LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0

[LAofAnaheim]

Originally Posted by colemonkee

So I've been talking to Metro about the Downtown Connector (I live on 2nd Street so it's going to go right by my building) and they're telling us that utility relocation (which will take 6 months, or probably more) may start as early as July of this year. While the construction phase of this will be trying for our building I can't wait for this project to open. It's going to do so much for development in the area, specifically some of those surface lots on Broadway between 2nd and 3rd.

What's more relevant is talking to Metro about 1) the status of the litigation with Thomas Properties as this can potentially affect the construction schedule and 2) funding. Measure R only provides $160 million of the $1.2 billion connector. The rest is expected to come from the FTA, however, only $30 million was awarded to the Connector thus far from the FTA. Where's the funding coming from?

Before people get too excited about a projec, you need to ensure the litigation and funding is resolved. Both of these are open items with the Connector. So don't expect much in July until either of those are resolved.

[LA/OCman]

Originally Posted by ThreeHundred

Does anyone know what's up with the Spring Street Park?

I was told yesterday by a contact in the Rowan Lofts that completion should be in May 2013. I am not sure when the groundbreaking is (or as I should say the groundbreaking on the construction phase). I guess it depends on the bid process which should be over by now.

[StethJeff]

Originally Posted by ThreeHundred

I walked by there today. I meant to take a picture of the sign (it's a tall metal pillar with various languages on it) but I didn't. I did peek through the fence and I must admit that Grand Park looks quite nice.

as much as i am unimpressed by the bird's eye photos that have been shared so far, what i can see when i drive by on spring or grand looks quite nice. also, there is a very ornate cool looking vertical sign on the spring side as well for grand park.

[BrandonJXN]

I just thought I'd post this.


http://coronadosdtla.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/stanley-cup.png

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Los angeles kings!!!!!!!!! Stanley cup champions!!!!!! I dont believe it

[Quixote]

^ Welcome to Title Town. We have a nice little streak going:

2009 Lakers NBA Champions
2010 Lakers NBA Champions
2011 Galaxy MLS Cup Champions
2012 Kings Stanley Cup Champions

Dodgers very soon.

[sterlippo1]

Originally Posted by LosAngelesSportsFan

Los angeles kings!!!!!!!!! Stanley cup champions!!!!!! I dont believe it

neither can anyone else congrats though.......nice to see another Boston College Eagle's (2012 NCAA Champions) name on the cup (Rob Scuderi) and man, with out Jonathan Quick from UMass there is no cup for you guys

[montréaliste]

Congratulations Los Angeles!

[Quixote]

^ Sparks in 2001 and 2002.

[colemonkee]

For the amount of intelligence in this forum - which is considerable - it baffles me how quickly you guys lose the concept of Downtown Development. Sooooo, to get things back on topic, a story from the LA Times that in my opinion, is a bit troubling, and more than a little annoying:


Downtown L.A. hotel builder seeking $67.3 million tax break
June 11, 2012

A Portland-based company planning a new 392-room hotel across from downtown’s bustling L.A. Live entertainment complex would receive $67.3 million in taxpayer funds over the next 25 years, under a plan heading to the Los Angeles City Council.

The council’s top policy analyst has recommended that Williams/Dame & Associates and its partner, American Life Inc., keep up to half of the sales taxes, business taxes, hotel room taxes, utility taxes, property taxes and parking taxes generated by their proposed project on Olympic Boulevard, which would house Courtyard by Marriott and Residence Inn hotels. That money would normally go to the city’s budget, which pays for police, parks and other basic services.

Read the full story here.

[colemonkee]

Broad Museum from earlier today, from the corner of 2nd and Grand. Apologies for the picture quality, all I had was my iPhone.


Image Source: Me

[Lovetowers]

Originally Posted by colemonkee

Broad Museum from earlier today, from the corner of 2nd and Grand. Apologies for the picture quality, all I had was my iPhone.


Image Source: Me

not bad actually . . . at least you have SOME type of visual update on a project

[colemonkee]

There's actually quite a bit of construction downtown at the moment, it just happens that most of it is low-rise work. But things are picking up with the Marriott tower (which I haven't had a chance to run by with camera) and demolition of the Wilshire Grand, which should start sometime in the next few months.

