THE 90-DAY REPORT FROM THE CHIEF RECOVERY OFFICER

Immediately after the devastating wildfires of early January 2025, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass tapped into the leadership and resources of Steve Soboroff and Randy Johnson, appointing Soboroff as the Chief Recovery Officer for 90 days.  At the end of those 90 days, Soboroff and Johnson have authored a brief report that includes key recommendations for next steps.

During those past 90 days, in my correspondence with both Soboroff and Johnson, they have been extremely accessible, forthright, candid, and compassionate.  I especially appreciated Soboroff’s observation about the vital role that mental health resources need to play in our region’s recovery.  We’re all in this together, and we need to do more to take care of each other’s mental health with community-based healing and recovery resources available to all.

Please Click Here to Read the 2025-04-10 Report of Chief Recovery Officer to Mayor

According to the 90-Day Report to Mayor Karen Bass, the immediate response to the disaster is lauded as “overwhelmingly positive,” with significant coordination between federal, state, and local agencies, including FEMA, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the California Office of Emergency Services. Key achievements include the ahead-of-schedule environmental clearance of home sites and the commencement of lot clearing by the Army Corps.

However, the report also highlights critical challenges that need to be addressed to maintain momentum and ensure a successful long-term recovery. These include the need for a clear protocol for hazardous waste sampling, the importance of a comprehensive infrastructure damage assessment, and the necessity of streamlining the permitting and inspection process. The report emphasizes the potential for delays due to the complexities of infrastructure rebuilding, the sheer volume of permits required, and logistical challenges.

The report concludes by stressing the importance of clear communication, quick decision-making, and continued collaboration among various stakeholders to overcome these obstacles and facilitate a timely and effective recovery. It also points out the need for innovative solutions such as a builder’s alliance, a construction worker dispatch center, and a resident-focused mobile app. Ultimately, the report provides a roadmap for the city’s ongoing recovery efforts and underscores the urgency of addressing key priorities to ensure the successful rebuilding of the affected communities.

Prioritized Take-aways & Recommendations:

Expedite Infrastructure Damage Assessment: Complete and publicly share the Damage Assessment of the infrastructure serving Pacific Palisades immediately. This is crucial for planning and communicating timelines to residents.

Appoint Infrastructure Owner’s Representative: Immediately hire an “Owner’s Rep” with expertise in engineering and disaster response to oversee infrastructure rebuilding, including damage assessment, cost estimation, and timelines.

Establish Hazardous Waste Protocol: Develop a clear protocol for confirmation sampling of hazardous contaminants (soil, air, and water) with consensus from relevant agencies.

Outsource Permits and Inspections: Expedite the outsourcing of permits and inspections for fire-impacted projects, including the adoption of a self-certification proposal and the engagement of qualified outside expert inspectors.   (Note:  AIA Los Angeles recommends that we embrace the terminology of “professional certification” to more accurately convey its effectiveness)

Develop Infrastructure Plan and Funding Strategy: Finalize and communicate a comprehensive infrastructure plan, including funding sources and realistic timelines, to the public as soon as possible.

Address Vertical Rebuilding Logistics: Proactively plan for the logistical challenges of vertical rebuilding, including labor availability, worker housing, and supply chain issues.

Implement Resident-Focused App: Move forward with the implementation of a resident-focused mobile app to provide centralized information and project management tools.

Additional Takeaways:

+  The initial disaster response has been highly effective, with strong interagency coordination.
+  Site clearances, including environmental clearance and lot clearing, are progressing well.
+  Effective communication and collaboration with FEMA have been crucial for navigating reimbursement issues.
+  The ULI/UCLA/USC Project Recovery Report provides a valuable framework for the rebuilding process.
+  Community engagement and philanthropic support have been significant in the recovery efforts.
+  Financial shortfalls for homeowners and the timing of retail reopening are key concerns.
+  Insurance availability is linked to the City’s efforts to “harden” the area.
+  Alternative housing options and a Builder’s Alliance are being explored to expedite rebuilding.
+  Mixed-use development opportunities should be considered to enhance community character.
+  Synergies between city departments and community organizations are crucial for success.

The above are the most urgent actions needed to maintain momentum and address the critical challenges outlined in the report, ultimately contributing to a more efficient and successful recovery.

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AIA Los Angeles & Architecture Community Recommendations: (DRAFT = Please share your ideas for how to improve these recommendations)

Let’s leverage the resources and paradigm shift in good governance strategies to apply citywide, so that our recovery and rebuilding process benefits our entire city more equitably.

Advocate for Design Excellence in Resilient Rebuilding (and Citywide, too):

AIA|LA should actively advocate for design excellence in all rebuilding efforts, promoting fire-resistant materials, sustainable design strategies, and context-sensitive solutions that enhance community character.
This includes showcasing innovative housing typologies, mixed-use developments, and public spaces that contribute to more resilient and vibrant fire-impacted communities.

Crucially, AIA|LA should champion the adoption of successful design and planning strategies developed during the rebuilding process as best practices to be implemented citywide, fostering a more equitable and holistic approach to urban development.

Provide Expertise in Streamlining Permitting:

AIA|LA can offer expertise to the city in developing and implementing streamlined permitting processes, including self-certification programs, to expedite rebuilding while ensuring safety and quality.
This can involve providing best practice examples, developing checklists, and offering training to city staff and architects.

AIA|LA should advocate for these streamlined permitting processes to be adopted citywide to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and accelerate housing production across Los Angeles.

Champion Sustainable Infrastructure Integration:

AIA|LA should strongly advocate for the integration of sustainable infrastructure solutions, such as distributed solar energy, rainwater harvesting systems, and resilient water delivery systems, into the rebuilding plans.
Architects can play a key role in designing buildings and sites that effectively incorporate these technologies.

