Here is the second
part of my interview with Los Angeles Mayoral candidate Jan Perry.
Q: Institutions like the University of Southern
California (USC) and Los Angeles Trade Tech have been an important part of the
educational landscaped Downtown. How do our educational institutions fit into
the development of our urban core today and in the future?
A: We have many
fine institutions that I have worked closely with to ensure positive growth.
The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising recently finalized their
expansion plans that includes a new sign district. They are an integral part of
the community as they are uniquely situated adjacent to the Downtown Fashion District,
which is the second largest industry in our city behind filming and entertainment.
I believe that the continued growth of their campus will support the growth of
the fashion industry in the City of Los
Angeles
Educational institutions like Los Angeles Trade Technical College
have played a major role in the positive development of Downtown and the
surrounding communities. They are training the workers of the future and are
well-positioned to train hospitality, construction and culinary workers for the
jobs that are being created today and in the future.
USC is currently going through the development of a specific
plan and development agreement with the City that will upgrade their campus and
re-imagine University Village into a retail center for the region. I
established a negotiating team to ensure that this development moves forward
while respecting the needs of the surrounding community. I believe that,
through this process, we have been able to strike a good balance that allows us
to move forward with confidence.
Q: Downtown has long been a diverse place, for people
living at all levels of the economic spectrum. In this respect, the development
landscape must mirror this. Can you tell me about how you balanced the needs of
both the people now living in Downtown LA and for future residents?
A: I have a
planning background. From the beginning, I worked to create a jobs/housing
balance in my council district. I used and developed many planning tools for
increased density and for the Downtown street standards to encourage developers
and make it easier for them to navigate the City’s entitlement process. And I
worked to preserve affordable housing. I
am a proud supporter of the Affordable and Supportive Housing Trust Fund that
enabled me to work with both the for and non-profit affordable housing
developers to leverage hundreds of millions of dollars into permanent
affordable housing for seniors, working families and the homeless. These
projects have a 55 year covenant for affordability.
Most recently, we cut the ribbon opening the YWCA Urban Job
Corp Center in South Park. This center offers job training, housing and
services for emancipated foster youth and at-risk young people. The program
provides job training and placement in the surrounding community. This includes
the jobs created by projects like Wilshire Grand and Farmers Field. I am proud
of the role that I played in this project, working with the YWCA to acquire initial
funding from the CRA and to leverage resources to finance the project that
houses 400 transitional age youth. The Downtown Women’s Center is the only
homeless service provider in Skid Row for women. The new center was made possible
because I worked to convert an ageing shoe factory into a beautiful, award
winning, adaptive reuse service enriched supportive housing and service
project. I believe that projects like
these enhance the area for more real estate investment while working to meet the
needs of the community.
Q: For any residential community to be
successful, you need the right balance of housing, jobs and amenities. What is the retail and
amenities mix of Downtown and what is the future for this sector?
A: Retail is an
important component of every community. The adaptive reuse ordinance helped
jump-start the residential component of Downtown, and along with development
came many niche businesses occupying the ground level floors of these
buildings. These small businesses continue to grow. You can see the evidence on
Main and 7th Street where restaurants, beauty stores, dry cleaners and
specialty stores have filled once empty store fronts. The entrance of big name retailers like
Ralphs, and more recently Target, have demonstrated the strong buying power
that now exists Downtown. I worked closely with both and know that this is just
the beginning for the Downtown community. The future will bring a brand new Fig
at 7th mall with attractive store fronts, a unique and appealing
food court and farmers market. I am also confident that the final phase of the
Grand Avenue project will bring more big name retail development to Downtown.
With the mix of small niche businesses and key large-scale retail operations, Downtown
will continue to grow, creating the need for more retail leases.
Q: You are running for Mayor of Los Angeles.
What lessons have you learned about real estate and development during your
time as a Councilmember that you believe will translate to your platform
citywide?
A: The biggest
lesson I have learned is that the best way to get things done is to be honest
and straight forward when it comes to development. I have lived by the
philosophy that you need to tell people what to expect and follow through in a
manner that supports their interests and goals. I directed my staff to meet
weekly with developers. It has provided them with the opportunity to present
their plans and receive feedback and provide assistance before the start of their
project. This process gave greater confidence in the entitlement process. Major
projects were addressed with multiple city agencies meeting with developers
simultaneously to sort out challenges. Developers knew what to expect in
advance. All too often, I hear that the city is confusing and difficult to
navigate. I have a reputation for streamlining the development process and
getting projects done. I would bring this same level of skill to the mayor’s
office. I worked to meet community needs and serve the interests of all of the
people I represent. I believe that a great deal can be done to restore and
stimulate development in every community in Los Angeles
I have a record of being proactive and of seeing projects to
completion. You can expect nothing less from me as your next mayor.
