Promoting Joint Use Schools in L.A.

On Saturday, February 28th 2004, Livable Places hosted a select group of design professionals, local officials, and community stakeholders to participate in a one-day design charrette with the purpose of exploring the possibilities for new joint use schools in Los Angeles.

The all day event, which was organized in partnership with the Hollywood-based architecture firm of Roschen Van Cleve and the Los Angeles Office of Environmental Defense, brought together two teams of architects to imagine scenarios for joint use development around two planned new schools in Northeast Los Angeles.

During the charrette, two teams of participants were asked to envision a plan for a new high school on a 23-acre parcel at Taylor Yard in Glassell Park, and a new middle school in Lincoln Heights along the Los Angeles River. Community stakeholders were given the opportunity to provide input to the design professionals to inform the development of the concept proposals for each school. Staff from LAUSD and the Office of Councilmember Ed Reyes also attended the event to answer questions about current area plans and offer suggestions.

The resulting concept proposals, which combined the new campuses with a mix of housing, public open and recreation space, and civic/community uses, were shared with the participants and local officials from LAUSD and the City of Los Angeles as examples of potential scenarios for joint-use planning and development around the planned new school construction in the city.

The charrette was planned as part of a number of efforts by a group of local community advocates organized by Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg to demonstrate the viability and support for joint-use planning around schools, and its potential to bring additional benefits such as new parks and affordable housing to communities that are targeted for new school construction.

For more information, contact Beth Steckler.

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