CCA
Advocacy & Action
L.A.’s
L.A.’s Premier
Premier Business
Business Advocate
Advocate
First Quarter 2015
Transportation Summit
“I am proud that in February, CCA
hosted L.A. Fast Track: The Outlook
for Downtown’s Growth and the Future
of Transit. The transportation summit
examined innovative transportation
strategies, systems and technologies
with a perspective from Downtown. As
the region’s transportation hub, and as
one of the fastest growing economies in
the region, Downtown should take the
lead in seeking solutions to our transit
challenges.”
Carol E. Schatz, CCA President & CEO
Quick Calendar
MAY 14
21st Annual Treasures of Los
Angeles™ Awards Luncheon
Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites
JUNE 18
Housing Panel & Showcase
DoubleTree Hotel Downtown LA
Carol E. Schatz with Economic Outlook panelists Bert Dezzutti, Brookfield; Paul Keller, Mack Urban;
Bruce Baltin, PKF Consulting and Christopher Thornberg, Beacon Economics
In February, CCA hosted its inaugural Transportation
Summit, titled “L.A. Fast Track: The Outlook for
Downtown’s Growth and the Future of Transit.” Over 400
attendees listened to our panelists discuss the future
growth of Downtown and potential transit solutions.
Art Leahy, Metro’s then-CEO, opened the Summit
and outlined the agency’s plans to expand public
transportation options throughout the County. With
Angelenos continuing to rely on single person car trips,
the need to ease congestion and efficiently move people
in and around Downtown continues to increase.
Dr. Christopher Thornberg from Beacon Economics
discussed a recent study that predicts 30,000 more
residents in Downtown in the coming years. Many of
those residents will skew young and highly-educated, as
Inside this Issue
4 Transportation Summit Candids
6 Legislative Affairs
7 Sheriff McDonnell Meets CCA
4
6
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Carol E. Schatz
Millennials continue to forego long commutes in favor of
dense, urban living. Thornberg was joined by commercial
and residential project developers and a hotel industry
analyst for a round table discussion on the growth of those
sectors in Downtown. While positive, they agreed that
government must do more to help take advantage of the
current development cycle.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti gave the keynote address
and highlighted the need to improve City infrastructure,
while also promoting ridesharing and bikesharing. As the
Downtown Renaissance continues, residents will trade cars
in favor of alternative modes of transportation. He said we
must plan for this future.
Continued on page 4
7
Page Two CCA Advocacy & Action First Quarter 2015
Central City Association
2015 Officers
Development Spotlight: University Village
CHAIR
Steven A. Nissen
NBCUniversal
TREASURER
David Damus
System Property Development Inc.
EXECUTIVE VICE CHAIR
Bert Dezzutti
Brookfield
EXECUTIVE VICE CHAIR
Robert Jernigan
Gensler
EXECUTIVE VICE CHAIR
Martha Saucedo
AEG
EXECUTIVE VICE CHAIR
Thomas S. Sayles
University of Southern California
EXECUTIVE VICE CHAIR
Patrick D. Spillane
IDS Real Estate Group
EXECUTIVE VICE CHAIR
David E. Wright
DEWright, Inc.
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR
Sean M. Foley
U.S. Bank
CHAIR EMERITUS
Timothy B. McOsker
Glaser Weil
MEMBER
Tom Gilmore
Gilmore Associates
PRESIDENT & CEO
Carol E. Schatz
Central City Association
CCA Staff
Carol E. Schatz
President & CEO
Suzanne Holley
Vice President & COO
Marie Rumsey
Director of Legislative Affairs
John Howland
Director of Government Relations
Jeff Chodorow
Director of Finance
Nhien Lasky
Director of Business Development
Joanne Danganan
Membership Coordinator
Herman Pang
Director of I.T.
Shawn Bratton
Executive Assistant to Carol E. Schatz
Lena Mulhall
Office Manager
Dalia Cuiriz
“To date the University has invested approximately $75 million and
created more than 1,500 jobs and will develop approximately
1.2M square feet of new construction in the community.”
