LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0

[bobcat]

Good news about the space shuttle! This should really give all the Expo Park museums a boost, as well as the Expo Line. Hopefully the Figueroa corridor street enhancements will be finished soon to give visitors a really positive impression of the area.

[DistrictDirt]

Great news about the Shuttle! Very exciting.

I haven't been down to the California Science Center yet, but I'm guessing that they don't currently have enough indoor space to house it. So would they build a new enclosure for it then? I'm hoping for some kind of transparent enclosure with a sightline to the Expo Line. Talk about synergy...get people riding the Expo train excited about checking out the Science Center, and get people visiting the science center to spot the train and consider riding it!

[DistrictDirt]

Finally.

A law is being considered that would give Downtown (and other neighborhoods) the ability to modify the ridiculous current one-size-fits-all parking requirements.

Streetsblog: City Considering New Rules Allowing Communities More Control Over Car Parking Requirements


Photo: Streetsblog

As the city considers a proposal that would increase bicycle parking at new developments, a second progressive parking proposal is beginning to move through the public process. This draft ordinance, available here, would allow for neighborhood parking districts to be created that would allow much greater flexibility for car parking requirements for new development.

The “Modified Parking Requirement District” (MPRD) ordinance creates tools that would allow neighborhoods to create custom parking districts. To earn this designation, a district would have to be approved by an environmental review, the City Planning Commission and the City Council, assuming this draft ordinance even becomes law. The first step to becoming law will be a hearing of the City Planning Commission in City Hall at 10:00 A.M. on April 28. Traditionally, when Los Angeles tries to tinker with its parking policy the defenders of the status quo come out in full force.

Will Wright, the director of government affairs for the American Institute of Architects Los Angeles Chapter, sees value in the proposal. “In effort to protect the diversity of our neighborhoods, additional planning tools are needed that will allow communities to have greater flexibility in determining the type of parking regulations they’d like to adopt. In my opinion, the proposed MPRD ordinance will enable neighborhoods to select a parking typology that most effectively compliments their character and enhances their livability.”

Apparently the City Planning Department agrees. In the draft ordinance’s F.A.Q., they criticize the “one size fits all” approach to parking requirements that the city currently has. “A onesize- fits-all approach to parking and the City’s increasingly complex and location-specific parking problems necessitate that the City be able to regulate parking on a community basis. The MPR is intended to provide flexibility to address parking on a community basis by allowing one or more changes to the citywide parking standards within the district.”

If this ordinance passes, what changes could the city actually allow to local parking? The draft ordinance lists some possibilities:

1. Decreased Parking Requirements: Recently expired CRA districts that had offered parking reductions to incentivize development can continue to provide reduced parking.

2. Increased Parking Requirements: Areas with an abundance of outdoor dining and limited street parking could benefit. Since the Zoning Code does not require parking for outdoor dining, this tool could exempt certain areas from that provision.

3. Off-site parking: Denser areas with ample public transit could benefit from allowing a use to provide parking across the street or down the block. Often projects cannot be built since smaller, irregularly shaped parcels cannot accommodate a building and its required parking.

4. Change of Use Parking Standards: Varying parking requirements for different uses can be an obstacle when one type of business is being replaced by another. Grandfathering in the existing parking for a new use would alleviate this problem.

5. Commercial Parking Credits: Areas with older buildings without off-street parking but ample on-street parking would benefit from the use of city-owned parking credits. Allowing business operators to use parking credits would allow new businesses to open more quickly.

6. Universal Valet: Popular nighttime destinations could benefit from regulated valet services.

7. Proximity to Municipal Garages: Areas that are located near public garages might require less parking for individual projects.

8. Parking Reduction Permit: Areas with ample transit could permit parking reductions for individual projects when they incorporate transportation alternatives.

As the ordinance moves forward, Streetsblog will continue to cover it and we’ll post a copy of the Planning Commission agenda when it is posted online.

[LosAngelesBeauty]

Originally Posted by DistrictDirt

Great news about the Shuttle! Very exciting.

I haven't been down to the California Science Center yet, but I'm guessing that they don't currently have enough indoor space to house it. So would they build a new enclosure for it then? I'm hoping for some kind of transparent enclosure with a sightline to the Expo Line. Talk about synergy...get people riding the Expo train excited about checking out the Science Center, and get people visiting the science center to spot the train and consider riding it!

Yes I completely agree and it looks like that's exactly what might happen!!

