Celebrated South-Central Farm haunts Villaraigosa

The 25-year political saga of South-Central Farm, a community garden that once nourished one of Los Angeles’ poorest neighborhoods, continues. A fast-growing apparel business is seeking to operate a warehouse on the site of the farm, which the property’s owner, Ralph Horowitz, bulldozed two years ago.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who had championed the garden’s preservation along with Daryl Hannah and other celebrities, has stayed out of the fight so far. But activists worry that the mayor might be influenced by the $1.3 million in political contributions he has received from the apparel company. Read David Zahniser’s account of the new controversy over the farm, which gained worldwide attention and was the subject of a documentary film.

-- Margot Roosevelt

Photo: Demonstrators at Horowitz's Brentwood office in 2006, protesting plans to erect a warehouse on the site of the South Los Angeles community garden. Credit: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Chet H]

That picture is 2 years old. This story is two years old. The Times will cover this stale non-event but it won't cover the murder of the Bologna family in San Francisco by an illegal alien gang member who was protected by Gavin Newsom's sanctuary city policy. Typical.

[margot roosevelt]

Here is the link to the page one story the LA Times wrote about the Bologna family:

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-me-sanctuary26-2008jul26,0,3980668.story

[Me]

Who are we to tell Horowitz what to do with his property? Maybe the warehouse will employ locals who can buy their food at a store and not worry about growing it.

[jessie]

It's so very sad. Every week, every day it seems like someone is murdered by gang violence. It's all so senseless to me. My sympathies go out to the family and everyone that is effected by this murder.

[411]

Horowitz didn't own the land, till it was sold to him under the table. Its easy to speak out when you don't have all the info in front of you.

[Jenna]

411, you are the one without the info. Horowitz initially owned the land and then it was taken by imminent domain. The city later sold it back to him when they did nothing with it for 20+ years. What the protestors are doing is ridiculous. This is America, not China.

[Brian Saxon]

Horowitz owned the property, then the city took it by eminent domain but didn't use it for a public use, so Horowitz bought it back. In the meantime a bunch of ungrateful, mostly illegal alien squatters took over the property for a farm. They never paid any rent or insurance or taxes or any other cost of owning the land. Horowitz asked them politely to leave but instead like the ungrateful rabble that they are they acted like the property was theirs to keep. Horowitz went to court and kicked the squatters out, and now they are still bitter and trying to block the owner from developing his property. I hope the owner builds the biggest commercial building lot he possibly can and names it the South-Central Farm Memorial Warehouse.

[Mike]

This is ridiculous.... Horowitz should do whatever he wants on his property! Maybe Hannah and the other celebs should pitch in some money and buy another vacant lot for the masses instead of standing around and protesting. I'm sick of people wanting handouts for free.

[Warren]

The property owner has every right to do what he wants to do with his property as long as it comply with the zoning code. If I recall the protesters are 3rd world Mexicans. If they want to farm, move back to Mexico and live like pigs. Horowitz has the right to do with his property what he wants to do.

[lili]

it is upseting to hear that a public place get destroyed in our city. most beatiful cities in the world protect thier gardens and parks for the people, citizens or "alians". we do not have enough in los angeles. how many of us can walk to a common garden or a park in los angeles. imagin nyc without cental park.

[Jeronimo Banuelos]

I can't believe how many of you imbeciles start making rude comments and insulting my people. You are the ones who are pigs and third world because you must have a mind of a pig to make these type of comments. The community farm was a good thing for the community and for our city. Grow up! Evolve!

[Bruce Larson*Moore]

Open*Letter to:

South*Central,

In brief, to create a win, win, win, to cause a Phoenix to rise from the ashes of the South Central Farm situation, to allow every aspect of cooperation and community to flourish, to expand on all that is good and right, to heal the past, to make friends and heroes of all involved . . .

Simply put, build the warehouse, incorporate the largest green roof garden application and edible landscaping possible to all the buildings and the entire site, require the company to involve neighborhood groups and individuals in the development, operation, and management of the garden aspects of the project.  Further more, require a longer term effort and commitment of building upon this concept to expand the garden into the community through the development of a “Lawns to Lunch” outreach program into all the surrounding neighborhoods, thus expanding the goodwill and impact of the overall project, into the lives and future of every*one, while setting a world class example of sustainable, cooperative development in creating Peaceful Profits.

Sincerely,

[sheila]

Bruce, I like your idea! Nobody thinks in terms of win/win anymore. It is always about "I demand mine and screw you," usually with some sort of KKK undertone.

To all the Mexicans, Central and Latin Americans out there - I know you know that the racist fascists are a small, ignorant, but vocal minority. This has nothing to do with the races of the people involved and everything to do with poor leadership. Those of us with half a brain see that, The rest spout off in some trailer trash, inaccurate, version of "English," often (ironically) about how stupid other races are.

You don't have to ignore them, but just remember, there are more like Bruce (and me) out there, looking for winning solutions, than there are of hooded weirdos with inferiority complexes.