Byzantine-Latino Quarter
Map
The Byzantine-Latino Quarter (BLQ), located west of Downtown near Pico-Union, became a "LANI neighborhood" in June 1997. This community has a cultural vibrancy it is eager to share. With the "Byzantine" referencing the strong role of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in the community, the name conveys the Recognized Community Organization's (RCO's) vision of a unique Pan-Latin and Greek retail center which can attract new customers from the nearby Convention Center and Staples Arena.

Demographics:  
Pie-chart
  • Median Household income: $18,782 per year
  • Average Household size: 3.7
  • Transit dependency: 33% of residents
  • Crime: 1526 incidents per year

Asian Population Percentage
Asian Population Percentage		 Black Population Percentage
Black Population Percentage		 Hispanic Origin Population Percentage
Hispanic Origin Population Percentage		 White Population Percentage
White Population Percentage		 Per capita Income
Per capita Income
Unemployment Rate
Unemployment Rate		 Median House Value
Median House Value		 Vehicle Unavailable Rate
Vehicle Unavailable Rate		 Percentage of Population Under Poverty Level
Percentage of Population Under Poverty Level		 Transit Commute Rate
Transit Commute Rate
Household Size
Household Size

2000 Census Data


LANI Improvements

 

Projects Completed ($470,000)

  • Comprehensive Community Work Plan
  • Street banners (300)
  • Decorative crosswalks at 6 intersections (24)
  • Pocket park on existing traffic island
  • Youth art program fabricating trash receptacles (47)
  • Pedestrian Street Lights (97)
  • Planters and plants (18)
  • Street trees (40) and decorative tree grates (38)
  • Colorful painting of street lights (97)
  • New sidewalk (200 sf)
  • Facade improvements (1)

Projects in Progress ($1,087,000 + $250,000 NBG Grant)

  • 2 pocket parks
  • Bus stop and transit improvements
  • Transit/Community/Pedestrian information

LANI Sustainable Organization

In accordance with LANI's program design, the BLQ Recognized Community Organization (RCO) created a partnership with the Los Angeles Conservation Corps, a nonprofit organization, in order to fund-raise for and sustain neighborhood revitalization efforts. After 2000, LANI will continue to provide support services to BLQ, but most of their activities will be independent from LANI.

Additional Benefits of LANI Program

LANI grants leveraged with over $500,000 to date

  • $395,000 in improved street lighting form the Los Angeles Bureau of Street Lighting
  • $145,000 in trees and services from the Los Angeles Conservation Corps
  • $17, 600 in street-light painting from the Department of Water & Power
  • $14,000 in private in-kind goods and services for decorative trash receptacles/tree wells

BLQ already securing grants independently from LANI!

  • $100,000 Los Angeles County grant for problem-tree removal and irrigation
  • $2,500 ReLeaf grant for street tree planting
  • $5,000 Operation Clean Sweep grant for improvements incorporating art by local youth Partnerships & Awards
  • UCLA is providing fund-raising and other services to the RCO
  • UCLA received the following awards for their expanded version of BLQ's LANI Community Work Plan - the national American Institute for Certified Planners awards, and a local and a state American Planning Association award
  • Through LANI projects, the RCO has created partnerships with Berendo School, Bishop Conaty School, Clean & Green, Loyola High School, Normandie Recreation Center, Safe Haven, St. Sofia's, St. Thomas', a local merchants group and others.
  • Up to $3 million through City's Neighborhood Block Grant Program.

Contacts      
Father John Bakas
RCO Chair
(323) 737-2424		 Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative (LANI):
Anna Apostolos, Program Manager
(213) 627-1822 Ext. 13
anna@lani.org		 Councilmember Ed Reyes' Office :
Chief Arturo Chavez
Field Deputy
(213) 485-0763

Updated Winter 2005