2026-11-01 Elysian Valley Tenant Discussion
Elysian Valley Tenant Discussion
Participants: Yekaterina
Storyteller: Amanda (optional)
Location: A local library's conference room
Date and Time: November 1st, mid-day
Summary: Yekaterina, an intern for City Councilman Flugerman (NPC), approaches a group of tenants that live in a derelict neighborhood within Elysian Valley. She introduces to them the plan to turn that area into an Enhanced Infrastructure Financial District (EIFD). The goal is to improve the quality of life in the area; however, the tenants there are concerned. Gentrification is a real problem, and they don't want to be displaced so that politicians and corporate bankers can line their pockets. Yekaterina's youth and idealism is on full display as she does her best to address their concerns.
The organizer gave a time and place. It's an official building rather than someone's basement, but not *full rental* official: a room in the local library, the door shut to keep the place good and quiet. The tables have been lined up in a large square, so people can easily look at one another, with the organizer having set up a spot at the 'head' of the tables.
A blackboard is behind you. A whiteboard has been brought in as well, and a slide projector is available on the grounds. Any powerpoint, there's electricity available, but Yekaterina will be encouraged to bring her own laptop (or borrow someone's).
All in all, the space is good for a meeting of about ten people, though by the time things are set up, there's a couple seats to spare.
Being that fresh eyed intern, Yekaterina is coming to this as if she's expecting a grade on her presentation. Projector with Power Point slide, but the deck isn't very long. She's not here to put them to sleep. She's dressed professionally, but there's no doubt she's a girl. Though, she is making sure that she takes on an elegant appearance. True, she's only 18 so it's possible that she won't be taken seriously unless she indeed looks the part. She has hand outs and anything else you might expect for this kind of meeting. She's wanting to get the ground work and the buy-in - not from investors, but from the actual people who are going to be affected by the Enhanced Infrastructure Financial District (EIFD). Assuming that she's given an introduction, she starts in to her opening introduction. "Good day, my name is Yekaterina Kotos. I represent City Councilman Flugerman regarding the intent to establish Elysian Valley as an EIFD - an Enhanced Infrastructure Financial District. I apologize for City Councilman Flugerman not being here, but I can assure you zat..." She pauses and sighs, and then walks around to the front of the table, rather than hiding behind it. "... zat zere is a lot of flowers and fluff in prepared speech." She wrinkles her nose, "But no one vhant to hear zat. Zey vhant real talk, real answer." She smiles gently, "City Councilman Flugerman understanding zat, so zat is vhy sent me. Like many hard vhorking secretaries, janitors, and maintenance men, I cut to chase. I get real vhork done, so ... I come here for listening. I come here because zis is your home, and I am guest offering hope for something better. But we all know zings come vhiff cost, so I vhant to answer concerns you have about costs." She is given the introduction, with the people around the circle offering their polite nods and professional silence. They aren't businesspeople, but they do seem to know the rhythms, if you will, of a meeting. They're for now staying quiet while Yekaterina does her part.
The group consists of two women and three men, as well as the organizer herself. An organizer who has obviously done this sort of thing before, setting up a small recording device to take voice. If Yekaterina is comfortable, there will also be video, but that seems to be of secondary concern to making sure the voice is all taken for transcripts. One of the men, an immigrant, seems to perk up at the accented voice. He will stand and offer a polite, "If, uh, if you need anything translated, if you don't know how to say it in English..." His own accent is audible, though his English seems localized.
Yekaterina smiles to the man, nodding her head, "Da, zank you." She winks playfully, "Funny zat zey send girl vhiff accent for straight talk, nyet?" If she's worried about being recorded - whether audibly or visually, she doesn't show it. Perhaps it's to be expected. She then continues, "I vhould like to say zat this project, this EIFD project is something zat I first recommending to City Councilman. Having some friends nearby vho call Echo Park home, I come for visit and unfortunate zat I see zis part of Elysian Valley." She wrinkles her nose, "I only get quick glance, but noticed overflowing trash cans vhich lead to having many pests and rodents." She shakes her head, "I remember seeing elevator out of order, but it only elevator for five story building." She tilts her head, "I could document more on my own, but zink it better hear from tenants, da? Anything that help get in front of eyes of zose who pull financial purse strings, ze better." She then gives pause. She then takes a look at the organizer and then to the five that are here, "But ve all know Echo Park alvays on verge of gentrification." Mind you, she has to SLOWLY say this word as it's not in her vernacular - but obviously, she did her homework so she knows the big word. She can type the big word. Saying it? Well that's a problem. "I not vhant zat happen here. Zis EIFD not meant for zat. EIFD meant to help people who already staying here. Zis is your home. Ve just vhant your home be better for you."
