From the desk of Will Wright, Hon. AIA|LA
Director of Government & Public Affairs

AIA|LA Endorses Measure A, Measure US, and California Propositions 2, 4, & 5

The American Institute of Architects Los Angeles Chapter (AIA|LA) proudly endorses Measure A and Measure US, as well as California Propositions 2, 4, and 5. These initiatives are vital steps toward building stronger, more equitable communities through investments in affordable housing, education, and environmental resilience.

Measure A will secure long-term funding for affordable housing, solutions to address homelessness and emergency rental assistance, while Measure US will focus on improving LAUSD school facilities to better serve students and the community.

Proposition 2 will further enhance public school and community college infrastructure. Proposition 4 tackles critical issues like safe drinking water, wildfire prevention, and climate change adaptation. Proposition 5 lowers the voter threshold for measures that fund housing and infrastructure, making it easier to drive impactful change.

As they endorsed these initiatives, members of the Executive Committee of the AIA|LA Board of Directors offered additional insight into why these particular measures and propositions were fundamentally important to them as professional architects and as individual members of the community:

On Measure A:

“Affordable housing isn’t just about bricks and mortar; it’s about building communities. As architects, we have the power to design spaces that not only provide shelter but also foster hope, dignity, and opportunity. By supporting this initiative, we’re investing in the future of our city, one home at a time.” – Leslie Sydnor, AIA, LEED AP – Past-President, AIA Los Angeles

On Measure US and Prop 2:

“Improving educational facilities benefits those of us working in that arena, but more importantly better school environments at both the K-12 and community college level adds real value to communities. Schools that are thoughtfully designed, energy-efficient, accessible, and provide adequate green space have been shown to not only directly improve educational outcomes for students, but also positively impact adjacent property values, attract local businesses, and foster neighborhood growth. Measure US and Prop 2 are long-term investments in creating strong communities, a goal worthy of all of our support.” – Toni Lewis, AIA, LEED AP, CASp – Treasurer, AIA Los Angeles

AIA|LA encourages the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) community to vote YES on these key measures on November 5th to help shape a more sustainable and inclusive future for all Californians.

RESOURCES:

CLICK HERE to read the official ballot language from Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/ County Clerk

Local:

• Measure US – A $9 billion bond for LAUSD facilities
  LAist Overview
  LA Times Coverage
• Measure A – a quarter-cent sales tax to fund homeless services
  LAist Overview
  LA Times Coverage

State:  (*FYI – AIA California references support for each measure’s authorizing legislation HERE.)

• Prop 2 – Authorizes bonds for public school and community college facilities
  AIA California Summary
  CalMatters Overview
  Voter Information Guide (Prop 2)

• Prop 4 – Authorizes bonds for safe drinking water, wildfire prevention, and climate risk mitigation
  CalMatters Overview
  Voter Information Guide (Prop 4)

• Prop 5 – Lowers the voter threshold for certain measures to fund affordable housing & infrastructure
  CalMatters Overview
  Voter Information Guide (Prop 5)

  SPUR’s Endorsement

ED #9: Streamlining Capital Project Delivery and Equitably Investing in the Public Right-of-Way

We’re delighted to see Mayor Karan Bass make the necessary first step to address the dismal state of our beloved city’s public realm.  On Wednesday, October 16th she signed Executive Directive #9: Streamlining Capital Project Delivery and Equitably Investing in the Public Right-of-Way.

ED #9 aims to revamp public space investment. Key changes include prioritizing accessibility and maintenance, fostering community engagement in project selections, and ensuring equitable resource distribution. Additionally, the directive seeks to streamline processes by consolidating workgroups, promote economic development through local hiring and small business involvement, and measure project success through data-driven metrics. This paves the way for architects and urban designers to play a crucial role in shaping a more beautiful, functional, safe, and equitable public realm in Los Angeles.

