LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 3.0

[colemonkee]

Originally Posted by DTLA

^^^ So I don't get bitched at later, I'm ok with the fact that it's not more pedestrian oriented.

It looks pretty ped friendly to me. I don't like how it's pulled back from the street along Figueroa, but along 11th, Flower and 12th streets this seems to have active street fronts with retail or hotel lobbies. And the design, or at least the materials being used, seems better than the initial renders we saw. While it's not anything great designwise, it could've been a lot worse.

I'll update the first page when I get home tonight. I hope this makes it through the planning commission quickly.

[LAMetroGuy]

Maybe having the fig facing sidewalk so large is a good thing, maybe the outdoor dining, street vendors, tourists, convention center visitors, blue line riders will be walking/using this street and the more elbow room is okay for this particular area. I am fine with the design and fine with the setback as long as it makes sense for this esplanade.

[DTLA]

From what i've read in the article it seems to have things both for the pedestrains and for the people who just stop by after seeing a Lakers or Clippers game, etc. and just want to check the place out. Obviously the supermarket and restaurants are targeted for people at the hotels or who live in the condos, but the article also mentions quick serve food places, so it seems to cater to both groups of people. The fact that it has a supermarket included is a great sign, and that implies a more pedestrian friendly enviornment. I think that having both motor friendly and resident friendly attributes is a great thing.

[ocman]

Originally Posted by DTLA

^^^ So I don't get bitched at later, I'm ok with the fact that it's not more pedestrian oriented.

Maybe you're okay with it because it IS pedestrian oriented, much more than LA Live.

[k3d]

Originally Posted by ocman

Maybe you're okay with it because it IS pedestrian oriented, much more than LA Live.

How is LA Live, not pedestrian oriented? It seems to me like it's designed to catch the flow of pedestrians walking from every direction.

Btw, I received an invitation to an LA Live event for Aug 21. at the LA Live Star Plaza on Chick Hearn ( I think, I'll have to look again ) to preview the site. I will read it again tonight to find out more details.

[LongBeachUrbanist]

They look great to me. They look like something I'd expect to see in a bigger city.

However, as citywatch often points out, this may never get built. So I better not get too excited. You know how these developers tend to pull the rug out from under us. If that happens, things will remain "hix in the stix", and I'll be:

[JDRCRASH]

I was in the city of Lompoc, California with my Grandmother,(kinda by Vandenburg A.F.B.), when the mini-quake hit. Of course I was sleeping so I couldn't feel it, and it was too far away, but this retirement community does live close to the San Andreas, so it is prone to big shakers.

But back on topic, those are some nice pictures of L.A. Central, DJM19!
And its sweet that you updated the first page Colemonkee!

We are yet another step closer to our very own Times Square!!!!


Does anybody know when it will break ground?

[DTLA]

I agree we can't get too excited over any of these projects cause who know's what'll happen but this one seems to be moving along really well. Even if the demand for the other projects goes down, the area around the staples center should have high enough demand to keep going. Because this is a mixed-use project and not just residential it has a better chance of getting built. Even if the need for condos decreases, the need for hotels seems to be high, so that should at least give it a better chance.

[LongBeachUrbanist]

Originally Posted by DTLA

I agree we can't get too excited over any of these projects cause who know's what'll happen...

My post was meant as sarcasm. I'm fairly certain this project will move forward. And if it doesn't, I won't mope or whine about it.

[Steve2726]

So does anyone know if this passed review by the planning commission today?

[citywatch]

Originally Posted by LongBeachUrbanist

However, as citywatch often points out, this may never get built.

Interesting that you should say that, because I, in fact, posted the following a few days ago. You apparently haven't been following the conversation here.

Originally Posted by DJM19

"Here are renderings of the LA Central development that is going to the City Planning Commission today....

That suggests I should have been skeptical about the meaning of the concrete & landscaping being ripped out around the parking lot where the proj is supposed to be built. If the devlprs still haven't even gotten an OK from the planning commission, then I'd imagine they wouldn't have bothered hiring a contractor (or anyone else) to begin the removal of the parking lot. oh, well.

[citywatch]

Originally Posted by petescafe

Slept right through it.
Nothing fell off the shelves either.

Good to know. As for your posting again on this board after a few days away makes me feel like I have to read between the lines. IOW, other than a small earthquake, it still must be quiet around the corner of 4th & Main Sts.

[citywatch]

Nothing better than postings (or blogs) that give first hand reports of what's going on in the hood. And if someone is uneasy about DT cuz it's even less similar to a place like west covina now than in the past, that's an uneasiness I can live with. BTW, because of the cost of shopping there, I believe "whole paycheck" is a nickname for "whole foods".

So last weekend I finally stumbled into the new Ralph's in downtown Los Angeles. It is the first supermarket to come to the 'hood in 50 years. I actually wound up there by accident as I was riding my bike around looking for a store that was still open at 10:30pm and sells slim line cd cases. As everyone who lives downtown knows, NOTHING is open late so as I rode past the Ralph's I was surprised to see its closing hours are midnight.

Downtown is a very deceiving neighborhood. It has the worst homeless problem in the city if not one of the worst in the nation. It is surrounded slum style apartments that house many hard working and struggling immigrant families. But take one step inside the Ralph's and it will become apparent that downtown is now an affluent neighborhood. The two Range Rovers parked outside is a dead give away as well. Not only does this Ralph's have a locked WINE CELLAR!!! it is housed on the first floor of a "loft" (yuppie condo) building where 450,000 dollars will buy you a 800 sq foot one bedroom apartment (and I took the tour).

