Why Aren't LA River Advocates Screaming About CRA-LA's Demise?

Why should river advocates care about whether or not the new state budget framework eliminates local community redevelopment agencies (CRAs)?

Take the CRA-LA scenario. There's always a lot of  'noise' about how CRA-LA takes 'poor' neighborhoods, calls them 'blighted' and then redevelops them, causing 'gentrification.'  But the facts tell a different story:

.CRA-LA is the leader in providing affordable housing in the City of Los Angeles (homes!)
.CRA-LA provides financial assistance to small businesses with low cost loans and grants tied to employment generation (jobs!)
.CRA-LA's $1 investment leverages $3-5 in private investment (economic development!)

While it's true that all government monies need to be monitored and spent with greater care, the elimination of CRAs will have tremendous negative urban renewal impact because the CRA structure is the only tool cities in California have to 'jumpstart' local economic activity and construction projects.

Which brings me to the Los Angeles River. Currently, CRA-LA is involved in at least 3 key LA River-oriented activities:

1. CRA-LA has provided the 'seed' money and institutional support to move Los Angeles River Revitalization Corporation efforts forward, including the hiring of staff.

2. CRA-LA is working on a new redevelopment zone along the Los Angeles River at the Arroyo Seco Confluence southwards through the California State Historic Park using the Cornfields-Arroyo Seco Specific Plan (CASP) as its blueprint. CASP is an innovative plan to create a complete 'green' sustainable community just north of  Downtown Los Angeles.

3. CRA-LA received federal funding to evaluate the Northeast Los Angeles River Study Zone (see photo above) as a potential redevelopment area. This area covers communities on both the east and west banks of the Los Angeles River, including the communities of Cypress Park, Atwater Village and Elysian Valley. The study will generate invaluable inventorying of community resources and stakeholder input within the River Zone Area.

If these projects are permanently suspended, Los Angeles River Revitalization efforts could be set back for years.

That's why tomorrow's CRA-LA/Los Angeles City Council Joint Meeting is so vital. Public comment is especially critical to persuade the Governor and State Legislature that Los Angeles River Revitalization through CRA-LA means jobs and a healthier community.

If you care about the Los Angeles River's future, come express yourself tomorrow, March 8th, 10:00am, Los Angeles City Hall Council Chambers. http://www.lacity.org/YourGovernment/CityCouncil/CouncilCalendar/index.htm

Arroyo Property of the Week

How about this for a view?

One of the great reasons why so many people love to live along the Arroyo Seco in Los Angeles is the terrific viewshed from the rolling hills of the region.

Often I talk about historic properties and Arroyo Culture, but today I want to focus on the great new architectural styling that defines the Arroyo as well.

Sleek and modern yet well-designed for a hillside lot, this inspired architectural home from award-winning John Raymond Byram AIA exhibits a signature presence that exudes a stately confidence.

This 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath open floor plan's interior does not disappoint, either. From the cook's kitchen with state of the art appliances to the high end finishes and materials, including bamboo flooring and custom aluminum windows and doors, this elegant home will please anyone who appreciates modernist architecture.

Byram, a Pasadena-based architect who has designed a number of homes in Northeast Los Angeles, is also a professional watercolorist, and his eye for color and line are evident everywhere in this magnificent property.

Its perch on a quiet cul-de-sac with easy access to freeways and shopping blends the best of the city with an urban nature ambiance.

But why take my word for it? You can check out this amazing property yourself this Sunday, January 23rd, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Details here: http://www.3907verdugoview.com/

Arroyo Property of the Week

Yes, I know that Eagle Rock is not within the Arroyo Seco watershed (it's in the Verdugo). But as someone who once lived in this community, I can fairly state that most Eagle Rock residents consider themselves Arroyo lovers, due to the community's close physical and emotional proximity to the Arroyo Seco and Pasadena.

Regardless, there are no doubts about why Hill Drive (originally Hill Avenue) is one of the prettiest streets in all of Los Angeles. Even residents who do not live on Hill  Drive love to make the trip up the hill to walk their dog or take a romantic stroll with their loved one.

Among the stately homes that grace this tucked-away street is this newly listed 1925 Mediterranean Revival which has recently undergone a complete interior make-over, resulting in a beautiful mix of elegant grandeur with all the modern luxury one could want, including an inspired cook's kitchen, spa-like master bath, and playful backyard with dramatic pool and treetop views.

The main house features almost 2500 square feet of living space, including an exquisite master suite, two additional bedrooms and a total of 2.5 baths. The 800 square foot guest house boasts both a loft-style game room and a bedroom and bath.

The multi-tiered backyard with pool and spa is perfect for entertaining and the property also includes a 2-car garage on a 10,000 square foot lot.