Much thanks to the leadership of Jessica Meaney and Investing in Place for their ongoing commitment and advocacy efforts for a multiyear Capital Improvement Plan for the City of Los Angeles.  A substantial part of their December 2023 Community Pledge was integrated into the Executive Directive.

Opportunities for Architects and Urban Designers:

1. Increased Community Engagement: The project list development process will be more transparent and include community input. Architects and urban designers can participate by attending meetings, providing feedback on plans, and advocating for their communities.
2. Accessibility Focus: The disability community will be a key partner in planning and maintaining public spaces. Architects and designers can champion accessibility features and ensure compliance with ADA standards in their projects.
3. Prioritized Maintenance: Maintenance and asset management will be prioritized, creating a long-term plan for maintaining public spaces. Opportunities exist to design projects that are easy and cost-effective to maintain.
4. Streamlined Processes: Multiple existing workgroups will be consolidated, aiming for a more efficient and unified approach. This presents an opportunity for architects and designers to advocate for clear and efficient design review processes.
5. Equity in Investment: Resources will be directed towards historically underserved and low-income communities. Architects and designers can engage with these communities to understand their needs and design projects that reflect their priorities.
6. Economic Development: The project prioritizes procurement and career opportunities for Angelenos and small businesses. Architects and designers can explore local partnerships and advocate for local hiring initiatives.
7. Public Communication: Information on project lists and decision-making processes will be more transparent. Architects and designers can stay informed and contribute to public awareness campaigns promoting these improvements.
8. Data-Driven Decisions: Data will be used to guide project selection and resource allocation. Architects and designers can use data to support their design proposals and demonstrate the positive impact of their projects.
9. Sustainability Integration: Sustainable practices are likely to be emphasized. Architects and designers can design projects that incorporate green infrastructure, resource efficiency, and climate resilience.
10. Performance Measurement: The success of projects will be measured by specific metrics. Architects and designers can develop metrics to demonstrate the positive outcomes of their designs.
11. Innovation Encouragement: While not explicitly stated, the overall environment encourages innovative approaches. Architects and designers can propose creative solutions to address public realm challenges.

Overall, ED #9 presents a significant opportunity for architects and urban designers to engage with the city and shape the future of LA’s public spaces. By actively participating, advocating for good design principles, and collaborating with communities, they can ensure that these projects create a more beautiful, functional, safe, and equitable public realm for everyone.

ED #1: UPDATED IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES

In late September, Los Angeles City Planning issued updated implementation guidelines for Executive Directive #1 projects.  You can read those guidelines HERE.  As many of you know, Mayor Bass updated ED #1 on July 1, 2024 in an attempt to address some of the community pushback ED #1 projects were causing.

In my opinion, we need an arbitrated ‘litmus test’ for good design, which can serve as an automated filter.  If the design is sub-par, then the application ‘fails’ to proceed and is deemed incomplete.  Of course, this will require a systemic approach to what qualifies as a ‘good design’ and will probably create much grumbling.  But the grumble becomes the gristle/ debate to fine-tune what design & performance qualities we expect our homes and houses to have!

AIA|LA CITY LEADERS BREAKFAST SERIES Presented by Gannett Fleming

We have four more AIA|LA City Leaders Breakfast Receptions for 2024. Please join us and share your input with decision-makers!

AIA|LA & LACP DESIGN REVIEW SESSIONS

In 2024, we will coordinate thirty-six virtual design review sessions, which will serve as opportunities for architects and designers to help the Los Angeles City Planning’s Urban Design Studio critically review upcoming projects throughout the City.

Upcoming sessions include:

Nov 5, 2024 (10:00 AM)
Nov 12, 2024 (10:00 AM)

Join us here w/ RSVP to gain zoom access.

Reach out and get more involved!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Will Wright, Hon. AIA|LA
Director, Government & Public Affairs
t: 213.639.0764
e: will@aialosangeles.org
www.aialosangeles.org