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Originally Posted by Illithid Dude
Not really. I don't really like talking about economic status and such, and obviously I am not personally a wealthy man (being in high school, having no full time job <though I do work at a bookstore on Sunday>), but my parents, I guess, would be considered '1%', in terms of wealth. I always get a a sense of discomfort when talking about such things, and generally avoid doing so, but I think that the information I just said will help me make this point. And what is this point? That not all wealthy Westsiders feel that downtown is dangerous. Not even most of them. If anything, I would say it is about half and half. The consensus around here seems to be that those who would frequent the high-end stores that we want downtown, or would live in the luxury lofts we want built downtown, don't exist, as the wealthy don't like downtown, or don't feel safe there. This is not so. I've talked to literally dozens of people who fit those categories and like downtown, or feel safe there. Some of which have even invested, or wish to invest, in downtown, due to their love of it. And even more people like downtown when referring the younger generation, my generation. Every friend who I have brought downtown leaves really loving it, if they have not done so already. Those uper-crust Westsiders aren't as closed minded and suburban as you might think. And, like I said, I really don't like talking about such things, and shining myself in such a light, but I felt like this misconception must be corrected. It's just sort of being bugging me.
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I definitely think attitudes are changing albeit very slowly. I worked on the Westside in the 90s and while I didn't hang with the 1%, my friends and colleagues were definitely affluent and on their way up, and they wouldn't have been caught dead in DTLA. Rarely could I get them to go DT. And you have to remember, Bunker Hill was first developed in the 60s and 70s. Again, it was meant as an island of safety amidst a DT of chaos. And then there was the Boniventure Hotel. Why do you think the focus is inward, not the street? It was meant to look like a fortress to reassure its customers.
I don't mean to denigrate the affluent but they frequently determine the fate of the big projects. When Disney Hall was built, their attitudes definitely were taken into consideration and it was believed, rightly or wrongly, there had to be parking very closeby. I glad to read that their POV is changing. It will be them that ultimately determine the fate of DTLA.........and your generation.
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Also, everyone seems to love the food downtown, but that is sort of besides the point. People in my school sometimes just randomly start talking about Bottega Louie, or Mas Malo (which surprised me, Mas Malo, I mean, not that it inst good, but that it is so well known). I always find such conversations funny.
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That's why restaurants [and artists] typically spark a neighborhood's revival. When SM decided to turn around Third they literally seeded the street with theaters and restaurants. After those places became successes, other retail joined the fray. For good food, adventurous urbanists/hipsters will go into the worst neighborhoods.
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It's not. You are thinking of a government building, one that is currently in use. The AT&T building I am referring to is on 6th and Grand.[/QUOTE]
Yes, you're right........... do you know which building I mean? I tried to find a photo in google but with no luck
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