LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0 - Page 409

brudy · #**8161** Posted **May 27, 2013, 7:12 PM**

You guys are treating the Concert Hall, the Broad as monuments when in fact they are contributing tremendously to not only downtown but LA as a whole by what goes on INSIDE the buildings. For as many people stand outside WDCH and have their pics taken, thousands more come to the concerts held there almost daily. The MOCA has one of the best of contemporary art collections in the world. They are world class buildings they house and show world class art and music. Between the music center, WDCH, Colburn School, Redcat, the MOCA, and the Broad that's a huge amount of top art and music within a few blocks of each other. It's one of the reasons why I moved downtown originally. Many museums and performance spaces are monumental in design, but ultimately it's the combination of architecture and art/music that make them successful.

What I will say that is there isn't enough around ours yet, particularly eating options. But we'll see with the new tower and then what happens across the street from concert hall.

And to Stethjeff - you say you don't know why tourists would come downtown? I'll just say this - the only reason I moved to LA was because of downtown. It's what made me want to live here.

112597jorge · #**8162** Posted **May 27, 2013, 7:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by IconRPCV

Beautiful tree to be sure, they are all over downtown SD. They tend to be not so pretty in our drier climate. Any cold spell below there comfort zone and they get huge dead portions, they become kinda scraggly half dead purple monsters.

beautiful tree indeed, LA is full of Jacarandas.

colemonkee · #**8163** Posted **May 27, 2013, 8:16 PM**

Some shots from yesterday. All pictures taken by my phone. With my full permission, of course.

8th and Hope

Working on the 2nd story. Should be relatively quick once they get above the first setback.

8th and Grand

Still digging. It doesn't look like it from this vantage point, but the hole is pretty deep in some parts. Easily 30 feet. I wonder if they're putting in 2 or 3 levels of parking.

And a bonus panorama shot from the roof of the parking garage on Grand. You can see the crane for 9th and Olive and 8th and Hope in one shot. It's been a while since we've seen this many cranes on the skyline at once. And that number should increase in the next 3-6 months.

colemonkee · #**8164** Posted **May 27, 2013, 8:20 PM**

People, please keep things on topic. This is a thread about downtown development projects. If your post is simply comparing downtown to other areas of LA or other cities, it is off topic. Period.

I don't want to have to suspend more people, but I will to keep this thread on topic.

Thanks!

- Management

ByTheBay · #**8165** Posted **May 27, 2013, 8:45 PM**

Colemonkee, I know my post was the one you deleted but I'd like to say that it wasn't off topic. Bringing Back Broadway isn't a specific project but it is a proposal that affects the entire downtown. My intent was to show the potential of Broadway and to incite discussion on what it should/could look like. Unfortunately I don't live in LA or Southern California so I can't take pictures of specific projects and my knowledge of the area is limited to these forums, but I would like to be able to participate in some dialogue because I am a supporter of Downtown LA. Unlike everyone's good friend, Edluva, my topics are intended for positive reinforcement so I kindly ask that you show my post in it's original form.

blackcat23 · #**8166** Posted **May 27, 2013, 8:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by citywatch

I also wonder why the blossom plaza proj just had a groundbreaking ceremony this wk, but won't be under actual devlpt til over 2 months from now.

I suspect it has something to do with the fact that Ed Reyes will be termed out of office by August. He and his staff put a lot of work into making the project a reality, so it makes sense to have a ceremonial groundbreaking before his time on City Council comes to an end.

StethJeff · #**8167** Posted **May 27, 2013, 9:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by brudy

And to Stethjeff - you say you don't know why tourists would come downtown? I'll just say this - the only reason I moved to LA was because of downtown. It's what made me want to live here.

Locals would barely dare to cross into DTLA even 10 years ago (4 for some people, basically when Bottega Louie opened). So it isn't much of a stretch saying that international tourists don't exactly see the neighborhood as a destination. And I don't blame them either because nothing that they've ever seen or heard about LA has anything to do with DTLA: Disneyland, Rodeo, Hollywood Sign, Malibu, the usual suspects.

The concert hall sort of changed that because it is basically the only unique and identifiable structure in DTLA that ever makes its way into media. None of my friends from abroad ever recognize city hall, the bonaventure, or library tower. They all recognize where Tony Stark held his benefit and danced with Pepper Potts though, and apparently so do the other hundreds of Germans, Koreans, Danes, and Norwegians who are out there taking pictures.

