Damien Newton
Recent Posts
The Sound and the Silence, Hyperion Bridge Controversy Moves Behind the Curtain
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For almost two years, the controversy surrounding the redesign of the Hyperion Bridge has been a leading story at Streetsblog. However, with the battle over the future road design of the bridge being decided by lawyers and judges rather than planners and politicians, the story has moved from the public spotlight to inaccessible private meeting […]
#DamienTalks #16: EDF’s Tim O’Connor on Reducing Petroleum Use
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Maybe you’ve seen the mailers, or the insane websites, or have heard a rant on talk radio. The petroleum industry is coming for S.B. 350, legislation that would set standards to help the State of California reduce its petroleum use by 50 percent in the coming decades. Today, #DamienTalks with Tim O’Connor, an analyst with the […]
Modacity, Formerly Vancouver Cycle Chic, Comes to L.A. and Santa Monica this October
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Los Angeles Streetsblog, Santa Monica Next, Santa Monica Spoke, and the Echo Park Film Center are proud to present “Observations from an Emerging Bicycle Culture” in Santa Monica and at the Film Center this October. The multi-media presentation will be at the Echo Park Film Center (1200 N Alvarado St) on October 8 at 8 […]
Open Thread: Yup, Bike-Share Is Coming
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Friday, the City Council formally agreed with Metro to bring over 1,000 bike-share bikes to Downtown Los Angeles as soon as “sometime in 2016.” The cost of the system will be split between Metro (35%) and the City (65%). Proceeds from naming rights will go to Metro, and advertising from the bikes and kiosks to […]
Rest in Peace, Howard Krepack
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I first met Howard Krepack in the late fall of 2010. After a brief hiatus, Streetsblog Los Angeles had just “re-launched,” backed by a new non-profit and with a budget so small that I was working full-time on a part-time contract that we couldn’t even afford. I was seeking an advertiser. Flying Pigeon was our […]
The Week in Livable Streets Events
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While it’s not technically a short week, the calendar is a little on the light side. Don’t forget, we’re not publishing next Monday. Tuesday, September 1, The State of California hosts a public workshop on how it can improve its Cap-and-Trade funding program. The workshop is 3-5 in the Metro Board Room next to Union Station. […]
#DamienTalks Episode 15: LADOT General Manager Seleta Reynolds on Vision Zero
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Today, #DamienTalks with Seleta Reynolds, the General Manager of the Los Angeles Department of Transportation about the City of Los Angeles’ recent announcement that L.A. will be a Vision Zero City. In short, that means that all planning, construction and enforcement decisions that impact the transportation grid will be based on whether or not it […]
Scramble Crosswalks Ready for Their Star Turn in Hollywood
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Responding to community concerns that the high volume of pedestrian traffic at the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue was creating an unsafe crossing, City Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell and the Department of Transportation recently announced that a “pedestrian scramble” will be installed by the end of the year. The pedestrian scramble, aka The Barnes Dance, […]
Garcetti Livable Streets Report Card Open Thread
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Last week the Los Angeles Times ran an editorial evaluating Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti at two years into his initial term of office. The article includes a report card, with various letter grades, including Leadership: C-, Vision: B+, and an overall grade of C. The Times’ report card does not focus on livability and transportation, but mentions […]
Venice Great Streets Phase 1: Road Diet, Protected Bike Lanes, Mid-Block Crossings
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(Update: While I have the term “phase 1” in my notes, I was corrected that there are no formal “phases” to the project. Right now there is only a firm plan for the transportation improvements, but will be implemented as opportunities arise, such as partnerships with community groups or businesses. They could happen before, or after, the […]
With CicLAvia in the Rearview Mirror, Mar Vista Plans for a Pop-Up Great Street
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Despite Great Streets being a signature transportation project of Mayor Eric Garcetti, throughout the city the vision, outreach, and implementation are driven by the enthusiasm of the local City Council offices. Staff in the Mayor’s Office is working closely with each of the fifteen Councilmembers to create a Great Streets program that is locally-driven and […]
Ten Reasons to Come to the Streetsblog Party at Eco-Village Tomorrow
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Come party with Streetsblog Los Angeles as we celebrate our success with the 2014 Los Angeles Press Club Awards banquet. In addition to taking home the “Best Blog” award, members of our team picked up individual honors throughout the night including Sahra Sulaiman (Best Online Feature story, 2nd for Best Online News Story, 3rd for […]