The Sycamore Square Neighborhood Association, representing stakeholders who live, work or own property in the area bordered by Wilshire Blvd., Citrus Ave., Olympic Blvd. and La Brea Ave., held its annual meeting and block party on Sunday, October 11.
At the meeting, attended by about 30 neighbors, the major topic of discussion was Metro’s plans for closing Wilshire Blvd. between Highland Ave and La Brea Ave., beginning in November, for the construction of surface-level decking above the area where the new subway station box will be built (between Orange Dr. and Detroit St. ). Currently, Metro is seeking input on two different options for the street closure – either 7 full weeks, 24 hours per day…or 22 weeks of 24-hour closures on weekends only (the street would be open to traffic on week days).  After some discussion, a straw poll of the neighbors in attendance indicated a general preference for the 7-week option, though there were a few votes for six months of weekend-only closures, and two abstentions. The Sycamore Square Board will take a vote on an official neighborhood position at its  November 1 meeting.
Other discussion involved the Interim Control Ordinance for the area, recently introduced to the City Council by District 4 Council Member David Ryu, and approved by the Council’s PLUM Committee last week, which would prevent the teardown of homes until the city re-works its Baseline Mansionization Ordinance. A longer-term effort underway to gain Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ) status for the neighborhood, and updates on other local issues, were also discussed.
The other major event at the meeting was elections for new SSNA board members, to replace current members Linda DeLeon, Ann Eggleston and Elizabeth Fuller, whose terms were up and who have all chosen to step down from the Board.  The three new members elected to replace them are Matt Tenggren (a Sycamore Ave. resdent), Sue Horwitz (an Orange Drive resident and past president of the SSNA), and Charla Gardner (who lives on Citrus Ave.)  The new board members will serve two-year terms.  The Board, including four members whose seats were  not up for re-election this year, will elect new officers at the November 1 meeting.
Finally, meeting and party attendees also enjoyed  a chili cook-off, judged by chefs from local restaurants, including Apollonia’s Pizzeria, Rascal, Order Fire and the Blind Weasel Gastropub…and a raffle featuring prizes donated by more than a dozen local merchants and businesses.
