Pull Together and Rebuild Both L.A. and Its Economy : Los Angeles must take advantage of the opportunity created by this crisis, and must recognize that the earthquake did not destroy our region’s many economic strengths.

The Jan. 17 earthquake not only shattered homes, businesses and freeways but also challenged our region’s near-term prospects for an economic upturn.

How can we help Los Angeles return to the slow but steady recovery which was occurring before the earthquake?

To begin with, Angelenos must recognize that the earthquake did not destroy our region’s many economic strengths--increasing international trade, a thriving entertainment industry, cutting-edge high-tech firms, esteemed universities and medical institutions, to name a few.

We must build upon these strengths.

First, Los Angeles must take advantage of the opportunity created by this crisis. The nation and the federal government, from the President on down, are focused on this disaster. We must not delay seeking assistance--from infrastructure work to job generation to housing--to repair the damage. We must also keep the media’s focus on Los Angeles’ recovery activities. Otherwise, the federal government and the media will move on to other problems, and our recovery will become more difficult.

Second, local governments must circumvent the usual bureaucratic delays in issuing permits for the rebuilding of homes and businesses. Rebuilding will generate thousands of well-paying construction jobs, which will translate directly into economic growth. Accelerated permits and construction will get quake-damaged businesses back to work faster.

One way to jump start this much-needed rebuilding is opening one-stop permit centers in the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley and other hard-hit areas.

Third, state and local government must accelerate seismic retrofits of freeways, public buildings, schools, commercial structures, apartment buildings and parking garages. This will create jobs in the short-run and lessen the risk of future damage and economic dislocation.

Fourth, state and local governments must continue to complete the construction of our regional mass transit system. The opening of new Metrolink stations in Sylmar, Canyon Country, Lancaster and Palmdale within a week of the earthquake was nothing short of amazing.

Additional expansion of mass transit will create jobs, further strengthening our economic recovery. In the long run, mass transit will lessen our region’s over-dependence on often fragile freeways as well as reduce traffic and air pollution.

Finally, Caltrans and the region’s construction companies must continue to repair our freeway system as quickly as possible. In so doing, we will eliminate a drag on our economic recovery, remove a frustrating reminder of the earthquake and demonstrate our region’s recovery in no uncertain terms to the rest of the world.

Now, how do we pay for these projects?

Los Angeles must obtain all the federal assistance to which it is entitled, not just for big jobs like freeway repair but for individual homes and businesses as well.

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We must make use of available government funds. For example, the state did not spend $237 million from a 1990 earthquake safety bond issue. Nor did Los Angeles spend $345 million from its $376 million 1990 bond issue for seismic improvements on public buildings and bridges.

We must seek additional state assistance for infrastructure repairs and retrofits, school rehabilitation and additional preparedness programs, among others. When other parts of California experienced such natural disasters as the Oakland fire and Loma Prieta earthquake several years ago, Southern California assisted their rebuilding. Now Los Angeles needs all Californians’ support in passing emergency legislation in Sacramento.

Finally, Hollywood should continue its welcome efforts to raise funds for earthquake repair projects. Some stars could host telethons to raise money for damaged schools. Others could hold concerts to benefit low-income families who lost their homes and possessions.

If all Angelenos draw together, we can overcome our current challenge, and the entire world will know. This June, the monthlong World Cup soccer tournament will be held in Los Angeles. Hundreds of millions of people worldwide will be watching. Let’s make sure that they see a Los Angeles where all residents and businesses have banded together not only to repair the earthquake damage but also to put our community and economy firmly on the road to recovery.