Banking on the River to Bring L.A. Together

William Fain’s comparison of lost opportunities for our L.A. River and the Tiber in Rome is historically interesting (“Finding a Heart: the L.A. River,” Commentary, Dec. 2). In fact, many of his ideas for both rivers are already being studied here by different community-based groups. One example, Connect the Parks, is a study underway to create landscaped pathways connecting parks, schools, recreational facilities and neighborhoods adjacent to the L.A. River in the communities of Echo Park, Elysian Valley and Silver Lake.

There is no lack of interest in communities bordering the river. Nor is there a shortage of wonderful ideas. Let’s hope the political will is emerging to actually do something about an asset that we have in common with Rome.

Ralph L. Knowles

Professor Emeritus

USC School of Architecture

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Fain’s grandiose suggestions for improving Rome would be amusing if they weren’t so frightening. The historic old center of Rome is one of the world’s great places and Fain wants to improve it with a convention center, marina and hotel complex. How about throwing in a few strip malls, car washes and mega-billboards? As for the rebirth of the L.A. River, so that this drainage ditch becomes our Danube, he didn’t tell us where he’d get the water to fill it.

John P. Newman

Los Angeles