I live on Bunker Hill and I'm as big of a DTLA booster as anyone else, but honestly, DTLA isn't exactly a world-famous showpiece that people have on their to-do list. The only thing that's even close to that is WDCH. As it stands now DTLA is being compared to SF, NYC, Chicago, Toronto, Pudong, HK, etc. and frankly it can't compete. That doesn't mean that it can't become a destination in 10 years. Add a new supertall, throw in a dozen 40+ers, complete the Broad, build out the rail system to the beach and LAX, build the streetcar, fix the shit out of the river once the new bridge is complete, etc. and then we can start talking about DTLA being an international destination.

blackcat23 · #**8168** Posted **May 27, 2013, 11:36 PM**

Olympic and Hill apartments

JRinSoCal · #**8169** Posted **May 28, 2013, 5:18 AM**

^^Holy crap I must have been asleep when that broke ground.

Mojeda101 · #**8170** Posted **May 28, 2013, 7:37 AM**

Just got back from Downtown. MUCH later than expected. Long story short, my car was broken into. They took a few things. Happened at the surface lot next to the Macy's plaza on Hope next to 8th st. I didn't think this sort of thing would have happened to me, but what a pain in the ass it has caused. Do you want to know the worst part? It took the LAPD about 27 minutes to respond. That's not including the 4+ times I tried to dial the Police, only to have them tell me to redial 911 over and over. This triggered an argument between the Officers at the Central Police Department and the 911 Operators. I was there listening to the whole thing as I heard them go back and fourth at each other demanding to talk to eachothers supervisors. Oh man, what a night it has been. But I have lost faith in our PD. Amazing how there was not a single Police Officer in the immediate Downtown area that could have responded. As I waited, I called back and the automatic response system kicked in telling me there was an unsual amount of calls at that time. It was 10:30 around that time. I had no idea the LAPD had such a horrid response time. I could have died at the scene and no one would have known for 27 minutes. Horrible

I'll just compile the update tomorrow. I'm too tired after a long stressful day and I just want to rest. Goodnight everyone. What a fantastic way to celebrate Memorial day.

Here's a preview in honor of the holiday. May the flag never stop wavering.

Courtyard Marriott

8th and Hope

sings twin · #**8171** Posted **May 28, 2013, 2:38 PM**

Mojeda

Sorry to hear about the damage to your car. Some people are really low lives. Unfortunately it happens everywhere in fact i was the victim a few years ago in a very nice neighborhood. Really feel for you as I know what an expensive pain it is.

I hope this event doesnt impact your regular updates, i really look forward to seeing your photos regularly.

202_Cyclist · #**8172** Posted **May 28, 2013, 3:13 PM**

Mojeda:

Sorry to see that your car was broken into. We live in one of the safest neighborhoods in Washington but there are usually 20-30 vehicles broken into every month in our immediate neighborhood.

As a word of caution to people, DO NOT leave any valuable items in the car that can be seen, especially GPS devices and even the GPS vehicle mounts. From what I've seen and heard, is that if you leave these visible, you can almost guarantee that your car will be broken into.

brudy · #**8173** Posted **May 28, 2013, 4:10 PM**

Sorry to see that Mojeda, I know how you feel. I had my car broken into at the Silverlake reservoir two months ago. I didn't even have anything to take...

brudy · #**8174** Posted **May 28, 2013, 4:17 PM**

LA Downtown news has an article on the Delijanas and their plans for the 4 theaters on Broadway. Great stuff.
http://www.ladowntownnews.com/news/delij...f887a.html?_dc=732919448986.6495&cbst=25

StethJeff · #**8175** Posted **May 28, 2013, 9:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojeda101

May the flag never stop wavering.

I'm gonna guess you meant "waving." Sounds somewhat ominous otherwise.

Anyway, don't most of those surface lots have an attendant who collects payments and otherwise wanders around deterring riff raff? Can't believe that happened, sorry to hear that. My driver side window was shattered once behind a gated parking lot in idealic South Pasadena so I guess you really aren't safe anywhere.

