L.A.’s Now in a Doom Era. It’ll Boom Again

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2020 has been a challenging year for Los Angeles, marked by a series of hardships. The ongoing pandemic was just the beginning, followed by a surge of public unease due to a string of high-profile robberies and the tragic home invasion of Jacqueline Avant. Homelessness, exacerbated by the housing crisis, has become an unprecedented disaster. Public trust in local leadership to address these social issues is at an all-time low, particularly after a sequence of municipal scandals. In the entertainment industry, there have been long-lasting labor disputes and subsequent layoffs as Hollywood struggles to find profit amid changes in distribution and the increasing influence of artificial intelligence. To add to this, the Palisades and Altadena wildfires have left their destructive mark on the city.

This is a period of hardship, indeed. Yet, let’s recall that this very town has faced such trials in the past, multiple times. It’s crucial to bear in mind that post these challenging times, it doesn’t merely flourish; it thrives, it prospers – it booms!

1990s Los Angeles experienced a series of catastrophic events that were particularly devastating. The end of the Cold War and an economic recession caused the consolidation and relocation of many local aerospace industries, while the Rodney King verdict led to violence claiming 63 lives and injuring over 2,300 people. In the following year, a fire in Malibu destroyed hundreds of homes and subsequent mudslides blocked major coastal routes for months. The same fall saw another inferno tear through Altadena, one of the state’s most destructive fires on record. Shortly after, the Northridge earthquake occurred, resulting in 57 deaths, injuring an additional 9,000 people, and damaging numerous buildings across the region. This period also marked the beginning of Hollywood’s working class being undermined and scattered as other countries, particularly Canada, began offering attractive tax breaks, thus impacting the local economy.

Following this stage, the city experienced an exceptionally vibrant era: Football returned professionally, downtown L.A. saw a resurgence, and Silicon Beach was established. At different times, it garnered widespread admiration as a model for the country, and even the world, due to the energy of its art and culinary communities.

This city has seen its fair share of hardships. During the 1930s, it was deeply affected by the Great Depression. Additionally, a long period of drought, a contentious port strike, and ongoing disputes between locals and newcomers from the Dust Bowl over strain on public services took place. Later, in the mid-1960s, as the movie industry was in decline, Los Angeles faced the Watts Riots, the Manson Family murders, economic downturn, and the devastating Sylmar earthquake. After these difficult periods, the city enjoyed vibrant phases during the 1950s and 1980s known as go-go L.A.

Regardless of whether it’s considered a mirage of paradise, a harsh wasteland, or a chaotic metropolis, the city in the desert – such as Los Angeles – demonstrates an incredible resilience and continues to thrive. As one prominent California historian, Carey McWilliams, observed during the postwar boom in 1946: “Los Angeles has always been a town of growth,” even if it’s “constantly struggling to sustain its progress.

The outlook for Los Angeles in the near term remains uncertain, possibly pointing towards more hardships. These could manifest in predictable areas like the housing market, exacerbated by the effects of wildfires, or in unexpected ones. However, history shows us that change is constant and eventually, better days will return.

Some events, projects, and improvements are currently underway or soon to begin. For instance, preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics have commenced. In addition, public transportation systems are becoming operational. The revitalization of the L.A. River and its surroundings is ongoing, and various cultural enhancements, expansions, and openings – with George Lucas’ Museum of Narrative Art at Exposition Park being a significant example – are imminent. Moreover, there appears to be a renewed focus on implementing a tax credit program to attract entertainment production back into the city.

Indeed, it seems the present narrative of our city requires a refreshing update. Perhaps introducing novel personalities and innovative concepts. Yet, we’re delving into the saga of Los Angeles. Here, there’s no final chapter, just a continuation of seasons.

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2025-01-18 19:56