Proposed Prison Site in L.A.

I am writing in regard to the proposed prison to be built at 12th and Santa Fe in Los Angeles. I am a property owner at that address and operate a company at the same location.

First of all, I oppose the construction of this prison on environmental grounds, as this location is in a highly trafficked commercial area with such companies as Sears and other new shopping areas that are being constructed in close proximity. I believe that a prison that is located in such a neighborhood area will have drastic adverse affects on the business conditions in this area. I don’t believe that the residents of this neighborhood will be attracted to shopping that is next to a prison.

Secondly, the traffic conditions of Santa Fe Avenue are now in a drastic state. This street is heavily traveled by large commercial trucks and trailers causing traffic backups at all hours of the day. There is also a railroad crossing near Santa Fe and Washington Boulevard, which also causes large traffic backups all the way from Washington Boulevard to Olympic Boulevard, which includes the 12th and Santa Fe area. In fact if a prison is built there the access to the prison will be virtually impossible due to this traffic situation.

It will cost the state an exorbitant amount of money to regulate the traffic flow by the widening and reconstruction of this area. I believe a traffic flow study will prove my point.

MICHAEL DeKOVEN

Los Angeles