-Craig Keys, Associate Senior Vice President, Civic Engagement, University of Southern California
Staff Accountant
Joella Hopkins
Events Consultant
Newsletter
Contributors
Joanne Danganan
John Howland
Nhien Lasky
Marie Rumsey
Graphic Design
Jason McCabe
Shift14.com
Photography
Gary Leonard
University Village, owned by the University of
Southern California, is a $650 million investment
and new development that will feature a
centrally-located plaza surrounded by eateries
and outdoor dining space. This 5-acre, mixed-use
project will replace the current University Village
shopping center with five-story residence halls for
2,700 students, as well as a grocery store (Trader
Joe’s), a fitness center, a drugstore, a “mobility
hub” with information on public transit options,
and loads of other retail, totaling 115,000 square
feet. This project will revolutionize the landscape
of the university and create a central gathering
place for its students and faculty.
The project is designed by Harley Ellis Devereaux.
Development Spotlight: Oceanwide Plaza
First Quarter 2015 CCA Advocacy & Action Page Three
Oceanwide Plaza (formerly Figueroa Central) sits
on 4.6 acres in South Park just east of Staples
Center. Construction has commenced on the
parcel, which for years operated as a surface
parking lot, held two squat mechanical buildings,
and housed an underground bank vault. This
mixed-use 1,488,101 square foot development
is comprised of 3 towers: a residential highrise, a high-rise hotel, and commercial/retail/
entertainment space. It boasts 1,094 parking
spaces and 231,866 square feet of open space.
This project is slated to be finished by 2018 and
will add to the rapidly-evolving Downtown skyline.
Oceanwide Plaza is owned by Oceanwide
Plaza, LLC (also known as Tohigh Construction
Investment, LLC), which operates as a subsidiary of
Oceanwide Holdings Co., Ltd.
The project is designed by RTKL Associates.
CCA CITY SPOTLIGHT
Marcie L. Edwards
View from Figueroa
General Manager of the Los Angeles
Department of Water and Power
(LADWP)
Marcie L. Edwards is the General
Manager of the Los Angeles
Department of Water and Power
(LADWP) and is the first woman to lead
the nation’s largest municipal utility.
View from Figueroa
Aerial view at night
Coming home to the utility where she
previously worked for 24 years, Marcie
brings decades of experience in the
utility industry to LADWP’s top job. She
previously ran Anaheim Public Utilities
for 13+ years then was tapped to serve
as Anaheim City Manager in July 2013.
A past Governor on the California
Independent System Operator Board,
Marcie also served as interim CEO of
that agency in 2014. In that role, she
assisted in avoiding statewide power
outages during the Energy Crisis.
Marcie began working for LADWP in
1976 as a 19-year-old clerk typist. She
gained experience in a variety of Power
System positions, starting in steam plant
operations and then gaining valuable
experience as a load dispatcher. She
was elevated to energy control center
manager and worked her way up to
assistant general manager for marketing
and customer service business units.
Aerial view at daytime
Close-up of amenities deck
As LADWP General Manager, she
oversees the nation’s largest municipal
utility with an operating budget of
$5.5 billion, 8,800 employees and is
responsible for providing water and
power to nearly 4 million Angelenos.
Page Four CCA Advocacy & Action First Quarter 2015
Transportation Summit Candids
Showcasers from CH2M Hill
Patti Berman, Downtown L.A. Neighborhood Council; Barbara Jacobs, The
Edison; Judy Harper, Community Partners
Int’l Innovations in Transportation panelists Seleta Reynolds, LADOT; Thomas Calmeau,
Arcadis; Kathleen Penney, CH2M Hill; Alan Cleland, Iteris; and Steve Ortmann, AECOM
Steve Nissen, CCA Chairman, with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and Allyn Rifkin,
Rifkin Transportation Planning Group
Art Leahy, then-CEO for Metro
David Plouffe, Senior Vice President of Policy &
Strategy for Uber
Carol E. Schatz with Councilmember Tom LaBonge
A full house at CCA’s inaugural Transportation Summit
Steve Needleman, L.A. Streetcar, with Mayor Garcetti
Transportation Summit - Continued from cover
Presenters from four engineering
firms then discussed innovative
transportation projects from around
the globe and how they could solve
the Downtown transit need that will
accompany future growth. From
autonomous-vehicle carshare, a
robust streetcar system and high
speed subway lines, to a holistic fix
to highways and a riverfront, these
projects can serve as templates
for plans that will help overcome
the region’s and Downtown’s
transportation challenges.