"Bullshit," mumbles another of the men. "It's no different than what they're doing." Younger than the others, though not as young as Yekaterina. Mid-twenties, as opposed to the others' thirty year+ features. Five pair of eyes fall to him, disapproving of the interruption. However, the silence apparently at least allows him to say it. Maybe because he was the one to voice what more than one was already thinking. Even if he says it... rather more bluntlyAQ. Five pair of eyes; the sixth is a woman (in that same age bracket) who is shuffling through her work, already getting out a folder stuffed full with what appears to be the issues that she wants to address. Already sold, or at least trusting that Yekaterina is here for the very reason she talks about.
Yekaterina came prepared for the confrontation. The vulgar expression doesn't phase her, but then again, it's a 'foreign' word that she can just not translate in her head so that she can gloss over it. Still, the calling into question of her integrity is brought to the forefront. "Tell you vhy zis time different." Now, hand outs are a thing. Information is a thing. "If I vhas vhorried only about purse strings and lining pockets of fat pigs in office, zen vhy vhould I hand you information for zings like..." She starts handing out some paperwork or brochures or whatever may be available, "... how to contact Mohawk Street Tenant Association?" As she's distributing them, "Zey are a tenant advocacy group here in Echo Park area. Maybe not here..." She tilts her head to one side, "... yet." She then pulls out another set of papers, "Or give information for Stay Housed LA group? They offer FREE legal counsel and defense representation regarding tenant disputes in LA County." She's not done yet, though. "As I vhas vhorking on project and vhorried zat project could evict people I am trying to help, I discover interesting thing." She hands out the final set of papers. They introduce all the laws that are tenant friendly and against corporate ownership of districts. "Not knowing how old some buildings are, but if built before 1978 - there is rent stabilization ordinance. There is ..." She purses her lips. Another one of those big words that's not actually a word but a combination of two words into one. ".. anti ren-oh-vic-shun laws." Renoviction. "It is law state can not be evicted for renovations. If renovations taking more zan 30 days, then landlord legally have to relocate you and zen allow you come back at pre-renovation rent rate." She shrugs again, "Zere is Just Cause Eviction and relocation pay." She smiles gently, "See? If trying to do zis for money, zen vhould hide zis from you. Hide resources zat vhould protect you." She taps the table, "I am advocate for you. I listen for you. I speak for you." Four of the five tenants reach for the paper. For now, the youngest is still, apparently, holding out. Arms are crossed. His expression sour. The look of someone with dirt under his nails (figuratively) who has no doubt seen more than one asked-for issue get kicked down the road. No doubt here more for voicing frustration than expecting anything.
That, at least, is the energy he gives off: not so much impossible to reach, as no doubt the one that'll be hardest to shift. The immigrant man seems more than inclined to accept the paperwork, and to nod at listening at what she's saying. No doubt, he's one of the ones who has felt the... pressure of the area. No relation to those who've been here a while, but still more accepting when he hears that amiliar tone. "Relocate?" One of the woman seems cautiously curious about this statement. "Like, give us a temporary apartment? Or.... or an all-new one? The black mold in my place is... being considered because it endangers the rest of the building, and they would have to rip out the walls. But they are saying I'd have to arrange a place to stay." And the look of her says, loud and clear, that she's no doubt on the 'undesirables' list. Countenance that suggests less than stellar health. The type of rough clothing that would say loud and clear if that's her *good* suit, she must not have a ton of options. "Jean Boone," the woman explains to Yekaterina. "She has brought forward this issue more than once to her landlord. And it seems only when it endangers their bottom line are they starting to think about doing something."
Yekaterina nods her head with a wrinkling of her nose, "Black mold, wery toxic. Not safe living condition." She then does her best to explain her rank 1 level of understanding of the law, "Renovation for building infected vhiff black mold probably taking long period of time for fixing, da?" She nods her head, "California law say landlord must find suitable accommodations at zeir expense to relocate you until vhork is done. Zen you can come back at rent rate before renovations." She smirks, nearly scoffing, "Zey can't raise rent to cover cost to fix neglect and dereliction of duty." She walks over to the woman, who is probably seated. She hunches down so that she's not standing over her and is talking to her at eye level, "EIFD project also make it so landlord can afford renovations." She tilts her head, "Vhiff-in reason. Not blank check, but bulk of cost not on zeir shoulder either. Zis vhay you get home you deserve, and zey get financial assistance so zey can be proper landlord." She exhales as she stands up, "And if landlord try take financial assistance, but not do renovation..." She tilts her head, "Zere vhill be consequences." She then walks over to the hold out. "Once EIFD pass, group zen must put together plan vhich outline how money spent. Zat plan MUST become public notice. Public allowed to comment and object to anything zey not like about plan. You have voice." She says this directly looking into his eyes. No, there's no supernatural heebie jeebie going on. Just the social awareness of making eye contact to promote integrity. She then walks over to the organizer, "A plan zat vhill be put together based on everything you share. Vhant input from you." She then looks to the entire group, "All of you. Let put together great plan, but can not do zat vhiff-out your help." The aforenamed Jean nods at Yekaterina, confirming how she is saying it would take a long period of time. Her eyes easily meet Yekaterina as the blond lowers herself to talk eye to eye in that way. Like the first 'prepared' woman, she too, has pictures with her, not as well organized in a series of folders but at least with a labeled folder on her phone drive. If Yekaterina is curious, pictures of the streaks on the wall, the mold showing in a way that's impossible to ignore. A suggestion from the position that it's probably deep in the walls, and not just surface level.
