¡Hola Boyle Heights! It’s Alex here with your Friday edition of Happenings in the Heights.
Judge orders development to move forward. Local activists vow to keep fighting
A housing development that stirred up major community opposition last year is back in the spotlight after recent legal action.
Here’s the latest: A judge has ruled that the East L.A. Planning Commission acted in “bad faith” when it voted down a proposal from Tiao Properties to build at 2115–2123 E. Cesar E. Chavez Avenue. The court ordered the city to approve the project.
What’s planned? A five-story building with 50 apartments, 4,000 sq. ft. of retail on the ground floor, and underground parking. Only five of the units will be affordable housing—the rest will go for market rate.
Community organizers who originally opposed the project aren’t backing down. A public hearing is scheduled for April 9 at Ramona Hall Community Center. Our reporter and student mentor Alejandra has the full scoop.
More stories you should know
- On Election night, Ysabel Jurado promised to bring back basic city services. Just over 100 days in, she’s starting to deliver. Here’s what your neighbors have to say.
- Eastside educators and leaders have been speaking out after President Trump signed an executive order to begin dismantling the Department of Education.
- A year after completing a 150-foot-tall mural of Shohei Ohtani in L.A.’s Little Tokyo, Boyle Heights muralist Robert Vargas has unveiled a second in the Dodger’s hometown of Ōshū.
Eastside Eats
Our Social Media Producer Jackie just launched a new series spotlighting people, stories and delicious dishes that make our community special! Our first feature is Tenempal, a bright blue business on 1st Street serving up Mexican eats from brunch to dinner.
Community Spotlight
Roosevelt math teacher Briana Ramirez is a truly special educator, combining math, inclusivity and the lessons she learned growing up in East L.A. to make her classroom lively, engaging and understanding.
“One thing I like is that there’s an acronym for math: ‘Mistakes allow thinking to happen,’ and I feel like I really embody that within my teaching style, that it’s okay to make those mistakes.” -Briana Ramirez
More Happenings in the Heights
Check out yesterday’s newsletter for events, and even more that we found down below!
- Eastside Café is hosting Medicina Open Mic, a celebration of BIQTPOC and Womxn of Color in the area, on Friday at 7 p.m. Entry into the event is donation-based.
- Head to Libros Shmibros on Friday at 8 p.m. for a free screening of “Amores Perros.” L.A. Times film critic Carlos Aguilar will join in for a discussion.
- ELAC is hosting a free 5K on Saturday for runners in the neighborhood followed by a health fair on campus. You must RSVP to attend the event, which starts at 8 a.m.
- Benny Boy Brewing is celebrating its 3-year anniversary this Saturday with a batting cage, live music and fun activities from noon till midnight. RSVP to attend.
- Un Mercado Libre is coming to Mariachi Plaza on Sunday to give away free clothes, shoes, books and more. You can also bring things you don’t need and pass it along.
What we’re up to
Our student mentor Susanica Tam attended a backyard workshop with L.A. artist Ambar Arias in Boyle Heights. She got to paint a pair of ceramic pet bowls made by Ambar herself. Various workshops are offered, from hands-on pottery and slab building to customizing your own planter.
“I was able to walk there and enjoy a very calming morning. It felt therapeutic to focus on that instead of everything else!” — Susanica Tam
Meet the Staff
Say hi to Matthew Reagan, our new Assignment Editor for the L.A. Documenters program! He’s leading the charge to train and pay residents to cover under-reported public meetings and keep their communities informed.
Matthew brings years of experience mentoring young journalists at CalMatters and is excited to build something powerful: “The more people watching government, the stronger our democracy.” -Matthew Reagan
Want to join the Documenters movement? Learn more here.
Have thoughts, feedback, or ideas for what you’d like to see next? Hit reply – I’m all ears.