Many major employers in downtown Los Angeles, concerned about gridlock and possible violence during the impending Democratic National Convention, are considering shutting down during the four-day event. In addition, they are encouraging their workers to take vacations or work out of satellite offices. Client meetings are being discouraged, or prohibited.
The moves are being encouraged, if not instigated, by the Los Angeles Police Department.
“The police have been coming to different buildings throughout downtown and the advice is typically, ‘Close up for the week,'” said Eric Bender, vice president of Mas Asset Management Corp., which manages 1.5 million square feet of office space downtown. “I think the powers that be are trying to encourage people not to come downtown.”
The fears are being fueled by a video being shown by the LAPD at downtown offices, featuring scenes from the unruly protests during the World Trade Organization meeting in Seattle last fall.
One downtown office tenant, who asked not to be named, said police have even recommended to businesses to have “cots on hand to sleep in their offices.”
“They’ve been saying, ‘Our best advice is BOOT be out of town,” the businessman said. “They’re absolutely scaring the crap out of people down here.”
Part of the current concern is focused on the extent and location of protests during the convention, as well as on the sheer numbers of people and motorcades in the neighborhood.
Initially, protesters in L.A. were limited to a single parking lot behind Staples Center, the site of the convention. Then the City Council designated Pershing Square as an official gathering site for protestors, but the council withdrew that designation after a storm of protest from local businesses. The city, LAPD and protesters are still negotiating where marches will be allowed to take place.
“There are thousands of people coming downtown, as well as protesters. Even if they are lawful and peaceful, there are issues relating to traffic and congestion,” said Carol Schatz, president of the Central City Association, which represents 500 businesses and landlords downtown.
