Neighborhood: Hollywood United
Get on your bikes and ride!
Councilman LaBonge will hold the final Tour LaBonge ride of the 2011 Summer Series. This one takes us to the streets of HOLLYWOOD on July 27th, 2011 at 6pm. Meet at the Hollywood City Hall, 6501 Fountain Avenue, between Wilcox and Seward around 530pm. Non-metered street parking is available around the facility. We'll gather in the parking-lot behind the Hollywood City Hall building, get a safety briefing and a few words from the Councilman before hitting the road for an approximately two hour ride. Wear a helmet. Riders must be at least 12 years old. All riders must sign a waiver to participate. LAPD and General Services Bicycle Officers will provide an escort throughout the ride. Join us!
Breaking ground on a new address in the heart of Hollywood
from left Councilman LaBonge, Architect Jan Van Tilberg, Jason Schreiber CIM Group Project Manager and Developer Shaul Kuba, Founder of CIM-group
HOLLYWOOD — April 25, 2011 – Councilmember Tom LaBonge and CIM Group broke ground April 25 on 1800 Whitley Avenue, marking the beginning of construction on a five-story, 32-unit, 32,553 square-foot, boutique luxury residential development. CIM executives and local business, community and government leaders gathered for the event at the site, located just steps from Hollywood Boulevard.
The $20 million development, designed by Van Tilburg, Banvard & Soderbergh, will offer boutique luxury apartments built to Class A condominium standards. The residences feature floor to ceiling windows, commercial-grade kitchen appliances, in-unit washers and dryers, as well as other stylish appointments and premier finishes. Ground floor residences facing the interior will have patios opening on to lush gardens, and upper level units will have balconies with expansive views of Hollywood. In addition, the building has other premier amenities including a courtyard pool, full-sized gym and a lounge area as well as one level of above-grade parking with an additional level underground.
Located at the northeast corner of Whitley and Yucca and one block north of Hollywood Boulevard, 1800 Whitley is in the heart of a mature neighborhood of multifamily dwellings and is walking distance to some of the area’s most popular shops, restaurants and entertainment venues.
"This beautiful complex will be a landmark gateway to the new Hollywood, embodying its thriving energy. 1800 Whitley Avenue is a prime location, a great address ... and I wish you success," said Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge.
CIM Group acquired the 1800 Whitley property in the Fall of 2010, and construction is expected to be completed by summer 2012. In 1998, CIM Group identified Hollywood as an emerging urban district that meets the firm's strategic investment guidelines. Since then, it has acquired and developed a portfolio of properties that include office, hotel, retail, multifamily residential and mixed-use properties. Click here to see more photos of this event
There’s no place like home, and no place in Los Angeles like the "Garden of Oz" in Hollywoodland
(March 3rd, 2011; Los Angeles) – Councilmember Tom LaBonge announces that the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission is recommending approval of a new Historic Cultural Monument. Commissioners recommend that the folk-art garden in Beachwood Canyon known as the “Garden of Oz” be given Historic Cultural Monument status at an upcoming City Council meeting. The private garden is located in the Hollywoodland neighborhood of Los Angeles. It’s a unique collaboration of artists creating a “found-object” and folk-art oasis in the Hollywood Hills. It is a gem amidst the bustling city, a great place to get lost in child-like imagination and whimsy. “There’s no place like home. And, now there’s a home for the “Garden of Oz” and the fascinating artwork it contains,” said Councilmember LaBonge, who helped the community shepherd their labor of love toward Historic Cultural Monument status. The matter now goes before the Planning Commission before it can be sent on to the City Council for final approval.
Operation Clean Sweep scours Council District 4
My staff and I fanned out on Friday and Saturday January 7th and 8th to clean-up neighborhoods in Council District 4. From North Hollywood to Koreatown ... mid-Wilshire to Hollywood ... Los Feliz to Silver Lake, we really cleaned-up. Many thanks to the Bureau of Sanitation, which provided several trucks and drivers to help us pick-up bulky items, such as old couches, mattresses, assorted furniture and rugs, old toys and construction waste left on the streets and sidewalks. We also removed discarded Christmas Trees, palm-fronds and other yard-waste. We cleaned-up several tons of debris from the streets and sidewalks of Los Angeles. It's amazing what you can do with a little cooperation and a lot of heavy-lifting.
10-4 Day Parade Salutes Officers
Members of the LA Fire Department, Police Department and California Highway Patrol lit up Hollywood for Tom's annual 10-4 Day Parade on Monday. The group caravaned up Hollywood Boulevard in vintage police cars to salute Los Angeles public safety personnel. Special guests included radio host KRTH’s Shotgun Tom Kelly and actor Larry Wilcox, co-star of the late 70s TV show, "CHiPs."
“The parade is intended to be fun, but it does carry a serious message. Let’s appreciate our public safety officers and all they do to protect and serve the public,” said Councilmember LaBonge.
The group paid homage to beloved television cop, Broderick Crawford, with a brief ceremony at his Walk of Fame star. The actor played CHP Chief Dan Mathews in the popular series Highway Patrol from 1955-59.
This year’s event was dedicated to Art Gilmore who was the narrator of all 156 episodes of Highway Patrol. He passed away Saturday, September 25, at the age of 98. Gilmore was a broadcast professional and actor since the 1930’s and became known as Hollywood’s number one pitchman. He was remembered as a great Angeleno who will be deeply missed by his fans worldwide.
