The Making of Modern Los Angeles

by Nick Patsaouras

Overview

An absorbing, insightful account of the evolution of Los Angeles over a fifty-year period.

In his no-nonsense, straightforward writing style, Nick Patsaouras takes readers behind the scenes, where colossal egos clashed, where politics prevailed over principles, and where the art of compromise flourished.

Nick’s chronicle of the modernization of Los Angeles was fifteen years in the making. Besides his firsthand account of decisions the boards he served on made, he draws heavily from public documents, news reports, and interviews with dozens of key players—elected officials and their aides, bureaucrats, corporate executives, developers, architects, engineers, preservationists, and academics.

Nick also delves into the city’s recovery from the Northridge earthquake; the fights against smog, oil drilling in Pacific Palisades, and an East Los Angeles prison; the construction of Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Museum of Contemporary Arts; the restoration of Angels Flight Railway; and the City’s architecture. Nick is a true insider whose vision and persistence prevailed and made a monumental difference. The insights and wisdom he gained from all these endeavors are woven throughout this book, making it a must-read for anyone with even a passing interest in Los Angeles’ recent past and future.

Nick Patsaouras arrived from Athens at age seventeen. After establishing a successful electrical engineering firm, Nick decided to give back to his adopted city. He served on boards that oversee Los Angeles’ zoning appeals and its Department of Water and Power as well as the region’s transit systems. In his latter role, he spearheaded the development of the region‘s subway and light rail lines and advocated for bus services. Nick became a volunteer “Mr. Fix-It” for a succession of Los Angeles mayors and county supervisors who asked him to oversee vital public infrastructure projects.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781961856424
Publisher:	ORO Editions
Publication date:	09/15/2024
Pages:	624
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.80(d)

About the Author

Nick Patsaouras received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from California State University, Northridge. He established an electrical engineering practice in Los Angeles and performed the electrical engineering for a wide range of projects, including commercial, industrial, educational, residential, medical, institutional, religious, and entertainment. Nick has been actively involved in civic life for over forty years. He ran for Mayor of Los Angeles in 1993 envisioning “Transportation as a Catalyst in Rebuilding LA” after the devastating LA riots.

Table of Contents

FOREWORD by Dan Rosenfeld 9

PROLOGUE 10

CHAPTER ONE | THE BOY FROM ATHENS 13

CHAPTER TWO | LOS ANGELES’ MODERN POLITICAL AND CIVIC ODYSSEY 28

CHAPTER THREE | TRANSPORTATION 90

Funding of the Metro Rail 90

MTA Headquarters and Transit Center 109

Southern California Rapid Transit District 128

Universal City Metro Station 139

MTA and MCA Deal: Compromise or Public Betrayal? 140

The Demise of the East LA Subway 144

Los Angeles 1984 Summer Olympics 148

RTD/MTA Transit Police 153

The Sumitomo Debacle 157

John Dyer 160

CHAPTER FOUR | THE CHALLENGES WE FACE 162

Clean Energy 162

Water 170

CHAPTER FIVE | ARCHITECTURE 185

CHAPTER SIX | HOMELESSNESS 206

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Nick Patsaouras is a visionary. It is a term that should be used sparingly to describe only the rarest of individuals. In this case a more appropriate adjective does not exist. Since immigrating as a young man to Los Angeles, Nick Patsaouras has given everything for his adopted city, immersing himself in its future, advocating passionately about its possibilities, and thrown all his energies to the events, projects, and stories that have transformed Los Angeles over the last forty years. The Making of Modern Los Angeles is a deeply poignant story of the personal life and motivations of this hugely influential figure in Los Angeles. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in both the how, and the why, of this city’s story, giving one an unprecedented front row seat at the events of consequence that have shaped this most dynamic urban metropolis." —Michael Maltzan, FAIA architect and urban planner

"I’ve known Nick Patsaouras for many years and seen how he managed to get important things done in the face of massive corruption and apathy. He’s played a major role in LA politics. Nick is LA’s “Inside Man,” the man behind the scenes who got to see first-hand the games and dramas the politicians, their handlers and the corporate operators were playing for their own interests, the public be damned. The wonder is how Nick—a penniless immigrant who became a successful electrical engineer and got involved in public life with the historic election of Tom Bradley in 1973—preserved his reputation as an honest citizen trying to do what’s best for the public. This compelling chronicle is a great resource for public servants, elected officials, and students of history." —Ron Kaye, former editor, Los Angeles Daily News

"Nick Patsaouras writes an account of the city he loves that could only be written by someone like Nick who was so deeply engaged in creating today’s Los Angeles. He was there. He acted to make this a great town. He knew most of the key players personally and adds their hands-on accounts to his own to create a picture of civic events of the last half-century that otherwise might be lost in memory. And he does it with charm and personality." —Barry A. Sanders, former chair, Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games; member of the Los Angeles Opera board;and former chair of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Board of Directors

"Nick Patsaouras has been at the center of major public policy issues in Los Angeles for forty years. He was a prime mover in the development of Los Angeles’s rail transit system over several decades, as well as in the implementation of major land use, water, and energy policies. This book is a must read for historians of Los Angeles in the late twentieth century and early twenty-first century. It will be of interest to anyone who seeks to understand how Los Angeles was governed and policy decisions made during this period." —Michael Bernick, former president, Bay Area Rapid Transit Board of Directors; and former director, California Labor Department