The kind of creeping grime that reminds the world that the natural world ain't all pretty, at least, and not any suspicious type of blackness. "So what you're saying," the youngest says slowly, "is that if you get put into charge here..." 'If'. Not 'when'. But at least he offers that much. "... you'll be asking us what we want? And what guarantee do you have that you'll actually *do* it and not just, you know, listen and go do your own shit anyway?" "They are at least *asking*, Alex," the Russian immigrant rasps in some frustration at the 'holdout'.
Yekaterina gives a wink to the immigrant, but then looks back to Alex, "I zink you have order wrong." She grins, "I am asking vhat you vhant. I am asking vhat needs are, so can draft plan. A plan zat vhe submit publically. Plan zat must THEN be voted on. If plan pass vote, zen it goes into hands of 'Public Financial Authority' group." She moves back to the table so that she can address everyone. "A group zat consist of three council people. One vhould be City Councilman Flugerman - who only has office because people voting into position. If not like City Councilman Flugerman, zen vote out of office." She tilts her head, "Other two people are local agencies zat help vhiff financial distribution." She then shrugs, "Zen other people are assigned. Trusted advisors." She then steals a glance towards the original woman, "Like trusted advisor for tenants in EIFD."
There are nods among the group. The rest seem to be accepting it. They are, however, at least letting the young man vent his frustration and say his peace. It's something needed, apparently. And at the very least, letting him be the one to handle the 'Devil's Advocate'. Because who knows? There may yet be a point that shatters the whole discussion. The mention of Flugerman does get some nods. More than one of the group had done their part in voting for the man, after all; it would be foolish to pull in an entire group that aren't at least somewhat politically active. "This is something that we've tried to bring forward before," the organizer says, helping voice her own part, as well as shore up what Yekaterina is saying. "What Ms. Kotos is offering is to bring a bigger voice to our issues, and to bring information that is already out there for what is happening here." "And she's not doing it just to get us labeled 'problems' and get evicted because of it." A chip on the shoulder, though apparently for a solid reason. Because those words are *definitely* spoken from the POV of one who's been there.
And with that, Yekaterina points to the woman, "Vhat I am offering is taking vhat you all have said before, but now I guide your voice to be heard in front of people zat can do something." She then looks to Alex, "People zat must comply vhiff public needs. I am trying for helping put people who really care in position to care for home. And not just make dollars." She then offers out her hands, "Now, I not make promise. I not make guarantee. Ve have to put together infrastructure plan zat is financially feasible. Investors have to say zat vhill spend money, so zey can INVEST in community in hope for seeing improvement. Zis plan - after a public review of entire plan and public response to plan - must zen pass vote." She sighs, "Many hurdles in process. But one hurdle I not vhant to skip..." She smiles, "... not vhant to skip your input. Not hurt if say vhat vrong vhiff conditions. Not cost you anything."
The last point is, at least, a good one. And Alex's grumble says it. "Yeah. And you get what you pay for, right?" However, as sour as the attitude seems to be about it, he is still present. He still takes out his own donation to the cause: a thumb drive with his own selections of complaints. This is held at the ready. He also, still hesitantly but with more direct interest, reaches to take the pamphlets from before that were on offer. Particularly the advocacy group. "A lot of the landlords around here for the lower-rent buildings need to be replaced, or at least have their actions finally have some consequences." That is voiced from the first of the two women. The one who had apparently been sold from the beginning, and someone whose appearance suggests definitely a higher class of living than Jean. "Rose Walthers," she introduces herself. "I work as a clerk for one of the local renovators. I've... *seen* how bad it can get. And I'm here to try and stop it from happening, too."
