Save LA Urban Garden @ 41st & Alameda
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Author:
n/a -
Send To:
Jan Perry & Mayor Hahn
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Sponsored By:
Committee to Save the Los Angeles Urban Garden @ 41st and Alameda. -
More Info at:
Save the Los Angeles Urban Garden @ 41st and Alameda
CLOSURE OF OUR LOCAL GARDEN
We have been informed that our garden, located at 1727 E. 41st, Los Angeles, CA 90058, is going to be closing at the end of the year.
Background: The city Los Angeles acquired the property from owner Ralph Horowitz through eminent domain, and with the condition that the owner had first right of refusal if the land was to ever be sold again. Eminent domain means that it is supposed to be used for the good of the community. In the same manner that Chavez Ravine was supposed to be used for low-income housing. In the end Chavez Ravine was given away to the Dodgers for less than it was purchased for. The original proposal was to put a trash recycling/incineration facility that was opposed by the Concerned Citizens of South Central Los Angeles. At the time there was racial, economic, and political tension around the Rodney King incident and the city abandoned the project. The property was sold to the Harbor Department as part of the Alameda Corridor development. The harbor department only used a small portion of the land.
Mr. Horowitz sued the city of Los Angeles when he was not given the first right of refusal and after 5 years the courts have ruled on his favor.
What about the Gardeners???????
Local gardeners have been working the 1st lot for over 12 years and the second lot for over 8 years. This is a very long period of time in realty years. Every plot has been invested with great effort to make them productive. This has included the introduction of organic matter, fertilizers, fencing, diversified seed stock, and most importantly, hard labor. Up to this point no gardener was informed of the true fate of his or her small productive garden plot.
Why has our representative democracy ignored the investiture of 300 gardeners and their families?
Vernon, a city the size of 5.16 square miles ( 3584 acres), where the urban garden constitutes a 0.4\%, has been made up of mainly industrial warehouses and low-income residents. These residents occupy the top 5th position in lowest median income cities, Communities with the Highest and Lowest Median Family Incomes Los Angeles County, 1990 Census. Where Rolling hills holds the top position with $150,001 vs. Vernon with a median income of $16,250. The income earning of this population has increased a mere $2479 ( 13\% increase) from 1990 to 1999 (City of Los Angeles Demographics 1990 & 2000 Census). Considering a median income of $18,000/year and a monthly rent/mortgage of $800 /month, this would leave the family with $700.00/month for food, family needs, transportation (whether public or private). It does not take a Richard Feyman to figure out that families have to rely on alternative strategies to provide for the family caloric consumption.
Those having had the chance of acquiring an urban garden plot, rely heavily on the productivity of their land to supplement the family caloric intake. A family can easily cut a 1/3 of the grocery bill by working the garden plot. Los Angeles weather allows for up to four productive harvests. This, of course, requires aggressive farming techniques that involve composting, elimination of stubborn weeds, pesky pathogens, fungus, and hard labor. A secondary product of these gardens is that while those residents who were not able to acquire a garden plot still rely on the other gardeners as a great source of alternative produce supply. Many of these gardeners sell their surplus to local residents for a greatly discounted value as compared to the local agri-business distributors.
Currently, there are approximately 300 garden plots and these plots supplement the caloric intake of the gardeners and their families while additionally providing their surplus to the local residents. 80\% of the produce grown by the gardeners is not in direct competition with the local retailers. Most of the produce grown is specific to the cultural expression of the gardeners. Mexicans will grow different produce as compared to those from El Salvador, adding to the diversity of the produce.
Our Position: Aqui estamos y no nos vamos!
It is the resolve of the urban gardeners that they have invested over a decade in making fallow ground extremely productive. Rumors have been offered that relocation would be an option to the gardeners, but where in Los Angeles County will you find 13.66 acres of contiguous land just waiting for marginalized people? Clearly, it seems easier to relocate warehouses than living plants and trees that have taken years to grow and make productive. The gardeners resolve to persevere at the current location of 1727 E. 41st, Los Angeles, CA 90058.
Please help inform the politicians about your support for the gardeners. Please contact the following people and let them know we don't want to lose our garden!!!!
Councilwoman Jan Perry
Ninth District
200 N. Spring Street
Suite 420 City Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90012
jperry@council.lacity.org
(323) 846-2651
Also the Mayor's
Mayor James K. Hahn
Constituent Service Department
200 N. Spring Street, Room 303
City Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90012
MayorHahn@mayor.lacity.org
(213) 978-0721
You can contact us at:
Committee to Save the Los Angeles Urban Garden @ 41st and Alameda.
