L.A. River Restoration Comes With $2 Billion Price Tag

The long awaited master plan for transforming the concrete encased waterway is well received, though its projected cost remains a significant hurdle.

1 minute read

February 2, 2007, 1:00 PM PST

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera


"After decades of enduring jokes about the city's concrete-lined waterway, officials today will release an ambitious master plan for restoring the Los Angeles River, a project that reflects lofty dreams and carries a big price tag.

If anything, the plan is significant not for its specifics but for its sweep and boldness in proposing to turn the industrial-strength storm drain running from the San Fernando Valley to the sea into "one of the city's most treasured landmarks."

The Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan proposes a $2-billion-plus makeover that would replace vast tracts of industrial land along the river with parks, clean up the river and make it appear more natural while retaining its important flood-control role.

The plan is intended to guide construction of a series of parks along 32 miles of the river from Canoga Park to downtown Los Angeles over 25 to 50 years."

Friday, February 2, 2007 in The Los Angeles Times

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