---

 [ LOS ANGELES ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=312)

#  LA Demolition Derby: The Westside is Winning the Race to Make Room for New Housing

DEEGAN ON LA-*(Editor’s note: there is a link in this article for a pop-up poll asking you to interact with this article and express your opinion. Please take a moment and join the poll after reading.)* There may be some debate about new housing coming onto the market. Some say it’s not as “affordable” as they want it to be; others are disturbed that it’s compacted into higher density than we’re used to; still others -- depending on personal preferences – find some of it tasteless. But, there’s no question about this: much of it is being built as a result of tearing down the old to make way for the new.

Written by Tim Deegan.

 ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2017/075z2.png)

September 18 2017

<a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"></a><a class="a2a_button_print"></a>[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)

 [Comments](#disqus_thread)

DEEGAN ON LA-*(Editor’s note: there is a link in this article for a pop-up poll asking you to interact with this article and express your opinion. Please take a moment and join the poll after reading.)* There may be some debate about new housing coming onto the market. Some say it’s not as “affordable” as they want it to be; others are disturbed that it’s compacted into higher density than we’re used to; still others -- depending on personal preferences – find some of it tasteless. But, there’s no question about this: much of it is being built as a result of tearing down the old to make way for the new.

Almost 8,000 residential units have been demolished in the past four and one-half years ending June 30, 2017, according to a recently released [Department of Building and Safety Report](https://data.lacity.org/A-Prosperous-City/Total-Permits-Issued-LADBS-2013-2017-Demolitions/8tb2-jn5y).

Over half (54.4%) of the 7,901 residential units demolished were located in just three Council Districts ranging from the Pacific Ocean at Venice, east to the fringes of Koreatown, and most of what is popularly called ‘the Westside” (between Olympic Boulevard on the south and Mulholland Drive on the north.)

Much of the demolition occurred in or around blue-chip neighborhoods such as Venice, Mar Vista, Marina Del Rey, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Palms, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, and West LA – all areas represented by **Councilmember Mike Bonin** (CD 11). Moving eastward into CD 5, represented by **Councilmember Paul Koretz**, the neighborhoods experiencing much demolition include Beverly Crest, Beverly Grove, Beverlywood, Carthay Circle, western Fairfax District, Melrose, Palms, Pico-Robertson, Roscomare, and Westwood. At the eastern edge of the Westside map is CD4, represented by **Councilmember David Ryu** (elected in 2015, half-way through the report; he was preceded in the demolition derby by Tom LaBonge) with neighborhoods like Miracle Mile, Fairfax District, some of the Hollywood Hills, Los Feliz and Silver Lake.

An average of *five demolitions a day* of residential housing has taken place *every day* of the year, in the four and one-half years covered by the report.

What are the City Councilmembers thinking to allow such widespread demolition? Why isn't there a requirement that Councilmembers personally sign off on every demolition request in their districts? Wouldn’t that give them a better feel for what’s happening to the fabric of their neighborhoods? Nowhere in the published [Department of Building and Safety Demolition Guidelines](https://data.lacity.org/A-Prosperous-City/Total-Permits-Issued-LADBS-2013-2017-Demolitions/8tb2-jn5y) does it say, “check with the relevant Councilmember first.”

Here’s how the council districts break down:

| **Council District** | **Demolitions** |
|---|---|
| 5 | 2,244 |
| 11 | 1,232 |
| 4 | 824 |
| 2 | 663 |
| 9 | 541 |
| 13 | 435 |
| 8 | 400 |
| 10 | 330 |
| 15 | 324 |
| 14 | 182 |
| 1 | 181 |
| 6 | 170 |
| 3 | 154 |
| 7 | 138 |
| 12 | 83 |
| **Total** | **7,901** |
| **Big 3** |  |
| Koretz (CD5) | 2,244 |
| Bonin (CD11) | 1,232 |
| Ryu - LaBonge (CD4) | 824 |
| **Total** | 4,290 |
|  | **54%** |

According to records provided by the city’s Department of Building and Safety, that is responsible for issuing demolition permits, the targets for destruction are just where you would expect them to be: in some of the most desirable real estate in the city -- the “Westside” alone counted for 4,300 demolitions, which is 54% of all [demolition permits](https://data.lacity.org/A-Prosperous-City/Total-Permits-Issued-LADBS-2013-2017-Demolitions/8tb2-jn5y) listed in the report.

There was one big surprise in the report: Hollywood. The way activists tell it, you’d think Hollywood has been ground zero for demolitions, but that neighborhood doesn’t even make the top five in demo permits pulled, despite the amplified voice of community activists there.

Hollywood does what Hollywood does best: it calls attention to itself and the destruction of its historic and nostalgic core, without any serious argument. It’s possible, judging anecdotally from the proliferation of cranes all over Hollywood, that demos may be increasing there. Hollywood is in a class by itself when it comes to the damage of erasing the past through demolitions since nothing can compare to the allure it has always provided.

How does the [demolition process](https://www.ladbs.org/docs/default-source/publications/information-bulletins/building-code/demolition-of-buildings-ib-p-bc2014-039.pdf?sfvrsn=13) work, and where is the logical place to insert a sign-off by the Councilmember?

