Behind the LAX people mover fiasco, CicLAvia returns on July 19, and more

CicLAvia is back on Sunday, July 19 from 9 am to 4 pm with an event in Hollywood. Meet the Hollywoods will offer 3.6 miles of car-free streets along Santa Monica Boulevard, Highland Avenue, and Hollywood Boulevard, connecting the neighborhoods of East Hollywood and Hollywood with the City of West Hollywood (but not the neighborhood of North Hollywood - this oversight will not stand!).

Once again, here are the rules: only people-powered vehicles allowed. That means no electric scooters, skateboards, hoverboards, unicycles, motorcycles and other non-people-powered vehicles are permitted. However, Class 1 e-bike pedal-assist is allowed, Class 2 e-bikes are allowed when throttle is powered off, and Class 3 e-bikes are allowed when pedal-assist is powered down. 

Last month, developer Cityview held a ceremony to mark the official debut of Apollo, a 265-unit development near the intersection of Crenshaw and El Segundo Boulevards in Gardena. Greeting passersby at street level is a new mural by artist Eric Strae, which reflects the property's surroundings. An astronaut alludes to the omnipresent aerospace industry in the South Bay, with SpaceX located just north in Hawthorne city limits. Likewise, cherry blossoms in the image reference Gardena's Japanese-American heritage, while the Gardena City Hall's courtyard can be seen reflected in the astronaut's visor.

Short-lived plans to redevelop a Hyatt Place hotel in El Segundo with a large data center died June 9, when the project applicant withdrew the proposal following hours of vocal community backlash. 

Los Angeles County has been at the forefront of growing pushback against the construction of new data centers, with Monterey Park residents recently voting to ban such projects citywide. 

Here's what we're reading this week:

Proposed Oceanwide buyer challenges city’s concerns on financing, development plan "Bankruptcy court could weigh on KPC, Lendlease’s ability to close deal, complete graffiti-covered towers" (TRD)

As L.A. struggles, these surprising communities are booming. What are they doing right? "Data show L.A. County’s population as a whole grew very little from 2010 to 2024, with growth often stymied by a shortage of vacant land on which to build new housing." (LA Times)

LA County wants to put affordable housing groups first in line to buy apartment buildings "The board voted unanimously to develop a 'Community Opportunity to Purchase Act.' If passed on a final vote, the law would compel apartment owners to notify affordable housing groups when they put certain buildings up for sale in unincorporated parts of L.A. County." (LAist)

RELEASE: Friedman Unveils Federal Investments to Upgrade LA Metro & Metrolink Ahead of 2028 Olympics Including $250,000 for Mero bus stop upgrades and $250,000 for Metrolink to upgrade arrival/departure screens and public address systems (Rep. Laura Friedman)

Television City May Be Sold as Owner Piles Up $357 Million In Debt "Depressed production levels force Hackman Capital to relinquish control of studio complexes across L.A. A bid for Manhattan Beach Studios involves plans to clear its soundstages." (Hollywood Reporter)

Eyes on the Street: Glendale’s Nearly Completed La Crescenta Ave. Bikeway "In addition to safety upgrades for drivers/pedestrians/cyclists, Glendale's La Crescenta project features resurfacing, rain gardens, sidewalk repair, and sewer and fiber optics upgrades" (Streetsblog LA)

Carson Seeks Input on Bicycle Action Plan "Take an online survey for the city of Carson's ambitious Bicycle Action Plan, which focuses on 213th Street, 223rd Street, Avalon Boulevard, Central Avenue, Del Amo Boulevard, Dolores Street, and Victoria Street" (Streetsblog LA)

LA receives $10.1 million from Bezos Earth Fund for Watts Towers park "Los Angeles will receive a $10.1 million grant from the Bezos Earth Fund for development of a five-acre park and arts and culture campus at the site of the Watts Towers" (ABC7)

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