Of course, there is multi-zone central heat and air conditioning, too.

What would you pay to live in this beauty on the best street in Eagle Rock?

Come check out this terrific property on Thursday, January 27th from 10am to 2 pm and Sunday, January 30th from 1-4pm. More details at: http://www.redfin.com/CA/Los-Angeles/1651-Hill-Dr-90041/home/7171237

Arroyo Seco Real Estate Trends

While my passion is river restoration, my professional expertise includes almost 20 years of property acquisition, management and real estate sales & marketing for individuals, corporate clients and non-profit organizations.

Since this was not a pretty week for those who understand the real estate business (9.9% residential mortgage default rate in LA County, commercial real estate now feeling deflation pain, HVCC rules & new loan origination requirements that will lengthen the escrow process, to name a few), I thought it was a good time to pause and share with readers the real estate reasons behind why I live and work in the Arroyo Seco watershed, which includes the communities of Northeast Los Angeles (Highland Park, Garvanza, Hermon, Monterey Hills, Mt Washington, Cypress Park, Montecito Heights, Lincoln Heights), South Pasadena, Pasadena, Altadena and La Canada-Flintridge. (Although Eagle Rock is not technically in the watershed, its adjacent proximity and neighborhood personality reflect Arroyo Culture, so I consider it part of the Arroyo Seco Corridor).

Here are the reasons why I think the Arroyo Lifestyle is terrific:

1. A River Runs Through It. Nationally, almost half our population lives within 125 miles of a coastline. There is something about water that we humans crave. The Arroyo Seco, with its expansive parkland along the upper portion of the watershed and dedicated civic and community support for restoration on the lower watershed, remains one of the oldest and most accessible fresh waterways in urban Southern California.

2. Trees. This riparian corridor has been able to avoid the massive de-foliation that has plagued other revitalized and redeveloped neighborhoods, especially on Los Angeles' Westside. The heat island that encompasses most of LA only touches the southernmost portion of the Arroyo Seco, which is currently being revitalized into a 'green' neighborhood with the innovative Cornfields-Arroyo Seco Specific Plan. Tree canopy also supports ecosystem vitality and wildlife corridor movement.

3. The Gold Line & Multi-Modal Transit. From Pasadena southward within the watershed, it is very easy to commute into downtown and all points on the way via the Gold Line light rail and bicycle. This offers residents transportation options not totally dependent on automobile travel, although the very efficient Arroyo Seco Parkway/Pasadena Freeway will get you downtown pretty quickly, too. Not only are light rail and bicycle commuting a great way to see the neighborhood, but it saves a lot of money and helps us get physical exercise in the process. The region's planning is focused on continuing healthy neighborhood sustainability through an Arroyo Seco Greenway and transit oriented housing.

4. Great Schools. La Canada Flintridge, South Pasadena and Eagle Rock public schools are excellent and offer affordable education for families. The Arroyo Seco also boasts several new charter schools, a Pasadena Unified School District that it reinventing itself, and top higher education academies including the California Institute of Technology, Occidental College, and Pasadena City College.

5. Arts & Culture. The Arroyo Seco watershed is home to Los Angeles' oldest museum, The Southwest Museum, as well as such cultural institutions as the Lummis House, Heritage Square Museum, the Huntington Museum & Gardens, Norton Simon Museum, Descanso Gardens and the Eagle Rock Community Arts Center. Among other organizations, the Arroyo Arts Cooperative sponsors numerous gallery events and Vromans Bookstore in Pasadena hosts book signings, classes, and poetry readings.

6. Jobs. Even in this recessionary environment, the Arroyo Seco is surrounded by important employment centers in downtown Los Angeles, Glendale, Burbank, and Pasadena. In fact, US News & World Report just included Pasadena in its national list of the 15 Government Heavy aand Recession Resistent Cities in the US because of the high employment base of both CalTech and NASA/JPL. Unlike much of Southern California, the Arroyo Seco offers a high quality of life that allows employees to live close to their work center, rather than spending hours on local freeways commuting.

I daily see the positive impact of these factors when I'm listing and showing property for clients in Arroyo Seco neighborhoods. Today, for example, I experienced a frenzy of buyer activity at the Dalton Lofts in Pasadena, new construction adjacent to the Gold Line Del Mar stations whose units will be auctioned off next week. Multiple offers on well-priced properties in all price categories are not uncommon. While the real estate market is definitely still in transition, well-qualified buyers are clearly acting on the current low interest rates, value pricing and long-term upside of the Arroyo Seco corridor.

To paraphrase that old adage, great real estate is all about location, location, location. In my opinion, the communities within the Arroyo Seco watershed provide the best location in the Greater Los Angeles area for high quality California living.