Don’t look now but a new version of Measure J — the proposal that would have extended the half-percent sales tax for transit projects — could be making its way to the ballot.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is contacting leaders of the various Councils of Governments in the county and the officials in the 88 cities to weigh in on what it would take for them to support a new version of the tax proposal.
Measure J was lost when it fell about 16,000 votes short of the two-thirds it needed to be approved. It would have extended the Measure R sales tax from 2039 until 2069.
Former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa had been one of the main supporters of the proposal, arguing it would allow the MTA to use the additional sales-tax money to issue bonds to pay for various projects.
Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich said he wants all the Council of Governments and local city officials to weigh in on specific programs they would want to see in order to support the tax. Aides to Mayor Eric Garcetti said he was studying the plans.
Bring Frank Gehry back
Garcetti is more clear about another major project: He wants to see celebrity architect Frank Gehry brought back on the Grand Avenue project.
The mayor spoke last week with Gehry, who was involved in the original plans for the development but whose contract was dropped. “I think he should stay involved, and I’ve pushed (developer) Related to keep him involved,” Garcetti said.
The Grand Avenue project, which envisions a mix of commercial and residential uses, is back in the spotlight after Related offered new conception drawings. However, the Grand Avenue authority has been unimpressed and granted a delay to Related to come up with new plans.
San Fernando Valley caucus?
While it’s nothing formal, the Los Angeles City Council has its black caucus, its Latino caucus and even its gay caucus. It even used to have a women’s caucus — but that would be only Councilwoman Nury Martinez now.
So, why not a Valley caucus?
That was the thinking behind an informal gathering of Valley council members last Friday at Nat’s Early Bite in Sherman Oaks, where Martinez and fellow Councilmen Paul Krekorian, Bob Blumenfield, Mitch Englander and Paul Koretz engaged in what was described as a robust discussion on issues dealing with transportation, economic development and budget issues.
Councilmen Felipe Fuentes and Tom LaBonge were unable to join the group.
Krekorian said he wants to hold monthly meetings so the Valley members can work together on local issues.
And they each paid for their own breakfast.
Plans for the Los Angeles River
Garcetti is using his blog at lamayor.org to help get the public engaged in plans for the Los Angeles River.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently came out with its list of 13 alternatives for the river and urged adoption of one of the less expensive plans — a $453 million improvement to restore an 11-mile portion of the river that would leave it hard to reach.
The Los Angeles City Council has weighed in, saying it supports a $1 billion plan, restoring 719 acres and connecting the river to the Los Angeles State Historic Park and the Verdugo Wash.
Garcetti said he supports the more expensive plan for historic, environmental and economic reasons. “It uniquely rejoins the river with the communities and environment to which it gave birth,” Garcetti wrote.
“Water is the biggest issue in our future, and Alternative 20 is the only option that integrates the river into our city’s green space and provides vital support to endangered species and struggling ecosystems.
“What’s more, Alternative 20 will provide four times the number of jobs as the other options and help redress some of the environmental and social injustices that have resulted from the paving of the river.”
Rick Orlov is a Daily News staff writer and columnist. His column, Tipoff, appears Mondays. For a daily fix on politics, go to the Sausage Factory at blogs. dailynews.com/politics. Orlov can be reached 213-978-0390 or at rick.orlov@dailynews.com. Daily News staff writer Dakota Smith contributed.
