Wind Advisory

Communities in the First District were hit hard by winds overnight and the situation continues with power outages, fallen trees and downed power lines. We have received the most recent reports of number of customers without power:

·Highland Park - 13,000

·Chinatown - 1,700

·Cypress Park – 9,300

·Lincoln Heights – 3,000

At the direction of my Chief of Staff Jose Gardea, we have dispatched our field deputies to survey the damage and have thus far reported more than 200 downed trees. We continue to assess damages and have sent City crews to respond to any danger from continuing gusts.

If you smell gas, or have another emergency, please call 9-1-1 immediately. Call 1-800-DIAL-DWP(800-342-5397) to report downed power lines and power outages. To report non-emergency wind-related problems, call the City’s 3-1-1 call center, which will be open 24 hours during the wind event.

Earlier in the day, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) had urged Northeast Los Angeles residents to conserve water after a power outage had affected water pumping infrastructure that supplies water to the following communities: Mt. Washington, Mt. Hermon, Monterey Hills, Cypress Park, Glassell Park, Montecito Heights. Thankfully, the LADWP announced this late afternoon that this water conservation alert has been lifted.

Thank you for your patience.

Reyes torches last bike marker on downtown L.A.'s first bikeway

(Photo credit: Office of Councilmember Ed P. Reyes)

(Photo credit: Joe Linton)

(Photo credit: Los Angeles Department of Transportation)


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Monica Valencia
September 8, 2011 (213) 473 7001
Monica.Valencia@lacity.org

Councilmember Ed P. Reyes today torched the last bicycle marker on the 7th Street bike lanes, the first commuter bikeway in downtown L. A. The 2.2-mile bikeway is striped from Catalina Avenue to Figueroa Street through Downtown, Koreatown and Westlake—three of the most densely-populated neighborhoods.

Reyes was joined at MacArthur Park by about 100 bicycle enthusiasts, including bicyclists, day laborers, City and community leaders at the corner of 7th and Alvarado streets, across the street from the Metro Red Line station. They included the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC), Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), the City’s Department of Recreation and Parks, Central American Resource Center (CARECEN), Council for Watershed Health, Central City Neighborhood Partners and the MacArthur Park Neighborhood Council.

“We are removing a car lane, in favor of a bike lane. By doing so, we, as a city, are changing the way we see bicycles, as not only a recreational vehicle, but as a legitimate form of public transportation,” said Reyes, who spearheaded the Bicycle Master Plan. "In addition to all who joined me today, I'd like to also thank Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for his enthusiasm and leadership to help create a more bike-friendly L.A." The next phase involves extending the 7th Street bike lanes an additional 2.9 miles through Downtown to Soto Street in Boyle Heights.

“We are so proud to see through the implementation of our two year long campaign to get a bicycle lane on 7th Street,” said Jennifer Klausner, LACBC’s Executive Director. “This marks a sea change in the City improving the safety and quality of life for cyclists in one of the most transit dependent, working class neighborhoods in LA.”

Jaime de la Vega, LADOT’s General Manager, said: “It’s a great day for all Angelenos who live, work and play in the Westlake/MacArthur Park. For cyclists, drivers and pedestrians alike, these new bike lanes will also help to increase public safety.”

The Bicycle Master Plan, approved by the City in March 2011, lays out 1,680 miles of interconnected bikeways and calls for more than 200 miles of new bicycle routes every five years Citywide, including along the Los Angeles River. The Plan will be implemented in part using funds from Measure R, a half-cent sales tax increase approved by voters in 2008 to fund transportation projects.

# # #

Reyes, bicyclists in fast lane for first bikeway in downtown L.A.

(Photo: Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Monica Valencia
September 7, 2011 (213) 473-7001
Monica.Valencia@lacity.org

Reyes, Bicyclists in Fast Lane for First Bikeway in Downtown L.A.

WHAT: Councilmember Ed P. Reyes, joined by bicyclists pedaling into MacArthur Park, will celebrate the first commuter bike lanes in downtown Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation will paint the final bicycle marking to complete the first phase of bike lanes on 7th Street. The 2.2-mile bike lanes are striped from Catalina Avenue to Figueroa Street through Downtown, Koreatown and Westlake—three of the City’s most densely-populated neighborhoods.
WHEN: Thursday, September 8, 2011 at 9 a.m.
WHERE: MacArthur Park(at 7th and Alvarado Street)
WHO: Councilmember Ed P. Reyes
Jennifer Klausner, Executive Director, Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition
Kang Hu, Senior Transportation Engineer, Department of Transportation
José Veliz, day labor organizer, Central American Resource Center (CARECEN)

DETAILS: The 7th Street bike lanes are part of the City's Bicycle Master Plan, spearheaded by Councilmember Reyes. The next phase involves extending the 7th Street bike lanes an additional 2.9 miles through Downtown to Soto Street in Boyle Heights. The Plan lays out 1,680 miles of interconnected bikeways and calls for more than 200 miles of new bicycle routes every five years Citywide, including along the Los Angeles River. The Plan will be implemented in part using funds from Measure R, a half-cent sales tax increase approved by voters in 2008 to fund transportation projects. The Plan was developed to encourage alternative transportation options and promote safe and healthy living, especially in Los Angeles' urban neighborhoods.

# # #

North Spring Street Bridge-Proposed Design Plans

Help make the North Spring Street Bridge more bike- and pedestrian-friendly at a Community Meeting tonight, May 10, from 6-8 p.m. at the Lincoln Heights Senior Citizen Center, 2323 Workman Ave. Information/Para información en Español llamé:
(323) 342-226      end_of_the_skype_highlighting1
The proposed bridge design plans(above) will be discussed at tonight's meeting.

Weigh in on future of North Spring Street Bridge

Many of you walk, ride and drive across the North Spring Street Bridge to get to and from work, school, recreational activities and home. We want to hear from you! Come to a community meeting TONIGHT to discuss the future of the bridge and how to make it safer and more accessible. The design option that will be discussed can be viewed at this Flickr link. Light Refreshments will be served.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011
6–8 p.m.
Lincoln Heights Senior Citizen Center
2323 Workman Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90031