Objectives of the Master Plan

Project Background & Purpose

The Los Angeles River flows 51 miles through some the most diverse communities in Southern California. It stretches 32 miles within the City of Los Angeles alone, from Owensmouth in the upper reaches of the northwest San Fernando Valley, all the way to the border with Vernon at the southern end of Downtown. The River is typically dry during summer months, and can become a river filled with racing waters during the rainy season. The Los Angeles River has a compelling history and innate natural beauty of which many Angelenos are unaware.

For many years, community leaders, elected officials, concerned citizens, environmental groups, recreational groups, and local visionaries have been involved in exploring ways to return the splendor of the River to the people of Los Angeles while maintaining flood protection and safety. Building on this momentum, Councilman Ed Reyes led efforts in 2002 to establish the Los Angeles City Council Ad Hoc Committee on the Los Angeles River to function as a clearinghouse for River projects, to encourage community involvement in River improvements, and to help coordinate River-related projects within the City. In addition to Councilman Reyes who serves as the Committee Chair, the Ad Hoc River Committee members also include Councilmembers Eric Garcetti, Wendy Greuel, Tom LaBonge and Jan Perry.

One of the most exciting initiatives shepherded over the last three years by the Ad Hoc River Committee is the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan. As a result of the Ad Hoc River Committee's efforts, and with funding from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the City of Los Angeles' Department of Public Works-Bureau of Engineering issued a Request for Proposals in 2005 for the preparation of a Revitalization Master Plan which would identify proposals that would make the Los Angeles River a "front door" to the City, and support a multitude of civic activities.

The Ad Hoc River Committee established the following broad goals for the Los Angeles River Revitalization Plan:

• Establish environmentally sensitive urban design guidelines, land use guidelines, and development guidelines for the River zone that will create economic development opportunities to enhance and improve River-adjacent communities by providing open space, housing, retail spaces such as restaurants and cafes, educational facilities, and places for other public institutions.
• Improve the environment, enhance water quality, improve water resources, and improve the ecological functioning of the River.
• Provide public access to the River.
• Provide significant recreation space and open space, new trails, and improve natural habitats to support wildlife.
• Preserve and enhance the flood control features of the River.
• Foster a growth in community awareness of the Los Angeles River, and pride in the Los Angeles River.

The 18-month Revitalization planning process will look at improvements along the project area all aimed towards celebrating neighborhoods, protecting wildlife, promoting the health of the river, and leveraging economic development. By the end of the planning process, a 20-year blueprint for development and management of the Los Angeles River will be developed for implementation by the City of Los Angeles.

A critical element of the Revitalization Master Plan will be ongoing opportunities for public involvement in the process. The plan calls for an extensive, proactive community engagement effort, and will employ multiple outreach tools, including public workshops/meetings held at key project milestones in convenient locations along the Los Angeles River, participation in appropriate neighborhood and community events, and an interactive web site (www.lariver.org).

The Revitalization Master Planning effort formally commenced in September 2005, with the first public workshops scheduled for mid October. The meeting schedule and topics are tentatively identified as follows:

SCHEDULE         TOPIC

October 05         Vision, Issues & Objectives
January 06         Framework & Options
March 06            Initiate Detailed Plans for Five River Areas  (Opportunity Areas)
June 06               Discuss Alternatives and Present Opportunity Area Concepts
September 06    Draft Channel Alternatives and Opportunity Area Concepts
February 07        Draft Revitalization Master Plan

April 07  Final Revitalization Master Plan

In July 2005, Pasadena-based Tetra Tech, Inc. was selected as the consulting team for the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Planning effort, to work closely with the City's Project Manager-the Bureau of Engineering, as well as the Office of the Mayor, the Ad Hoc River Committee, and the Department of Water and Power. This highly integrated planning effort of City and consultant staff also includes experienced firms in the disciplines of urban design and planning, landscape architecture, master planning, governance alternatives, economic development, economic modeling, environmental analysis, and community outreach.

As part of the revitalization planning effort, the consulting team will also be producing governance proposals, zoning proposals, an economic analysis of the proposed alternatives, and a Programmatic Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement.