[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 109 (Thursday, July 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1398-E1399]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING CAROL E. SCHATZ FOR TWO DECADES OF SERVICE TO THE CENTRAL CITY 
                       ASSOCIATION OF LOS ANGELES

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 2010

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend, 
Carol E. Schatz, on the occasion of her 20th anniversary with the 
Central City Association (CCA) of Los Angeles in the 34th Congressional 
District.
  During her tenure with the association, I have had the pleasure of 
working closely with Carol in our joint efforts to revitalize Downtown 
Los Angeles.
  Carol started her career with the CCA in 1990 as the Director of 
Legislative Affairs. Five years later, she became the association's 
President & CEO--the first woman in the association's history to hold 
this leadership position.
  Established in 1924 as an advocacy organization for businesses, the 
CCA represents more than 450 member businesses and organizations, many 
of which are located or have business interests in the Downtown area. 
In 1997, Carol's vision led to the creation of the Downtown Center 
Business Improvement District (DCBID). As the DCBID's President & CEO, 
Carol's leadership has been instrumental in the district's growth to 
include more than 2,200 parcels and 1,200 property owners located in 
the 65-block Central Business District of Downtown Los Angeles. Today, 
this influential business district is among the largest of its kind in 
Los Angeles County.
  Revenue generated from property tax assessments within the district 
pay for more than 140 employees to provide security, cleaning and other 
services in the area. The district also promotes business retention and 
recruitment, acts as a housing resource to potential residents and 
developers, and carries out a Downtown marketing program that includes 
special events, promotional offers, advertising campaigns and other 
public relations efforts. With a budget of more than $6 million, the 
DCBID has made Downtown safe and clean and provided a catalyst to bring 
incredible new residential and commercial investment to Downtown Los 
Angeles.
  Under Carol's dual leadership, the Downtown Center Business 
Improvement District working in conjunction with the Central City 
Association of Los Angeles operate under a shared mission--to enhance 
the quality of life in Downtown.
  Under Carol's direction, CCA created the ``Downtown Development 
Strategy'' as an updated supplement to the 1985 Downtown Strategic 
Plan. The plan includes all aspects of a revitalized Downtown, from the 
creation of mixed-use/mixed-income projects to new transportation 
amenities. Carol was also instrumental in initiating the Figueroa 
Corridor Plan and the reauthorization of the Civic Center Authority, 
which led to the Civic Center Master Plan.
  In one of her most significant achievements, Carol utilized the full 
force of the association's lobbying muscle to win a legislative victory 
key to the Downtown Los Angeles Renaissance. Passed in 1999 by the Los 
Angeles City Council, the Adaptive Reuse Ordinance championed by the 
association is widely credited for allowing developers to convert empty 
office buildings to housing. As a result of this property use 
conversion, Downtown today boasts more than 16,000 new residential 
units, a 141 percent increase since 1991. In addition, Downtown has 
experienced a dramatic population increase of residents from 19,000 in 
1991 to 43,000 today.
  Tapping into this expanded pool of customers, the number of Downtown 
businesses has also increased, from 11,725 in 1991 to 17,028 today, 
including 180 new restaurants, bars, and nightclubs that have made 
Downtown Los Angeles an entertainment and dining destination.
  Carol embraces a vision of Downtown as a place where professionals 
live and work and families come to have fun. Her tenacious advocacy was 
instrumental in bringing the Staples Center to Downtown--the proud home 
of the Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers, Sparks, and Kings. Carol was also 
a strong proponent of the creation of LA Live, which has become one of 
the most vibrant centers for urban nightlife in the nation.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to please join me in thanking 
Carol E. Schatz on

[[Page E1399]]

her 20 years of exceptional service to the Central City Association of 
Los Angeles. Through her tireless leadership and her skillful ability 
to work hand-in-hand with local, state, and federal officials, Carol 
has made a tremendous contribution on behalf of the Downtown business 
community, and I look forward to continuing to work with her to realize 
our shared dream for a thriving and prosperous Downtown for many years 
to come.

                          ____________________