Blogs of the LA Area Chamber
Work to Secure Federal Funds Pays Off
Gary Toebben on February 24, 2014 at 12:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
Last Thursday was payoff day for years of work to secure federal funds to supplement local Measure R dollars and ensure the safety of our regional rail service. Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Representatives Xavier Becerra and Lucille Roybal-Allard joined Metro officials Thursday morning to celebrate $670 million in federal funding for the new Downtown Regional Connector.
Welcome Investments for L.A.’s Future
Gary Toebben on February 18, 2014 at 12:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
The "grand pour" was the center of attention in downtown Los Angeles this past weekend. The continuous concrete pour of the foundation for the new Wilshire Grand hotel and office tower set a record in the Guinness Book of World Records and attracted thousands of spectators. The 1,100 foot building will be the tallest in Los Angeles and west of the Mississippi when it opens in 2017. The "grand pour" was the center of attention in downtown Los Angeles this past weekend. The continuous concrete pour of the foundation for the new Wilshire Grand hotel and office tower set a record in the Guinness Book of World Records and attracted thousands of spectators. The 1,100 foot building will be the tallest in Los Angeles and west of the Mississippi when it opens in 2017.
Help Transform L.A.’s 68 Year-Old Zoning Code
Gary Toebben on February 11, 2014 at 12:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
It has been 68 years since the City of Los Angeles did a comprehensive update of its zoning code, an important tool that plans, defines and directs the City's built environment. Over the years, the City has taken a “piecemeal” approach by amending the zoning code at will without a visionary picture of the future. This has resulted in a more than 600-page book, which represents a substantial hurdle in the modernization of Los Angeles.
Past Water System Investments Pay Big Dividends During This Drought
Gary Toebben on February 4, 2014 at 12:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
Water is one of those resources we often take for granted. The worsening drought this year is a reminder of how precious water is to our state economy. The full scope of the damage caused by this drought is still unknown as we wait for what nature will bring California the rest of this winter and spring in terms of snow and rain. But now is a good time to look back on the investments here in Southern California that are tempering the impact of this drought and look ahead at what still needs to be done to assure reliability in the future.