HomeMy WebLinkAbout14. Proposal to Research Neighborhood IdentitiesaeM NO.
APPROVED BY
TO: MAYOR ASHTON AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY MANAGER
FROM-• OFCITY MANAGER
BY: ALDO E. SCHINDLER, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMEN
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DATE: ,. .
SUBJECT: RESEARCHING NEIGHBORHOOD IDENTITIES
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council consider the attached proposal to research neighborhood identities
At its February 13, 2018 meeting, Mayor Ashton requested staff to research the cost and time
associated with identifying neighborhoods.
Staff contacted representatives from the Downey Conservancy and Downey Historical Society.
Staff received a proposal from Larry Latimer of the Downey Historical Society, which is included as
Attachment "A". The proposal only reflects the work to research neighborhood identities, not any
branding design, fabrication, purchasing or installation of materials. Mr. Latimer proposes
conducting comprehensive research and providing a report detailing the history and designations
of Downey neighborhoods.
The funds to complete only the study would be allocated from the General Fund reserve account in
the amount of $3,500.
Attachment: "A" — Downey Neighborhood Project Proposal
Downey • • f • • Project f • f
3-12-2018 1
To Aldo Schindler,_ Director of Community Development, City of Downey
Dear Aldo,
The genesis of this proposal began several years ago with my curiosity about
Downey's suburban growth and how the city's neighborhoods expanded.
In 1930, Downey's population was approximately 8,500. By 1960, the population
had grown to 82,000. Between those years, numerous sub -divisions popped up all
over Downey's landscape; many had names, some were just tract numbers.
One of the largest single tracts developed was Country Club Orange Estates.
Former Probate Judge James C. Rives who built the Rives Mansion in 1911, passed
away in 1923. In 1929, the Great Depression emerged. In February of 1930 his
wife, Mary. Lee Rives, decided to sell their seventy -acre "estate"; Mrs. Rives -
retained the home and property surrounding it. The listing was "Country Club
Orange Estates", "Beautiful Little Orange Estates" and "The New Rives
Subdivision", among many other cute slogans.
In 2017, I started to investigate the emergence of Downey's neighborhood
developments via old Downey newspapers and digitally through online
newspaper archives. Using keywords & meta -tags I targeted the digital archive
online with words related to Downey sub -divisions and new neighborhood
developments. Once I began searching, I developed a method of data mining,
finding patterns with the information.
Consequently, the results of this research yielded much of what is at the heart of
my proposal:
Larry Latimer
Computer 1 Solution 10346 Bellman Ave. Downey CA 90241
562-714-9876 computerlsolution@yahoo.com
Attachment "A
--I)owney Neighborhood Project Propos
3-12-2018 1
1) To provide the City of Downey with a comprehensive report detailing the
names, locations and supporting facts of over 35 significant developments
2) The report will include detailed information and small maps on the
location of each named neighborhood is Estates"'), including
images of the home styles and other supporting information.
3) Verify each location on the ground to determine where specific
developments are located (approximately). I say approximately," because
other than the limited directions in the source material, a are very
general. 1
4) I of this proposal It offer the first study that I know of on
this matter, Downey's neighborhood development, and, to be thorough
and exhaustive in finding the information needed from an sources.
5) Your agreement to proceed will yield an important insight into Downey's
growth from a sleepy agricultural town to a thriving, successful
community of the future.
6) The information gathered will be invaluable as a reference point on
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Research project projected value- $3500.00
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Larry Latimer
CompUterl Solution 10346 Bellman Ave. Downey CA90241
562-714-9876 computerlsolution@yahoo.com