City Council Hands Hazard Park Space Over To Legacy L.A. For 50-Years (Because THEY Decided How To Best Use YOUR Park Space)

Council Unanimously Approves to Turn Former Federal Armory Into a Boyle Heights Youth Service Center

Legacy L.A., a start-up nonprofit, will turn old federal armory into a multi-faceted youth service facility in an effort to reduce gang violence in City’s eastside

LOS ANGELES (Dec. 10, 2008) - The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously today to approve a 50-year lease between Legacy L.A., a burgeoning nonprofit designed to keep kids in Boyle Heights and Ramona Gardens out of gangs, and the City’s department of Recreation and Parks. Legacy L.A. is championed by Councilmember José Huizar, who grew up in Boyle Heights and continues to live there today with his family. With the help and input of the Ramona Gardens’ community, Legacy L.A. will design and build a multi-faceted Youth Center at the five-acre site of the former federal armory at Hazard Park.“This is a major step in our battle to decrease gang violence in our community,” said Councilmember Huizar, following the 11-0 vote.

“Now instead of housing trucks, the old armory will house children and indoing so, it’ll be a place where dreams come true for kids who desperately need hope. Today we answered that cry. I salute the council, the department of recreation and parks and the mayor’s officefor fully supporting this effort.”Earlier this year, Legacy L.A. received funding from The California Endowment for a needs assessment community study, which was conducted inlarge part by 10 area teenagers who were awarded a fellowship. The teensc onducted an elaborate study of community members to determine what sorts of programs are needed in the area. Legacy L.A. has been selected, along with Violence Intervention Programin Lincoln Heights, Barrio Action Youth & Family Services in El Sereno,to receive funding under Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s Gang Reductionand Youth Development program.

MANY OF YOU FEEL THIS APPROVAL PROCESS WAS SHADY AS HELL. SO POST YOUR COMMENTS HERE. THIS WAS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE. (Villaraigosa, not Dogg.)

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