Annual Report 2011 - ULI Los Angeles - Urban Land Institute

Message from the Incoming Chair
The Urban Land Institute is blessed by a transparent culture of sharing best practices
to collectively raise the bar in the responsible use of land. I have been fortunate to
have been a part of it for 25 years.
Every leader brings a vision. I am no exception. It is my responsibility to inspire
the Council to embrace and expand on that vision and to take measured and
proportionate risk to achieve it. I have identified several areas sharing the common
theme of civic pride. We have the opportunity to cast a vision of creativity, and to
influence the formulation of the necessary public policy to implement it.
The region’s major portal is LAX. Visually fatigued and inefficient the day it opened,
after decades of neglect it is finally undergoing some transformational improvements.
We have the opportunity to encourage an ongoing comprehensive reconsideration
of our gateway to the world. It will pay permanent economic dividends across all of
Southern California.
Ronald A. Altoon, FAIA, LEED AP, CDP
Incoming Chairman, ULI Los Angeles
Partner
Altoon + Porter Architects LLP
The Los Angeles River has been imprisoned in a Corps of Engineers concrete channel since the early 20th Century.
In an arid environment, underserved by sparse water resources, we now have an approved LA River Master Plan. Let
it be only a beginning.
Downtown, enjoying an on and off renaissance, has depended on the inspired vision of a few courageous individuals
to spur its sputtering transformation. We have many urban resources which can be further energized. We enjoy
the traditional overlay of historic Olvera Street, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, and Koreatown. And there is the promise
of a Clean Tech Corridor. With plans being discussed to cap the 101 Freeway, and to transform the LA River for
recreational use, there are many initiatives which need our attention.
But, we also need to envision a downtown where all demographic sectors feel comfortable living. We will need high
achievement schools at every level, and safe streets. We will need parks and recreation. The vast areas of South and
East LA need recreational areas and parks. We must consider up-zoning to accommodate growth.
In October, the ULI Fall Meeting will come again to Los Angeles. We have the opportunity to build on the truly unique
resources of this state and region. We are the most diverse community in the world, bringing an unparalleled prism
to view the future of our built environment.
By the initiative process, in 2008 we approved Measure R which can initiate a sea change, causing this region to
reinvent itself. And we are a region which has been exporting professional expertise to Asia for decades, and now
seeing the residual benefit of both lessons learned coming back to benefit our thinking, and foreign investment
finding opportunities in this community.
I look forward to hearing your priorities between now and when I assume the Chairmanship in July 2011. Please feel
free to email me at raltoon@altoonporter.com to share your thoughts.
In the spirit of collaboration,
Ronald A. Altoon, FAIA, LEED AP, CDP
Incoming Chairman, 2011-13
3| ULI Los Angeles Annual Report 2011