December 2, 2023

RE: 10 freeway fire at Caltrans property - input from the surrounding community

Dear Caltrans Director Tony Tavares,

The recent fire under the 10 freeway in Downtown Los Angeles presents an opportunity to re-
examine land use decisions regarding the properties Caltrans manages in the area.

Instead of reverting back to leasing to companies that you apparently cannot regulate or
control, we implore you to consider landscaping the properties with trees, vegetation and
maybe even installing some public art.

The website for Caltrans lists as one of its priorities, “Innovation” and notes, “We must counter
a “business as usual” mindset by embracing bold and transformative ideas. This must include
new solutions to help solve major state issues like climate change…”. Listed under goals is,
“Advance equity and livability in all communities.”

One would be hard pressed to find an area in all of California with air quality as poor or as scant
tree canopy coverage as the area near the 10 freeway fire. The Calenviroscreen map ranks the
area with a 99.6% pollution burden. The LA County Tree Canopy Viewer indicates the area has
2.82 % tree canopy coverage.

There is zero evidence that Caltrans has given even a passing thought to the livability of the
properties it manages along the 10 freeway near the fire. Extreme neglect would be a more
appropriate description. The LA Times reports that toxic, hazardous and flammable products
have been on the fire site for years. We don’t want to go back to that! With innovation, equity
and mitigating the effects of climate change in mind, we encourage Caltrans to live up to the
goals it has set for itself and to be “bold”.
We are locals who live and work in the area. We are tired of the festering and toxic eyesore
that the Caltrans properties along the 10 freeway Downtown represent. We stand ready to
partner with you to envision something greener. Industrial District Green is a community-based
organization whose mission includes tree-planting as well as environmental advocacy for
Downtown’s industrial-zoned neighborhoods.

Sincerely,

Katherine McNenny
CoFounder
Industrial District Green

420 S. San Pedro St. #430

Los Angeles, CA 90013
katherine.trees@yahoo.com

Todd Terrazas,
President
Arts District Community Council of LA

Javier Meier Borrani

President
Los Angeles River Artists and Business Association

Cc:
California State Governor Gavin Newsom
California State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant
California Assemblymember Miguel Santiago
South Coast AQMD Specialist Stephano Padilla
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass
Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis
Los Angeles Councilman Kevin de León
Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin M. Crowley