[IconRPCV]

So while i wish it would be a retailer that i would actually frequent, a big name retail chain is coming downtown, on the corner of 7th and Hope, across the street from Botega Louie. Everyone lets welcome, Guess!

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Originally Posted by colemonkee

There's actually quite a bit of construction downtown at the moment, it just happens that most of it is low-rise work. But things are picking up with the Marriott tower (which I haven't had a chance to run by with camera) and demolition of the Wilshire Grand, which should start sometime in the next few months.

i noticed today that all the signs for the wilshire grand fire sale are down and they had two large uhauls being filled up by the fig entrance.

Also, the Variety arts building has sold. I saw some construction workers inside as i was walking back from the Kings parade and i asked one of the workers what was planned. He said that they are aiming to complete the renovations of the Variety arts building by the end of the year and he said that the owners will be building a hotel on the lot between Apex and the Variety Arts. He also said the same owners bought the car wash and will be building a hotel there as well as on the lot across from the pantry. However, he was Hispanic and wasn't exactly fluent in English, as well as it being a quick conversation, so lets see what leaks or is announced in the next few weeks.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Originally Posted by IconRPCV

So while i wish it would be a retailer that i would actually frequent, a big name retail chain is coming downtown, on the corner of 7th and Hope, across the street from Botega Louie. Everyone lets welcome, Guess!

actually, the guess ads are just that, ads. that space is going to be a french restaurant / bar / club that should open by the end of July.

[citywatch]

Originally Posted by colemonkee

it baffles me how quickly you guys lose the concept of Downtown Development.

The problem is many of the posters here----me included----don't live or spend much or enough time in the hood, so too many posts end up wandering off to semi OT discussions, or entries that can be about not just dtla, or LA overall, but any city in general. At the same time that means there's also never enough photo updates, which to me are the best remedy for when this thread starts to droop.

Thanks for the pic of the new Broad museum....only quibble I have is that since that's one of only 2 projs in dt that have their own construction cam, I can rely on that to keep me informed instead of what may be posted here.

Originally Posted by LosAngelesSportsFan

He said that they are aiming to complete the renovations of the Variety arts building by the end of the year and he said that the owners will be building a hotel on the lot between Apex and the Variety Arts. He also said the same owners bought the car wash and will be building a hotel there as well as on the lot across from the pantry.

Your post, lasf, is a perfect example of why there's no substitute for forumers like you who actually live in the hood. In just a few sentences you give me a better sense of what is happening or may happen in dtla.

For an outsider like me, & since I feel I therefore need to pick up my end of the bargain, I'm posting a pic of the bldg & location you're describing, the variety arts ctr, next to the Concerto apt bldg (or what formerly was known as the concerto).....


Bill Counter

^ that bldg was previously owned by the same person who owns (or once owned) the site where the parkfifth condo tower across from Pershing Sq was going to rise. It still me that his proj never saw the light of day. But the major lull that proceeded & followed the cancellation of what was going to be the tallest condo tower in the west is now starting to switch over to a period of major new projs. so although most of the current or proposed devlpt is smaller in scale, things still are getting exciting all over again.

[Illithid Dude]

Very interesting news about the two new hotels. I'm really curious to see what comes of it. As far as I can tell, the only 'convention-y' hotel that DT doesn't have is a Fairmont. I could easily imagine the larger, triangle plot becoming one. I know that Austin is getting a great Fairmont tower, hopefully, if we get one, it will be on par with that.

While I love all of this hotel development, I would like for some more apartment/condo proposals for DT. Tourists are great, but it is residents that make or break a neighborhood. Come on, Zen Tower, where are you....

[LAofAnaheim]

Starbucks on 9th and Flower is anticipated to open this Sunday, from talking with the posted security guard on Tuesday night. Will be a great addition to downtown LA and make 9th/Flower more pedestrian oriented. It's expected to have a huge outdoor seating space.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

To add to the Starbucks on that block, the towne restaurant at the base of watermarke should open by the end of July as well. its a massive space