Los Angeles in Decline? City commission seems to think so

[dennis1]

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/l...#axzz2pq3kxtWw
Los Angeles is a city in decline, strangled by traffic, weighed down by poverty and suffering from "a crisis of leadership and direction," according to a report released Wednesday by a 13-member citizen panel.

The Los Angeles 2020 Commission, convened by City Council President Herb Wesson to examine the city's economic woes, offered a harsh assessment of civic decision-making, warning that Los Angeles is heading to a future where local government can no longer afford to provide public services.

The panel, chaired by former U.S. Commerce Secretary Mickey Kantor, said Los Angeles lacks a coherent approach to economic development and trails other major cities in job growth. City government spending is growing faster than revenue and the pension benefits of city employees are at risk, said the report, titled "A Time For Truth."

Rest at the source

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I don't agree with this point blank.

[The Illusive Man]

Definitely not. There are more jobs now, plenty of construction and planned projects, more rail lines being added, and people continue to move here. These things don't happen in a declining city.

Plus, with our weather, topography, and great higher ed schools in the area, we'll keep bringing in people.

[MonkeyRonin]

Experiencing problems (particularly when many of them are the result of other successes) does not equate to being in decline.

[Steely Dan]

attention-seeking hyperbole.

does LA have problems? of course it does. what large american city doesn't?

is it in actual decline a la detroit? that seems preposterous to me.

[animatedmartian]

A more accurate term instead of "decline" would probably be "unwise decisions". But of course, that's not something unique to LA or even that uncommon to any city in general.

[Buckeye Native 001]

There are about 4 or 5 cities this forum focuses on (for better or for worse, usually worse), on a month to month basis. I guess L.A. is that city for the month of January. Who gets February: Houston? Atlanta? Phoenix? Miami?

I guess its all moot. Discussion threads usually end with Toronto, regardless whatever city was the initial topic of discussion.

[Eightball]

Originally Posted by Buckeye Native 001

There are about 4 or 5 cities this forum focuses on (for better or for worse, usually worse), on a month to month basis. I guess L.A. is that city for the month of January. Who gets February: Houston? Atlanta? Phoenix? Miami?

I guess its all moot. Discussion threads usually end with Toronto, regardless whatever city was the initial topic of discussion.

Don't forget the extraordinary amount of attention given to dc!

[dave8721]

Originally Posted by Buckeye Native 001

There are about 4 or 5 cities this forum focuses on (for better or for worse, usually worse), on a month to month basis. I guess L.A. is that city for the month of January. Who gets February: Houston? Atlanta? Phoenix? Miami?

I guess its all moot. Discussion threads usually end with Toronto, regardless whatever city was the initial topic of discussion.

Miami was last month. Haven't had any threads on Dallas recently that I know of. They are due.

[M II A II R II K]

America's Next Great City Is Inside L.A.

http://www.gq.com/life/travel/201401...types=og.likes

For decades, Downtown has been the dark center of L.A.: a wasteland of half-empty office buildings and fully empty streets. But amid the glittering towers and crumbly Art Deco facades, a new generation of adventurous chefs, bartenders, loft dwellers, artists, and developers are creating a neighborhood as electrifying and gritty as New York in the '70s. Brett Martin navigates his way through the coolest new downtown in America

.....

[jg6544]

"A commission on L. A.'s future, chaired by Chicken Little, reported today . . ."

[Altauria]

Maybe it's delusional, but I think LA's going through a Renaissance. Or at least beginning to really come into its own.

[Nouvellecosse]

Originally Posted by M II A II R II K

America's Next Great City Is Inside L.A.

http://www.gq.com/life/travel/201401...types=og.likes

Wow, that's so weird. I had to really look at that to realize it wasn't SF. The way that the street grid is interrupted and tilts at a 45 degree angle really reminds me of the way the grid changes at Market street.

[Rail Claimore]

LA has reached its mid-life crisis, it seems.

[Quixote]

Originally Posted by Rail Claimore

LA has reached its mid-life crisis, it seems.

LA just went through a messy, bitter divorce. Other cities already went through theirs, fell madly in love again, and are now happily married.

[Rail Claimore]

Originally Posted by Quixote

LA just went through a messy, bitter divorce. Other cities already went through theirs, fell madly in love again, and are now happily married.

I wonder what kind of car LA will buy to compensate?

[antinimby]

It needs a boob job and botox injection.

[edluva]

it already drives a prius. maybe a tesla S?

[Rail Claimore]

Originally Posted by edluva

it already drives a prius. maybe a tesla S?

LA wouldn't be caught dead driving what Seattle or San Francisco drive.

[Centropolis]

Originally Posted by Rail Claimore

LA wouldn't be caught dead driving what Seattle or San Francisco drive.

this is the los angeles that i "grew up with" on the tele, haha:


http://offroadaction.ca

[Black Box]

Originally Posted by Rail Claimore

LA wouldn't be caught dead driving what Seattle or San Francisco drive.

The only part of this that I don't agree with is Seattle's car. Seattle drives a Subaru Outback or brand new Volvo wagon. Either way, it's a station wagon. And, Los Angeles is far from decline. It's a terrific and dynamic , mega-international city with brash and ambition that will continue to serve its ascent for decades to come.