From LATimes Blog:

"The science center plans to make the Endeavour a centerpiece of its planned third wing of the museum, which will give its aeronautics and space-exploration gallery its own building, at a cost of about $200 million. That will be built east of the Science Center at Exposition Park."

Source: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/20...ld-land-in-los-angeles-by-years-end.html

So given that it'll be on the eastern side of the park, that ONLY leaves that area that is now occupied by the DC-8 plane. I have a feeling they'll relocate the DC-8 plane, and the new expanded museum will allow the space shuttle to stand UPRIGHT pointed proudly toward the sky with a glass atrium covering it, allowing everyone outside to see it!!

As someone else mentioned, this is way more exciting than getting an NFL stadium!

[Steve2726]

This is the firm that designed the first 2 phases of the Science Center-

http://www.zgf.com/pages/zgf_main.php?navloc=work

go to-> Public/Civic> Ca Science Center. Nothing on phase 3 obviously.

And here's the Science Center's Master Plan-

http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/GenInfo/AboutUs/MasterPlan/MasterPlan.php

[Hubris]

Originally Posted by BrighamYen

I have a feeling they'll relocate the DC-8 plane, and the new expanded museum will allow the space shuttle to stand UPRIGHT pointed proudly toward the sky with a glass atrium covering it, allowing everyone outside to see it!!

That would be awesome!

I was sitting outside Chick-fil-A last weekend, and that area is so much more pleasant now than it was a decade ago. Back then, the intersection of Expo and Fig had on its corners a parking lot (now USC's Popovich Hall), a gas station (since torn down for an apartment currently under construction), and Margarita Jones, I think (now a nice looking parking structure and the apartment complex that houses Chick-fil-A, among others).

[Illithid Dude]

The news about us getting rid of the archaic parking requirements is great! In my opinion, this is better news then the space shuttle.

[StethJeff]

Endeavour!!

This is bigger news to me than five new supertalls in DTLA. IMO Endeavour, Atlantis, and Discovery are the symbol of 20th Century thought, advancement, and technological achievement. Perhaps, among the greatest artifacts ever? The shuttle and its significance is instantly recognizable worldwide. The fact that Los Angeles is being blessed with one of them is unbelievable. It means 10x more given the history of design, building, testing, and landing here. Endeavour is basically coming home

The city better go all-out with this one. Lakers-style parade along the streets as its hauled into the California ScienCenter. Investment into making Figueroa more pedestrian friendly. Rename the Blue line Expo/USC station to "Endeavour Station." Play up tourism. Use it as an opportunity to remind Angelenos and visitors alike about the region's history with respect to air and space exploration (Hughes, Griffith, Palmdale, Edwards, JPL, California Adventure's Condor Flats ) and the shuttle itself. Embrace it as one of our own, like In-N-Out or the Cobb Salad.

In a city where frankly, many of our tourist attractions are gimmicky, silly, and embarrassing (Beverly Hills, Hollywood Sign, Walk of Fame), Endeavour is huge for us. We should be celebrating like crazy. I definitely share milquetoast's enthusiasm!

[LAofAnaheim]

Originally Posted by StethJeff

In a city where frankly, many of our tourist attractions are gimmicky, silly, and embarrassing (Beverly Hills, Hollywood Sign, Walk of Fame), Endeavour is huge for us. We should be celebrating like crazy. I definitely share milquetoast's enthusiasm!

Embarassing? Those people who travel from New Zealand, Australia, China, etc.. are way more interested in seeing Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Disneyland, and LA's beaches than seeing a space shuttle. Sorry, but I don't see the enthusiasm about this. People who come to Los Angeles still come for the glitz and glamour. After all, LA is THE entertainment capital of the world. Science will always be overshadowed. It's great to have the space shuttle...but it won't attract any more visitors than Disneyland, Hollywood, Santa Monica or Venice Beach.

By the way, any city would kill for the ability to have the Hollywood sign, Beverly Hills and Walk of Fame as their tourist drawing ability. Los Angeles has it.....other cities don't. That's what makes us unique. You can see space shuttles in Florida, Ohio, DC, other countries, etc... but you will NEVER see the Hollywood sign or Walk of Fame anymore. Don't de-value the current LA tourist spots over a space shuttle.

[JDRCRASH]

^ I think he means the way LA has advertised it's landmarks.

[bobcat]

I don't see the space shuttle as a major draw for international visitors, but I do think it will draw substantial visitors from all over the Western US. Most of LA's tourists are repeat visitors from less than 500 mi away, and to those for whom Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Disneyland are all been-there-done-thats this would certainly rate as a must see attraction.