Yekaterina nods her head to Rose, "Da..." She tilts her head to one side, "In other part of neighborhood, seen haulers coming in removing debris..." She wrinkles her nose, "... but debris never seem get smaller." She furrows her brow, "Now EIFD not help vhiff community safety, BUT... EIFD can help build community center and offer resources zat can be used to help make community safe. Remove bad element from area, so zat can live in peace." She points to herself, "I am here to help give YOUR voice strength, YOUR action more power, and YOUR concerns proper consideration. We do zis together, and everybody wins."
"*Debris*. More like *landfills*." spits a frustrated voice as the man who hadn't spoken up yet finally does. "They igniore and ignore, until the right person happens to have money. Couple of local students held a GoFundMe to pay for a lot to be cleaned out, and they were cheered. *Cheered*. Like it was so laudable instead of desperation. I've been a homeowner for *years*, and never seen it as bad as all of this." Several nods pass around the group in agreement with the frustrated outburst of the man. "We *shouldn't* have to rely on Internet funding to pay for something that we shouldn't have to pay for in the *first* place," the man continues, in frustration. "Does that come under 'safety', or do you think it's something the group can help with?" the organizer asks, looking over at Yekaterina with that.
Yekaterina nods her head in agreement about not relying on GoFundMe and Social Justice Warriors. She offers, "Da, not need involve charity. EIFD is money funded through investors and through city taxes." She then looks to each one personally, "Taxes zat /you/ already are paying. Now time for zat money do good for you, da?" She then looks to the organizer, and sighs, "EIFD only pay for infrastructure." She holds up a finger, "But help pay for better lighting on streets. Help pay for better side vhalks. Help pay for resources zat non-police first responder networks can utilize... like better communication system. Or maybe build community park and pedestrian plaza, so that make more eyes on problem and can report better." She shrugs, "But investor may say 'need protect investment' and find vhay to help fund extra costs." She holds up her hands, "But I can not say zat vhill happen. Zat is NOT part of plan zat I bring to table. Maybe if vote pass, zen can identify how address zat."
Yekaterina seems to be satisfactory to the man who'd come forward with that frustration. He nods an acknowledgment, and settles back into his seat. "My restaurant has had many problems with water. Power." That is the immigrant man. "They keep trying to say it is my building. But it is not. I hope that this will help them fix it. Not just say that it is my building's fault and that it is things I must pay. I already *paid* for the problems *in* the building. I cannot pay extra for the ones *outside* the building, too." Again, the organizer nods at him, and then back at Yekaterina. "I really appreciate you coming to help with all of this. I have hopes it will work out. What is it that you want people to do with this information and these issue?"
"Vhat I need is every zing zat you experiencing. At home." She then nods to the restaurant owner, "At vhork. Vhater conditions. Power conditions. All zat. All infrastructure related." She then looks back to the organizer, "I vhill be in touch every step of vhay. Zen vhen plan goes public, it WERY important zat you attend public hearing. Respond vhiff criticism of plan, or support of plan. Take active part in how improve community. Zis your home. Not let other people ruin home. Not let other people keep you in dark on how to fight zere mess. More local support, better outcome." She smiles, "Ve get you in touch with Tenant Advocacy Group, so zat you not suffer retaliation for voicing problems."
There are nods from all corners. The assembled group. The organizer herself. The preliminary information is offered forward, for Yekaterina to go through. The main issues that they had, some with much deeper-dug information, others with a surface overview and plenty of pictures. The black mold. The filthy lots and cast-off debris. The power lines in places that look to be a few generations back than the ones in better areas. Pools of water where sewers aren't draining quite right, and water-free faucets where the pipes had just been replaced. And yes, some of the things that couldn't immediately be helped with. The gang signs. The pockets of drug users. Complaints about lack of police support. So much of the old industrial space needs a whole lot of cleaning up, in more ways than one. And fortunately (or perhaps unfortunately, depending on how one looks at it), a lot of it needs to be done on the completely mundane side.
Yekaterina nods her head, "Vhat might vhant to do, and vhould probably help vhiff passing EIFD vote is having community outreach start helping vhiff clean up. Volunteers spending time in cleaning vhat can be seen." She tilts her head, "Bring more awareness to community, and more voices zat can say together need zis funding. Plus, it help vhen investor see community vhilling to invest zeir own time as vhell, da? Vhy invest if community only allow place fall back into disarray. Wery positive if show signs of cleaning up."
"I already tried that once," Alex offers with a gruff grumble at the situation. "Alex..." the warning from the organizer is gentle, but pointed. "This is what she's trying to prevent: retaliation for making these complaints." "I'll believe it when I see it," Alex offers bitterly. But he's still joining the nod at the recommendation for 'invest in the community'. "I run the restaurant here because I like this place. Many people do not get genuine cooking. I will help." The immigrant restaurant owner nods his head firmly. "I help with organizing, and I'll help with catering."
