LOS ANGELES, March 21, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The Los Angeles chapter of Lambda Alpha International, an honorary land economics society, today presented its Skyline Award to the four organizations responsible for creating Pueblo del Sol, the $103 million, mixed-income affordable housing complex that replaced the former World War II-era Aliso Village in Boyle Heights in 2003.
The housing complex was developed through a collaborative public/private partnership that included McCormack Baron Salazar, The Related Companies, The Lee Group and the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles. The Housing Authority sponsored the project, with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Pueblo del Sol is only the sixth local project to be recognized by Lambda Alpha International, Los Angeles chapter for its revitalization efforts and its contribution to the better utilization of land resources within the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
During a noon luncheon, former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan helped present the award to representatives of the four organizations responsible for developing the master-planned community:
* Tony Salazar, president of West Coast operations, McCormack
Baron Salazar
* Bill Witte, president, Related of California (The Related
Companies)
* Harlan Lee, founder and chairman, The Lee Group
* Rudolph Montiel, executive director, Housing Authority of
the City of Los Angeles
The initial phase of rental housing was completed in late 2003 to a waiting list consisting largely of displaced Aliso Village households. The total project included 377 rental apartments and 93 for-sale attached houses, as well as the previously-existing Utah Elementary School.
The former Aliso Village public housing complex, which had been dominated by active street gangs, was built in the early 1940s and later improved with a 685-unit public housing project. In 1998, the decision was made to recycle the 29 acre inner city parcel with modern housing.
About the Skyline Award
Lambda Alpha International created the Skyline Award more than a decade ago to recognize noteworthy and commendable efforts to preserve, develop and more effectively use metropolitan Los Angeles' land resources. Selection is based on community benefit, innovative planning, economic impact, architectural merit, social significance, absence of negative impacts, and community involvement.
The first Los Angeles chapter award was presented in 1993 to Maguire Thomas Partners for the firm's work in designing the Library Tower/Central Library Renovation in downtown Los Angeles. Other honorees include Paramount Studios (1995), Old Town Pasadena (1998), Staples Center (2001), and Walt Disney Concert Hall (2004).
About Lambda Alpha International
Lambda Alpha International is a land economics society established in 1930. An honorary, non-political organization, its primary purposes are: to recognize and honor specific individuals and projects whose achievements have contributed directly to the practical application of land economics; encourage the participation of both the public and private sectors to the endeavor; and, contribute to the betterment of the urban environment. For more information, visit http://www.lailosangeles.org.