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PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release Contact:

“Envision Venice” Community Planning Workshop Will Help Map Course for Future Development on Lincoln Boulevard

Nov. 15 event brings Venice residents and businesses into long-term planning for development, transportation, multiple use projects, streetscaping and other urban issues.

Venice, CA Nov. 4, 2003— Community groups, city officials, business organizations and concerned citizens will gather on November 15 at an “Envision Venice” planning workshop to take a searching look at the future development of Lincoln Boulevard in Venice.

“We see this meeting as a first step in bringing the people of Venice into long-term planning for Lincoln Boulevard in a way that will enhance the unique cultural and artistic qualities of our community,” said Gwynne Pugh, an architect and the vice-chairman of the program planning committee for the Venice Community Coalition (VCC). “This effort is critical, because Lincoln is a major traffic arterial and a center of commerce and activity in Venice.”

The goal of the workshop is to elicit and crystallize “design values”—residents' feelings and ideas about how Lincoln Boulevard should look and function as a vital part of their community. Following the workshop, VCC will issue a final report summarizing recommendations and issues flowing from the workshop.

Pugh said that VCC expects the workshop and report to catalyze the Los Angeles city planning department to begin preparation of a Community Design Overlay, or CDO, for Lincoln Boulevard. CDOs, a planning tool used by the department, ensure that development embodies the community's values, preserves desirable qualities, and improves the physical environment.

Date and Time: Saturday, November 15, 2003. 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM

Location: United Methodist Church of Venice, 1020 Victoria Street

(one block north of Venice, east side of Lincoln Blvd.)

The workshop will be facilitated by Doug Kruschke, President of InSynergy. Local architects and community planners will lead small-group workshops during the day's activities. A light lunch will be served. For more information go to www.envisionvenice.org.

The Venice Community Coalition formed in 2003 as a community-based group focusing on issues of planning and development. "Envision Venice" has been endorsed by the Grass Roots Venice Neighborhood Council. Event sponsors include: Abbot Kinney District Association, The BlueOne.com, the Council office of Cindy Miscikowski, groundworks coffee company, Oscarwatch, The Printing Studio, Pugh + Scarpa Architecture, Reich Architecture + Urban Design, Staples, Venice, Subway, Venice/Marina del Rey, the Ulan Bator Foundation of Venice, Venice Community Coalition, and the Venice Community Housing Corporation, and many individuals.