News

March 14, 2024

LA Councilmember Blumenfield on CD3’s Big Investment’s in Public Projects

Over the past decade, the San Fernando Valley has witnessed a transformative period marked by significant economic development, cultural revitalization, and community-driven initiatives. Councilmember Bob Blumenfield has played a pivotal role in steering the region's trajectory, leveraging funds from former CRA resources to kickstart the Reseda Rising Initiative, channeling over $100 million into Reseda. In this interview with TPR, Councilmember Bob Blumenfield provides a comprehensive overview of his impactful initiatives, developing community hubs, and his approach to revitalizing Ventura Boulevard and the Warner Center. Blumenfield further explores housing challenges, his strategies for effective communication with constituents and concern over diminishing media coverage of public interest stories in Los Angeles county.

March 1, 2024

David White Bringing City of Santa Monica Back Online Post-Pandemic

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced worldwide shutdowns in tourism, retail, dining, and public events, few cities took it harder than Santa Monica, a city which had long utilized its massive dining, retail, and hotel tax revenues to superfund their city budget. Post-pandemic, the city continues to be challenged by COVID related revenue losses, homelessness, crime, as well as pricey court rulings. TPR, in this exclusive interview, spoke with Santa Monica City Manager David White on how the city is successfully recovering from its difficult position and why he maintains a positive outlook on Santa Monica’s future. In the interview, White talks about reviving the 3rd Street Promenade, civic engagement, their novel approaches to homelessness and crime, as well as projects like the Civic Auditorium and the potential Santa Monica Airport park.

March 1, 2024

CNN’s Homelessness In America Series Starting in LA with L.A. Mayor Karen Bass

Homelessness increased by more than 12% in 2023, reaching 653,104 people according to @USHUD —the sharpest increase and biggest population of homeless people in the US since the government began keeping these records. Appearing on CNN’s “State of the Union” with Jake Tapper, Los Angeles’ Mayor Bass announced a lofty goal of ending street homeless in Los Angeles by 2026. TPR presents an excerpt from that program and the appearance of Mayor Bass who ,when asked by Tapper what she hopes to accomplish by the end of her elected term, doubled down on what was one of, if not her biggest, campaign promise — making a massive dent in the homeless crisis.

March 1, 2024

UBC Panel: Is Local Democracy in the Way of Affordable Housing?

University of British Columbia’s Professor Patrick Condon, James Taylor Chair in Landscape and Liveable Environments in early February hosted the first of what will be a series of panels addressing the question: Is local Government the reason why Housing costs so much in Metro’s like Vancouver, Brisbane, and Phoenix? If yes - what should be done about that? TPR, with permission, shares excerpts of two of the panelists (Brisbane Australia’s Dr. Cameron Murray & Dr. Mark Roseland, Arizona State University) featured at this Vancouver, BC. forum. Later this month, TPR will feature more from Professor’s Condon’s UBC Series.

February 19, 2024

Cary Lowe on How Storms Have Exposed Infrastructure Neglect in Poor Neighborhoods

TPR republishes, with permission, a piece from the San Diego Union-Tribune written by Cary Lowe, retired land use lawyer, which explains the problems San Diego’s more neglected neighborhoods are facing as a result of the storms. Lowe highlights the communities’ demands for greater equity in the face of growing environmental and climate related instability.

January 31, 2024

The Dodgers’ Janet Marie Smith on the Future of Stadium Planning

In this interview with Janet Marie Smith, EVP of Planning and Development for the Dodgers, Janet Marie offers urban planning context for the evolution of Dodger Stadium over the past 11 years guided by Stan Kasten’s original challenge to her: to create a place where all 56,000 fans may enjoy a pregame celebration, linger, find food, and have kids run around. Smith also discusses her U.S. & global stadium projects, comparing insightful differences in planning British football venues with U.S.-based work, emphasizing the unique aspects of baseball's casual cadence. Looking towards the future of stadium planning, Smith also introduces her new development firm - the Canopy Team, promising a continued focus on integrating sports venues into urban development, including an emphasis on flexibility of developments and multiple uses beyond sporting events.

January 31, 2024

After 14 Terms, Portland’s Congressman Earl Blumenauer Has Had Enough with Congress

Earl Blumenauer, in an exclusive and instructive interview with The Planning Report, surveys his distinguished 50 years in elected office, including 14 terms of representing Oregon's 3rd Congressional District. A political veteran trailblazer in bipartisan collaboration, Blumenauer, who recently announced his retirement rather than seeking a 15th term, reflects on his decision-making process, noting a desire going forward to focus on impactful civilian work outside of Washington, DC. Our conversation spans his truly prolific livable communities & transportation legislative achievements, including last session’s Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, which he rightfully believes signify a transformative era for American infrastructure.

January 31, 2024

Los Angeles DA Candidate Jeff Chemerinsky on Restoring Confidence in Public Safety

TPR shares this excerpt from LAist AirTalk’s recent interview with one of those candidates, Jeff Chemerinsky, former Chief of the Violent and Organized Crime in the US Attorney’s Office. In it, Chemerinsky talks of Gascon’s failures, wanting citizens to feel safe, and his level-headed approach to criminal reform.

December 14, 2023

Mayor Karen Bass Reflects on First Year in Office

This week, Mayor Karen Bass held a press conference to reflect on her first year in office as the City of Los Angeles' Mayor. TPR here shares a transcript to the Mayor’s full address and comments. In her address, the Mayor offered a progress report on her many initiatives: the Inside Safe program, her office’s executive directives “streamlining” affordable housing development, the commitments being made to building a green economy, as well as her many public safety initiatives.

December 4, 2023

Brenda Levin Gives Career Spanning Interview at ULI Luminaries Reception

Recently, the Urban Land Institute hosted one of their Luminaries receptions honoring famed Los Angeles architect and historic preservation expert, Brenda Levin. The career spanning interview, given by friend and former Executive Director of ULI, Gail Goldberg, traces Levin’s path from her life and schooling on the east coast to the ‘architectural wasteland’ of America; 1970s Los Angeles. Levin talks of her many iconic projects, beginning with a career-defining moment in Bob Hope’s home in Palm Springs, to the Oviatt Building and her partnerships with Wayne Ratkovich, to LA City Hall and Griffith Observatory, to her still ongoing work at Dodger Stadium. Levin also speaks of the now changing landscape of Los Angeles, and the importance of not compromising on good design in the name of building at any cost.

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