- You start with Permits and Plans, showing who the licensed wrecking contractor will be, and evidence of a notarized letter from the property owner that they have ordered the demolition.
- *Here, early in the process, would be the ideal place for the Councilmember to weigh in. This does not happen. Nor are they even notified of a pending demolition at any stage of the process.*

- Next, the plan must be approved by the Building department, which will include a pre-inspection of the site. In some cases, other circumstances will be required if the demo permit is for property in a variety of statuses including historic monument, rent stabilized housing, or in a Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ).
- A building inspection must take place at least 24 hours before work begins, as well as a sewer cap inspection.

- Then, the demolition can begin with a variety of methods ranging from hand held wrecking tools, a bulldozer or skip loader, the jaws-like clam shell wrecking machine, cable wrecking where you attach a cable to a wall and pull it down, the proverbial wrecking ball or, ultimately, explosives.

The rest is history and lots of dust.

The City Council has an opportunity, as they move forward to build the new Los Angeles to make some history of their own by inserting Councilmember approval into the demolition process.

Councilmembers Bonin, Koretz and Ryu would be great makers of such a motion.

What do you think? Interact with this article by taking a quick poll at &lt;&lt;this link&gt;&gt; and then view the cumulative results after you vote.

Here are the two poll questions – answer “yes” or “no.”

\[sexypolling id="21"\]

\[sexypolling id="22"\]

*(Tim Deegan is a long-time resident and community leader in the Miracle Mile, who has served as board chair at the Mid City West Community Council and on the board of the Miracle Mile Civic Coalition. Tim can be reached at* <timdeegan2015@gmail.com>*.) Edited for CityWatch by Linda Abrams.*

 [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)")

 ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png)

## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays &amp; Thursdays

 Message

 [ ![Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/HHR/AHF-rent-too-high.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/104 "Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2")

 ---

##  Featured CityWatch Stories

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/34/065h-34e1b43b.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33212:reminder-to-the-red-states-turnabout-is-fair-play&catid=395)

### [Reminder to the Red States, Turnabout is Fair Play](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33212:reminder-to-the-red-states-turnabout-is-fair-play&catid=395)

GELFAND’S WORLD - Indiana has been pounded by rains that resulted in widespread flooding. While the rain was still comi…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/d8/066m-d8f0fac6.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33229:democrats-finally-tell-iowa-and-new-hampshire-you-dont-go-first-anymore&catid=395)

### [Democrats Finally Tell Iowa and New Hampshire: You Don’t Go First Anymore](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33229:democrats-finally-tell-iowa-and-new-hampshire-you-dont-go-first-anymore&catid=395)

GELFAND’S WORLD - Earlier in the week, the Democratic National Committee did something good. Mind you it wasn’t great…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/d0/065o-d02f23ac.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33213:californias-empty-classrooms-are-a-warning-sacramento-cant-ignore&catid=378)

### [California’s Empty Classrooms Are a Warning Sacramento Can’t Ignore](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33213:californias-empty-classrooms-are-a-warning-sacramento-cant-ignore&catid=378)

A STUDENT'S VIEW - California is spending more on public education, yet classrooms are emptying, campuses are closing…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/da/066j-daf22e28.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33231:a-prisoner-a-peacemaker-and-israels-defining-choice&catid=375)

### [A Prisoner, A Peacemaker, and Israel’s Defining Choice](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33231:a-prisoner-a-peacemaker-and-israels-defining-choice&catid=375)

P.O.V - Marwan Barghouti remains one of the most consequential—and controversial—figures in the Israeli-Palestinian con…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/df/065q-dfb89383.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33224:john-mckinney-on-what-separates-the-city-attorney-candidates&catid=401)

### [John McKinney on What Separates the City Attorney Candidates](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33224:john-mckinney-on-what-separates-the-city-attorney-candidates&catid=401)

INTERVIEW - Voters will have a clear and defining contrast in the goals and objectives of the remaining general electio…

---

##  [ LOS ANGELES ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=312)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/066o.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33239:why-some-los-angeles-car-accident-claims-become-harder-to-prove&catid=312)### [Why Some Los Angeles Car Accident Claims Become Harder to Prove](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33239:why-some-los-angeles-car-accident-claims-become-harder-to-prove&catid=312)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/066n.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33228:lausd-demolishes-closed-schools-wasting-public-assets-and-community-hopes&catid=312)### [LAUSD Demolishes Closed Schools, Wasting Public Assets and Community Hopes](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33228:lausd-demolishes-closed-schools-wasting-public-assets-and-community-hopes&catid=312)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/066h.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33234:homelessness-among-seniors-spikes-in-los-angeles-county-but-its-not-hopeless&catid=312)### [Homelessness Among Seniors Spikes in Los Angeles County, But It’s Not Hopeless](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33234:homelessness-among-seniors-spikes-in-los-angeles-county-but-its-not-hopeless&catid=312)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/065m.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33215:a-second-karen-bass-term-gets-her-and-us-four-more-years-of-well-earned-voter-outrage&catid=312)### [A Second Karen Bass Term Gets Her (and Us) Four More Years Of Well-Earned Voter Outrage](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33215:a-second-karen-bass-term-gets-her-and-us-four-more-years-of-well-earned-voter-outrage&catid=312)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/065l.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33216:the-cynicism-of-homelessness&catid=312)### [The Cynicism of Homelessness](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33216:the-cynicism-of-homelessness&catid=312)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>