LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 3.0

[citywatch]

Originally Posted by LA311

A few pics I took about a week or so ago...

And yes NOTHING happening at LA Central yet...

That is the first pic I've ever seen of the site with the construction walls around it full formed. The view of a small portion of the wall in the photo of the Robinson bldg shows one of the taller panels that I guess is where a sign for the LA Central proj will be attached. Since workers have yet to remove even the parking lot lights, or other things, actual groundbreaking must be further delayed.

Based on someone's comment here several wks ago, I thought the proj would be under construction by at least late Oct. The clock is ticking.

[citywatch]

Originally Posted by LA311

Got an e-mail from the Park Fifth sales manager yesterday, He said their sales center isn't quite done yet...should be done and ready to show by end of next week...

will report back with any new info. I get as soon as I visit...hopefully they have 50% reserved...

Originally Posted by cava

Citywatch - Park 5th does have a sales office - in the gas company tower, high up w great views. it is (was) just a temporary location for them to do sales from. i had an appointment about a month ago, an yes several, it seemed more than half, had already been "reserved". all of the cheap units that were around 450K had already gone. they have floor plans and prices for all the units, and little scale models, and also a blueprint for how they hope to re-do pershing square. they really seemed to be competing with the ritz. the sales guy was laid-back and informative - not high pressure at all. You should really make an appointment if you'd like to find out more.

Thanks for that type of posting---specific & informative! Since I don't live in the hood, & don't have the $$ to buy into a tower like parkfifth, it helps to get feedback from ppl who do.

I have a friend who knows someone who works in some city agency, & she told me it was her understanding that the proj's groundbreaking may be slowed down. Based on what she heard----admittedly through 3rd hand sources----she's not sure if it's due to red tape or issues with financing. But hardly surprising since even parkfifth's sales ctr, originally listed as opening by summer, missed that deadline.

Given the problems in sticking to an original schedule for the Grand Ave proj, Medallion & possibly what's becoming the case with LA Central (though they've at least walled off their site), much less the glass Tower or the South Pk Group's Jardin, it's wishful thinking to assume a very $$$ highrise tower like parkfifth would be any different.

[Just-In-Cali]

Originally Posted by bobcat

This video is from last month. At the 16 min mark, Bill Witte says demolition of the parking structure will begin before Dec 1.

http://la36.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=27&clip_id=2847

Thanks for the clip bobcat. Hopefully they will get this done and out of the way. I know the track record for LA and large projects hasnt been all that good, but it seems that at least this one and LA Live are moving. Despite the lack of work being done at LA Central, and the seeming abandonment of the Glass Tower, DT has made some excellant strides. One project I am interested in hearing about any project on is the ages old Metropolis development. It seems to be all but dead in the water, even after that large push for it recently. Any updates?

[JDRCRASH]

Originally Posted by citywatch

^ I'm not going to waste my time on such nonsense. SSC is bad enough. Don't want to see SSP fall into the same hole of childish bickering.

Pathetic too cuz there aren't tons of forumers as things now stand who actually live in DT, or spend alot of time there, posting here with personal observations about the hood and updates on it, much less scoops.

I can somewhat relate, because even though I don't live in the city itself, I nevertheless know just how you feel about this constant bombardment of criticism. Besides, I rarely resort to using profanity to express my thoughts in conversations.

Anyways, does anybody have any idea when the first parcels of the L.A. River Revitalization Project will begin?
If I recall, two are in the Downtown area: Chinatown and the Industrial District, which is good, because i'm tired of hearing stories from my college about Homeless residents taking refuge in the Abandoned Warehouses and Factories of Eastern part of Downtown.

[JDRCRASH]

Originally Posted by Just-In-Cali

] One project I am interested in hearing about any project on is the ages old Metropolis development. It seems to be all but dead in the water, even after that large push for it recently. Any updates?

It's supposed to break ground early next year...hopefully
But then again, look what happened to the Grand Avenue Project; it's groundbreaking got pushed back from October to December.