7309 Clybourn Ave Suite 1
Sun Valley, CA 91352
818 255-1483
tezozomoc@hotmail.com
CLOSURE OF OUR LOCAL GARDEN
We have been informed that our garden, located at 1727 E. 41st, Los Angeles, CA 90058, is going to be closing at the end of the year.
Background: The city Los Angeles acquired the property from owner Ralph Horowitz through eminent domain, and with the condition that the owner had first right of refusal if the land was to ever be sold again. Eminent domain means that it is supposed to be used for the good of the community. In the same manner that Chavez Ravine was supposed to be used for low-income housing. In the end Chavez Ravine was given away to the Dodgers for less than it was purchased for. The original proposal was to put a trash recycling/incineration facility that was opposed by the Concerned Citizens of South Central Los Angeles. At the time there was racial, economic, and political tension around the Rodney King incident and the city abandoned the project. The property was sold to the Harbor Department as part of the Alameda Corridor development. The harbor department only used a small portion of the land.
Mr. Horowitz sued the city of Los Angeles when he was not given the first right of refusal and after 5 years the courts have ruled on his favor.
What about the Gardeners???????
Local gardeners have been working the 1st lot for over 12 years and the second lot for over 8 years. This is a very long period of time in realty years. Every plot has been invested with great effort to make them productive. This has included the introduction of organic matter, fertilizers, fencing, diversified seed stock, and most importantly, hard labor. Up to this point no gardener was informed of the true fate of his or her small productive garden plot.
Why has our representative democracy ignored the investiture of 300 gardeners and their families?
Vernon, a city the size of 5.16 square miles ( 3584 acres), where the urban garden constitutes a 0.4\%, has been made up of mainly industrial warehouses and low-income residents. These residents occupy the top 5th position in lowest median income cities, Communities with the Highest and Lowest Median Family Incomes Los Angeles County, 1990 Census. Where Rolling hills holds the top position with $150,001 vs. Vernon with a median income of $16,250. The income earning of this population has increased a mere $2479 ( 13\% increase) from 1990 to 1999 (City of Los Angeles Demographics 1990 & 2000 Census). Considering a median income of $18,000/year and a monthly rent/mortgage of $800 /month, this would leave the family with $700.00/month for food, family needs, transportation (whether public or private). It does not take a Richard Feyman to figure out that families have to rely on alternative strategies to provide for the family caloric consumption.
Those having had the chance of acquiring an urban garden plot, rely heavily on the productivity of their land to supplement the family caloric intake. A family can easily cut a 1/3 of the grocery bill by working the garden plot. Los Angeles weather allows for up to four productive harvests. This, of course, requires aggressive farming techniques that involve composting, elimination of stubborn weeds, pesky pathogens, fungus, and hard labor. A secondary product of these gardens is that while those residents who were not able to acquire a garden plot still rely on the other gardeners as a great source of alternative produce supply. Many of these gardeners sell their surplus to local residents for a greatly discounted value as compared to the local agri-business distributors.
Currently, there are approximately 300 garden plots and these plots supplement the caloric intake of the gardeners and their families while additionally providing their surplus to the local residents. 80\% of the produce grown by the gardeners is not in direct competition with the local retailers. Most of the produce grown is specific to the cultural expression of the gardeners. Mexicans will grow different produce as compared to those from El Salvador, adding to the diversity of the produce.
Our Position: Aqui estamos y no nos vamos!
It is the resolve of the urban gardeners that they have invested over a decade in making fallow ground extremely productive. Rumors have been offered that relocation would be an option to the gardeners, but where in Los Angeles County will you find 13.66 acres of contiguous land just waiting for marginalized people? Clearly, it seems easier to relocate warehouses than living plants and trees that have taken years to grow and make productive. The gardeners resolve to persevere at the current location of 1727 E. 41st, Los Angeles, CA 90058.
Please help inform the politicians about your support for the gardeners. Please contact the following people and let them know we don't want to lose our garden!!!!
Councilwoman Jan Perry
Ninth District
200 N. Spring Street
Suite 420 City Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90012
jperry@council.lacity.org
(323) 846-2651
Also the Mayor's
Mayor James K. Hahn
Constituent Service Department
200 N. Spring Street, Room 303
City Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90012
MayorHahn@mayor.lacity.org
(213) 978-0721
You can contact us at:
Committee to Save the Los Angeles Urban Garden @ 41st and Alameda.
