web analytics

Rss

Venice News Updates

News of Venice, CA and Marina del Rey CA

MTA Group to Reach Out to Venetians About MTA Lot Development in September

Posted by :reta On : July 13, 2018
0

Category: Metro Project, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)

Tags:, ,

Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) plans to get with the Venice Community in September to work out plans for the MTA, Metro site at Sunset between Pacific and Main.

MTA, and only MTA, refers to the project as “Division 6 — Venice.”  So many names — Metro, MTA, Division 6 — all the same.

From MTA Division 6 – Venice News: 

In September, Metro staff will launch the Joint Development process for the site, starting with a series of charrettes (according to dictionary —  “a meeting in which all stakeholders in a project attempt to resolve conflicts and map solutions.”), workshops and focus groups to develop shared vision for reuse of the site. This effort will include outreach to community organizations, residents, businesses, residential and commercial property owners, governmental agencies, and religious, educational and cultural institutions. Ultimately, Metro will document the input and feedback gathered through the public visioning process in Development Guidelines that will set forth the community’s expectations for the future development on the site. Sign up for the Division 6 mailing list if you’d like to be informed of the upcoming meetings and events.

 

 

Questions Remain after MTA Bus Yard Community Open House

Posted by :reta On : June 14, 2018
9

Category: Metro Project, Uncategorized

Tags:, , ,

meet2

(Photo courtesy of Daryl Barnett)

(Photo courtesy of Daryl Barnett)

meet1

By Angela McGregor

14 June 2018. Councilman Mike Bonin held a “Community Open House” at Westminster School Wednesday night regarding the proposed bridge housing for the former MTA Lot which, according to an emailed invitation “will provide opportunities for you to offer your feedback and input.”

But for the dozens of Venetians who attended with questions and concerns about issues as diverse and essential as public safety, CEQA and Coastal Development Approval, and the efficacy of providing emergency services and shelter for just 100 of the over 900 homeless on the streets of Venice, answers were unavailable.

Outside the event, homeless activist David Busch held a small media event wherein he stated his opposition to Bridge Housing due to the fact that these facilities will help a small portion of the over 20,000 homeless living on the streets and promise increased sanitation to clean up encampments (which he termed “inhumane”). He called for toilets, storage and other options to help this population to live “more safely” in their encampments as they wait for permanent, city-provided housing and services.

Meanwhile, attendees of the Open House entered the venue that, in lieu of seating, was lined with tables staffed by members of various homeless services organizations, including SPY, SHARE, LAHSA and the St. Joseph’s Center. These staffers were handing out information about their various organizations rather than anything specific to the MTA Lot Proposal.

A number of posters featured statistics about homelessness in Los Angeles. One of the few Bridge Housing-specific displays offered a variety of design options for the facility, and attendees were asked to indicate their preference for such items as “community garden”, “gathering place” and “space for pets” by placing a dot beside their choice on an easel board.

The final table asked for “questions and input” and offered attendees sheets of “Bridge Home” branded paper on which they could write questions. It was unclear how or when these would be responded to. A four-page flyer was offered which answered “Frequently Asked Questions”, but there was nothing on it that was not already to be found on the project’s website (www.BridgeHomeVenice.com). There is yet no design for the project, nor has a service provider been selected.

Councilman Bonin stood in the middle of the room, surrounded by supporters holding up pre-printed, “Everyone In” United Way placards while members of the media recorded his glowing assessment of the project and its community support. At one point, opponents of the project arrived holding up a yellow banner proclaiming “No Bridge Housing! Venice Says No!” and a couple of local residents were able to voice their concerns and objections to the project to Bonin directly before supporters once again closed ranks around him, raising their signs higher and making it impossible for anyone else besides the media to approach him.

The room was hot, stuffy and packed with stakeholders. Tempers flared. Several LAPD members were also present, and at least two attendees had to be escorted out after a scuffle.

