Ovrom Takes Over Embattled Los Angeles CRA

With lawsuits pending and the threat of redevelopment funds being withheld at the state level to help out with the budget, the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency is on shaky ground. At the same time, increased development in downtown L.A. and the dire need for housing in other parts of the city place the CRA on the front lines of local development. Suffice it to say that the job of CRA Administrator is a challenging one. Yet, Robert “Bud” Ovrom has embraced the challenge, giving up his position as Burbank’s city manager of 18 years to step up to the plate in L.A. The Planning Report presents this interview with Bud Ovrom in which he discusses his decision to assume the leadership of the CRA and what his priorities will be in the coming months.