Molina Asks Intervention on Plans for Olvera Street

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Gloria Molina on Wednesday asked her colleagues to intervene and review the guidelines governing the proposed request for bids to renovate Olvera Street, the aging downtown tourist spot.

Her request came after the city’s Recreation and Park Commission approved the request for proposals Monday night, which allows merchants to buy shares in the $30-million project from the developer. Molina and the majority of merchants favored a formula that allowed the Olvera Street Merchants Assn. and a rival group to buy up to a 50% interest. Molina also introduced a motion to set up an independent body to govern the Mexican-theme marketplace, taking away jurisdiction from the commission. The proposals are scheduled for consideration next Tuesday.