The evening started with welcome remarks by hardworking chair of the TBTB Committee Bob Gotham and a recap of Eagle Rock community driven accomplishments such as the re-routing of the 134 in 1971 and the development of the Colorado Blvd specific plan in 1992. He noted that Eagle Rock is made special by the people who live in it and that the success of the TBTB initiative is dependent on the input provided by the community. A survey was provided to participants to capture thoughts and views on specific topics about Colorado including bike lanes, landscaping and safety.

Councilmember Huizar then greeted the crowd and praised the TBTB committee for bringing together many community groups in its efforts to create a broad-based representative body. Additionally, Huizar noted that this is a critical and valuable endeavor and that it's the right time for this (TBTB) visioning project. He added that in each of his districts he has started a revitalization project of the business corridors, but that Eagle Rock is the only community to self-generate the revitalization of its main boulevard.

The meeting then turned to the nuts and bolts of the TBTB initiative with a presentation by Jeff Jacobberger, committee consultant, who shared information about the initiative's focus, ideas, plans and next steps. For a copy of the complete presentation made at the community meeting, and more thorough than I have space for here, including pictures and examples of items that could be incorporated on Colorado Blvd go to http://tinyurl.com/3aw8dbq. Jaccoberger did a great job of explaining a variety of issues, options, what works and the reasons why it works. He further shared that the focus of the initiative is on the public right of way on Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock's stretch from Ave 64 to the (2) Fwy; that the plan has to be achievable, phaseable and community based; that with a completed plan, as funds become available, you are ready to implement a phase; and that the 2011 City of Los Angeles Bike Plan that calls for a bike path on Colorado Blvd., will aid with the overall efforts.

Of great importance was the audience participation which was engaging, thoughtful and mostly amicable-a sign that the committee is on the right track. Great points and ideas were shared by cyclists, pedestrians, motorists, business owners, residents north and south of Colorado and our future community caretakers - children and young adults. I'll focus on the points that garnered the most support from others in attendance. In no particular order, the ideas/comments were:

1. The median: Discussion on whether it should be enlarged, narrowed or removed. Additionally that whatever decision is made about the median, that it should be the same along the entire length of Colorado to provide continuity for Eagle Rock.
2. Bike, bikes and more bikes: A variety of comments, but most in favor of increased biking on Colorado. Acknowledging the need to physically separate the bike lanes from cars - known as a buffered bike lane. That connecting bike lanes to schools so more children can bike to school should be considered. Look at examples of how heavily populated cities create safe bike lanes such as widening sidewalks and including a bike lane on it; creating the lane between the parking area and curb; and creating the bike lane down a widened median.
3. Landscaping: A need for shade trees that are water-wise, additional sidewalk landscaping, and a median that is well maintained, xeric and with storm water collection for irrigation are a must. Maintenance being key and with Eagle Rock getting its fair share of city services in this area.
4. Street furniture and art: A place to rest or chat with neighbors when you are out and about Colorado would increase pedestrian traffic and in an arts community such as Eagle Rock the current lack of street art is glaring.
5. Bus stops: Currently there are only 2 covered bus stops along Colorado and having bus stops that are more appealing leads to increased bus ridding.
6. Use of Colorado: The first order of business should be to determine how the community wants to use Colorado, then develop a plan.
7. Community feel: Giving Colorado a small town community street garnered high marks.
8. To reduce or not reduce the number of lanes: Reducing Colorado by one lane in each direction would slow traffic which a majority of the attendees were in favor of doing 24 hours a day. Concerns that congestion would occur during school drop-off and pick-up was raised and consideration for how school traffic is handled if the number of lanes is reduced is needed. The sentiment of slower-safer seemed to outweigh the concern for a couple of hours of inconvenience that may be diminished by more walking and bicycling to school.
9. Parking and parking meters: It's time to get it right was the sentiment. Pros and cons about angled parking and other options were broached. The concept of reverse-angled parking received positive nods for the benefits of buffering children exiting a vehicle from the road and making it easier to pull out. The need for modern parking meters and meters that have the same length of time on both sides of Colorado ranked high.
10. Eagle Rock entry markers: Having these on the entry points to Eagle Rock creates a district and a community feel. These also tell motorists that there are pedestrians and cyclists and that traffic is slower in the area.