ConstructDTLA · #**8176** Posted **May 28, 2013, 9:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by brudy

LA Downtown news has an article on the Delijanas and their plans for the 4 theaters on Broadway. Great stuff.
http://www.ladowntownnews.com/news/delij...f887a.html?_dc=732919448986.6495&cbst=25

So weird. The Palace & State have both had NEW jewelry tenants come in in the past month. And the State resigned their church lease..

I'm not sure what bullshit these guys are up to, but honestly I don't believe theyll do anything of positive effect (going forward). Best thing they could do would be to sell their downtown properties to someone who's smart, and dead set on gentrification.

StethJeff · #**8177** Posted **May 28, 2013, 10:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by brudy

LA Downtown news has an article on the Delijanas and their plans for the 4 theaters on Broadway. Great stuff.
http://www.ladowntownnews.com/news/delij...f887a.html?_dc=732919448986.6495&cbst=25

Outside of skid row, Broadway is the last place in downtown that I want to sit on a patio to eat and enjoy the street life. Broadway still looks and feels way too dingy. New developments, retail, and a streetcar can change that but not at this point. Honestly, it's still a hot mess.

blackcat23 · #**8178** Posted **May 28, 2013, 10:46 PM**

Parcel M Tower, today.

Much of Ava Little Tokyo is now up to ground level.

Valyrian Steel · #**8179** Posted **May 28, 2013, 11:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojeda101

Just got back from Downtown. MUCH later than expected. Long story short, my car was broken into. They took a few things. Happened at the surface lot next to the Macy's plaza on Hope next to 8th st. I didn't think this sort of thing would have happened to me, but what a pain in the ass it has caused. Do you want to know the worst part? It took the LAPD about 27 minutes to respond. That's not including the 4+ times I tried to dial the Police, only to have them tell me to redial 911 over and over. This triggered an argument between the Officers at the Central Police Department and the 911 Operators. I was there listening to the whole thing as I heard them go back and fourth at each other demanding to talk to eachothers supervisors. Oh man, what a night it has been. But I have lost faith in our PD. Amazing how there was not a single Police Officer in the immediate Downtown area that could have responded. As I waited, I called back and the automatic response system kicked in telling me there was an unsual amount of calls at that time. It was 10:30 around that time. I had no idea the LAPD had such a horrid response time. I could have died at the scene and no one would have known for 27 minutes. Horrible

Coincidentally, the LAPD just began using 30 new surveillance cameras installed around Downtown, most of them being "on Skid Row, the Fashion District and the Historic Core."

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=9118500

citywatch · #**8180** Posted **May 29, 2013, 3:52 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by alki

The irony is that you and XXXX have similar POVs. Both of you are fairly critical about where DT is these days. And you catch a lot of flack for your criticism.

alki, it's a low blow to say that I & the forumer you mention (let's call him "XXXX") have similar views. He once even sent me a nasty (& cuckoo) sort of private message a few yrs ago regarding some post of mine. he gets cheap, weird jollies in making LA sound like a pit for losers, & most importantly, flaming ppl who disagree with him. I'm not being sarcastic when I say that I truly suspect he has some mental issues.

Quote:

Originally Posted by StethJeff

I live on Bunker Hill and I'm as big of a DTLA booster as anyone else, but honestly, DTLA isn't exactly a world-famous showpiece that people have on their to-do list. The only thing that's even close to that is WDCH.

Your avatar made me for some reason assume that while you were interested in dt....or maybe LA overall....you lived farther west, towards Hollywood.

When I become impatient or dissatisfied with dtla, I try to recall what it used to be like. Then I find myself saying that while it may not be perfect today, TG it's at least not what it used to be like. that's why I'm relieved to be a part of the here & now....& seeing dt at this moment in time....compared with the way things were many, many yrs ago.

imagine what everyone's sense of the hood & city would be like if ssp & the internet....as we know it....existed back in the 1970s or 1980s, & beyond that, imagine what previous generations had to deal with.

If I got trapped in a time machine, & found myself sent back over 20 to 30 yrs ago, & knew what the future would be like...or around now in 2013....& was my current age in 1965, or 1978, or 1988, or 1995 that I am today....& would be aging at the same rate....& had to relive the past all over again.....that would be a nightmare.

waterandpower.org