A total of 51 community participants filled out some important responses to the survey questions at the December 2nd Phase 3 workshop. Those comments are now available here or at projects and planning -> presentations and survey results.
We thank everyone who participated.
The December 2nd Phase 3 workshop at the Silver Lake Rec Center attracted upwards of 100 people curious to see how the results of the survey and discussions from the September 16th workshop were translated into a plan for the Meadow and the Eucalyptus Grove. The display of presentation boards showed minimal changes to the areas, with new designs limited to a couple of paths and some benches that focus on water views within the natural surroundings, away from the noise of the traffic and urban activities. Attendees made use of the workshop to ask question and leave additional comments. The full text of those comments will be available here in the coming days.
Due to great interest throughout the community in focusing on the reservoir property as a resource for wildlife awareness and native California habitats, Julie Van Wagner from the Environmental Management Division of the Bureau of Engineering (BOE) enlisted Wildlife Biologist Mark Blain from BonTerra Consulting to answer any questions or concerns about wildlife on the property. Elements of the MLA design highlight wildlife observation, protections and enhancements through the use of corridor passageways under any new fences. While the new landcaping intends to preserve the existing appearance of the Meadow, any additional features will primarily consist of native plant selections and a demonstration garden designed to attract various species of birds and other critters indigenous to the area.
The LADWP will be relining many of its aging water mains under our streets, causing traffic and noise impacts beginning late 2006 and continuing through the spring of 2007. In a process known as cement-lining, workers will excavate pits at intervals along the street, cut into water mains and send in a robotic device that chisels away corrosion and sprays a fresh coat of cement inside the pipe. See the LADWP brochure on the process for more information. The entire project should take about four months, with each individual site requiring approximately four weeks from start to finish. Per LADOT recommendations, lane closures on Glendale Boulevard will be well-marked with orange signs, and the closures will be limited to between 9 AM and 3 PM daily.
The streets on the map above that have bold lines will have the cement-lining process performed on their water mains. All residents and businesses in areas impacted by the project will receive notification by mail and some areas will also receive hand-delivered notices.
The September 16th, 2006 community workshop at Marshall High School was hosted by Eric Garcetti, Tom LaBonge, and Jon Kirk Mukri, General Manager of the Los Angeles Department of Recreation & Parks. Approximately 150 Silver Lake residents packed into the Teachers Cafeteria to share their opinions with the Mia Lehrer & Associates team in charge of the study of opening the Meadow and the Eucalyptus Grove for day use.
CSSLR provided a survey for attendees to answer questions and give their feedback. The results are in. The survey consisted of multiple choice questions, but respondents were encouraged to offer comments and suggestions. Surveys of this sort help to guide CSSLR in its mission to represent the community on reservoir issues, not to render or imply a majority opinion.
Tables were set up with aerial photos and markers to allow for direct input. The tables were moderated by landscape architects, Mia Lehrer & Associates, and allowed for lively debate regarding any impact access to the Meadow and the Eucalyptus Grove would have on the surrounding neighborhood and any wildlife habitats that may exist in or near those areas. Other tables were set up to get feedback about traffic concerns and additional future uses of the reservoir property.
