December 15, 2005

Contact:
Laura Silagi (310) 490-2872
Judy Branfman (310) 392-2076
Clare Sassoon (310) 403-0941

WHY LINCOLN PLACE MATTERS!
Tour the Lincoln Place Garden Apartments

What: A free walking tour of Historic Lincoln Place Garden Apartments. Visit several apartments with architectural and policy experts and join in discussions about vital issues that affect the fate of our communities and neighbors: development vs. historic preservation, the Ellis Act, and how Lincoln Place tenants' current situation and displacement will impact L.A.’s neighborhoods.

When: Sunday, December 18, 2005, 2 p.m. to approximately 4 p.m.

Who: Guided by Los Angeles Conservancy members, the tour will include locked-out Lincoln Place residents, urban planners, preservation experts, local residents, and community leaders. Elected city officials have been extended special invitations to attend.

Where: Meet at the Lincoln Place Tent City at Frederick St. and California Ave. in Venice
(1 mile south of the 10 freeway, Lincoln Blvd exit. Frederick St. is 1 block east of Lincoln Blvd. at Ross Dress For Less.)
(map)
If it's raining, call (310) 396-5702 for an alternative meeting place.

Why:

The Historic Lincoln Place Garden Apartments buildings are under dire threat. Denver-based property owner AIMCO (Apartment Investment and Management Company) has been evicting tenants in order to demolish the complex and build a large condominium complex, despite prior agreements with the City to perform no evictions. 92 residents (including 23 children) have already been locked out, with the remaining 83 households of seniors and disabled tenants slated for lockout in March. See this rich historic cultural landmark and meet residents who have maintained a vibrant and diverse community as they have fought to stay in their homes for 18 years.

Lincoln Place Apartments, a 33-acre, 668-unit garden apartment complex built in 1950 (bordered by Palms Ave., Frederick St., Lake St., and Penmar Ave. in Venice), was unanimously awarded Historic District designation by the California State Historic Resources Commission in August 2005. The decision was reaffirmed on November 4 when the Commission rejected AIMCO’s request for a re-determination. Ralph Vaughn, an important African-American architect, who worked with Paul Williams, designed the complex and was also one of the first African-American set designers working under Cedric Gibbons.

LINCOLN PLACE UPDATE: On Tuesday, December 13, 2005, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously supported a motion from 11th District Councilman Bill Rosendahl to urge AIMCO, the Lincoln Place Tenants Association, and historical preservationists to return to negotiations, and for evictions to cease. Rosendahl said. "These evictions are intolerable. We cannot continue to see the middle class and affordable housing be squeezed out of the Westside." Less than 24 hours later, at 8:30 am on Wednesday, December 14, tenants in an additional 6 units were locked-out of their apartments.

More on Lincoln Place:
For further information contact:
Laura Silagi (310) 396-5702,
lrsilagi@comcast.net,
Or call: Judy Branfman 310/392-2076

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© Lincoln Place Tenants Association
Email: info@lincolnplace.net