David Plouffe from Uber unveiled
UberPool in Los Angeles, which will
allow multiple users to share rides
when traveling along a similar route.
With over 22,000 Uber drivers in Los
Angeles, the program will further
reduce the cost of transportation for
Angelenos and take more cars off
the road.
CCA thanks special guest speakers
Mayor Eric Garcetti, David Plouffe
and Art Leahy; moderators Dr.
Christopher Thornberg (Beacon
Economics) and Seleta Reynolds
(LADOT); and panelists Bert
Dezzutti (Brookfield), Bruce Baltin
(PKF Consulting), Paul Keller (Mack
Urban), Thomas Calmeau (Arcadis),
Alan Clelland (Iteris), Kathleen
Penney (CH2M Hill) and Steve
Ortmann (AECOM).
CCA also thanks Presenting
Sponsor Los Angeles Streetcar
and Supporting Sponsors AECOM,
CH2M Hill, Gibson Transportation,
Hazens Group and State Farm
Insurance.
TITLE SPONSOR
AEG
HOST SPONSOR
Brookfield
PRESENTING SPONSORS
Bank of America
Hazens Group/Jia Yuan USA, Co.
System Property Development Company, Inc.
Wells Fargo
The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites
SAPPHIRE SPONSORS
The Broad Foundation
Greenland USA/Metropolis
LBA Realty
Rising Realty Partners
Los Angeles Dodgers
University of Southern California
Los Angeles Downtown News
HONOREES
Treasure of Los Angeles
Heart of the City
Spirit of Los Angeles
Stan Lee
Carol E. Schatz
Tom LaBonge
“The Real Superhero of the Comics”
“Celebrating 25 Years
Leading the
Downtown Renaissance”
“Los Angeles’ Greatest Booster”
President & CEO
Central City Association
Special Recognition
Chairman Emeritus, Marvel Comics
&
CCO/Founder, POW! Entertainment
Howard Marks
Councilmember, CD 4
Gina Marie Lindsey
“Funding the Innovators of Tomorrow”
“She Made LAX Soar”
Managing Partner
StartEngine, LLC
Executive Director
Los Angeles World Airports
With Special Participation by The Honorable Eric Garcetti, Mayor of Los Angeles
and Herb J. Wesson, Jr., President, Los Angeles City Council
Thursday, May 14, 2015
Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites u 404 S. Figueroa St., Downtown Los Angeles
Reception & Registration | 11 a.m. u Luncheon & Awards Program | Noon to 2 p.m.
Parking | $24 Hotel Valet u $15 Self-Parking at City National Parking Garage (entrance across the street on Flower)
DOWNTOWN ALIVE!
DOWNTOWN ALIVE!
Presented by
Page Six CCA Advocacy & Action First Quarter 2015
CCA Executive Committee Recap:
CCA Members Discuss City Budget
With Councilmember Paul Krekorian
Controller Galperin Talks
Accountability and Transparency
Committee, discussed the state of
the City’s finances. In his remarks,
Krekorian reminded the group that
when he was first elected, the City
was projecting a $1.1 billion budget
deficit for the 2015-16 fiscal year.
They are now projecting a $150
million deficit, but the City also has
its largest reserves in recent history.
ideas to bring City Hall into the 21st
Century.
Galperin highlighted his efforts
regarding metrics and management.
He referenced Control Panel L.A.,
which he pioneered. It is a real-time
source of information about City of
Los Angeles’ expenditures, revenues,
payroll and special funds, that places
information at Angelenos’ fingertips.
