LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) AEG's Tim Leiweke knew it wasn't going to be pretty when he went to a meeting of L.A. business leaders last Thursday, but he was on a mission.
The main issue of the day was efforts by the police and the city to help 1,500 homeless people to escape from "skid row". It was Leiweke's contention that the steps being taken by police and the city government were entirely inadequate.
"How in God's name," said Leiweke, who according to the LA times, lambasted city supervisor Mike Antonovich over his lack of support for moving 250 women and children to Hope Gardens, a project in Antonovich's district, saying "not in my backyard? That's a shame." A spokesman for Antonovich, Tony Bell told the LA Times that his support was contingent on a favorable review from the county.
Leiweke, who is the head of AEG, announced that the company was providing $250,000 dollars to the Midnight Mission, a social service provider, geared towards helping the homeless. Leiweke added that AEG and its foundations have given $10 million in donations to a wide variety of organizations which are trying to address problems of homelessness in the Los Angeles region. His purpose at the meeting was to challenge other businesses to contribute as well. "It's time to step up and dig a little deeper" Leiweke said.
Leiweke and AEG have been focused on revitalizing downtown L.A. The company has been constructing a sprawling entertainment district adjacent to the Staples Center that will include shopping, hotels, bars theaters nightclubs and other entertainment. — CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
