The South Park/Social District BID has a new Board Member
Daniel Aman, is the newest member of the South Park/Social District BID, the entity tasked with making our South Park neighborhood a vibrant, clean, and safe community.
Mr. Aman is the Asset Manager for the Bridgerland Group, representing the owners of the new Eden Apartments at 1340 S. Hill Street. The Eden opened about a year ago, offering 345 new rental apartments to our community. He works hand-in-hand with the management company, Greystar, one of the largest management companies in the country. (Included in Greystar’s local portfolio is the two-tower Circa Apartment project on South Figueroa.) His duties include leasing, tenant relations, and general operations for The Eden. His major focus is community building for The Eden, but, more broadly promoting “community” with other residential properties in South Park and downtown Los Angeles.
When asked what he considers the biggest challenge for our neighborhood, he replied, “Unquestionably, a solution to the Oceanwide problem. Having a massive derelict building hanging over the commercial/residential center of our neighborhood is a tremendous drag on everyone and everything.” He is anxious to be a part of the BID’s efforts to resolve this issue and feels creating a positive use for the property will go a long way toward opening doors to a vibrant future for South Park. “Especially with the Olympics coming to Los Angeles in a few short years. We’ve got to find a solution to the Oceanwide issue – now!”
Mr. Aman was previously employed by the Port of San Diego in the redevelopment and revitalization of Seaport Village in downtown San Diego and was part of the $200,000,000 effort to recreate the amenity into a major attraction where visitors and locals alike would “go and hang out.” He intends to bring his experience with Seaport Village to South Park and is especially excited about the potential for creating a major draw in the proposed SuperBloc concept for 11th street between LA Live and Broadway. He has many ideas about creating a vibrant area by closing several blocks to traffic and creating a large public space that would pull people from the Convention venues across Figueroa, thereby creating dramatic commercial boost to our neighborhood economy. “I love the idea. I think it would be great to create more walkability in South Park and it would be fun to see people hanging out and having a good time in a community gathering area. I know the SuperBloc would encourage that. I’m excited to see how this goes and takes shape.”
The conversation turned to how the South Park Neighborhood Association (SPNA) could join with the BID in enhancing and growing the residential and commercial benefits of South Park for its residents and visitors. He recognizes that the BID is more focused on the commercial aspects of the neighborhood while SPNA’s focus is more on its residents. He sees “a ton of crossover between our two organizations” and feels there is unlimited strength in the concept of community creation. “At the end of the day, we are on the same mission, and we should be collaborating, working together, and finding where our goals overlap.” In closing, he related his excitement of being a part of South Park and the BID and hoping all participants can cooperate and contribute to a lasting impact on the community. I found Mr. Aman to be a very personable and positive individual, fully capable of making this happen!
By John Nilsson