Since its birth in the early 1900s, Venice has served as an unofficial testing ground for new and progressive concepts and has seen its fair share of controversy. From Abbot Kinney's theme park vision of canals and gondolas to the development of the famous Boardwalk and Muscle Beach, Venice has been a creative trendsetter. Its close proximity to the Pacific Ocean and to other wealthier enclaves has also made it a desirable target for gentrification, which has always created tension in an area known for its historically distinctive artistic, ethnic, and economic identities.
Since the 2000s, with the re-emergence of Abbot Kinney Boulevard and most recently, Rose Avenue, Venice is once again struggling to balance competing desires. Can it improve public safety, invest in its commercial corridors, and support "Silicon Beach" without forcing out longtime residents or losing its identity to gentrification?
Please join us on Friday, July 20, 2012 to listen to our panelists take a closer look at the struggles, risks, and triumphs of a transforming community and to hear about the private, public, and non-profit organizations that strike the off-kilter balance that makes Venice, Venice.
Speakers
Linda Lucks- President, Venice Neighborhood Council
Dave Aebersold- Manager, Whole Foods Market
Oscar Hermosillo- Owner of Venice Beach Wines & Oscar's Cerveteca
Moderator
Jonathan Lonner - Principal, Burns & Bouchard
