Fashion District Target of Redistricting Struggle
There’s a potentially big political scramble brewing in Los Angeles City Hall over the future of Los Angeles’ fashion district as the city embarks on a redistricting plan that could affect the area’s sphere of influence.
Los Angeles’ charter mandates that the city redraw the boundary lines of its 15 districts after each U.S. Census to reflect any changes in demographics. Currently, part of the fashion district, including the Santee Alley retail district, lies in the 9th District under Councilwoman Jan Perry, while another portion that includes the California Mart and the New Mart lies in Councilman Nick Pacheco’s 14th District. Pacheco reportedly wants the entire fashion district to be included in the 14th, whereas Perry wants to hold onto the area contained within the current boundaries of her district as well as add all of the Skid Row section to it.
While the fashion district currently includes a small residential element and holds little voting power, that could change in the near future as MJW Investments continues a plan to build close to 700 apartment units in the area and Steve Needleman of ANJAC Fashion Buildings pursues a plan to build close to 100 lofts above the Orpheum Theatre on Broadway Avenue. Others have similar plans. The residential wave has been facilitated by the city’s adaptive reuse ordinance, which makes it easier to obtain building permits for housing and is designed to help alleviate the massive shortage of housing in Los Angeles County.
Pacheco spokesperson Yvette Doss said the councilman “supports the desires of several business groups to be united under one district,” but she added that he has yet to publicly take a strong stand one way or the other.
Perry said she would like to maintain her majority portion of the fashion district and take on any new sections if possible.
“I’ve made it clear that I would welcome any new businesses and would like all of Skid Row,” she said, explaining that she would like to unify social programs affecting that area, which is also splintered between two districts.
Meanwhile, Kent Smith, executive director of the Fashion District Business Improvement District, said things have been going well under split districts.
“Getting two voices in City Hall is a good thing. We’re comfortable the way things have been going,” he said.
The city’s Redistricting Commission is currently working on a draft of a realigned map that the city council must approve by March 1. —Robert McAllister
