of their owners and friends for an epic Halloween canine costume party in South Park Commons on Oct. 30. The event included a dog costume contest, pizza, prizes, plus beer served by HiDef Brewery and First Draft Tap Room. OrangeTheory offered a demonstration and the animal welfare organization The Rescue Train, (www.therescuetrain.org) provided information about the organization. Everyone had a paw-sitively good time!

The opening of the Moxy + AC Hotels, brands of Marriott Hotels and Resorts on Figueroa at Pico, scheduled to open on December 15.

“The story is inspirational. More than any other holiday, Thanksgiving goes to the heart of who we are, and what we do at the Pico Union Project,” said Pico-Union neighbor Craig Taubman, Founder of FaithsGiving.

Among the most visible organizations at last Sunday’s SPNA Howl-O-Ween Dog Parade was Race for the Rescues, an animal welfare organization that sponsors the annual Race for the Rescues in Los Angeles and Orange County. Race for the Rescues is a day when animal lovers of all ages run, walk, or adopt – to help save the lives of homeless dogs, cats, rabbits, horses and farm animals in Southern California. This is a fundraiser where 100% of the net proceed go to local animal welfare organizations. The race is a timed sporting event featuring a mixture of serious athletes and people who just want to come out and walk, with or without their dog, to help support the benefiting organizations.

An Open Letter Regarding Former Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez and Councilmembers Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo