Our very own little library made it into today's L.A. Times! Check out the article here
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Neon in Pico Union
Los Angeles is known for it's prolific (and historic) neon signs. MacArthur Park, Downtown LA, and Hollywood all have a plethora of these old signs to please any neon-o-phile. But what about Pico Union?
We are on a hunt for Pico Union neon. Our first discovery is above an old apartment building on 11th Street between Alvarado and Hoover. It's called Royal Lake. Do you know anything about this building and what was Royal Lake? Reply in the comments field or send tips to PicoUnionNow@gmail.com.
UPDATE: This is LA Cultural Monument #2519, located at 2200-2220 W. 11th Street
News From Our Neighbors: LA Times Highlights Westlake Theater Restoration
How did we miss this?
Check out the LA Times article about the upcoming restoration of
MacArthur Park's famous Westlake Theater!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
$10,000 For the Taking: Will Pico-Union Residents Compete for a Beautification Grant?
It's that time again: The LA Board of Public Works is accepting proposals for community beautification. Any community group made up of 5 or more members can apply for $10,000 grants. 65 winners will be chosen from neighborhoods across the city. Will someone from Pico Union step up to the plate?
Since competition for these grants is intense, the city is offering workshops to help interested community groups prepare to turn in the best submission possible. Workshop dates can be found here:
Applications can be found here:
Hard copies of the Community Beautification Grants can be picked up at the Pico Union Branch Library (1030 S. Alvarado St.).
News from our Neighbors: Westlake Theater to be Renovated
Most Angelenos have driven by the old Westlake Theater alongside MacArthur Park and recognize its iconic neon sign, but how many have actually been in it? Though now used as a swap meet, many of the beautiful architectural details from the theater's better days are still intact. We decided to take a tour of the old place this weekend, and thanks to our little video camera, we can bring you along!
In a strange turn of events, the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) has purchased the old theater and plans to restore it. This was great news indeed until we discovered the futuristic complex set to be built alongside the theater, as reported by downtown LA blog Angelenic:
Yes, Virginia, that's rather hideous.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Pico Union Neighborhood Council Meets, Discusses Funding for Pico Union Housing Corp.
The Council debated the request but decided to table the matter until they could examine their budget to ensure fiscal soundness if they approved this large request (neighborhood councils only receive 50k a year for projects around their districts).
The Pico Union Housing Corp. is involved in some interesting projects, including the recent relocation of two historic homes from their original location on Arapahoe Street, to their current location at 115 S. Alvarado Street. According to a press release posted on LA Councilman Ed Reyes' website, the purpose of the two homes will be two-fold:
One home will include ESL training, GED preparation and business entrepreneurship seminars. The second structure will include the Historical Restoration and Construction and Trades Apprenticeship Program, where local youth will learn construction and historical restoration trades.
That's right: they are planning on training the youth of Pico Union to learn a trade in historic restoration - one of the essential elements in helping to further this historic neighborhood's renaissance.
Let's hope the funding is approved.
Welcome to the Pico Union Neighborhood blog
Welcome to Pico Union Now!, a blog about Pico Union, an historic neighborhood right next to Downtown Los Angeles. We're hoping to bring you articles and insights about Pico Union and the changes and improvements that are being made to this important neighborhood. We will update the blog as much as possible, so please check back often.
If you have any Pico Union-related news tips or a story ideas, or if you'd like to help write for Pico Union Now!, please email us at PicoUnionNow@gmail.com.
Again, welcome to the our blog!
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