Meeting: Nov. 13, 2019 From: John Gittelsohn

Sound: Acoustic work will be done during the off season to better control bass music from the Bowl band shell.

Traffic: Bureaucratic and funding snags are delaying work on a new left-turn lane off Highland that would speed up bus and rideshare drop-offs at Bowl events. So expect more of the same gridlock in 2020 and beyond.

One improvement in the pipeline for 2020: More overhead electric “changeable message” signs to warn drivers of events, lane reversals and other issues. Goal is to reduce the number of people making last-minute lane changes. Ten message signs also are coming to surface streets in Hollywood by 2020 as well.

Another 2020 change: Speedier entrances to parking lots that will now accept payments with credit cards, not just cash.

Frustration: Lack of coordination and cooperation with Waze, Lyft and Uber, which are adding to the number of vehicles, cut-throughs and traffic-slowing drop-offs. Maybe they could get a setup for the Bowl like the airport’s offsite LAX-it. https://www.uber.com/drive/los-angeles/airports/los-angeles-international-airport/

Thoughts?

Traffic engineers from the city, county and consulting firm Gibson Transportation say they continuously gather data to try to anticipate congestion and take measures to mitigate problems, but there’s no silver bullet as the number of jobs, residences and events continue to multiply in the Hollywood area.

Angela Babcock, the Bowl’s community liaison, was asked to produce a timeline showing steps to reduce congestion that have been completed, are underway or in various planning stages.

Comments from community representatives at the meeting:

· Whitley Heights representative (me) asked about scheduling fewer weeknight leased events, which tend to bring in the most traffic. No promises from staff.

· Outpost Estates complained, again, that traffic cops encourage drivers to speed down the winding road – Outpost Drive - that turns into a major thoroughfare during Bowl events, particularly when through-traffic is blocked at the Highland-Camrose/Milner intersection.

· Hollywood Heights representative asked, again, about opening Camrose mid-performance during hard closures. Answer: It's too hard to reclose.

· Hollywood Heights representative proposed efforts to make access to the Bowl from her neighborhood west of Highland more pedestrian friendly. The streets are narrow, without sidewalks and strewn with obstacles.

Other topics:

· I owe apologies to Michael Andreas, Annie Gagen and Jim Geoghan, because I assumed the advisory board meeting was open to all members of the public. It’s not. According to Angela: The meeting is ``advisory, and so it is a more intimate conversation. One rep from each neighborhood association and one from the HHWNC.’’

· Angela Babcock says she welcomes community input and encourages everyone to contact her directly to arrange group or one-on-one meetings. She’s best reached at angela@stratiscope.com or 818-570-3408  And please contact me too if you have a request, suggestion or complaint johngittel@gmail.com

· 2021 is the Hollywood Bowl’s 100th anniversary. They’re seeking reminiscences and memorabilia from locals - old photos, tickets, programs, etc. They’re taping interviews Jan. 18, 2020, at the Bowl Museum. To learn more, contact Derek Traub dtraub@laphil.org 213-972-3015.

· The LA Phil, which manages the Bowl, was awarded management of the Ford Amphitheater, starting in December. The Ford, at 2850 Cahuenga Blvd. E, seats about 1,200 v 17,000 at the Bowl. It’s a smaller factor in traffic congestion, but still a contributor. The LA Phil plans to reduce the number of Ford events next year to about 40 from this year’s 60. The programming focus will be on promoting local artists in dance, theater and music, such as youth orchestras, according to the LA Phil’s Laura Connelly.