Northeast Los Angeles Placemaking Competition: River Gambling Boat

Project submitted by: Stuart Rapeport

Project Summary and Scale

A floating casino along the river. Funds from profits would go to Native Americans and maintaining the river. Boats like the duck boats that are all terrain and can be floated or rolled along the concrete bottom of the river.

Why are you committed to this project?

It would be fun, self sustaining, be a reference to the gambling ships that used to exist along the coast and bays of Santa Monica, Redondo Beach, and Long Beach harbor.

What are the most relevant characteristics of project site and scale?

The project would bring tourists into the area, with some money to spend. If done in a sound way it could be used to spruce up the river in the industrial areas of the path near Vernon, Hawaiian Gardens, and help to 'place make' the Arroyo Seco and Northern portions of the river for the environmental aspects of the area.

Describe how this project will reinforce a sense of place or enhance the built environment.

The natural essence and need to maintain that aspect would be enhanced with the larger population that would become aware of the river, with a tourist attraction that takes advantage of the industrial, ignored portions of the river.

How does this project leverage existing resources and efforts?

The project would take advantage of the existing industrial portions of the river, as well as integrate the natural portions.

What community need is your project serving?

All of the Los Angeles Basin.

If your project is realized, what does success look like?

Folks enjoying the river. People enjoying eating venues along the river form Long Beach to Elysian Valley. Folks waving from the riverside at the passing boat. Money coming into the cities along the river, a small photo exhibit of the history of the L.A. River on the walls of the boat.