[RAlossi]

Originally Posted by Just-In-Cali

Thanks for the clip bobcat. Hopefully they will get this done and out of the way. I know the track record for LA and large projects hasnt been all that good, but it seems that at least this one and LA Live are moving. Despite the lack of work being done at LA Central, and the seeming abandonment of the Glass Tower, DT has made some excellant strides. One project I am interested in hearing about any project on is the ages old Metropolis development. It seems to be all but dead in the water, even after that large push for it recently. Any updates?

I'm involved in the production of city-related public hearing transcripts. We deal with the Central Area Planning Commission (all the APCs, actually) and the PLUM committees, etc. When someone sues the city or the developer on a project, the transcripts need to be produced.

A while back I was transcribing a portion of a CAPC meeting unrelated to Metropolis, but the next item on the agenda was the Metropolis public hearing. I don't remember actually listening to it, but it's still moving forward, I believe.

Who knows, though.

[LosAngelesBeauty]

Originally Posted by Echo Park

There's a secret desire among the LA forumers for latinos to be gentrified out of existence. The biggest proponents of this are citywatch, LAmetroguy and LosAngelesBeauty.

haha that's funny, my bf is latino. i took spanish for 4 years in high school. some of my good friends are latino. i love the mayor of LA (in fact, i made a shirt at neighborhoodies called "LA Luvs Villaraigosa" - I actually wore it to NYC and Taipei with pride). one of my next trips will be to D.F., Mexico. hmm, also i'm friends with LAmetroguy, who happens to be latino!

[LosAngelesBeauty]

Originally Posted by Just-In-Cali

Echo Park, you anger and bitterness towards anyone whom you feel isnt agreeing with EVERY thing you believe is unsettling to say the least. Why do you even post here if you are so disenchanted with the talk? And PS, there is no agenda against latinos...only the one in your mind.

I agree. Obviously making bold claims like I want to drive out all latinos out of existence is "unsettling" to say the least.

EdLuva seems to be on a mission to attack anyone with an optimistic opinion of the city of Los Angeles. Why is that? Where is all this anger coming from.

He obviously hates his life here in LA. Who knows. There could be a million reasons. Perhaps he doesn't like the way he looks or something, or he gets treated badly in LA by others here. Who knows. People have infinite reasons for why they think they way they do.

[BrandonJXN]

Originally Posted by LosAngelesBeauty

haha that's funny, my bf is latino. i took spanish for 4 years in high school. some of my good friends are latino. i love the mayor of LA (in fact, i made a shirt at neighborhoodies called "LA Luvs Villaraigosa" - I actually wore it to NYC and Taipei with pride). one of my next trips will be to D.F., Mexico. hmm, also i'm friends with LAmetroguy, who happens to be latino!

I've stayed out of the race wars but I've had to comment:

Brigham, I know you and we've hung out and we've shared ideas of what we would like to see downtown LA become. We both somehow run into each other 4 different times. We even ditched that weird homeless guy who wouldn't stop following me. But your post has to be one of the most played out and a poor excuse of an excuse.

'I'm not racist. I have *Insert number of minority friends here* friends.'

I know you are not racist but when one reads some of your posts (espically when the topic of Broadway comes up), you can clearly sense some racial undertones.

But whatever I suppose. I don't think your racist by any means. But some of the things you've said have come across that way.

In any event, race is a touchy subject anyway so scandal is bound to show up..which is sad because on this forum, we are discussing devlopments in Los Angeles. One of the most diverse cities on earth. Race should be replaced with Robek's and Pinkberry.

Just my .

[LosAngelesBeauty]

^ I agree, but sometimes it must be said that you ARE, indeed, personally connected to the very group that you are being accused of exclusively discriminating against.

Anyone who knows me personally (even many here from SSP, like you) know I'm obviously not racist. lol I just am not afraid to tell others how I feel about a certain topic if I have a strong conviction about something. Sometimes it isn't rosy and pink. But it doesn't mean I am "racist." Remember, we are all entitled to our own opinion.

Anyway, back on topic!

[LAofAnaheim]

Now for unfortunate news:

1 - the chain-linked fence around the proposed FIDM expansion at Olympic & Flower has disappeared. The parking lot is being opened for Nokia Theater & Staples Center.