Hollywood Goes Blue for a Cause
Capitol Records one of several iconic buildings going blue in Hollywood.
Councilmember Tom LaBonge flipped the switch at a ceremony on Wednesday, to turn Hollywood blue in support of the Prostate Cancer Research Institute’s (PCRI) Blue September Campaign. Dr. Mark Scholz, co-founder of PCRI and Jim Kuha, Senior Director of EMI Music North America, joined the Councilmember at the ceremony.
“It’s so important for Americans to learn how to speak frankly about this disease that affects 180,000 American men every year,” Councilmember LaBonge said. “This is my call to action for the people of Los Angeles and across the world: Let’s take care of ourselves, get your yearly prostate exam and let’s fight this killer.”
Buildings going blue include the Capitol Records Building, Paramount Studio’s Melrose Gate and Water Tower the historic Roosevelt Hotel and the Ramada of West Hollywood. International organizations are also showing their solidarity with the campaign, including The Harbor Bridge in Sydney, Australia and the Parliament House in Melbourne, Australia.
Prostate Cancer is the most common cancer in males in the Western world. Each year, 27,000 American men die from prostate cancer and 180,000 men are diagnosed with the disease. Over 2 million American men and women are currently living with the disease. Studies have shown links between a high-calorie diet and prostate cancer—a fact for serious consideration in Los Angeles where obesity has been on the rise. A 2003 report from the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services stated nearly 55% of Los Angeles residents are obese or overweight.
The Blue September Campaign, launched by the Prostate Cancer Research Institute, aims to raise awareness about prostate cancer. The PCRI was founded in 1996, with the objective of educating patients and their families about prostate cancer.
For more information about Blue September or PCRI, please go to www.blueseptember.org.
The First Green-Roofed Fire Station
The last beam of the fire station is lifted into place
Councilmember LaBonge and LAFD Chief Peaks joined other city officials, firefighters and community members for the “Topping Off Ceremony for Fire Station 82,” the City’s first green-roofed fire station. The long-anticipated event was held at the building site on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Van Ness Avenue on Thursday. Commissioner Steven Nutter from the Department of Public Works and Chief Deputy City Engineer Deborah Weintraub were also in attendance.
“This station will meet the needs of the firefighters of Battalion 5, making it easier for them to answer the calls of residents,” Councilmember Tom LaBonge said. “Not only will the fire station promote public safety, but it will be environmentally friendly. The residents in this area will think green whenever they hear those sirens.”
The original fire station on Bronson Avenue was over-crowded with outdated equipment and will now be transformed to include a community room, classroom space and equipment storage. The new building is nearly three-times the size of the old structure at 18,900-square-feet and can house 16 firefighters per shift, far exceeding the six-per-shift maximum of the old station. The building will also boast underground parking and a variegated roof with a garden. The roof garden, which will keep the station cool, is part of a rainwater treatment system.
City officials and community members signed the final beam, symbolizing the nearly 10 years of community collaboration and the interdepartmental negotiation involved in the project. The crowd looked on as a crane lifted the final beam to the top of the third story.
"This is a very exciting occasion for both our City family and the community. This project is symbolic of the vision Los Angeles voters had back in 2000 to construct and renovate fire stations and animal shelters across the city,” said Board of Public Works Commissioner, Steven Nutter. “The Department of Public Works is very proud to be part of this rewarding partnership."
The $30 million building is being funded through the Prop F General Obligation bond, approved by voters in November, 2000. The new fire station, designed by RRM Design Group, will qualify for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED certification through the U.S. Green Building Council. Since 2003, all Department of Public Works’ newly designed and constructed projects of 7,500 square feet or more must be LEED-certified.
Fire Station 82 serves areas of Councilmembers LaBonge and Garcetti’s districts, including parts of East Hollywood and Hollywood Hills.
Chuck Berry Day in L.A.
Chuck Berry, the music legend, guitarist, lyricist, singer and pioneer of rock ‘n’ roll, was honored by Councilmember Tom LaBonge and adoring music fans at the Hollywood and Highland Center on Friday.
“It is my pleasure to honor Chuck Berry because he is an American icon,” Councilmember LaBonge said. “He is a worldwide idol of rock ‘n’ roll and we thank him for his many years of music genius. Special thanks to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for honoring one of our brightest stars on the 50th Anniversary of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.”
Councilmember LaBonge declared July 2, 2010 “Chuck Berry Day” with a presentation of a resolution from the City of Los Angeles. The Councilmember also presented a plaque of Chuck Berry’s Hollywood Walk of Fame Star on behalf of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Congresswoman Diane Watson issued a certificate of commendation in honor of Berry’s long list of musical accolades. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce was also in attendance.
“It is such an honor to receive a day in my name and this beautiful replica of my Hollywood Walk of Fame Star,” Chuck Berry said. “It’s like a dream. I will do my best to deserve this tribute during the years I have left.”
“On behalf of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce we welcome you back to Hollywood during the Walk of Fame’s 50th Anniversary,” Scott Moe, Treasurer of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce said. “We are proud to have you as a legendary Walk of Famer.”
Hundreds of music fans gathered to honor the elusive rock legend on Los Angeles’ Chuck Berry Day, many of whom then traveled to Irvine to see Berry perform at the Oak Canyon Ranch.
Known for such hits as "Maybellene" (1955), "Roll Over Beethoven" (1956), "Rock and Roll Music" (1957) and "Johnny B. Goode" (1958), the star has captivated fans for generations.