So, walking around this super Ralph's aimlessly looking for my slim line cases which I know I will not find, I notice something odd. People seem to be looking at other people more than they are looking at the groceries on the shelves. It makes sense though, since this is the first time the downtown community can actually come face to face with each other. Its a place for residents to shop and be seen, not to mention meet some THANGS! I saw two " L.A. 9's in there and it was 11 at night, but any WAYS.

There was noticeably more traffic and activity for that time of night than a year ago, which is a sign downtown is still growing and it soon may be time for me to leave. I liked living on L.A.'s desert island but I can see it becoming as busy as the West side or Hollywood in a few years. Perhaps I am just home sick but my hometown of West Covina is starting to look attractive again.

Most of the 'restaurants' are creepy taco stands hidden deep in delapidated buildings, the movie theaters are crumbling in disarray, and 90% of everything is closed after 9PM. Still, stuff's better than it was last year. Our new supermarket is glorious, glorious, glorious, first supermarket in downtown in 30 years or so, and it is beyond fucking ridiculous huge and beautiful and has 8-feet wide isles and a bookstore and dry cleaners and chairs and tables to have the coffee smoothie and read a book and buy gourmet take-out after your groceries. There were 500 people at the opening, 250 were media. This should tell you how bad downtown LA got, and how much people want it to come back up.

The Ralph's is also always busy when I go, even the organic section, which gives me hope Whole Paycheck will take one look and start chomping at the bit to indeed open something in one of the big new developments, as they are rumored to.

[TOMdowntown]

[/b]That suggests I should have been skeptical about the meaning of the concrete & landscaping being ripped out around the parking lot where the proj is supposed to be built. If the devlprs still haven't even gotten an OK from the planning commission, then I'd imagine they wouldn't have bothered hiring a contractor (or anyone else) to begin the removal of the parking lot. oh, well. [/QUOTE]

Actually, most projects will get a "grading permit" to start excavation of the underground parking and foundation even before final permits for the construction. The project has the full zoning approval from the specific plan for the Staples area. I think this Planning Commission approval might be a formality or be related to the final design for the area and not the right to actually build the uses and the density, since that has already be authorized.
Maybe this will happen sooner than we think.

[LongBeachUrbanist]

Originally Posted by citywatch

[/b]Interesting that you should say that, because I, in fact, posted the following a few days ago. You apparently haven't been following the conversation here.

Honestly, I usually ignore your posts, since I can usually guess their content (and tone). So excuse me for missing this rare hint of hope and optimism.

[citywatch]

Originally Posted by LongBeachUrbanist

Honestly, I usually ignore your posts, since I can usually guess their content (and tone).

So why are you moping and whining about them?

Originally Posted by TOMdowntown

Actually, most projects will get a "grading permit" to start excavation of the underground parking and foundation even before final permits for the construction.

That's good to know. Maybe the removal of landscaping & small concrete berms around the perimeter of the parking lot where LA central is planned to rise signifies something after all.

[colemonkee]

First page has been updated.

Park Fifth billboard at 5th and Olive has also been updated. It's kind of a cheesy ad, though. It's a medium close up of some "I'm a lot younger than I look" dude on his cell phone looking up. I much prefer the ads that show the building. But I guess they're trying to sell a lifestyle.

[petescafe]

Originally Posted by citywatch

[/b]
Good to know. As for your posting again on this board after a few days away makes me feel like I have to read between the lines. IOW, other than a small earthquake, it still must be quiet around the corner of 4th & Main Sts.

Yep, like a ghost town.

The only noise is from the giant crane parked out front at 425 S Main st.
The new ramp beams are being hoisted to each floor. The crane has caused Main St to be closed down to two lanes. Which reminds me, Main St has a lot of work going on. With the parking structure at 425 S. Main, the Linda Lea redo and the new police station. South Main is a busy place.

The only new development has been the removal of the chain link fence directly on the corner of 4th & Main. All the post's were removed as well.
It seems as if the parking lot is losing bits and pieces just like the black knight in the Holy Grail.

"Tis but a scratch!"

"Look you stupid bastard, you've got no arms left!"

"It's just a flesh wound."

[Easy]

Originally Posted by colemonkee

It's a medium close up of some "I'm a lot younger than I look" dude on his cell phone looking up.

That sounds like something that I'd be interested in. It's too bad that I'm not also a lot richer than I look.

[citywatch]

Originally Posted by petescafe

It seems as if the parking lot is losing bits and pieces just like the black knight in the Holy Grail.

"Tis but a scratch!"

"Look you stupid bastard, you've got no arms left!"

"It's just a flesh wound."

I think fridayinla said a few wks ago, when it looked like construction was just about ready to kick into full swing, hey, give it up, parking lot! Instead, that asphalt is holding on for dear life, til the bitter end.

It's puzzling why the devlpr is stretching & dragging out his proj's prep schedule, much less actual construction.

And it's interesting hearing about parkfifth's billboard, since the version installed last weekend & described by Sodha must have been a test run, with the current version being the finalized version? Moreover, if the devlpr is able to keep the sign up, I guess it's either not been banned by code or he's gotten permission from a city agency.

I know such billboards don't guarantee anything, inc a fast groundbreaking schedule----examples being the signs for the FIDM dorm tower, the Glass tower & the YMCA ctr----but it at least will be a continuous reminder that the big deadzone parking lot at 5th & Olive is on the way out.