Urban Agriculture: Hot Topic in LA
Agriculture back in Los Angeles, but in a very urban kind of way.
Los Angeles was not always starved for local fresh produce. Before 1950s, Los Angeles was the top agriculture producer in the country. In the last ten years, there has been a continuous growing demand for locally grown food. The demand has resulted in a growth of farmers' markets across the country (Motor Avenue Farmers' Market is part of this growth!). People want to know where their food comes from, and want to know the hands that help cultivate it. Recently, there has been a surge of urban , school and community gardens that are helping to connect people to their food.
Last June a group of UCLA researchers and students at the Luskin School of Public Affairs released a comprehensive research project unveiling the hundreds of urban agriculture sites across Los Angeles County. Their report aimed to provide empirical analysis of major sectors of urban agriculture in the county. Take a look at the website Cultivate_LA , where you will find more information about the research project, an interactive map with all the urban agriculture sites, and the full report.
Last June a group of UCLA researchers and students at the Luskin School of Public Affairs released a comprehensive research project unveiling the hundreds of urban agriculture sites across Los Angeles County. Their report aimed to provide empirical analysis of major sectors of urban agriculture in the county. Take a look at the website Cultivate_LA , where you will find more information about the research project, an interactive map with all the urban agriculture sites, and the full report.
Motor Ave Ticket Trap in the News
Traffic restrictions on Motor Ave and National Blvd have received recent attention from our local major news outlets. From the front page of the LA Times to FoxLA. Read the articles and see the video here.
Stop the Motor Ave Ticket Trap!
Latest Update (June 2013):
MAIA and local business representatives met with the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Executive Officer of Operations Selwyn Hollins and additional staff to discuss the removal of traffic mitigations on Motor and National. DOT assured us that these mitigations could easily be removed. All they require is a simple approval from the council office.
Now, we are pressuring Councilman Paul Koretz and the council office more than ever to remove these traffic calming restrictions.
MAIA and local business representatives met with the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Executive Officer of Operations Selwyn Hollins and additional staff to discuss the removal of traffic mitigations on Motor and National. DOT assured us that these mitigations could easily be removed. All they require is a simple approval from the council office.
Now, we are pressuring Councilman Paul Koretz and the council office more than ever to remove these traffic calming restrictions.
Learn more about our efforts to end traffic calming restrictions at Motor and National and find sustainable solutions for traffic mitigation on Motor Avenue.
2013 Motor Avenue BikeFest!!!
"The BEST CicLAvia hub I saw was the Motor Ave BikeFest" - Jonathan Parfrey, CicLAvia Board Vice President
With close to 10,000 participants riding, walking, and rolling through, our First Annual Motor Ave. BikeFest was a huge success!!! Participants ate at a dozen food trucks enjoying the freestyle bike show, multiple raffles, free beverages, and live music. We were extremely excited to see so many children out enjoying the bike festival as well as its jumpers, pony rides, and more. Motor Ave was a one of the largest and most popular destination along the CicLAvia route!!
Check out more BikeFest pictures on Facebook!!
Palms Point: "Hideous Reality"
- From Curbed LA: "An early contender for ugliest building of the decade, the awful 7-story eye sore contains 31 luxury units and some ground floor retail with a parking garage sandwiched in-between." Read more...
- The Motor Avenue Improvement Association fought this development, delaying the construction for over five years as we attempted to come to a compromise with the developer and come up with a smaller, more attractive design. This building not only does not fit the character of the existing neighborhood, but the developer also refused to contribute to the community by installing safety measures around the site.
- During construction, this project constantly endangered community members, caused two power blackouts, destroyed cars with debris, and hindered local businesses.
Second Mixed-Use Development on Motor
An example of smart growth
- Frost/Chaddock Developers recently broke ground on a new development at 3425 Motor Avenue. Read more about it in our news section.
- Curbed LA article: Motor Makeover: Second Mixed-User Starts Work in Palms
- Developers have proved to be a great community partner and have worked progressively with the Motor Avenue Improvement Association and local community to:
- Lessen the hours of construction for residents and prohibit
early-morning contruction activies.
- Repair the alleyway behind the project
- Maximize public access of proposed courtyard along Motor Ave.
Check out this video of the Farmers' Market!
NEWS AND EVENTS
- Please report potholes and other street problems
- The Garage is now open! Check out their Facebook page for info and events!
- Our Farmers' Market is now open every Sunday from 9am to 2pm
- Get traffic calming info and sign our petition
The Motor Avenue Improvement Association (MAIA) is a membership-based organization of businesses, residents, and property owners located on and adjacent to Motor Avenue, between National Boulevard and Washington Boulevard. MAIA members pay annual dues to fund the Association’s activities and services to the community.
Please use the menu at left to learn more about membership opportunities, our projects, and the vision we are striving to realize for the community.
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