Group 3 : Allied Businessperson's Association

There are many businesses that line the Los Angeles River. When the river was channelized years ago, businesses were built along its banks since they were now protected from the floods. The river had lost potential scenic attributes, so mostly warehouses, railroad facilities, and industries established themselves there. Presently, most of those businesses are in a state of decay, or out of business altogether. The Allied Businessperson's Association has proposed a revitalization of the river area with a mixed use of retail businesses and green space along the river to attract affluent people back into the city.

Their proposal doesn't disagree with the Public Safety Commission's plan to keep the river channelized, but they would include some scenic areas where their stores and restaurants could line the river. They have been studying the city of San Antonio's riverwalk area as a model. Their plan would also include wholesale shopping outlets that would be adjacent to the river. They are definitely opposed to making the river more naturalized, however, since they are not convinced that their property/ businesses would not be protected by the flooding. Also, they feel that the system as is has protected them since 1938, so why risk changing it? Further they would like to assess local homeowners to help pay for the refurbishment since they claim it will increase surrounding property values. Better to use public funds for revitalizing the economy rather than pour money into an ecosystem that has been dead or lost for years.