Olvera St. Merchants Draft $25-Million Face-Lift Plan

The merchants of historic Olvera Street, the small alley that links Los Angeles to its colonial past, on Thursday unveiled a $25-million plan of improvements they would like to see made at the venerable tourist spot.

They also made it clear that they hope a new landlord will not lead to dislocation. As of today, El Pueblo de Los Angeles State Historic Park, of which Olvera Street is part, reverts from state to city ownership.

“We want to continue Olvera Street . . . strengthen it for the future of Los Angeles,” said a spokesman for the merchants, restaurant operator Vivien de Bonzo.

In recent years, Olvera Street--built up in 1930 by people who wanted to preserve the red-tiled Mexican marketplace as a reminder of the city’s Latino beginnings--has competed for tourist dollars but without the usual tourist promotions and advertising.

Although it attracts close to 2 million tourists annually, surveys have disclosed that little is done to restore old buildings, its appearance is considered by many to be run-down for a major tourist attraction and parking can be a problem.

Not Up to Earthquake Standards

Many buildings do not meet earthquake standards. Fire officials have expressed concern about access in case of an emergency.

Olvera Street technically has been state property, but the City of Los Angeles’ Parks and Recreation Department has operated the park under a 1974 joint powers agreement. Confusion over the land’s status and other issues led to the passage of recent legislation turning over the state park, including Olvera Street, to Los Angeles.

De Bonzo admitted that at the heart of the merchants’ proposal, most of which would be privately financed, is their desire to remain at Olvera Street now that it is wholly under city control.

“We’ve devoted our lives to this place,” said De Bonzo, who is the granddaughter of the founder of the popular La Golondrina restaurant. “I realize it’s been a headache in some people’s eyes, but we’ve maintained this place for 57 years.”

Previous attempts to alter tenancy arrangements, including the possibility of asking for bids for commercial slots in Olvera Street, have been resisted by the merchants, who contend they should be exempt from it.

The $25-million proposal, De Bonzo said, is a way for the merchants to be part of future discussions for Olvera Street, especially in view of what is going on around it.

Across Alameda Street, workers toil near Union Station on one of the stops for the Metro Rail subway line. And plans for the redevelopment of the nearby Terminal Annex continue at a brisk pace.

The merchants’ proposal includes:

- The construction of a 500-vehicle parking structure in a lot north of the Old Plaza Church.

- The closing of Main Street, which borders the Olvera area on the west, on weekends and for special events. That area of Main also would be repaved to match the motif of the plaza kiosk.

- The realignment southward by 200 yards of Los Angeles Street.

- A new multimedia visitors center.

City Hall’s Attitude Unclear

It was not clear how the merchants’ proposal will be received at City Hall. City Councilwoman Gloria Molina and representatives of Rep. Edward Roybal (D-Los Angeles) and his daughter, Assemblywoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Los Angeles), were at the news conference called by the merchants to support their proposal.

An aide to Mayor Tom Bradley, Art Gastelum, also was present, but he steered clear of an outright endorsement of the plan.

And conspicuous by his absence was Councilman Richard Alatorre, in whose district Olvera Street is located. His office said he was on vacation Thursday. Several merchants privately grumbled that it was just as well because they described him as being cool to their efforts.

“I think he’s got something else in mind,” said one merchant, who asked not to be identified.