Re-envisioning the Los Angeles River
Open space wins out over development
Prior to the launch of the Re-envisioning the Los Angeles River project, the fate of the languishing open space known alternately as the Cornfields or Chinatown Yards seemed sealed: The vacant lots that bordered the river would be developed into a new industrial area with the support of a major land developer and the mayor of Los Angeles. Yet, through a dynamic array of cultural programs, ranging from poetry readings to bike tours to film festivals, diverse citizen groups were able to raise questions about whether industrial development was the best use of precious public lands in an area of Los Angeles with little green space to begin with.
Toward the end of the project, a forum for mayoral candidates was held. By that time, because of the publicity surrounding the project, which included articles in the Los Angeles Times, all the candidates had taken a stand on the development issue. Ultimately, HUD required an environmental impact report, and the developer opted to sell the property to be used as green space. As the project director put it, "The way the 'L.A. Times' and different talk show guests discussed and characterized the issues about the river, you could see how these ideas were changing throughout the project and how that was impacting this conflict." Through the combined use of innovative cultural programming and public discussion, the L.A. River project brought attention to a neglected and vital resource for L.A. residents, creating a forum for transformation.