It is unclear when or how Venetians will be able to have their say as to whether or not they feel this project should be built, or offer suggestions that would make it more acceptable to local homeowners and businesses. Because no motion regarding Venice Bridge Housing was passed at the most recent VNC Homeless Committee Meeting, the MTA Bus Yard Proposal will not be on the agenda of the upcoming VNC Board Meeting, which will be held this Tuesday, June 19th at 7 pm.

Despite the chaos and dissension, at 8 am on the morning after the Open House, Councilman Bonin Tweeted: “Great feedback, ideas and suggestions on how to make temporary homeless housing work at the former metro bus yard in Venice. Last night’s open house was a great success. #shedoes #VeniceSaysYes” and featured photos of his supporters holding up their signs, as well as photos of the aforementioned easel boards, covered with multi-colored dots.

Fox News referred to the Town Hall meet as “chaos.”

Kip Pardue Asks Questions Regarding Bonin’s Proposed Metro Site Use for Bridge Housing

Posted by :reta On : June 12, 2018
32

Category: Metro Project, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)

Tags:,

Councilman Mike Bonin will be addressing Venice residents and answering questions regarding his proposal to use the Metro Site for “Bridge Housing” Wednesday, 6 to 8 pm at Westminster Elementary School, 1010 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Below are the questions Kip Pardue, who lives in the Venice Median where affordable/PSH housing is proposed, has provided.

– Will you GUARANTEE that this will end all street encampments in Venice?

– I think the City should SELL THE METRO YARD with CONDITIONS that allow the City to maintain the property as bridge housing for 3 years. After 3 years, the property is deeded to the new owner who will develop it. This is a stronger guarantee of this being temporary.

– Why not do this in WLA near Bonin’s office (1645 Corinth Ave) where there is ample space as well. This would allow us to further separate those truly in need and those who are “traveling” in Venice.

– The Mayor explicitly said that council districts that provide this type of housing will receive funding for clean ups – any bridge housing in CD 11 should allow funding for street cleaning in Venice.

– Bonin has repeatedly said that this site is the “overwhelming” choice from constituents. Please allow a VOTE on this.

– It is widely believed that spreading poverty around is beneficial to all yet the city continues to consolidate homelessness and homeless services in Venice – near our schools, near our parks, near huge tourist attractions. Why?

– Why do we deserve this? Bonin has still not had one single public meeting to discuss his plans for homelessness in Venice since May of 2016. He laid out plans then and has not spoken about those plans publicly since. Everything is being pushed towards Venice and we have seen an increase in the number of homeless on our streets that is beyond compare.

– The head of the VNC committee on homelessness Will Hawkins recently helped clear up an encampment on Venice Blvd. Of the approximately 20 people he spoke with, not one was from California, not one identified as “homeless,” and not one accepted services – the same services that will be provided at this bridge housing. How does that affect your plans?

– Will Hawkins claims to have helped 40 people off the streets of Venice in the past 18 months. The Wellers reportedly housed 300 in the past 3 years, yet the number of homeless on the streets of Venice is still over 1,000 (though the recent count miraculously shows a decrease). How does that affect your plans? If people are being removed from our streets with very little, if any, change in the actual number, what are we doing wrong?

– How will the bridge housing affect vehicle dwelling? Will you guarantee that you will implement permit parking throughout Venice once this is built? Will you ban all OVO parking on the streets? Will you enforce the no sleeping in vehicles ordinance?

– You recently spent $2 million on 4 crosswalks on Venice Blvd in Mar Vista. How do you justify such spending when, as you say, there is a crisis of “life and death on our streets?”

– Why is the city just now embracing this type of housing? Clearly the PSH units would take time to build. Why are you just now reacting?

– Why should we trust you? You have NEVER shown any sign of actually cleaning up our streets. You don’t listen to Venice residents, you ignore the vast majority of stakeholders, and fail to acknowledge our concerns. Why should we as a community bear another bitter pill?