Greek Theatre--Where’s the Mayor?

Two years ago, Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan pushed hard for the city’s new charter, arguing convincingly that it would bring accountability to City Hall and streamline decision-making. Under the revamped regulations, the mayor now has far greater leverage over city commissioners and can even dismiss them at will, something Riordan hasn’t been shy about doing.

Why then has he been so hesitant regarding the Recreation and Parks Commission, which today will try for a third time to decide who should operate the city-owned Greek Theatre for the next 10 years? Last month, the board deadlocked, 2 to 2, over whether the contract should go to the Nederlander family, which has run the aging outdoor amphitheater for the last 25 years, or the House of Blues, which presented a far superior proposal, guaranteeing the city more revenue and promising more upgrades.

The choice should have been a no-brainer, but the Nederlanders’ political campaign generosity and deep connections at City Hall led the appointed commissioners, insiders themselves, to bungle it. Riordan needs to step in and remind the panel to do what’s in the taxpayers’ best interests--in this case, back the House of Blues.

Instead, there has been growing pressure on the parks commission to stall some more by ordering the contract rebid, letting the Nederlanders operate the Greek at least for another year. That would be capitulation, and the city would lose millions in the meantime. The person who can prevent it is Riordan. Voters gave him more power over city commissions; he should use it wisely.