“A Boyle Heights cultural landmark has a vivid past and an iffy future - Los Angeles Times” plus 1 more |
| A Boyle Heights cultural landmark has a vivid past and an iffy future - Los Angeles Times Posted: In 80 years, so much has happened at the cultural center known as the Casa del Mexicano. When times were good, Mexico's finest traveled to the giant lime- and lemon-colored building in Boyle Heights to mingle in pearls and bow ties. When times were bad, mice ran wild, and those who ran the place fought constantly. Once, one group stormed the giant doors with a chain saw to overthrow another. Recently, a shaggy muralist arrived to paint two arches. But he fell for the place and moved in, covering nearly every interior inch with Mexico's history, both real and imagined. Over time, what's occurred in the historic center is colorful enough for a Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel. But unless supporters find a solution fast, it's possible this latest chapter could be its last. The Casa del Mexicano went into foreclosure in October. On Friday, the building is set to be sold at a lender auction. The nonprofit that runs the Casa fell behind on payments for a $175,000 loan it took out to do repairs. It also owed the county nearly $50,000 in unpaid property taxes. The Casa's saga has played out in the Spanish-language media for weeks as a group calling itself the Committee for the Rescue and Democracy of the Casa del Mexicano has pushed for an investigation of Martha Soriano, the nonprofit's president, and her husband, Ruben, its secretary. The group accuses the Sorianos of illegally obtaining the loan, operating with a phantom board, neglecting bylaws and stealing money. Los Angeles City Councilman Jose Huizar and state Sen. Kevin De Leon (D-Los Angeles) wrote to the secretary of state and attorney general to inform them of the questions being raised. "It's very difficult to know the ins and outs of what's going on," said De Leon's district director, Steve Veres, adding: "We have some level of concern with any institution that's undergoing controversy." The Sorianos say they are victims of the bad economy and of a mix-up with the county that sent taxes soaring. They say those speaking against them are former Casa members who want to take over the organization. They also say they have the documents to prove they have done nothing wrong. On a recent afternoon, Martha Soriano sat in the Casa's office and flipped through a thick binder of receipts, meeting minutes, and loan and tax documents. "From the start, we've been like the Flintstones, trying to make do to keep this place afloat. Now, instead of supporting us, they want to destroy everything," she said of her critics. The Casa's history is long and tangled. The organization was established by the Mexican Consulate in 1931, at a time when thousands of Mexicans were being forced to return south, blamed for stealing scarce jobs during the Great Depression. The center's mission was to help Mexicans in need and to promote pride. Over the decades, its prestige grew and so did donations. Thousands cycled through to take part in theater shows, sports programs, Christmas drives and the annual Miss Mexico Los Angeles beauty pageant. But political infighting grew chronic in the 1990s, and leadership switched hands at least four times. Nearby residents began complaining about trash, drug use and loud music. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
| Richmond mayor proposes arts and cultural district for downtown - Richmond Times-Dispatch Posted: RICHMOND -- Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones is proposing to designate a large portion of downtown, including sections of Broad, North Second and Grace streets, as an arts and cultural district. In an effort to spur investment and redevelopment, Jones is asking the City Council to create the ArtBusiness Richmond district for an area covering about 65 blocks. "We know that arts and culture are a catalyst for economic development," Jones told council members in a lunch meeting Monday. Jones announced the district during his recent State of the City address and planned to introduce the proposal Monday night for formal review over the coming weeks. Officials said they believe the downtown district could be a model that could be replicated in other areas, such as Manchester. Under the proposal, businesses and property owners in the district would have enhanced and, in some cases, exclusive access to loan programs for building renovations, grants for façade improvements and technical assistance. To qualify, businesses or properties need not be involved in the arts. "The question for us is, is it a value-added for the district?" said Peter H. Chapman, deputy chief administrative officer for economic and community development and acting director of economic development. "An arts district need coffee shops. An arts district needs a convenience store. An arts district needs basic goods and services." The area targeted for the district is already home to various arts venues, including The National theater, Richmond CenterStage and art galleries that are showcased through the monthly First Fridays art walk. The district also would be branded as a destination for the arts, culture and entertainment, providing opportunities for grants from prominent foundations that support the arts, Chapman said. "It's about ... creating an identity that will be beneficial to this community," he said. John Bryan, president of CultureWorks, a nonprofit group that supports development of the arts in the Richmond region, said Jones should be commended for recognizing the power of the arts in creating a vibrant communities. He predicted the proposed district would help create vibrant areas throughout downtown. "This is a long-term effort," he said. "They start and build and grow." This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
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