WWW.LARIVER.ORG

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WWW.LARIVER.ORG
Public Workshop Series 6 February 2007
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Todays Agenda

• Part 1 Presentation of the Revitalization
  Master Plan

Background and Inspiration for the Plan Plan
Goals Recommendations Value to the
Community River Management Implementation Question
s and Answers

• Part 2 Presentation and Comments on the
  Programmatic EIR/EIS

Resource Areas Impacts Mitigation
Features Comments
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Geographic Extent

• The Los Angeles River
• flows 32 miles within the City of Los Angeles

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Schedule
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The Rivers Future A Vision for
Revitalization

• Many have been involved in exploring ways to
  return the splendor of the Los Angeles River to
  the people of Los Angeles
• Community leaders
• Elected officials
• Government agency staff
• Concerned citizens
• Environmental groups
• Recreational groups
• Local visionaries
• All within the context of maintaining flood
  protection and safety

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Managing the Effort

• Lead City Agency Project Management City of
  Los Angeles Department of Public Works, Bureau of
  Engineering
• Project Funding Los Angeles Department of Water
  Power
• City Council Oversight Ad Hoc Committee for the
  Los Angeles River
• Consultant Tetra Tech, Inc.
• Civitas / Wenk Associates / Mia Lehrer and
  Associates
• The Robert Group / Adan Ortega / TLUC / Miguel
  Luna / David Marquez
• Urban Partners / Asset Strategies
• HNTB

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Community Outreach

• A critical element of the Revitalization Master
  Plan is Community Outreach
• Extensive, proactive community engagement effort
  including public and stakeholder participation
• 50 member City staff Task Force, meeting monthly
  for 18 months
• 40 member Advisory Committee, representing
  neighborhood and business groups and community
  leaders
• 50 member Stakeholder Committee, representing
  advocacy organizations
• 5 member Peer Review Committee
• 18 public meetings, attracting over 2000 people
• Youth Conference on October 12, 2006, with over
  500 students from 20 high schools
• Press conferences
• Press and community advisories
• Newsletter distribution
• Interactive website

WWW.LARIVER.ORG
45-Day Public Review February 2 to March 26, 2007
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Planning for Revitalization
The planning process has looked at these
organizing principles
Public Workshop - June 2006

• Revitalize the River
• Green the Neighborhoods
• Capture Community Opportunities
• Create Value

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Driving Goals

• Revitalize the River
• Enhance Flood Storage
• Enhance Water Quality
• Enable Safe Public Access
• Restore a Functioning Ecosystem

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Revitalize the River
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Revitalize the River (cont.)
A Phased Approach to Restoration and
Revitalization Top Down Strategy Proposals

• Preconditions for Restoration Reduction in
  peak water flow velocity to 12 feet per second
  to support riparian corridor

Existing Conditions
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Revitalize the River (cont.)
A Phased Approach to Restoration and
Revitalization Top Down Strategy Proposals

• Near-term Improvements Water quality green
  strips and treatment terraces, trails or
  overlooks, pocket parks or native areas, and
  temporary ponded areas

Near-Term Improvements
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Revitalize the River (cont.)
A Phased Approach to Restoration and
Revitalization Top Down Strategy Proposals

• Long-term Improvements Reconstruct channel
  bottom, provide pool and riffle system for fish,
  reestablish a riparian corridor

Long-Term Improvements
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Goal Enhance Flood Storage
Revitalize the River (cont.)

• Recommendation 4.1 identify opportunities for
  peak flood storage outside the channel to reduce
  flow velocities in the River to less than 12 feet
  per second.
• Recommendation 4.2 Identify opportunities for
  selective acquisition of additional rights-of-way
  to expand the Rivers floodplain.

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Goal Enhance Water Quality
Revitalize the River (cont.)

• Recommendation 4.3 Emphasize multiple-benefit
  green infrastructure for habitat and water
  quality
• Recommendation 4.4 Implement water quality
  treatment at multiple scales to maximize
  efficiency

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Goal Enhance Water Quality
Revitalize the River (cont.)

• Recommendation 4.5 Create landscape-based water
  quality treatment at major confluences.
• Recommendation 4.6 Develop treatment terraces
  within the channel to treat stormwater flows that
  daylight or outlet into the River.
• Recommendation 4.7 Create landscape-based
  green strips at the top of Riverbanks and in
  adjacent linear parkland to treat stormwater
  runoff from developed areas.

Potential Treatment Terrace on Right Bank
Stormdrain Confluence Treatment at Taylor Yard
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Goal Enable Safe Public Access
Revitalize the River (cont.)

• Recommendation 4.8 Provide opportunities for
  safe access to the water, with quick exit
  opportunities and warnings of high flows
• Recommendation 4.9 Provide opportunities for
  temporary pools and lakes by installing
  inflatable rubber dams

Flood warning system on the Rio Besos, Barcelona
Potential rubber dam locations
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Goal Enable Safe Public Access
Revitalize the River (cont.)

