Past Projects
- Tree Planting: With the support of the Koreatown Youth & Community Center and the Palms Neighborhood Council, MAIA brought over $60,000 of resources to Motor Avenue in the form of over 100 new trees and their future maintenance.
- Irish Times: MAIA advocated in favor of allowing Irish Times, a local restaurant, to open during lunch hours.
- The Palmer Room: Due to unfortunate incidents that occurred outside the Palmer Room nightclub and the repeated disturbances to the residential community, MAIA supported the closing of the nightclub after it became clear that the problems would not be resolved by the current owners
- The Garage: In order to prevent any problems with the community, we have been meeting with the owners of The Garage, a restaurant opening in the former Cucina Paradiso property, and created a written agreement regarding community concerns that the management must address.
Our Accomplishments
- Secured funding for additional tree watering and maintenance of existing street trees in the area.
- Worked with local council offices to promote the easing of traffic calming mitigation measures that have been causing accessibility problems for businesses at Motor and National.
- Provided a sign to warn drivers of aggressive enforcement of turn restrictions at Motor and National.
- Obtained a written commitment for community improvements, such as alley repaving, tree replacement, and security lighting and cameras, from the developer of a large new mixed-use project.
- Removed 2 X-rated magazine stands from the sidewalk at Motor and National.
- Conducted a safety & security meeting with local business owners, LAPD officers, and security camera pros, and are currently working on improving business security.
- Assisted a new restaurant with permit approvals, contingent on their written agreement with MAIA to several conditions mandated by the community (no live music, security, lighting).
- Circulated petitions asking for a protected left-turn light at the Venice and Motor intersection, which sees a high rate of fatal and near-fatal accidents. This light has now been approved by CalTrans.
- Facilitated a monthly e-waste collection program.
- Fixed trees damaged by windstorm.
- Currently assisting businesses with revocable permits (to allow restaurant seating and marketing materials to be placed on the sidewalk).
- Acquired several new bicycle racks on National Boulevard, newly painted sharrows on Motor Avenue, and the designation of Motor Avenue as a Class II Bikeway.
- Requested and received new wheelchair ramps to maintain access at all corners of the street.
- Organized meetings for residents and business owners with Councilmen Koretz, Wesson, and Rosendahl; mayor of Culver City; County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas; MTA board members.
