City Gives Go Ahead to the Army Corps of Engineers to Begin Restoration
A plan to have the Army Corps of Engineers alter the Los Angeles River for the purpose of ecosystem restoration was approved by a Los Angeles City Council committee. The $8.1-million approved plan is part of the larger $1.6-billion effort to revitalize an 11-mile stretch of the river and return it from the concrete channel… Read more »
Chinatown (the Movie) Revisted: Inyo County Seeks to Take Back Water Rights Through Eminent Domain
About a century ago, agents from Los Angeles — disguised as ranchers and farmers — quietly began purchasing land in Owens Valley that held water rights. Soon, residents of Inyo County found most of their water rights now belonged to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (“DWP”). DWP imports the water to Los… Read more »
California High Speed Rail Authority Moving Forward in Los Angeles
Despite continued efforts to derail the bullet train and the decision to build the train to San Jose first, the California High-Speed Rail Authority has been authorized to acquire its first two pieces of property in downtown Los Angeles. Last Friday, the state Public Works Board, which oversees the acquisition of property and fiscal… Read more »
Los Angeles River Revitalization Moves Forward With Crucial Land Purchase
In an effort to restore an 11-mile stretch of the Los Angeles River, the L.A. City Council voted, unanimously, to close escrow on a 42-acre rail yard, known as G2 plot, for $59.3 million. Mayor Eric Garcetti believes the land is the crown jewel in their plan to enliven the Los Angeles River. The… Read more »
California Eminent Domain Project News: Initial Segment of High Speed Rail Reduced by 8 Miles
A settlement agreement between the City of Bakersfield and California High Speed Rail Authority (“CHSRA”) has resulted in an eight mile reduction of the initial 130-mile segment of the high speed rail in part of the Central Valley. Last December, CHSRA and the City of Bakersfield settled a lawsuit brought by Bakersfield city officials concerning… Read more »
California Eminent Domain Project News: CHSRA’s Proposed Palmdale to Burbank Routes Get Opposition from Southern California Cities and Residents
Opposition to the California High Speed Rail project is growing as Southern Californians’ concerns appear to be increasing over the proposed routes for the $68 billion bullet train’s Palmdale to Burbank segment. Approximately 300 city officials and residents from various Southern California cities attended California High Speed Rail Authority’s (“CHSRA”) Board meeting on Tuesday in… Read more »
Rebirth of Redevelopment in California: Impairing Private Property Rights or Revitalization?
In a 63-13 vote, Assembly Bill 2, authored by Assemblyman Luis Alejo, D-Salinas, passed in the California State Assembly last week. The bill allows for so-called “Community Revitalization Investment Authorities” – essentially redevelopment agencies with a different title – to acquire private property through eminent domain and make it available to big developers with the… Read more »
California High Speed Rail Project: Relocation Considerations for Displaced Businesses, Farms and Non-Profits
The California High Speed Rail project has been slowly, but surely, picking up its pace of property acquisition in the Central Valley. So far, the State Public Works Board has adopted 192 resolutions of necessity declaring the CHSRA’s intent to file eminent domain actions in court to acquire properties. Last month alone, CHSRA approved resolutions… Read more »
California Eminent Domain Project News: Crenshaw/LAX Transit Project, Updates and Current Issues
Construction of the Crenshaw/LAX green line has been underway for many months now. The project is planned to connect the north-south Crenshaw Line and the east-west Green Line into a monorail system that extends towards the LAX. This 8.5 mile light-rail line will include 8 stations between the Expo Line on Exposition Boulevard and the… Read more »
Studio City Residents and Community Groups Seek to Stop Property Owner’s Redevelopment Plains: Open Space vs. Condos
Open Space vs. Condos Proposed development of a portion of the privately-owned 17 acre Weddington Golf and Tennis, located on the banks of the Los Angeles River in Studio City, is a hot topic of debate between Studio City residents and the Weddington owners. The public golf and tennis facilities have been a neighborhood gem for… Read more »