Opinion: Poll: Should South L.A. be renamed SOLA?

Does the name make the place or the place make the name?

Los Angeles Councilman Bernard Parks thinks a new name for South Los Angeles could help make it a new place. He recently proposed renaming South L.A. as SOLA.

It's inspired by trendier locales that have rebranded themselves by abbreviation. Think SoHo (or South of Houston Street) in New York, WeHo for West Hollywood and DTLA, which has become shorthand for both the location and the revitalization of downtown L.A.

Parks told reporter Angel Jennings that his constituents like the hip sound of SOLA.

“They see these other communities reinvigorated by these contemporary names,” said Parks, who represents Council District 8. “And they wonder, at times, why their community is lagging behind.”

Not everyone is convinced the southern portion of the city needs a new name, especially because South L.A. is a relatively new designation. The area used to be called South-Central, but community leaders felt the nickname had become synonymous with the 1965 and 1992 civil disturbances, as well as gang violence and urban decay, and that was hurting efforts to revitalize the area. Twelve years ago the City Council officially named the area South L.A., changed community signage and convinced businesses and news media to use the new designation. Now Parks wants to change the name again.

SOLA, by the way, happens to be in the name of the proposed $1-billion super-trendy-looking SoLA Village residential, hotel and retail complex, just south of the 10 Freeway.

Does South L.A. need a new name, and if so, would SOLA do?

Let us know what you think by taking our SOUNscientific poll!

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