Krekorian discussed his priorities for
the budget, which include investing
in the Los Angeles Police Department
and the Los Angeles Fire Department
(LAFD). He noted that the LAFD is
hiring for the first time in many years.
He also spoke about investing in the
City Planning Department to support
new development and he thanked
CCA members and other businesses
who are investing in Los Angeles.
CCA thanks Councilmember
Krekorian for his remarks and the
At the January CCA Executive
Committee meeting, Los Angeles City Metropolitan Water District for
hosting the meeting.
Councilmember Paul Krekorian, the
chairman of the Budget & Finance
CCA
New Members and
2014 Fourth Quarter
Renewing Members
NEW PREMIER MEMBERS
Hazens Group/Jia Yuan USA Co., Inc.
NEW EXECUTIVE MEMBERS
Camden
Shorenstein Properties LLC
NEW BUSINESS ADVOCACY MEMBERS
Arts District Development, LLC
Burns & Bouchard
DEWright, Inc.
Diamond Cities Development
Lennar Multifamily Communities
Lincoln Property Company
He also spoke of efforts to enhance
the City’s procurement process in
order to support local business.
Galperin stressed that when the City
purchases goods from a local vendor
the City retains the taxes generated
from the sale. This supports the
general fund and makes good
economic sense.
Los Angeles City Controller Ron
Galperin addressed CCA members
at the February Executive Committee
meeting. Galperin presented his
CCA thanks Controller Galperin
for his presentation and Skid Row
Housing Trust for hosting the
meeting.
2014 FOURTH QUARTER
Kennedy Wilson
The Walt Disney Company
RENEWING MEMBERS
Latham & Watkins
The McCarty Company, LLC
AECOM
Legendary Investors Group
Torti Gallas and Partners
American Commercial Equities, LLC
Lockton Insurance Brokers, Inc.
UCLA
Arnie Berghoff & Associates
Los Angeles Community College District
Union Pacific Railroad
Beacon Capital Partners
Los Angeles Department of Building & Volunteers of America
CH2M Hill
Safety
Chrysalis Enterprises
Los Angeles Public Library
CIM Group
Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
Craig Lawson & Company, LLC
Los Angeles Universal Preschool
Cushman & Wakefield
Los Angeles World Airports
DLA Piper LLP
Newhall Land
Downtown Los Angeles Farmers Market
Occidental Entertainment Group Holdings, Inc.
Driver Urban
O’Melveny & Myers, LLP
Gibson Dunn & Crutcher
Omgivning
HBK Investments
OUE Limited
Holland Partners
Regent Theatre DTLA
JADE Enterprises
Snell & Wilmer, LLP
JLL
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Kaiser Permanente
Steelcase
Kaufman Legal Group
System Property Development Company, Inc.
Wokcano
Wolfgang Puck Catering
First Quarter 2015 CCA Advocacy & Action Page Seven
CCA would like to thank
our Premier Members for
their commitment to our
organization and the City.
Sheriff Jim McDonnell Meets
with CCA Members
the nation, employing 18,000 people
and providing services to 42 contract
cities. LASD oversees County jails and
serves Metro facilities, 177 parks and
covers 4,000 square miles.
McDonnell stated that he is changing
the department paradigm by
recruiting, hiring and training people
who specifically want to work in the
custody environment and creating a
separate track for those who want to
work in the field. This will help LASD
recruit, train and employ a successful
workforce.
He also shared that he will advocate
for community-based mental health
treatment because jail is not the
At the March CCA Executive
place to treat mentally ill individuals.
Committee meeting, members
Along with typical crime, LASD also
heard remarks from Los Angeles
faces new, non-traditional policing
County Sheriff Jim McDonnell. He
shared his vision for the Los Angeles issues such as cyber crime, human
Sheriff’s Department (LASD), outlining trafficking, computer fraud and
identity theft.
his priorities and departmental
challenges.