• Recommendation 4.10 Create a variety of public
  spaces, including small pocket parks, natural
  areas, and urban and civic spaces
• Recommendation 4.11 Use alternate greening
  techniques in areas where the concrete must
  remain.
• Recommendation 4.12 Continue development of
  non-motorized transportation and recreation
  elements.

Ponded Area at Canoga Park
Proposed Pocket Parks and Public Access
Existing Conditions, Above 1st St.
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Revitalize the River (cont.)
Goal Restore a Functioning Riparian Ecosystem
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Revitalize the River (cont.)
Goal Restore a Functioning Riparian Ecosystem

• Recommendation 4.14 Connect the continuous
  greenway/corridor to significant habitat and
  migration routes along tributaries and into the
  mountains.

• Recommendation 4.15 Improve water quality and
  provide fish passages, ladders, and riffle pools
  that could support return of the steelhead trout.
  
• Recommendation 4.16 Bio-engineer the Rivers
  edge where feasible to create wildlife habitat.

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Goal Restore a Functioning Riparian Ecosystem
Revitalize the River (cont.)

• Recommendation 4.13 Create a continuous,
  functional, riparian corridor within the channel
  bottom

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Green the Neighborhoods
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Goal Create a Continuous River Greenway
Green the Neighborhoods (cont.)

• Recommendation 5.1 Provide opportunities for
  continuous movement along the River
• Recommendation 5.2 Establish a River Buffer
  area for habitat within and adjacent to the
  River.
• Recommendation 5.3 Extend open space, bike
  paths, and multi-use trails into the tributaries.

• Typologies
• River Greenway
• River Promenades
• Riverside Streets
• Grade-separated Crossings

Continuous River Greeenway
Example River Promenade
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Goal Connect Neighborhoods to the River
Green the Neighborhoods (cont.)

• Recommendation 5.4 Provide green arterial and
  local street connections to the River

• Typologies
• Arterial Green Streets
• Local Green Streets
• Neighborhood Walking Loops
• Industrial Green Streets
• Enhanced Intersections
• Paseos
• Equestrian Loops

Connecting the Greenway into neighborhoods
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Goal Connect Neighborhoods to the River
Green the Neighborhoods (cont.)

• Recommendation 5.5 Create safe, non-motorized
  routes between the River and cultural, transit,
  commercial and employment centers within 1 mile
  of the River
• Recommendation 5.6 Increase direct pedestrian
  and visual access to the River

Example Arterial Green Street
Example Local Green Street
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Goal Extend Open Space and Water Quality
Features into the Neighborhoods
Green the Neighborhoods (cont.)

• Recommendation 5.7 Increase open space
  throughout the River Corridor, and design
  landscaped areas to provide upland habitat

• Typologies
• River Parks and recreational facilities
• River Park Buffers
• Outdoor Classrooms and Learning Centers
• Pocket Parks

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Goal Extend Open Space and Water Quality
Features into the Neighborhoods (cont.)
Green the Neighborhoods (cont.)

• Recommendation 5.8 Provide a system of
  interconnected parks and outdoor classrooms
• Recommendation 5.9 Incorporate water quality
  best management practices in all public
  landscapes

• Recommendation 5.10 Identify brownfield sites
  for potential open space acquisition
• Recommendation 5.11 Daylight historic streams
  that once flowed into the River

Environmental learning at Richard Lillard Outdoor
Classroom
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Goal Enhance River Identity
Green the Neighborhoods (cont.)

• Recommendation 5.12 Identify physical
  opportunities to improve the visibility of the
  River Corridor
• Recommendation 513 Identify opportunities to
  improve public perception of the River Corridor
• Recommendation 5.14 Encourage the communities
  local and diverse character

Example potential gateway near Downtown
Sunnynook Bridge, downstream of Loz Feliz
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Goal Incorporate Public Art Along the River
Green the Neighborhoods (cont.)

• Recommendation 5.15 Identify physical
  opportunities to introduce art along the River
• Recommendation 5.16 Create a River arts
  program that reflects and celebrates the history
  of the River and the diverse cultures of its
  surrounding neighborhoods

Judith Bacas Great Wall at Tujunga Wash
One of Leo Limons stormdrain paintings
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Capture Community Opportunities
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Capture Community Opportunities

• Opportunity Areas demonstrate potential for
  ecological restoration, recreation, water quality
  improvements, and economic revitalization

• Opportunity Areas can help demonstrate approaches
  used for challenging conditions (for
  example, constrictions due to rail lines, limited
  rights-of-way in residential neighborhoods)

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Capture Community Opportunities (cont.)
Canoga Park - Preferred Alternative

• Opportunities
• Celebrate the Rivers geographic origin
• Address needs for parkland in park-poor
  neighborhoods
• Opportunities to partner with Canoga High School
  on improvements

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Capture Community Opportunities (cont.)
Canoga Park - Preferred Alternative
Note This illustration is a concept that is
still under study for hydraulic and regulatory
feasibility.
Changes to land use yet to be determined
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Capture Community Opportunities (cont.)
Canoga Park - Preferred Alternative
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River Glen - Preferred Alternative