2 - LA Central lot has opened for parking tonight.

I have to say....the biggest problems facing LA development is our car culture. It takes up too much valuable space. That's why we develop far away where there is "free parking". During my little walk, I also noticed the extreme lack of street parking & how freakin' wide Figueroa & 11th street have become due to Nokia Theater. 11th street is 6 lanes wide!!! And theres no street parking on 11th or Fig around Staples. That means, cars drive by at 40/50 mph near the sidewalk. On-street parking creates a natural buffer for the pedestrian and makes the road appear smaller. AND...there's Left Turn lanes on 11th street/Figueroa intersection!!! Damn! That's left for the suburbs. That gives complete right of way to cars, with no thought for the pedestrian. I hate the 5/6 lane miniature highways we've created all over the CITY. Keep them in the suburbs. The unfortunate success of LA Live may be the need for parking spaces. Have you taken a look at Nokia Theaters parking guide? They note 20,000 spaces within a 10 minute walk. Damn!

[LosAngelesBeauty]

I don't think that wide lanes are the reason why LA isn't pedestrian friendly. It's the lack of retail and other things for pedestrians on the sidewalk. Walking on our sidewalks in LA is BORING. Other cities have addressed this issue by have it be dynamic and stimulating for pedestrians. Some of the most pedestrian-friendly cities in the world have very wide lanes similar to Figueroa St. here in LA.


Manhattan

From mccullagh.org


Tokyo

From lonelyplanet.com

[k3d]

Originally Posted by Westsidelife

Could you maybe ask one of the on-site workers what they're doing with that lot and if they know anything new regarding iHope and Park Tower?

I walked around both sides of the building between Ralph's and the Historic Gas Co. lofts. It is completely shrink wrapped and more scaffolding around the Flower side. There were not any workers there to ask today.


When I was in Coffee Bean they had a notice about not validating for Ralph's parking but will soon have parking in new parking garage behind Ralph's. I just wonder if this building is going to be a garage or what?

[k3d]

Originally Posted by LAofAnaheim

Now for unfortunate news:

1 - the chain-linked fence around the proposed FIDM expansion at Olympic & Flower has disappeared. The parking lot is being opened for Nokia Theater & Staples Center.

2 - LA Central lot has opened for parking tonight.

The spotlight show was running tonight from both Staples and Nokia. That's a lot of lights. It ran last night until sunrise. I wonder why they leave them on all night? The LA Central lot was full of cars again tonight.

[Just-In-Cali]

Thanks JD and RA...great info. Love the pictures showing OTHER parts of the world that have cars. People keep acting like traffic only occurs here. New York has some of the worst traffic in the nation, the only difference is we have much more space to cover, yet people say it is the epitome of urban design. It did take almost 300 years to get there, so give LA time.
LABeauty, Im not sure what prior comments ThreeHundred is refering to, but the ones that I am aware of dont really speak to me of racist undertones. There is a knee jerk reaction in many minority communities that any kind of change to ones neighborhood for the better means that it is being "whitened" up for tourists. Im sure it can be true at times...however, it speaks more to the generally negative way said minorities view their own culture...as if they arent supposed to have things new or cleaned up. That is what needs to change first before the renovation of the neighborhood does.
Back on topic, is it possible that the LA Central parking area is being used in lieu of them finishing more permenant parking for Nokia/Staples? I would doubt they would get this far into the development just to nix if for some additional parking...this is LA though...

[Tanster]

Everyone acts like wide streets and parking spaces are going to kill pedestrian life. Well guess what if L.A wants more people offthere cars THEY HAVE TO HAVE A REASON TO GET OFF! This means more retail. People have to see that its better to walk and more enjoyable. Right now the Streets in L.A are boring. But I think if we focus more on retail and making the sidewalks walkable then little by little people will start to get of there cars and consider transit.

[edluva]

Originally Posted by LosAngelesBeauty

He obviously hates his life here in LA. Who knows. There could be a million reasons. Perhaps he doesn't like the way he looks or something, or he gets treated badly in LA by others here. Who knows. People have infinite reasons for why they think they way they do.

