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Recently I had the rare opportunity to meet with Jose Huizar. Although Jose and I have a warm relationship, it is rare that I have the opportunity to have a one-on-one discussion with him. As a preface to preparing my talking points for the meeting, I reflected on what we have done, what we are doing, and what we intend to do in the future.
My initial thoughts related to the journey that TERA has taken since its inception in 1988. TERA began as a land-use focused group at a time when the unique small town feeling of Eagle Rock was threatened by developers who thought that old buildings had no future and a strip mall on every corner would be perfect. Today, while still understanding the importance of land-use, TERA also understands the larger picture of what preserves and improves the quality of life in our community, and the various ways in which TERA can make contributions. Take Back the Boulevard and the successful acquisition of $12M for further improvements to Colorado Boulevard is one of TERA's most significant accomplishments in the recent past. This was an example of focusing not on land-use, but on how public space can better serve the community.
There are many other ways we support Eagle Rock. Our support of the business community was demonstrated by our immediate supportive response to merchant efforts to make more street parking available. As the density increases in Eagle Rock, as it is likely to do throughout the City, public transportation is essential. TERA has recently taken steps to preserve a DASH route and to encourage Metro to consider routing a Bus Rapid Transit through our community. TERA provides administrative support (non-profit fiduciary) to small community groups whose efforts are short term and do not have the ability to fund the expense of becoming an independent non-profit. We have performed that role for the Welcome to Eagle Rock monument on Wiota Circle, for the Eagle Rock Make Art Not Trash project, and more recently the Art on the Utility Boxes project and the Dogs of the Rock initiative. We are currently partnering with the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council on the Clean Streets LA initiative. Finally, our continued focus on land-use was evidenced recently by the well-attended Bekins Community Meeting.
One of the recurring and fair questions posed during the Take Back the Boulevard project was "what about Eagle Rock Boulevard?" Now is the time to give this second boulevard in Eagle Rock the love it so deserves. Improving the overall experience of Eagle Rock Boulevard is a huge task, a task that will require considerable effort and community outreach to simply get to the point where we can begin seeking the support (financial and otherwise) to make the improvements. The up-front work could easily take a couple of years. More information on this initiative will be found below in the Love for Eagle Rock Boulevard section.
We will also continue to partner with the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council on cleaning up our streets. Jane Demian, who is representing TERA in this effort, provides an update on this effort below. And of course TERA will continue to address the usual land-use issues as they arise.
The meeting with Jose Huizar went well. As I anticipated, Jose was very supportive of TERA's aspirations for Eagle Rock Boulevard. The strong partnership with the CD14 Team was a key element in our Take Back the Boulevard success. I know that once again, they will be our partners in every way as we move forward on Eagle Rock Boulevard.
As I write about the things TERA has done, and more important, what we hope to do in the future I feel a certain excitement. When I notice the beauty of our wonderfully restored City Hall, beautifully lighted at night, and use the protected crossing beacons when crossing Colorado Boulevard, I know that Take Back the Boulevard made that happen. Without that initiative it is unlikely those and many other improvements to the Colorado Boulevard would have happened. There is something rewarding about making this place we call home a little better for all.
As is obvious, I am a hands-on kind of guy. I like to get involved, I like the camaraderie that develops when surrounded by like-minded people, and as a retiree I have the time to do it all. I do understand that many others do not have the time or the comfort or preference for the hands-on role that I enjoy. If you are a member, you are making it happen in a way that is right for you. Thank you so much. If you want to get more involved, send me an email (
[email protected]
). If you are not a member, and love this community, don't be just a spectator. Become a member now (*see below) and be part of making Eagle Rock Boulevard and all of Eagle Rock as great as it can be.
______________________________________
Bob Gotham, President
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Your support as a member is essential to sustain our efforts to preserve and improve the quality of life in Eagle Rock. We can't do it without you! To join or renew your membership online via PayPal or credit card, visit our website at
www.tera90041.org
. If you would like a membership packet mailed to you, or to get more personally involved in TERA please send me a note indicating your interest (
[email protected]
). Thank you for your support.
Membership Has Benefits!
Discounts are available for TERA Members at participating merchants (see list below.) Look for the TERA Membership Decals at merchant locations. Just show your active membership card. Click on
http://www.tera90041.org to see the member benefits offered by each merchant. If you are a merchant and would like to participate in this program, which includes free advertising in the
e.letter, please email us at
[email protected]
.
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Jane Demian, TERA Board Member
 EAGLE ROCKERS HELP CLEAN UP EAGLE ROCK - The Clean Streets Challenge is a city-wide program based on Mayor Garcetti's innovative 2015 Clean Streets Initiative. The program promotes community involvement in cleaning up the City. The Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council invited TERA and the Eagle Rock Council Office to be partners in this effort.
The program began September 17, 2016 and will run for eight weeks through November 18, 2016. During that time Neighborhood Councils throughout the City will be sponsoring clean-up events, locating areas where new trash bins are needed and reminding residents to call in for bulky-item pickup using the MyLA311 app, among other clean-up strategies.
As part of this effort, on Saturday, September 24th volunteers joined with the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council, TERA and the Council
Office to clean up a portion of Colorado Blvd. and Wiota near the Eagle Rock Monument. On Sunday, October 9th clean-up volunteers will work on portions of Eagle Rock Blvd.
