In 2015, the Wilshire, Miracle Mile, West Hollywood and Hollywood communities elected new leaders, ushered in a new era of equal rights for the LGBT community, watched the Metro Purple Line subway extension plow forward and enjoyed the re-opening of The Petersen Automotive Museum.

Marriage Equality

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Marriage Equality, causing a large West Hollywood “Decision Day celebration. (photo by Gregory Cornfield)

The past year was a period of unprecedented change for the LGBT community, which celebrated a milestone in June when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a decision to expand marriage equality nationwide. Thousands of people rallied in West Hollywood following the June 26 ruling which invalidated bans on same-sex marriage in 13 states and guaranteed all couples the right to marry. Lorri L. Jean, CEO of the Los Angeles LGBT Center, declared at the rally that the decision culminated decades of “blood, sweat and tears.” June 26 is now known as “Decision Day” among the LGBT community and the thousands of same-sex couples who married in the weeks following the ruling.

Civic Politics

The year started with heated debates between 14 candidates vying to replace Councilman Tom LaBonge in the Fourth Council District. Hot-button issues included access to the Hollywood Sign, traffic congestion in the Hollywood Hills, perceived runaway development in Hollywood, discretionary funding for neighborhood projects and infrastructure repairs for potholes and cracked sidewalks. Voters narrowed the field to Carolyn Ramsay, former chief of staff for LaBonge, and David Ryu, a community health director, who competed in a runoff election in May. Ryu ultimately won the election, receiving 53 percent of the vote, and was sworn into office at the end of June.

New leaders also emerged in 2015 in West Hollywood after an election in March to fill three city council seats. Voters elected former West Hollywood City Councilwoman Lindsey Horvath and community activist Lauren Meister; Councilman John D’Amico held his seat. Long-time West Hollywood Councilman John Heilman, who had served on the council since the city was incorporated in 1984, lost the March 3 election. He returned quickly, however, when he won a special election in June, filling a seat vacated by Jeffrey Prang, who was elected Los Angeles County Assessor.

Greek Theatre

The year began with a push by residents living near the Greek Theatre to continue operations under the Nederlander Organization. In late 2014, the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) Commission selected Live Nation to operate the venue, a decision the city council did not support. RAP later decided to operate the Greek Theatre itself and hired the management firm SMG in 2015 to oversee day-to-day operations. The goal is to generate more revenue for the city and to provide broader accessibility for a variety of promoters and styles of music.

Museum Row

The Miracle Mile landscape underwent major changes in 2015 with the completion of the Petersen Automotive Museum. The museum was closed for 14 months through early December while the exterior was re-designed with red paint and flowing steel ribbons that convey movement. The interior was transformed with interactive exhibits ,and a fleet of new cars was added to the museum’s one-of-a-kind collection.

After 14 months of reconstruction, the Petersen reopened its doors in December. (photo by Patricia Sanchez)

The Petersen anchors the western end of Museum Row, which will also add the Academy Museum. The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences project was approved by the city council in June after the Academy and a community organization came to terms over impacts to the surrounding neighborhood. The museum will celebrate the movie industry. A glass sphere is a defining design element. Completion is expected by early 2018.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art also made headlines in 2015 with its 50th anniversary celebration in April. The museum celebrated its anniversary with the “50 for 50” exhibit displaying donated artworks by masters such as Cabrera, Degas and Monet. Approximately one month later, LACMA mourned the loss of artist Chris Burden who created the “Urban Light” artwork, the collection of antique streetlights at the entrance facing Wilshire Boulevard.

Metro Subway

Construction of the Metro Purple Line subway extension remained a major issue in 2015, and it promises to continue to affect the neighborhood well into the future. Major construction began on a subway station this fall near Wilshire Boulevard and La Brea Avenue. Wilshire Boulevard has been reduced to two lanes in each direction while the walls around the underground station are completed.

One of the main components of the construction is scheduled next spring when Metro plans to complete decking at street-level over the station, a precursor to further underground construction and tunneling. Metro has proposed a full closure of Wilshire Boulevard between La Brea and Highland Avenues for seven weeks or 22 weekends to complete the work. Councilman David Ryu, in conjunction with multiple city departments, is expected to choose which closure option to use during the early part of next year.

Development

Many construction projects moved ahead after recession-caused delays making 2015 a dynamic year for development. However, one of the highest-profile projects – the Hollywood Millennium Project – remained mired in controversy. Lawsuits by community groups sought to block the project’s two towers from rising on property near the Capitol Records building. The state had also raised concerns about earthquake risk in the area.

In June, a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge invalidated the project’s environmental impact report, which halted the project until the city approves a new EIR. The developer has vowed to continue the project, and it is uncertain when the next step will begin.

Other projects, such as 8150 Sunset, faced strong opposition early in the year but ended with support. Architect Frank Gehry redesigned the mixed-use project at the southwest corner of Sunset and Crescent Heights Boulevards at the former Garden of Allah Hotel site and released the new design at the end of August. Residents in the surrounding neighborhood, who had previously opposed the development, praised the new plan that created five distinct structures around a central plaza.

The partially completed Target store in Hollywood at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Western Avenue, remained a source of contention. Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, 13th District, and the Los Angeles Planning Department, are developing a plan to change the city’s specific plans (long-term zoning regulations) for the property so construction on the store can continue. Opponents earlier filed a lawsuit challenging the project’s zoning, which forced construction to halt in 2014. An appeal of the court ruling is pending. Opponents have vowed to file another lawsuit if new changes are approved by the city council allowing the project to resume.

Looking Ahead

The coming year promises to be as dynamic as 2015, with city leaders tackling issues such as homelessness and the threat of El Niño. The city council has called for $100 million to address homelessness but has yet to identify all the funding sources. Short-term approaches, such as keeping shelters open during the winter, as well as long-term solutions, such as creating housing, remain at the forefront.

Development also promises to be a key issue in 2016, as projects such as the Palladium Residences and a mixed-use development at the Crossroads of the World site are set to transform the Hollywood skyline. And while local city and county elections are not scheduled until 2017, the November presidential election promises to keep politics on everyone’s minds. One thing that is sure to remain constant is that change will continue to shape community in 2016.