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In the real estate business, it is well known that the overall perception of a home is significantly influenced by the first impression, which is typically the front yard and the front door. Eagle Rock's eastern front door is the Colorado Exit of the 134 west freeway. Fortunately in the last few years the freeway exit has been beautifully landscaped. However, as the wheels of your automobile hit Eagle Rock pavement, you are immediately confronted by a large and very visible abandoned construction project - an ugly front door. The Land Use section of this eLetter includes additional comments about the abandoned DHM Loft project, aka "Pillarhenge".
Over 50 people participated in Take Back the Boulevard's second community meeting. The energy and enthusiasm level was high. The yummy cupcakes from Auntie Em's undoubtedly contributed to the energy level. At each succeeding community meeting the ways in which community members would like Colorado Boulevard, our Main Street, to be improved becomes increasingly clear. Read more about this meeting below.
On February 1 TERA will host the State of the Town meeting. Please plan to attend this important meeting. Further information provided below in this eLetter.
 Bob Gotham, President
Not a member? Join now at http://www.tera90041.org/join-paypal.htm . Memberships begin at only $15.
Discounts are available for TERA Members at the following participating merchants. Just show your active membership card. Click on http://www.tera90041.org/benefits.htm to see the member benefits offered by each merchant.
If you are a merchant and would like to participate in this program, which includes free advertising in the eLetter, please email president@tera90041.org.
Community Meeting Update:
The meeting began with a 30 minutes presentation of the various changes that could be considered for Colorado Boulevard, and what the impact would be for each alternative. In some cases broad estimates of the possible cost was provided.
At the conclusion of the presentation, attendees went to work. They chose a specific section of Colorado Boulevard for their focus. The sections were from the 2 Freeway to Eagle Rock Boulevard, Eagle Rock Boulevard to Argus Drive, Argus Drive to Dahlia Drive and Dahlia Drive to Ave. 64. Large laminated overhead maps of each section covered the tables. Working with a group facilitator, each team discussed possible changes. When agreement was reached for any change, the change was written on the map in the location at which it would be implemented.
At the end of the "work session" attendees reassembled and chosen team members reported the findings for each team. As to be expected, the proposed changes for Colorado Boulevard were different for each section of the boulevard. However, slowing down Colorado Boulevard by removing a lane of traffic, improved crosswalks, and curb bulb outs to reduce the footage for crosswalks were often mentioned in the team reports. With the help of Civic Enterprise, the consultants supporting this effort, the data will be carefully examined. A more formal report reflecting the results of this meeting will be provided in the future.
Many thanks to the Eagle Rockers who participated in this effort. It is always impressive to see how many residents of this community are willing to give their time to make Eagle Rock the best community it can be.
Initiative Updates: The most recent information regarding this initiative will be found at http://www.takebacktheblvd.org.
The initiative also will be found on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/takebacktheboulevard.
An Ugly Front Door:
At one time DHM lofts were to bring 17 work / live lofts, in a sleek contemporary style, one of the main gateways to the Eagle Rock Community. In 2008, the developer abandoned the project and left Eagle Rock with arguably the largest blight in our neighborhood -- "Pillarhenge" -- right at one of our front doors.
It is safe to assume that the dramatic turn-around of the real estate market played a role in the demise of the original developer's effort. The project required an extensive and costly hillside excavation and a massive retaining wall. Today some pillars appear to be slightly off kilter. In addition to curing any defects that might be found by city inspectors in the work completed to date, a buyer would inevitably have to ponder the considerable liability factor should the massive retaining wall fail in any way.
Bottom line: this would not be an easy property to sell to a new developer, even in the best of times. I have spoken to the broker. She stressed her experience in selling distressed properties and the fact that any property will sell when the price is right. There have been some interested buyers. But after a protracted due diligence period they resolved to not purchase the property. My understanding is that the Council Office has been supportive of the broker's efforts.
What to do about this blight on Eagle Rock is not clear to TERA or anyone else. It is privately owned. The owner reliably pays the modest property taxes. For safety, the property is fenced and it appears to be relatively free of graffiti, at least that which could be viewed from the street.
The TERA board feels strongly that we cannot simply throw up our hands and take the position that since no one knows what to do, do nothing. I am happy to report that the Council Office responded quickly and affirmatively to TERA's request to become partners in finding a solution. It is important to stress that we don't have a solution in our back pocket. There is no guarantee that we will find a solution. What I can promise is that TERA is committed to making our best effort to give Eagle Rock the first impression it deserves.
Please join North East Trees for a memorial to celebrate Scott Wilson's life and legacy. The event has been scheduled for Sunday, January 29th, 2012 at 1:00 pm at the Herrick Memorial Chapel and Interfaith Center at Occidental College, 1600 Campus Road, Los Angeles, CA 90041. Please join us and other North East Trees supporters who make Scott's vision possible.
Center for the Arts, Eagle Rock - Chasm of the Supernova Chasm of the Supernova will feature works by fifteen Los Angeles based artists. When larger stars die they end their lives with a catastrophic supernova, one of the brightest and most powerful events in the universe. After the violent destructive phenomenon subsides, a neutron star or a black hole will remain where the star previously inhabited. This celestial act of death can be viewed as a catalyst for an eternal void which is the black hole, but also acts as the impetus for the most vibrant and dramatic action in the known universe. Similar to the supernova, the artist's chosen for this exhibition make highly refined and articulated gestures that lead the audience to a confrontation with a moment of instability; harmony and chaos abound in these pieces.
TERA Members get 10% off regular priced merchandise at Owl Talk.
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