• Opportunities
• Demonstrate regional-scale water quality
  treatment at the Verdugo Wash confluence
• Preserve and improve industrial property
• Connect communities and equestrian uses across
  the River to Griffith Park
• Create a continuous green connection along east
  river bank

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Capture Community Opportunities (cont.)
River Glen - Preferred Alternative
Note This illustration is a concept that is
still under study for hydraulic and regulatory
feasibility.
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Capture Community Opportunities (cont.)
River Glen - Preferred Alternative
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Taylor Yard Preferred Alternative

• Opportunities
• Demonstrate regional-scale water quality
  treatment
• Create green connections on east and west banks,
  and connections to parks and neighborhoods
• Remove concrete and naturalize the River channel
• Restore a significantly large amount of habitat
  along the River

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Capture Community Opportunities (cont.)
Taylor Yard - Preferred Alternative
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Capture Community Opportunities (cont.)
Taylor Yard - Preferred Alternative
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Chinatown-Cornfields - Preferred Alternative

• Opportunities
• Create significant new community and economic
  values
• Create areas for water access and water-based
  recreation
• Restore significant habitat
• Develop park and green connections,
• Develop connection from Los Angeles State
  Historic Park to the river
• Redevelopment of existing school and updated
  public housing

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Capture Community Opportunities (cont.)
Chinatown-Cornfields Area - Preferred Alternative
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Capture Community Opportunities (cont.)
Chinatown-Cornfields Area - Preferred Alternative
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Downtown Industrial Area - Preferred Alternative

• Opportunities
• Create street-end parks and water access areas
• Create green street and bike path connections on
  the east and west sides of the River
• Demonstrate how to integrate rail lines within
  the Opportunity Area
• Protect existing industrial land uses
• Overlay "green" building requirements to improve
  quality and connections

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Capture Community Opportunities (cont.)
Downtown Industrial Area - Preferred Alternative
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Capture Community Opportunities (cont.)
Downtown Industrial Area - Preferred Alternative
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River Management Framework
RiverAuthority
RevitalizationCorporation
RiverFoundation
A cooperativeagreement betweenthe City the
Countyfor the RiverRight-of-Way withArmy Corps
participationby MOU
A nonprofit,nongovernmentalorganization
taskedwith implementingthe Plan throughland
development andproject management
A nonprofit organizationtasked with
raisingfunds to supportthe ongoingrevitalizatio
n of theRiver
Entrepreneurial
Governmental
Philanthropic
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River Management Framework (cont.)
River Improvement Overlay (RIO)

• An overlay district allows for coordinated
  development along the 32-mile length of the Los
  Angeles River in the City.
• An overlay district allows consistent design
  standards and guidelines to be applied through a
  streamlined, collaborative review process.
• An overlay district allows the City to link
  watershed and water quality objectives with land
  use planning.
• The Department of City Planning is here to
  discuss this topic
• Please stop by and visit!

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Creating Value Benefits of Revitalization
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Benefits of Revitalization
Creating Value (cont.)

• Improved natural environment and a healthy,
  functioning River
• Improved water quality throughout the River
  Corridor
• Significant expansion of Citys open space system
• Increased tourism and recreation-related revenues
• Creation of new jobs
• Increased economic investment and tax revenues

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Economic Benefit Analysis
Creating Value (cont.)

• Opportunity Areas were used to demonstrate
  possible economic development outcomes of the
  Plan
• Two land use scenarios were developed for each of
  the Opportunity Areas analyzed
• One medium-density, and one higher-density
  alternative
• The analysis considered building distribution and
  mix, heights, densities, and land uses
• Resulting number of jobs, wages, consumption from
  job income, and tax revenues were identified

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Economic Benefit Analysis (cont.)
Creating Value (cont.)

• 2.9 to 5.7 billion in estimated development
  investment
• Estimated long-term increase in new jobs ranging
  from 9,000 to 17,000
• Estimated long-term annual wages increases
  ranging from 360 million to 740 million
• Estimated long-term tax revenue increases
• Sales tax ranging from 7 to 14 million,
  annually
• State income tax ranging from 20 to 40
  million, annually
• Property tax ranging from 49 to 96 million,
  annually
• Utility tax ranging from 1.5 to 3 million,
  annually

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Implementation
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Implementation (cont.)

• 239 potential projects along the River Corridor

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Implementation (cont.)
Potential Projects
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Implementation (cont.)
Potential Projects
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Implementation (cont.)
Potential Projects
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Potential Funding Sources
Implementation (cont.)
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Significant Milestones
April 2007 City Adopts LARRMP and
PEIR/S Community process to establish the
RIO Community process to update affected
Community Plans Completion of Army Corps of
Engineers feasibility study
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Saturday, February 24th 1000 am-1230
pm Hollenbeck Middle School 2510 E. 6th
Street Boyle Heights Tuesday, February
27th 630-900 pm Canoga Park High School
(Auditorium) 6850 Topanga Canyon Boulevard Canoga
Park Wednesday, February 28th 630-900
pm Metropolitan Water District (Board Room) 700
N. Alameda Street Los Angeles
DRAFT