In their continuing struggle to preserve Lincoln Place, a large complex of modestly priced garden apartments in Venice, its tenants have moved on several fronts this week
An ecumenical service was held by local clergy in support of evicted Lincoln Place residents last Friday at their tent city at Frederick and California Streets in Venice. During the services, the clergy blessed Lincoln Place and its residents.
One of the residents, Maria Louisa, began a fast last Wednesday “to support our community at Lincoln Place so that the families can come back.”
The tent city was set up on Tuesday, December 6, after over 65 adults and 21 children were locked out of their apartments on orders of the property owner. AIMCO Venezia, LLC.
The tenants were scheduled to meet with the Los Angeles City Council yesterday morning, and were on the agenda of the Grassroots Venice Neighborhood Council meeting last night.
On Sunday, December 18, at 2 p.m., walking tours of Lincoln Place Garden Apartments will be given in order to demonstrate why “it matters.”
In addition to the tours, discussions of the basic issues that affect not only the tenants, but the entire Venice community and the future of Los Angeles will be held. The Los Angeles Conservancy, historic preservation experts, urban planners, Venice residents and community leaders and tenants will take part in the discussions.
Among the specific topics to be covered are development vs. historic preservation, the impacts of tenant displacement on neighborhoods and the Ellis Act.
People who would like to take the tour should meet at the Lincoln Place Tent City, Frederick and California Streets in Venice.
The 33-acre Lincoln Place Apartments, a 668-unit garden apartment complex built in 1950, was unanimously awarded Historic District designation by the California State Historic Resources Commission in August, 2005. Ralph Vaughn, an important African-American architect who had worked with Paul Williams, designed the complex with Heth Wharton.
For more information on Lincoln Place, visit www.lincolnplace.netFor further event information contact: lrsilagi@comcast.net , 310/396-5702
