Which Way, L.A.?
Can Los Angeles City Hall Become Business Friendly?
For years, developers, businesses and property owners have complained that getting a project built is a nightmare in Los Angeles. Will restructuring the bureaucracy help?
By Warren Olney • • 31m ListenFor decades, big developers, small businesses and property owners have complained that starting a project and getting it built is a nightmare in the City of LA. Will merging the Planning Department with Building and Safety make LA competitive with Long Beach, Burbank and El Segundo? We hear some horror stories and ask if reconstructing the bureaucracy will make a difference. Also, have the bulldozers left the Malibu Lagoon better or worse than it was before? What's in store for what's left of the Ballona Wetlands?
On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, John Kerry's first months as Secretary of State have been focused on renewing Israeli-Palestinian "peace talks." Polls show that neither side really believes that peace has a chance. Does the US have the power — and the commitment -- to make a difference?
Banner image: Floyd B. Bariscale
In this episode
2 storiesCan Los Angeles City Hall Become Business Friendly?
How many times have you heard that the City of Los Angeles is not "business friendly?" We hear some anecdotes about what it takes to get building projects — big or small — from the planning stage through to completion.
Read the story22 minThe Rocky Road to Restoring LA's Coastal Habitats
After millions of dollars in public money, two decades of controversy and 10 years of planning, there's been a ribbon cutting at the Malibu Lagoon State Beach . But the issues are still not settled. What should restored tidal wetlands along the coast look like? What's next for the Ballona Wetlands between Marina del Rey and Westchester?
Read the story10 min
