Tenants at Lincoln Place began to be removed by sheriff's deputies at 9 am today. Venice Paper says some residents were left empty-handed as locks on their units were changed. According to the paper's website, "The eviction action commenced one half hour before Judge Yaffe of Los Angeles Superior Court was to hear arguments from AIMCO, the owner of the 695-apartment complex, the City Attorney, and the 20th Century Architectural Alliance on an Appellate Court ruling that a public review of the conditions – including a "no evictions" clause – attached to AIMCO's plan to demolish and redevelop the 33-acre site still apply. Tenants have 15 days to arrange to get into their apartments to remove their possessions."

* Rosendahl reacts: Councilman Bill Rosendahl calls the action "a travesty, an injustice, and a great shame." Full statement after the jump. 3:30 pm

ROSENDAHL STATEMENT ON LINCOLN PLACE EVICTIONS

Councilman Bill Rosendahl today issued the following statement regarding Lincoln Place evictions:

"Earlier today, AIMCO, the owners of the Lincoln Place Garden Apartments in Venice, locked out more than 50 families from their homes.

These evictions are a travesty, an injustice, and a great shame. They represent an assault on affordable housing, a slap in the face to renters everywhere, and insult to the community of Venice and its elected representatives.

For months, I have called on AIMCO to halt these evictions. I reiterate and underscore that statement today, and I urge AIMCO to allow tenants to return to their homes:

AIMCO, do the right thing. Unlock those doors. Return to the bargaining table and negotiate in good faith with these tenants.

Earlier this fall, my office and the office of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa brokered a proposed settlement that would have preserved 242 units at Lincoln Place, and allowed every tenant to remain there for life at below-market rent. Sadly, that deal fell apart. I still believe it is a solid deal, and hope that it can be the basis for a renewed round of negotiations.”