Monday, January 17, 2005
The football scoreboard at L.A. City College is scheduled (according to the MASTER PLAN) to be demolished, ending the chance of any future football program. This is regrettable, since athletic programs 1) encourage grassroots community involvement with the college, 2) attract talented players to play and study at the campus, and 3) provide some revenue to the school.
HEAVY TRAFFIC clogs Vermont Avenue. On regular school days, traffic is even more congested, slowing the commute and raising blood pressure. Often there is a construction project causing the delay. Does the LACCD MASTER PLAN call for the construction of a parking structure, perhaps on the site of the GOLF COURSE property?
What does the MASTER PLAN say about this? I am on Vermont Avenue on the L.A. City College campus pointing to the Golf Course (tall nets on poles in background). The Community College Board leases the property to a developer who built the golf course. The lease is for 35 years, but the Board could (if it chose) declare "eminent domain" and reclaim the property after compensating the developer. Could a Science lab, or parking lot be built here?
The MASTER PLAN calls for an Academic (Science Lab) Building to be built here, on the spot where field sports were played for decades. This athletic field that has been turned into a parking area for the staff and faculty at LA City College. Soon, the stands in the background will be torn down. Were alumni, students, staff, or community stakeholders consulted in the creation of the MASTER PLAN for LACC construction projects?
L.A. City College (on Vermont North of Melrose) has a long tradition serving Southern California. Perhaps some Bond AA money will be allocated to bring online instruction to the local community LACC serves. Such a move would generate 4 times more revenue per "web-instructor" than a regular classroom instructor.