Street repairs are scheduled to begin in February in the 500 block of Lilian Way, where the road is prone to flooding. (photo by Edwin Folven)

Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz has been meeting with residents and organizations in neighborhoods such as Hancock Park that were recently moved into the 5th District under the City Council redistricting process.

On Jan. 13, he met with the Hancock Park Homeowners Association in a virtual meet-and-greet, and plans to join the Greater Miracle Mile Chamber of Commerce during a virtual meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Jan. 27.

Koretz said he is excited to represent Park La Brea, Hancock Park and the Miracle Mile, areas formerly in the 4th District, together with communities he has represented for more than a decade. Koretz, who has served on the City Council since 2009 and is termed out next year, will remain in office through the end of 2022, and is also running for city controller. He said the goal was to hit the ground running and make sure residents in the new areas are connected with services and resources.

“It was very exciting that I was able to pick up areas like Park La Brea and Hancock Park and others in re-apportionment. I wish I had another 10 years to represent them, but I want to do an exceptional job in the year we have left,” Koretz said. “We’ve met with the Park La Brea Residents Association and we’ve met with the Hancock Park HOA and surrounding HOAs, and we have been exceedingly warmly received. We’ve had some [traffic and street repair] issues identified which we are immediately working to resolve, and it’s just been a very encouraging relationship.”

Hancock Park Homeowners Association president Cindy Chvatal-Keane said she is pleased that Koretz now represents the neighborhood, and added that improvements are already noticeable. She said long-awaited street repair projects are either now occurring in Hancock Park or are scheduled to begin soon. Repairs to concrete street surfaces were recently completed along Hudson Street between Sixth and Third streets. Repairs in the 500 block of Lilian Way, which Chvatal-Keane said is prone to flooding because of poor drainage, are scheduled to begin in February.

“I have to thank Council District 5 and L.A. Street Services, because they have really been making improvements,” Chvatal-Keane said. “We’ve been waiting a long time for this, so it was nice to see it finally happening.”

Chvatal-Keane added that the virtual meeting allowed members to meet Rob Fisher, Koretz’s new field deputy for Park La Brea, Hancock Park, Greater Wilshire and the Miracle Mile. Residents are encouraged to contact him with concerns at rob.fisher@lacity.org.

Koretz spokeswoman Alison Simard said Fisher previously worked as a field deputy in the office of Councilman David Ryu, who represented the 4th District from 2015-20, when it included Hancock Park and the surrounding areas. She said he is already familiar with issues and needs in the area such as street repairs, which has allowed for a smooth transition.

Chvatal-Keane said Koretz’s staff, including chief field and transportation deputy Jay Greenstein, are also now guiding a project aimed at making Highland Avenue safer. Plans call for adjustments to traffic signals on Highland Avenue south of Melrose Avenue to reduce the number of people speeding to make red lights, as well as restrictions on left turns at Beverly Boulevard and Third Street, which are frequently sites of collisions, she added. The timeline for implementation has not yet been finalized, but the changes are scheduled to occur soon.

“All of this was music to our ears,” Chvatal-Keane added. “He checked all the boxes. We are so delighted to have what we feel now is a partner for our neighborhood.”

Koretz added that he is also concerned about public safety and security, and is working with the Los Angeles Police Department to ensure resources are devoted to each part of the district. He thanked members of the Hancock Park community for allowing him to speak, and encouraged people to attend the upcoming meeting with the Greater Miracle Mile Chamber of Commerce on Jan. 27. To join the Zoom meeting, visit us02web.zoom.us/j/89241306899, and use the Meeting ID: 892 4130 6899, or email info@miraclemilechamber.org.

“Everyone has been very positive and we will do our best to do everything we can in the remaining year that we have left,” Koretz added.