CCA thanks Sheriff McDonnell for
his remarks and FIDM for hosting the
McDonnell explained that LASD is
meeting.
the largest sheriff’s organization in
Quimby Ordinance Update
CCA is pleased that the City of Los
Angeles has committed resources to
update the Quimby Ordinance and
will advocate for the changes to be
equitable, clear and useable.
The Ordinance is being updated
to require all new residential
development to pay a fee. Currently,
only residential projects, which
require a tract map or zone change,
pay a park fee. The revised
Ordinance proposes to make this
fee universal regardless of zoning
designation, but according to a City
commissioned nexus study the new
fee is estimated to be from $2,000 to
$30,000 per unit. CCA is concerned
that a significant–and in some cases–
new fee will act as a deterrent to
building new housing.
The revised Ordinance proposes a
new structure where projects with
50 or more units must prove to the
Department of Recreation and Parks
that they are unable to dedicate
park land. Projects subject to this
provision will be required to appear
before the Board of Recreation and
Parks Commission and prove why
land dedication is infeasible. This
new process will mandate early
consultation with Recreation and
Parks staff and require developers
to face another discretionary action
and public hearing. CCA does
not support adding new layers
of bureaucracy to constructing
residential units and will advocate for
an incentive-based approach to this
provision.
Additionally, the revised Ordinance
proposes the fee and/or land
dedication be based on the number
of market rate units a project is
constructing. This could act as
a disincentive to high-density
residential projects and the City
should consider establishing a sliding
scale of requirements in order to
encourage high-rise development.
CCA will continue to lead the
discussion regarding the Quimby
Ordinance update to improve park
opportunities across the entire City
but will only support revisions that do
not act as a deterrent to building new
housing especially in the midst of a
housing crisis.
MEMBER PROFILE
Sonnet Hui
Hazens Group US
As Executive Project Director for Hazens
Group US, Sonnet Hui is overseeing the
entitlement, development and design of a
$700-million project to turn the Luxe City
Center Hotel and two adjacent parcels
into a flagship high-rise in Downtown
L.A.’s fastest growing district. The mixeduse development, located next to the
Staples Center and L.A. Live on Figueroa
at Olympic, will include 650 luxury condos,
250 hotel rooms and 80,000 square feet
of commercial space. Scheduled to begin
construction in 2017, it is the second U.S.
project for Hazens, one of the largest
private real estate developers in China and
through it, the company aims to contribute
to the transformation of Downtown L.A.,
helping shape its future as a world-class city.
Sonnet is guiding Hazens through the
process of securing city approvals,
generating public support and supervising
more than 30 consultants involved in the
project, drawing on her bicultural heritage
and vast design and project management
experience.
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Sonnet
speaks Cantonese and Mandarin, and
has always brought a high level of cultural
sensitivity and global perspective to her
work. She moved to the U.S. in 1995 to
earn a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture
at USC, where she graduated cum laude
and is now a guest lecturer. Because of her
international background and experience,
Sonnet is particularly skilled at helping
Chinese and North American companies
bridge the gap between their cultural
norms and business practices to achieve
common goals and success. Passionate
about the role that architecture plays in
how we live, learn and relate to each other,
Sonnet is excited to be involved in a project
that draws on all of her professional and
personal skills to help revitalize and raise
the profile of the city she now calls home.
Building L.A. from the Heart
626 Wilshire Blvd.
Suite 200
Los Angeles, CA 90017
telephone 213.624.1213
facsimile 213.624.0858
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Business Advocate Who
Works As Hard As
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Save the Date – JUNE 18
High Hopes for High Rise Panel & Showcase
Tom Gilmore - Managing Partner
Gilmore Associates
Arden Hearing - Managing Director
Trumark Urban
Roger Vincent - Reporter
Los Angeles Times
Julio Morales - Associate Vice President,
Investments, Equity Residential
Tom Warren - COO & Partner
Holland Development
Mark Nay - Senior Associate Vice
President, RTKL Associates
High Hopes for High Rise Panel & Showcase Doubletree Hotel Downtown Los Angeles June 18, 2015 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.