7309 Clybourn Ave Suite 1
Sun Valley, CA 91352
818 255-1483
tezozomoc@hotmail.com
945 Signatures
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Mr Tezozomoc
- Position:
- No
- Comments:
- Keep the garden, move the warehouses
- Address:
- 7309 Clybourn Ave Suite 1
- City, State, Zipcode
- Sun Valley, CA 91352
-
Rufina Juarez
- Address:
- 254 So. Ave 18th
- City, State, Zipcode
- Los Angeles, CA 90031
-
David Olivo
- Position:
- No
- Address:
- 401 S. Burnside Ave. #6E
- City, State, Zipcode
- Los Angeles, CA 90036
-
Jennifer Wolch
- Position:
- No
- Comments:
- Food security in low-income communities is important. This garden is not only an oasis of green in a heavily industrialized and polluted area of the city, but also supplies many fresh foods to low-income families. It should be maintained or if absolutely necessary, relocated with sufficient transition funding.
- Address:
- 3620 S. Vermont Ave.
- City, State, Zipcode
- Los Angeles, CA 90089-0255
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James Rojas
- Address:
- 725 S. Spring Street
- City, State, Zipcode
- LA, CA 90014
-
Eusebio Alcala
- Position:
- No
- Address:
- 725 S. Spring Street #12
- City, State, Zipcode
- Los Angeles, CA 90014
-
david marquez
- Position:
- No
- Address:
- 4079 glenalbyn dr
- City, State, Zipcode
- los angeles, ca, 90065
-
Carolina Quezada
- Comments:
- The gardners deserve to have a voice in this process--- LA also needs more green space; let's fight for better environmental policy in this city!
- Address:
- 1010 S. McBride
- City, State, Zipcode
- Los Angeles, CA 90022
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John C. Arroyo
- Position:
- No
- Comments:
- Los Angeles does not have many available spaces for green space. Please use this opportunity as model to set a precendence for the support of urban gardens in any type of neighborhood. Those who seek to improve their community should be rewarded, not opposed.
- Address:
- 303 North Herbert Avenue
- City, State, Zipcode
- Los Angeles, CA 90063
-
ray delgado
- Address:
- po box 40416
- City, State, Zipcode
- downey, ca, 90241
-
Beatriz Ochoa
- Address:
- 1344 Pennsylvania Ave.
- City, State, Zipcode
- Los Angeles, CA 90033
-
Teresa Lucky
- Position:
- No
- Comments:
- This is Chavez Ravine all over again, where government thinks it knows what is right for the community. I live one block away from the community garden in Alambra that sites on very valuable property, however the city and community know that this garden has value beyond real estate. One more warehouse in not going to solve the problems of South LA. If fact warehouses are the problem in that community the deperately needs open space. I was lucky enough the visit this magical garden where predominately Latinos families garden. The taking of this garden is a slap in the face for the Latino Community. Where are our Latino Elects?
- Address:
- 313 S. Cordova
- City, State, Zipcode
- Alhambra, CA. 91801
-
ericka ochoa
- Address:
- 1615 Kearney St.
- City, State, Zipcode
- Los Angeles, CA 90033
-
Gilbert Estrada
- Position:
- No
- Comments:
- Open Space and Community Gardens are Vital to a Strong and Healthy Community
- Address:
- P.O. Box 911184
- City, State, Zipcode
- Los Angeles, CA. 90091
-
Jeremy Delgado
- Position:
- No
- Address:
- 10724 Chaney ave
- City, State, Zipcode
- Downey, Ca, 90241
-
Jennifer Murphy
- Comments:
- The educational value alone makes this project invaluable.
- Address:
- 900 Exposition Blvd
- City, State, Zipcode
- Los Angeles CA 90007
-
Adrian Alvarez
- Position:
- No
- Address:
- One Gateway Plaza MS99-22-2
- City, State, Zipcode
- LA, CA 90012
-
Julie Madsen
- Address:
- 2123 SE Ash
- City, State, Zipcode
- Portland, Or 97214
-
John Graham
- Address:
- 1400 N Martel
- City, State, Zipcode
- L.A., CA 90046
-
Omar Rodriguez
- Position:
- No
- Comments:
- Corporate America has a social reponsability to create wealth by using means that avoid harm to, protect, and enhance societal assets of a community.
- Address:
- 750 S. Crocker St.
- City, State, Zipcode
- Los Angeles CA 90021
-
Katerli Bounds
- Address:
- 3816 1/2 S.Figueroa
- City, State, Zipcode
- LA, CA 90037
-
Michelle Wong
- Position:
- No
- Comments:
- Don not ignore your consituents over big money interests
- Address:
- 3520 White House Place
- City, State, Zipcode
- Los Angeles , CA 90004
-
Dean Thomas
- Position:
- No
- Comments:
- Let's turn all brown lots into garden. Empowerment to the people !now. No more
- Address:
- 3522 White House Place
- City, State, Zipcode
- Los Angeles, CA 90004
-
Kathryn Karsh
- Address:
- 5116 Highland Rd APT 65
- City, State, Zipcode
- Baton Rouge, LA 70808
-
Paco John Verin
- Position:
- No
- Comments:
- Please visit the garden. Spend a few hours there, preferably in silence. Let your experience in the space inform your decision. Do not make a decision about this essential natural space in abstact thoughts from office space isolated from nature. Thank you very much for your consideration.