I actually have few complaints about the way I look thank you very much (talk about childish). I hate the extent that commercialism and image-consciousness defines this city, and I hate the fact that so many of us here are thoughtless instruments of it all. Not all that mysterious actually. So ironic to me how a sampling of the "most initiated" of angelenos (la forum) still disappoints. What better reflection of our fair city than that?

LAB, a "serious, intellectual discussion" between you and citywatch would really lighten my mood, like watching jim carrey and jeff daniels go at it on ssp (even LA's gay people are a bit vapid) If anyone was wondering, there are actually a few angelenos on ssp with interesting posts, and so I remain in the califorum.

Just-in-Cali - it's not the optimism that offends me, it's the stupidity. My "pessimism" is directly proportional to the amount of it here. LA does not have a commonly understood identity, and we are in fact, looking to NY for comparisons. "times square of the west" being the most blatant (and sad) example of this self-consciousness.

[edluva]

btw, LAB, cities don't "address" issues of "BORING" sidewalks by "having it be dynamic and stimulating" for pedestrians. Rather, cities evolve to be, to put it in your terms, "not BORING" and "dynamic". Quite simply, walking sucks because LA is not made for walking, it's made for driving. You've heard it ad nauseum from sspers - build a compact, usable rail network and give LA 40 years to evolve, and it might one day be "stimulating" for pedestrians. No mystery here either (but citywatch seems to believe so )

[Just-In-Cali]

Just-in-Cali - it's not the optimism that offends me, it's the stupidity. My "pessimism" is directly proportional to the amount of it here. LA does not have a commonly understood identity, and we are in fact, looking to NY for comparisons. "times square of the west" being the most blatant (and sad) example of this self-consciousness.[/QUOTE]

Well, I am sorry you feel that way edluva. Question though, since you seem to have the intellectual edge over all of the rest of the people that live out here, what is your solution the perceived problems?
And...where would you live if you could, since this city full of "idiots" causes you so much suffering? And I'm sure your appearance is fine...and has little to do with the development of downtown Los Angeles.
And lastly...in what dimension has New York or Boston or San Francisco avoided commercialism and image driven development? I think you may want to step outside of your idea of what a great city is and look at the reality of the world. As far as the intelligence of the people in this forum...if the best you can do is insult us for having ideas and enthusiam, I think you should just unplug your keyboard. If you ever want to have coffee sometime face to face and go over social and cultural issues, I'd be happy to . And I'm not even vapid. Most people who are critical of LA tend to be the ones that picture life in NY or SF and think that is the ideal, and anything else is just fake...like those goth kids that seem to hate the world for no other reason other than that its different from them.

[edluva]

Question though, since you seem to have the intellectual edge over all of the rest of the people that live out here, what is your solution the perceived problems?

mass transit in the form of compact rail network (did you read my post at all?)

And...where would you live if you could, since this city full of "idiots" causes you so much suffering?

I could live here - I'd merely associate with people who aren't quite that idiotic. Just takes a little more work that's all.


And lastly...in what dimension has New York or Boston or San Francisco avoided commercialism and image driven development?

they were largely built before commercialism and image driven development, and are therefore more buffered from it. But no, they have not avoided it completely either.


Most people who are critical of LA tend to be the ones that picture life in NY or SF and think that is the ideal, and anything else is just fake

no, life there is not ideal, only somewhat better. not everything else is fake - only much of la. and such people probably prefer to be surrounded by those who aren't sucked into the hollywood apparatus by default.

if the best you can do is insult us for having ideas and enthusiam

no, that's not all I do. And no, enthusiasm coupled with interesting ideas is fine. And don't speak for the entire forum. I'm judge people individually.

And I'm not even vapid

we'll let time be the judge of that.

nice meeting you btw. And if it helps you to understand me a little better, what problems I have with LA reflect those I have more broadly with capitalism and the direction it's taking humanity. LA just embodies it better than most, but you're quite right, it's everywhere, even in new york. I'll be the first to tell you metros are the new cities and commercialization is nearly unavoidable...and that goths are retarded (unless they're hot wiccan goth chicks with a cause).

any other questions?