AIA|LA should push for citywide policies and incentives that prioritize and facilitate the implementation of these sustainable infrastructure solutions in all new developments and retrofits.

Facilitate Community Engagement and Visioning:

AIA|LA can organize and facilitate community engagement workshops and visioning sessions to help residents articulate their needs and aspirations for the rebuilt fire-impacted communities.
This process can inform the design of public spaces, housing, and infrastructure projects, ensuring they reflect the community’s values and priorities.

AIA|LA should promote this model of robust community engagement as a best practice for all urban development projects in Los Angeles, fostering greater transparency and inclusivity in the planning process.

Develop Design Guidelines for Fire Resilience:

AIA|LA can collaborate with experts to develop design guidelines and best practices for fire-resistant rebuilding, addressing issues like defensible space, material selection, and building orientation.
These guidelines can be a valuable resource for architects, builders, and homeowners.

AIA|LA should work to adapt and integrate these fire-resilience design guidelines into the city’s building codes and planning regulations to enhance the safety and resilience of all communities in Los Angeles.

Promote Workforce / Missing-Middle/ Middle-Income Housing Solutions (+/- 120% AMI):

AIA|LA should advocate for and contribute to the development of housing solutions for essential workers (teachers, firefighters, etc.) in fire-impacted communities, potentially through innovative mixed-use developments.
Architects can design these housing solutions and help navigate the regulatory processes.

AIA|LA should champion the broader implementation of housing strategies and policies citywide to address the affordability crisis and ensure that essential workers can live near their jobs.

Collaborate with the Builder’s Alliance (and Industry):

AIA|LA should actively collaborate with the Builder’s Alliance and the wider construction industry to address logistical challenges, such as labor availability, supply chain issues, and construction worker housing, and to ensure design quality in their projects.

AIA|LA should foster stronger relationships between the architecture and construction industries to improve project delivery and innovation across the city.

Advocate for Equitable Zoning and Development (Citywide Reform):

AIA|LA should advocate for flexible and equitable zoning policies that allow for diverse housing types and densities, promoting inclusive and resilient communities.
This may involve working with the city to update zoning codes and streamline development approvals.

AIA|LA should be a leading voice in advocating for citywide zoning reform that prioritizes housing affordability, density in appropriate areas, and equitable access to resources and amenities.

Support the Implementation of Technology (Citywide Digital Infrastructure):

AIA|LA should support the adoption of technology solutions, such as the resident-focused mobile app, to improve communication, coordination, and access to information for residents throughout the rebuilding process.

AIA|LA should advocate for investment in citywide digital infrastructure that enhances transparency, accessibility, and efficiency in government services and community engagement.

Examples of Successful Program Management/Owner’s Representative Roles:

+  Olympics Infrastructure: Program Managers have been crucial in coordinating the complex infrastructure projects for the Olympic Games, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to budget and quality standards. They manage diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, contractors, and community groups, to achieve a unified vision.
+  Healthcare Facility Expansions: Owner’s Representatives are frequently employed in large-scale hospital expansions or new construction. They act as the owner’s advocate, overseeing design, construction, and equipment procurement, ensuring the project meets the hospital’s operational needs and minimizes disruption to existing services.
+  University Campus Development: Universities often hire program managers to oversee the development of new campuses or significant expansions. These projects involve complex phasing, coordination with academic departments, and integration with existing infrastructure. The program manager ensures the project aligns with the university’s long-term strategic goals.
+  Transportation Infrastructure: Large transportation projects, such as airport expansions or light rail construction, rely heavily on program management to coordinate the work of multiple contractors, manage complex logistics, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

In all these examples, success hinges on:

Clear Communication: Facilitating effective communication between all stakeholders.
Proactive Problem-Solving: Anticipating and addressing potential challenges before they become major obstacles.
Strong Leadership: Providing clear direction and decision-making authority.
Technical Expertise: Possessing a deep understanding of the technical aspects of the project.
Stakeholder Alignment: Ensuring that all stakeholders are working towards a common goal.

By actively engaging in the rebuilding process with these principles and examples in mind, and by advocating for the citywide implementation of lessons learned, AIA Los Angeles and the architecture community can make a significant contribution to creating healthier, more resilient, and thriving fire-impacted communities and a more equitable and holistic Los Angeles.

PROJECT RECOVERY:  Rebuilding Los Angeles after the January 2025 Wildfires

Urban Land Institute – Los Angeles, University of California, Los Angeles Ziman Center, and University of Southern California, Lusk Center convened a multidisciplinary working group of architects, real-estate professionals, land-use attorneys, and civic leaders to development an extensive set of recommendations for how region can best repond to the tragic wildfires of early 2025.

CLICK HERE to read the report.

The AIA LA & LACP Professional Volunteer Program (PVP)

Architects & designers passionate about improving the design quality of newly proposed projects throughout the City of Los Angeles are encouraged to participate in the Professional Volunteer Program (PVP), which is a collaborative design review program organized by AIA LA & Los Angeles City Planning (LACP)’s Urban Design Studio.

This year we will be coordinating thirty-one virtual design review sessions, which will serve as opportunities for architects and designers to help the Los Angeles City Planning’s Urban Design Studio critically review upcoming projects throughout our City.

May 6 (10am)

May 13 (10am)

May 20 (10am)

RSVP HERE (virtual on zoom)

Design Review Sessions w/ LACP Urban Design Studio 2025

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Will Wright, Hon. AIA|LA
Director, Government & Public Affairs
t: 213.639.0764
e: will@aialosangeles.org
www.aialosangeles.org