[202_Cyclist]

I don't see the space shuttle as a major draw for international visitors, but I do think it will draw substantial visitors from all over the Western US. Most of LA's tourists are repeat visitors from less than 500 mi away, and to those for whom Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Disneyland are all been-there-done-thats this would certainly rate as a must see attraction.

This is out there but I can't help but put in a plug for the newer Air & Space museum that has a space shuttle next to Dulles airport in the DC region. If any of you are flying through Dulles and have a couple extra hours, it is well worth the visit. This museum is some times overlooked because of its distance from DC and all the other museums in the area but it is a fascinating museum. It also as an LA connection since Stephen Udvar-Hazy of the International Lease Finance Company donated significant money to the museum.

[DistrictDirt]

Originally Posted by 202_Cyclist

This is out there but I can't help but put in a plug for the newer Air & Space museum that has a space shuttle next to Dulles airport in the DC region. If any of you are flying through Dulles and have a couple extra hours, it is well worth the visit.

They have a Yokosuka MXY7 Ohka there, which is the craziest plane I've ever seen. Its essentially a torpedo with a cockpit; a Japanese human-guided missile. It has these stubby little wings capable of gliding but not full flight. Makes me shudder to think about how once the pilots got into tho cockpit, they had no way of backing out of their suicide run, even if they got cold feet.

[pesto]

Endeavor is one more piece in the puzzle. Good to see it in that location.

Local control of parking needs to be thought about. Would there be a tendency for district to issue parking permits to locals and ban all other parking, thereby pushing density and congestion into other neighborhoods? And could local development be effectively killed by requiring very high parking requirements?

[JDRCRASH]

Did any of you guys see that orange comet in the sky a little while ago?

[DistrictDirt]

Anyone else go to Artwalk last night? It was packed. I think the perfect weather drew an even larger number of people than normal to the event.

[SD_Phil]

Originally Posted by bobcat

I don't see the space shuttle as a major draw for international visitors, but I do think it will draw substantial visitors from all over the Western US. Most of LA's tourists are repeat visitors from less than 500 mi away, and to those for whom Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Disneyland are all been-there-done-thats this would certainly rate as a must see attraction.

I think this shouldn't be overlooked. I doubt many out of state or international tourists will be drawn by the Space Shuttle. If they're out of state (and not from the midwest...) then they probably have a shuttle closer to them than Los Angeles.

If they're international tourists then air and space likely isn't their main reason for visiting LA. That being said this should be a HUGE local draw from the So-Cal area.

Still ecstatic about it. Can't wait to see it.

[djlx2]

Originally Posted by DistrictDirt

Anyone else go to Artwalk last night? It was packed. I think the perfect weather drew an even larger number of people than normal to the event.

Artwalk sounds like a fun event. Was the weather nice over there? I can never tell. I live in New York.

[LosAngelesDreamin]

Originally Posted by LAofAnaheim

Embarassing? Those people who travel from New Zealand, Australia, China, etc.. are way more interested in seeing Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Disneyland, and LA's beaches than seeing a space shuttle. Sorry, but I don't see the enthusiasm about this. People who come to Los Angeles still come for the glitz and glamour. After all, LA is THE entertainment capital of the world. Science will always be overshadowed. It's great to have the space shuttle...but it won't attract any more visitors than Disneyland, Hollywood, Santa Monica or Venice Beach.

By the way, any city would kill for the ability to have the Hollywood sign, Beverly Hills and Walk of Fame as their tourist drawing ability. Los Angeles has it.....other cities don't. That's what makes us unique. You can see space shuttles in Florida, Ohio, DC, other countries, etc... but you will NEVER see the Hollywood sign or Walk of Fame anymore. Don't de-value the current LA tourist spots over a space shuttle.

i COMPLETELY AGREE!!... Maybe to the older generation this shuttle thing is like a nostalgic hing to them?? but my generation and younger, im only 20, don't really see this as like "ZOMG THIS IS SOOOOOOO AMAZING!!"... its a space shuttle ok?? yea there's history to it and all but i don't really care, i'd rather go to hollywood multiple times than stand and stare at a space shuttle, although i would go and learn about it just to get some knowledge bout it, other than that i'll move on to something else right away. But i'm glad they chose LA as a place to put that thing, it'll help LA be more up there.

Do you know how many cities around the world try and copy THE Hollywood sign?? its ridiculous, they want that Hollywood sign image happening over there, but it could never be as world famous and historic as Los Angeles'.

[DistrictDirt]

...and that's why this country is going to hell.

Now get off my lawn.