Help Save the Belmont Graffiti Art Hall of Fame from Developers!

by R. Nelson Friday, Aug. 06, 2004 at 8:23 AM
rnelson@worldofwonder.net (323) 899-7694

Currently there is a battle being waged between developers and local grass-roots organizations to preserve the Toluca Subway Tunnel and Belmont Graffiti Art Hall of Fame from becoming a large scale apartment complex. This site has been used in countless films and music videos over the decades.

Please assist our community in protesting the destruction of the
Historic LA Subway site at 1304 W. 2nd street.

The subway station and tunnel, which was constructed in 1925, was purchased by Meta Housing Developers.  They intend to build 276 loft-style apartments on this land, which is at the northwest entrance to downtown Los Angeles.

The site, known historically as the Toluca Subway Yard, has been an informal neighborhood park for the past 30 years since the subway ceased operation.  The surrounding area is a high density residential community with no open space within walking distance.

Local residents and community groups are urging the city council to  preserve the subway yard as a sanctioned urban park that celebrates the history of downtown Los Angeles.

There will be a hearing regarding the development THIS FRIDAY (tommorrow) at City Hall.  The developers are lobbying city council for easements to build their compound closer to the street and to change the zoning from mixed usage (store fronts AND apartments) to apartments only.  We do not feel that Meta Housing has the best interest of our community in mind.  They have not asked for input from local residents, nor have they posted any
information about the upcoming hearing with City Hall.

We need to act quickly! The hearing is this Friday. Please read the
following for information on how you can help:

Send emails protesting the development to:
info@belmontartpark.com

These will be forwarded to the City Council.

Attend the City Hall Hearing. It will be held at:
Los Angeles City Hall
200 North Spring Street
10th Floor Hearing Room
10AM Friday August 6th

Submit letters to:
The Los Angeles City Planning Department
Community Planning Bureau
Room 667
City Hall
200 N. Spring Street
Los Angeles CA 90012
Case # APCC 2003-9929 SPE SPP

Here are some informational websites about the subway yard and tunnel:
http://users.snowcrest.net/marnells/toluca.htm
http://www.westworld.com/~elson/larail/PE/tunnel.html
http://www.erha.org/pelines/pewst.htm

Go to www.belmontartpark.com for more information about this project and see our proposed designs for making this an historic urban park.

Thanks for your Support!!
--


Robin Nelson
Post Production Manager
World of Wonder
(323) 603-6300 x335
(323) 899-7694 mobile
rnelson@worldofwonder.net