Sunday, November 13th will be the next clean up on Yosemite. More information regarding the clean-up events is available on TERA's Facebook page, via Twitter and the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council Facebook page.
 In addition to clean-up events, the Clean Streets Challenge promotes the use of the MyLA311 app. Eagle Rockers and Angelenos are encouraged to use the MYLA311 app on your Android or iPhone mobile phones to quickly and easily report dumping, bulky-item pick-up, trash, potholes or graffiti using the "Submit Service Request" feature. The advantage of using the app on your mobile is that your location automatically will be determined using GPS, and it will be routed to the appropriate City services immediately. If you don't have a mobile phone you may log onto the MyLA311 website on your desktop, or call 311, or to report illegal dumping call 1-800-773-CITY.
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Take Back the Boulevard - Phase II
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Who got da money? Based on the grants we won last year, we have $12M coming soon. My latest understanding is that we will see the money sometime in October. Following is a brief recap of the potential improvements we will see in Phase II.
Based on the success of acquiring the Grants, at a high level, the following changes may be anticipated. Many, but not all of the enhancements, will be located on the stretch of Colorado between Eagle Rock Boulevard and Eagle Rock Plaza.
* Reduce pedestrian crossing distances at key intersections.
* New mid-block crossing(s). 
* Improved pedestrian lighting.
* New median safety islands.
* New / improved landscaping
* New medians
* Special emphasis on routes to school.
* Existing traffic signals - improve synchronization
* New traffic signals
* New left turn pockets
Community meetings will be held and more information will be provided as the detailed planning progresses.
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Love for Eagle Rock Boulevard
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The Great Streets Challenge, a pet project of Mayor Eric Garcetti, is sponsoring this initiative. As stated in the on-line introduction "We're seeking partners city-wide who are ready to participatein their local street's transformation." Community leaders are asked to submit a compelling case on how specific streets in their neighborhood could be transformed. A $14,000 grant will be awarded to the winners. The funds will be used to further the street transformations. Board Member Severin Martinez has agreed to lead the charge on behalf of TERA. Our next step will be to develop a winning application. Many thanks to Severin for bringing this to our attention and taking a leadership role.
 Initial discussions with the City have begun on ways in which developers could offer to improve the Eagle Rock Boulevard medians to city approved standards (new landscape, irrigation, etc.), maintain them for a limited period and turn back to the City for long-term maintenance. The Adopt a Median Program, which is the best known alternative, requires anyone who improves the median to maintain the median forever. That is a formidable responsibility that will surely diminish the chance that anyone will offer to improve a median. The first meeting with CD14 staff and Street Services was very encouraging, providing great hope that we can find a solution that works for the developer and for the City.
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There are few land use issues that have had as significant impact on the community of Eagle Rock. There is only one chance to make a first impression. For your home, first impressions are typically formed by the front door. A magnificent entry way implies something wonderful is inside the home. Likewise, for many the first thing they notice on entering Eagle Rock from the freeway is this derelict abandoned project fondly or not so fondly named "Pillarhenge." Pillarhenge is not a front door that any community would want.
The initial developer, who intended to build live / work lofts on the land, went bankrupt mid-way through construction. Several new developers considered purchasing the property. However, concerns over the complications that changing building codes would introduce, as well as fear of the unknown in dealing with a property that was propping up a high hill, proved too much for most prospective buyers.
TERA worked with the Council Office to identify resources in the Planning Department that would provide customized assistance to any interested buyers. A Facebook group, led by Tim Tritch, brought additional pressure to the city and the broker, hoping that would expedite the sale. Nothing seemed to work.
Finally, the property has been sold. TERA will meet with the developer in the near future. On a preliminary and unconfirmed basis my understanding is that 25 units will be built on the property. There will be a mixed-use component. I look forward to sharing the renderings of the new units in the near future. Finally we will have a front door that is more reflective of what is found when you walk in.
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Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church History Project
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 Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church, with the support of the Eagle Rock Valley Historical Society, is compiling a history of the church, one of the oldest in Eagle Rock.
Saint Barnabas Church began as a mission in 1908, and services were held in the old Masonic Temple. Services were also held in private homes, until a small frame church was built at the corner of Norwalk and Ellenwood. The present church was built in 1924, funded entirely by donations from the people of Eagle Rock.
The church is small by today's standards, but is a beautiful example of early 20th century architecture. This historic gem has Gothic, Craftsman, Tudor, and 20s elements, with beautiful stained glass windows, all reflecting the ideals of eclectic architecture that have stood the test of time.
The parish of Saint Barnabas would like everyone in the Eagle Rock Valley to participate in researching and gathering information about the history of the church, especially the names of the architect and craftsmen who built it. Ultimately, a book will be written about the church. Documents, stories, and photos are very welcome, as are volunteers to help with searching the archives.
If you would like to be part of this project, please send your ideas, photos, and memories to Alicia Nakata. Please do not send original photos or documents. If possible scan them and send them to [email protected] or mail copies to A. Nakata, Saint Barnabas Episcopal Church,2109 Chickasaw Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90041. If you have questions call
(323) 254-7569.
Everyone is welcome at the services, Sundays at 9:30.
2109 Chickasaw Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90041
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