DLANC Sustainability Committee - Message from Board Chair Ashley Z. Hand

Dear Neighbors,

For the past two years, I have been dedicated to advancing a culture of sustainability Downtown with your partnership. I am writing to tender my resignation as Chair of the DLANC Sustainability Committee, effective September 1, 2010. I have truly enjoyed working with all of my neighbors and thank you for the privilege of serving you as a publicly-elected member of the DLANC Board of Directors and Chair of the Sustainability Committee.

Thank you

In just two years, we have accomplished a great deal as a grassroots organization. From national grants and tree planting, to urban garden guides, internships, green alleys, recycling, an online toolkit, and other initiatives, we have seen hundreds of people get involved for a more livable, affordable, and efficient urban center. The DLANC Sustainability Committee has been recognized by both the local and state chapters of the American Planning Association for Excellence and by other Neighborhood Councils as leaders. Ultimately, it is the people of Downtown that make this possible.

Gunnar and I are relocating to Kansas City, MO for both professional and personal reasons and I look forward to continuing our work in our new home. I have learned a great deal here and thank you for the experience and opportunity to get to know you.

Next Steps

Over the next two weeks, I will be transitioning the leadership of the committee to new volunteers who are interested in taking the mission of the Sustainability Committee to the next step. We have three major initiatives underway this year:

1. A Community Vision for Downtown: We have an ongoing planning process with the results of the SDAT to be presented to the soon-to-be-confirmed DLANC Board. Project Lead Veronica Siranosian, AICP will be assisting a grant initiative, pending the support of the new Board, to help define a community vision of the future for Downtown with further professional guidance.
2. Green Pockets: Parking Lot Pilot: Several community members, including incoming DLANC Board Member Valerie Watson, and other organizations have been exploring an exciting pilot project - the Downtown Los Angeles Youth and Cultural Center would like to build a green parking lot and we are celebrating the idea with a Park[ing] Day LA event on Friday, September 17. We want to make this dirt parking lot into a green space for the youth of our neighborhood - come make your own park for a day in one of the parking spots!
3. Online Resource Toolkit: Community volunteers are also helping us compile the work we've done to date (Urban Garden Guide, Tree Planting Guide, Recycling Information, DLANC Board Manual, etc.) into a new website for the Sustainability Committee (www.downtownsustainability.com). It is an online resource toolkit designed to help you live, work and play more sustainably!

Special Meeting: Monday, August 23 at 7:00pm

SAVE THE DATE: This is a great time to get involved - if you are available, please attend a special meeting next Monday, August 23 at 7:00pm at the LA Beyond Cars Exhibition, 525 S. Flower Street (enter from Figueroa between W. 5th and W. 6th Streets). We will discuss next steps, new community volunteers, and outline a strategy moving forward. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please email me at sustainability@dlanc.com

I look forward to seeing where the DLANC Sustainability Committee will go next. In the meantime, I hope to see you on Monday, August 27. Thank you for your time and participation.

Sincerely,

Ashley Z. Hand, LEED AP, Assoc. AIA

Chair, DLANC Sustainability Committee
Director, Area-Wide Workforce, Private Sector
DLANC Board of Directors (2008-2010)