LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0

[LA/OCman]

Alki, I have to agree with Illithid Dude on the changes in attitudes about Downtown. Events like Ciclavia draw 130,000 bicylists Downtown a couple of times a year. The LA Marathon draws 25,000 plus and Art Walk...up to 30,000 monthly. Staples Center really changed it all. When I was young you would drive to the Forum in Inglewood to see the Lakers. You would drive there, watch the game and drive home. Now, many westsiders eat at the Katsuya, the Palm, Bottega Louie, Bottlerock, Trader Vics etc and then head to the game.

Also, crime has really dropped in LA since you were here...back then there were 1200 murders in Los Angeles annually...in 2011 it was less than 300. When I bought Downtown having lived in Orange County, people were fascinated. I own in the Eastern Columbia and the Rowan and I am surprised how many residents are native to Southern California (along with many ex-NYers). Quite a few came from the Westside. I have a tenant who rents Downtown and commutes to Santa Monica.

The big change in the future will be the EXPO line which will connect Santa Monica to 7th and Fig...via USC. Connecting the Westside and Downtown will be huge.