Development in Los Angeles

In “Reducing ‘Big L.A.’ to Size” (Opinion, Sept. 20), Joel Kotkin endorses a developer who gains union support on one project by allowing unions to organize another project. This sort of thing should not be endorsed. It is a payoff in the purest sense. Elsewhere in the article, he champions developers who have political skills.

Whatever happened to the notion that politics and payoffs are bad? Whatever happened to the idea that projects should succeed or fail based on their ability to attract workers, customers and investors and their willingness pay taxes consistent with their use of public resources?

RICK SMETS

West Hollywood

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* Kotkin’s article concerning L.A. growth is quite accurate. The Playa Vista development could fail because the developers failed to understand that construction in an environmentally sensitive area surrounded by upscale residents is not realistic. If those behind DreamWorks were truly committed to their liberal leanings and making the dream work, they would have constructed their project in South-Central L.A. Plenty of land is available, jobs would be created in an area that sorely needs employment and minorities would have been given an opportunity to become involved in the entertainment industry.

If developers wish to build monumental projects in L.A., isn’t it time they realized they need to develop some of our ravaged communities instead of ruining some of our more pristine areas?

JONATHAN GROSSMAN

Huntington Beach