- Address:
- 260 West Pastorius St.
- City, State, Zipcode
- Philadelphia, PA 19144
-
amy anderson
- Address:
- 530 Molino St. #206
- City, State, Zipcode
- Los Angeles CA 90013
-
Cris Arzate
- Address:
- 225 n san marino ave
- City, State, Zipcode
- san gabriel ca 91775
-
MaryBeth Quinn
- Position:
- No
- Comments:
- save the garden!
- Address:
- 2710 Grant Street
- City, State, Zipcode
- Bellingham, WA 98225
-
David Schogel
- Address:
- 402 W. Manheim Street
- City, State, Zipcode
- Philadelphia, PA 19144
-
Manal Aboelata
- Comments:
- This garden is an asset to the community
- Address:
- PO Box 8480
- City, State, Zipcode
- LA, CA 90008
-
Sherin Larijani
- Comments:
- Save the Garden!!
- Address:
- 1210 Peralta Ave
- City, State, Zipcode
- Berkeley, CA 94706
-
Mauro Arteaga Jr.
- Address:
- 1619 Broadland Ave.
- City, State, Zipcode
- Duarte, Ca. 91010
-
Jamie Anderson
- Address:
- 1103 5th St
- City, State, Zipcode
- Davis, CA 95616
-
Ron Strochlic
- Position:
- No
- Address:
- 221 G St
- City, State, Zipcode
- Davis, CA 95616
-
Chelsea Chapman
- Address:
- 365 41st Street
- City, State, Zipcode
- Oakland, CA, 94609
-
Louise Chang
- Position:
- No
- Comments:
- We need MORE community gardens, not less!
- Address:
- 3473 Montair Ave.
- City, State, Zipcode
- Long Beach, CA 90808
-
Sheena Tseko
- Comments:
- This is the greatest place in LA! Please save the garden!
- Address:
- 632 N. Brittania St.
- City, State, Zipcode
- LA, CA 90033
-
lisa stutey
- Address:
- 309 chestnut st
- City, State, Zipcode
- santa cruz, CA, 95060
-
Katy Atkiss
- Comments:
- If you are prepared to shut this garden down, you bettter be prepared to feed the farmer's, their families, and this community. There is enough hunger in the City of Los Angeles, and these people are laboring hard to provide for themselves!
- Address:
- 241 4th Avenue, #3
- City, State, Zipcode
- Venice, CA 90291
-
Shea-Anne Mehus
- Position:
- No
- Address:
- 12751 Evanston Ave N
- City, State, Zipcode
- Seattle, WA 98133
-
Willow Rosenthal
- Comments:
- Please safeguard this treasure!
- Address:
- 737 Henry Street
- City, State, Zipcode
- Oakland, CA 94607
-
Victoria Welle
- Address:
- mission district
- City, State, Zipcode
- San Francisco, CA
-
Beth Larsen
- Comments:
- Our urban environment needs more gardens!
- Address:
- 5541 Matilija Ave.
- City, State, Zipcode
- Sherman Oaks, CA 91401
-
Tom Branca
- Position:
- No
- Address:
- 12500 Campus Dr.
- City, State, Zipcode
- Oakland, CA. 94619
-
Jessica Fiedor
- Address:
- 408 Russell Park #3
- City, State, Zipcode
- Davis, Ca 95616
-
Mary Sue Milliken
- Comments:
- Our community needs these gardens. I helped lauch this project and have been awed by it's growth. Please find a way to keep them. Thank You
- Address:
- 5243 W. Washington
- City, State, Zipcode
- LA, CA 90016
-
Leila Martin
- Address:
- 1502 Stanley St.
- City, State, Zipcode
- Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
-
Wendy Gelernter
- Address:
- 1267 Diamond St.
- City, State, Zipcode
- San Diego, CA 92109
-
tom nead
- Address:
- 3710 pacific ave #16
- City, State, Zipcode
- marina del rey, california 90292
-
Carol Cetrone
- Comments:
- Save the Urban Garden, we need MORE places like this !!!
- Address:
- 427 N Commonwealth Av
- City, State, Zipcode
- Los Angeles, CA 90004
-
945
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