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