"Nick Patsaouras has been a central figure in the urban development of Los Angeles for forty years. A proponent of welcoming public spaces, mixed-use, and joint development, he has been a key driver of the creation of historic spaces with long-term financial sustainability thanks to his creativity and vision. By breaking down the barriers between government agencies and welcoming in the private sector, he transformed practices in urban development resulting in beautiful and functional urban centers. This book should be read by every urban planner and elected official in America." —Caprice Young, former president, Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Trustees

"It is a real treat to be shown Nick Patsaouras’s insider view of the conflicting agendas, priorities, interests, and personalities behind the most recent thirty-five years of how Los Angeles transit and the city has developed, and how we (with his help) have managed to move ahead. What we read in the newspapers is just the tip of the iceberg. He knows more about the boards, agencies, elected officials, political careerists, and private interests in play around each decision than anyone else. He shares this knowledge with insights that combine humor and pragmatic analysis. Los Angeles owes him a debt of gratitude." —Prof. James E. Moore, II, founding director University of Southern California  Transportation Engineering Program

"When someone with firsthand knowledge of events and over four decades of unmatched passion and dedication to the city of Los Angeles decides to write a book, detailing  all its successes and shortcomings, there is only one thing any self-respecting Angeleno should do - Put your loukoumades down and grab a copy! Considering how closely he keeps his thoughts and opinions to himself; I can’t wait to finally be treated with a peek into the great mind of Nick Patsaouras!" —Raul Fontanills, Jr., civic leader

Editorial Reviews

"The Making of Modern Los Angeles is so many stories. It is the deeply moving and inspiring story of a teenager who came to America from Greece, with little besides a love of education and public service and went to play a crucial role in the life of one of America’s great cities. And it’s also the story of Los Angeles, Nick Patsaouras' beloved adopted city, and ultimately, a story of hope and optimism — that cities really can work, and that public service is a worthy calling for us all."  —Arianna Huffington, founder & CEO, Thrive Glo

"Nick Patsaouras is a visionary. It is a term that should be used sparingly to describe only the rarest of individuals. In this case a more appropriate adjective does not exist. Since immigrating as a young man to Los Angeles, Nick Patsaouras has given everything for his adopted city, immersing himself in its future, advocating passionately about its possibilities, and thrown all his energies to the events, projects, and stories that have transformed Los Angeles over the last forty years. The Making of Modern Los Angeles is a deeply poignant story of the personal life and motivations of this hugely influential figure in Los Angeles. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in both the how, and the why, of this city’s story, giving one an unprecedented front row seat at the events of consequence that have shaped this most dynamic urban metropolis." —Michael Maltzan, FAIA architect and urban planner

"I’ve known Nick Patsaouras for many years and seen how he managed to get important things done in the face of massive corruption and apathy. He’s played a major role in LA politics. Nick is LA’s “Inside Man,” the man behind the scenes who got to see first-hand the games and dramas the politicians, their handlers and the corporate operators were playing for their own interests, the public be damned. The wonder is how Nick—a penniless immigrant who became a successful electrical engineer and got involved in public life with the historic election of Tom Bradley in 1973—preserved his reputation as an honest citizen trying to do what’s best for the public. This compelling chronicle is a great resource for public servants, elected officials, and students of history."—Ron Kaye, former editor, Los Angeles Daily News

"Nick Patsaouras writes an account of the city he loves that could only be written by someone like Nick who was so deeply engaged in creating today’s Los Angeles. He was there. He acted to make this a great town. He knew most of the key players personally and adds their hands-on accounts to his own to create a picture of civic events of the last half-century that otherwise might be lost in memory. And he does it with charm and personality." —Barry A. Sanders, former chair, Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games; member of the Los Angeles Opera board; and former chair of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Board of Director

"Nick Patsaouras has been at the center of major public policy issues in Los Angeles for forty years. He was a prime mover in the development of Los Angeles’s rail transit system over several decades, as well as in the implementation of major land use, water, and energy policies. This book is a must read for historians of Los Angeles in the late twentieth century and early twenty-first century. It will be of interest to anyone who seeks to understand how Los Angeles was governed and policy decisions made during this period."—Michael Bernick, former president, Bay Area Rapid Transit Board of Directors; and former director, California Labor Department

"Nick Patsaouras has been a central figure in the urban development of Los Angeles for forty years. A proponent of welcoming public spaces, mixed-use, and joint development, he has been a key driver of the creation of historic spaces with long-term financial sustainability thanks to his creativity and vision. By breaking down the barriers between government agencies and welcoming in the private sector, he transformed practices in urban development resulting in beautiful and functional urban centers. This book should be read by every urban planner and elected official in America."—Caprice Young, former president, Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Trustees

"It is a real treat to be shown Nick Patsaouras’s insider view of the conflicting agendas, priorities, interests, and personalities behind the most recent thirty-five years of how Los Angeles transit and the city has developed, and how we (with his help) have managed to move ahead. What we read in the newspapers is just the tip of the iceberg. He knows more about the boards, agencies, elected officials, political careerists, and private interests in play around each decision than anyone else. He shares this knowledge with insights that combine humor and pragmatic analysis. Los Angeles owes him a debt of gratitude."—Prof. James E. Moore, II, founding director University of Southern California  Transportation Engineering Program

"When someone with firsthand knowledge of events and over four decades of unmatched passion and dedication to the city of Los Angeles decides to write a book, detailing  all its successes and shortcomings, there is only one thing any self-respecting Angeleno should do - Put your loukoumades down and grab a copy! Considering how closely he keeps his thoughts and opinions to himself; I can’t wait to finally be treated with a peek into the great mind of Nick Patsaouras!"—Raul Fontanills, Jr., civic leader

From the Publisher