River LA

River LA is a nonprofit working on the revitalization of the Los Angeles River. The organization, formerly known as the Los Angeles River Revitalization Corporation, was founded in 2009 by the City of LA to coordinate river policy as part of the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan.[1][2] River LA has garnered attention for their work with Frank Gehry;[3][4][5][6] their work on the La Kretz Crossing, the first multi-modal cable-stayed bridge of its kind;[7][8] and their Greenway 2020, a project to create a continuous 51 mile greenway and bike path.[9] In the fall of 2020 they launched Rio Reveals, a multi-year campaign of immersive experiences along the L.A. River, engaging more than 40 artists and the community to benefit the river.[10][11] The organization is led by Executive Director Ed Reyes.[12] Jon Switalski is the current Director of External Affairs.

Projects

River LA recruited Frank Gehry in 2014 to collaborate on the River’s revitalization, a decision supported by Mayor Eric M Garcetti.[13][14][15] River LA and Gehry Partners have thus far unveiled the River Index, an online database that catalogues research and data on the River.[16][17]  

In 2011, plans were announced for a pedestrian, equestrian and cyclist bridge over the Los Angeles River connecting Griffith Park and Atwater Village.[18][19][20] The project is a public-private infrastructure project funded by a public funding and private donations because of a shared focus on alternative transportation.[21][22] The La Kretz Bridge will be the first 21st century bridge to cross the LA River.[23]

In 2017, River LA became a charter member of the Highline Network.[24][25] The Highline Network is created to support re-use infrastructure projects similar to New York City's High Line, with members including the Atlanta Beltline, Crissy Field, Dequindre Cut, the Lowline, Klyde Warren Park, the Bentway, the Trinity River Project, etc.[26][27][28]

In 2020, River LA announced Rio Reveals, a groundbreaking series of experiences bringing together Los Angeles artists, culture, and community for a live, immersive journey along the past, present and future of the L.A. River. River LA is collaborating with experiential entertainment studio 13Exp and more than 40 artists on this multi-year campaign.[29]

References

  1. ^ Hawthorne, Christopher (2015-08-09). "How Frank Gehry's L.A. River make-over will change the city and why he took the job". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  2. ^ "Frank Gehry's controversial L.A. River plan gets cautious, low-key rollout". Los Angeles Times. 2016-06-18. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  3. ^ "River LA to hold first public listening session today in South Gate". Los Angeles Times. 2016-05-14. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  4. ^ Morrison, Patt. "Can Frank Gehry and a coalition of advocates bring the L.A. River back to life?". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  5. ^ Nagourney, Adam (2015-09-23). "Frank Gehry Draws Ire for Joining Los Angeles River Restoration Project". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  6. ^ "Will the Los Angeles River Become a Playground for the Rich?". The Nation. ISSN 0027-8378. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  7. ^ Zahniser, David. "How a supposedly free bridge over the L.A. River will cost taxpayers millions". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  8. ^ "State fills funding gap to build new L.A. River bridge as construction costs soar | The Eastsider LA". www.theeastsiderla.com. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  9. ^ Hawthorne, Christopher (2013-07-23). "Ambitious goal for L.A. River: Continuous 51-mile path by 2020". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  10. ^ "LA: The L.A. River Is About To Become An Immersive Epicenter". No Proscenium. 2020-09-23. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  11. ^ Bennett Rylah, Juliet (2020-09-24). "LA: Rio Reveals tells L.A. River Stories in IRL & Online Experiences". We Like LA. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  12. ^ "River LA team page".
  13. ^ Nagourney, Adam (2015-09-23). "Frank Gehry Draws Ire for Joining Los Angeles River Restoration Project". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  14. ^ "Frank Gehry's controversial L.A. River plan gets cautious, low-key rollout". Los Angeles Times. 2016-06-18. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  15. ^ "Frank Gehry revealed as designer of masterplan for LA River". Dezeen. 2015-08-10. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  16. ^ Hawthorne, Christopher (2015-08-09). "How Frank Gehry's L.A. River make-over will change the city and why he took the job". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  17. ^ "Frank Gehry's controversial L.A. River plan gets cautious, low-key rollout". Los Angeles Times. 2016-06-18. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  18. ^ Brasuell, James (2011-10-26). "Atwater Village to Get "Iconic" Bridge Across the LA River". Curbed LA. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  19. ^ "New L.A. River Bridge Will Connect Atwater Village to Griffith Park". KCET. 2013-07-11. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  20. ^ "L.A. River Atwater Ped-Bike-Horse Bridge Nears Approval". Streetsblog Los Angeles. 2017-05-12. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  21. ^ Zahniser, David. "How a supposedly free bridge over the L.A. River will cost taxpayers millions". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  22. ^ "Atwater Bridge a Go Despite 4x Original Cost – Los Feliz Ledger". www.losfelizledger.com. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  23. ^ "City Approves Gift of 21st Century Bridge across the L.A. River". KCET. 2012-05-25. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  24. ^ "High Line creators launch website to advise on avoiding gentrification". Dezeen. 2017-06-22. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  25. ^ Barragan, Bianca (2017-06-21). "River LA joins High Line-founded network focused on creating equitable public spaces". Curbed LA. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  26. ^ Marshall, Colin (2017-08-15). "Want to join New York's High Line crowd? Don't listen to Joanna Lumley". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  27. ^ "The High Line's Biggest Issue—And How Its Creators Are Learning From Their Mistakes". CityLab. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  28. ^ Eldredge, Barbara (2017-06-21). "High Line launches forum to advise similar projects around the country". Curbed. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  29. ^ "Rio Reveals announcement". Retrieved 2020-10-10.