Additional points about sidewalk bump-outs, better stopping points for busses, street lighting that focuses on pedestrians not cars, temporary extension of sidewalks know as "park-less" areas to test concepts and bike corrals were also heard.

After a lively exchange Bob Gotham brought the meeting to a close saying that the committee was now armed with many good ideas from the feedback to help move them forward to the next steps. Community input will continue through additional surveys, comments and meetings. Concepts will be presented to the community in early 2012 for review and comments.

To see pictures of meeting presenters and attendees, visit http://takebacktheboulevard.shutterfly.com/ I also encourage you to visit the TBTB website www.takebacktheblvd.org to stay informed as this community initiative progresses. If you have any questions, e-mail info@takebacktheblvd.org; or to schedule a group presentation contact Bob Gotham at erbobg@yahoo.com. Give the Take Back The Boulevard initiative your attention; it could just be the future of our community.

There are those who feel that Heyday had a bait and switch strategy planned from the beginning on the Ellenwood Project. My intuition, based on personal contact with representatives of Heyday, is that the following explanation by Heyday representative Kevin Wronske AIA, LEED AP, is believable: "While Heyday remains deeply invested in northeast L.A., by selling Ellenwood they are able to diversify their development opportunities by pursuing numerous smaller sites. Investing in these smaller sites allows Heyday to continue pushing the architectural boundaries of infill housing yet requires fewer sales in a concentrated location to achieve profitability. Since beginning the sale of Ellenwood, Heyday has become involved in three other projects in northeast Los Angeles."

In any case, it is clear that Pulte Corporation rather than Heyday will develop the property, which has already been cleared for new construction. One of the most troubling outcomes for construction projects in recent years has been projects that became blights on the community because the developers run out of funding before completion. Given that Pulte is a national developer, and that compared to their other projects, this is quite modest in size, I don't think funding will be a cause for concern. We have already received some information that indicates there will be changes in the plans for the development. The number of residences has been reduced from 19 to 18 and they are adding patios behind the homes. Trees will be replaced at more than a 1:1 ratio. They will continue to provide two parking spaces for each home. Based on the limited new information, the changes do not appear to the type of changes that increase concerns. But, as any planner will tell you, until you see the final plans you can't be sure, and even then, you need to keep a little prudent skepticism.

The 6th Annual Northeast Los Angeles Veteran's Day Parade will take place on Sunday, November 13, 2011. We are planning a larger and longer parade and anticipate a larger and more festive crowd, as we are also celebrating Eagle Rock's Centennial. It will be two parades in one - with two Grand Marshals, one for the Veterans and one for the Centennial!

There will be an Eagle Rock Centennial Float and a number of contingents from local groups and organizations. The parade will start at 1:00 pm at the Glassell Park Senior Center and proceed northward on Eagle Rock Blvd, then turn east on Yosemite Drive and finish at Eagle Rock High School where there will be food, entertainment, additional activities and an opportunity to view the floats and vehicles up close. For details, route, and pictures from prior years parades go tohttp://www.nelavetsparade.org

The symphony will perform four concerts, including the launch of a passionate and unforgettable opening to its 19th season on November 6 at 4:00 p.m. with Romantic Offerings and run through May 12, 2010 with Celebration of Support.

For the November 6th Romantic Offerings concert, Maestra De León de Vega will conduct the most beloved of all the Brahms symphonies, the Second. The season continues on February 12, 2012 with Dvo?ák & Gershwin!, with the return of Bryan Pezzone to play George Gershwin's Piano Concerto. On April 29, 2012, Latinos Clásicos, a bold colorful atmospheric infused music event will ignite the passions in an orchestral performance. The May 12, 2012 closing season Celebration of Support evening begins with a wine reception, followed by chamber music performed by SCO's musicians and concludes with desserts and a silent auction.

The price for concerts is $26/$20 for adults and $7 for children and $75 for Celebration of Support. To purchase tickets online and view a complete season schedule, please visit: http://www.scorchestra.org/concerts.html.