In the early hours of Saturday, April 19, a depraved individual used a chainsaw to cut down almost two dozen healthy, mature trees on the streets of DTLA.  Many citizens were outraged and took immediate action. Community outcry was voiced through several citizen petitions, many emails, and calls to CD 14, LAPD, LA Mayor Bass, and the LA City Council demanding immediate action to apprehend the perpetrator and to replace the damaged trees.

A packed Council Chamber watched the LA City Council vote in favor of a phased plan for the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) expansion project estimated at $2.2 billion with completion by 2029, with a pause during the Olympics. SPNA (South Park Neighborhood Association), DTLA RA (DTLA Residents Association), and South Park BID (Business Improvement District) spoke on behalf of the project at the Economic Development and Jobs Committee meeting on April 8 and again at the LA City Council meeting on April 9.

LAPD Captain Anthony Espinoza presented to the Community Police Advisory Board (CPAB) LAPD’s planned city-wide system of video cameras feeding into a central command center that would provide a 24-hour monitoring of crime events as they occur. The result is an efficient and effective real time response to illegal and/or dangerous incidents.  The system has been labeled “LAPD Real Time,” and is expected to go live later this year with one center in each bureau. The Central Division Bureau, which includes South Park, will be the first to go live.

Amid rising public safety concerns in Downtown Los Angeles, the South Park Neighborhood Association (SPNA) has unveiled a bold new initiative to implement a community-driven CCTV (closed circuit television) network aimed at reducing crime, improving neighborhood livability, and strengthening community trust. 

A proposed bill in the California legislature (AB 342) would allow local governments to establish “hospitality zones” where 4 am liquor licenses would be allowed. Earlier this month Matt Haney, State Representative from San Francisco and author of the bill, held a press conference at the LA Convention Center.

Another year has passed.  One year ago, the LA City Council told developers they had until February 17, 2024, to remove the graffiti, and yet we still have graffiti on every part of the Oceanwide complex. After estimating the cost of $1 million in taxpayer money to paint over the tagging, the LA Office of Community Beautification decided that the City should not incur the cost of cleaning graffiti on a privately-owned building.

April 14th, our neighborhood was treated to an unforgettable evening of comedy at The Upstairs Comedy Room (14th and Los Angeles), where the legendary Guy Torry, best known for creating and hosting the iconic Phat Tuesdays comedy showcase, took the stage as host. Phat Tuesday’s re-emergence in DTLA brought a fresh burst of humor to our community and it’s safe to say, it was very much needed laughs for everyone in attendance.

The anticipated new wine bar, Wine Station, is opening its doors in South Park mid-May. The quaint space on the ground floor of Hope + Flower on the Hope Street side features intentionally designed communal tables, inviting a coterie of locals and friends to gather and toast.

Javier’s – Finest Foods of Mexico - opens its sixth restaurant and first in downtown LA on May 2 in the Circa property at the corner of 12th and Flower in South Park.

Truly an iconic South Park fixture, Hygge Bakery & Café, and then under new ownership, Dreads Caribbean on Hope at 11th, was a charming place that had miraculously stood the test of time in a neighborhood where many businesses have come and gone. Now after a 16-year legacy, they’ve closed shop.

Join us at the Home and Garden Park Market in Wishbone Park (on Grand between 11th and 12thStreets) on Sunday, May 18 from 11 am to 4 pm presented by Just Buy the Thing Market and South Park Neighborhood Association (SPNA).

SPNA’s The Scene newsletter photographer, John Nilsson, is featured at the Los Angeles Center of Photography

In LA at 2 am, every bar must legally stop selling alcohol. Matt Haney State Representative from San Francisco, has proposed a bill in the California legislature (AB 342) for local governments to establish “hospitality zones” where a 4 am liquor license would be allowed on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and certain state holidays. Haney said the bill aims to revitalize downtown areas.

Forty-five + South Park residents and several downtown residents attended CD14 Councilmember Ysabel Jurado’s Drop-In event on Monday, March 24 at the South Park BID office from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

Déjà vu. On March 10 at 1:43 am, 100 LAFD firefighters returned to the scene of a November 25, 2024, fire on Flower Street south of Pico to tackle another fire. The new fire included two unoccupied buildings, heavy flames, and smoke resulted in shutting down the Metro Blue (A) and Gold (E) lines running through Pico Station. Debris from the fire caused the Metro lines to remain closed the rest of the day after the fire was contained.

The Los Angeles Police Department reports crime is down, but issues related to quality of life have increased. The report came at the March 20, meeting of the Central Area Community Police Advisory Board (CPAB) held at the Central Station near Skid Row attended by four South Park residents and the LAPD senior lead officer covering South Park, Silvia Padilla.

Ysabel Jurado, CD14 LA City Council Member, speaking at the State of the Neighborhood hosted by the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council (DLANC), noted that downtown is “not as vibrant as it used to be.” She asked the audience to “share with me your vision of the future.” With a $1 billion deficit in the LA budget due to the wildfires, Jurado said we need to form partnerships and “think outside the box.” She is currently on a listening tour in neighborhoods in her district. She was in South Park on March 24. See related article in this newsletter.

  Local businesses are what define a neighborhood.  Taking out-of-town visitors to your favorite neighborhood restaurant or running errands close to home are literally what define a neighborhood.