LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0

[MarshallKnight]

Originally Posted by inSaeculaSaeculorum

And while we're playing fantasy planner, I'd leave the new Wilshire Grand as planned and for the 110 to be capped between 6th and 7th streets, making it an open green space bounded by that wall of modern skyscrapers of the financial district including the new Wilshire Grand

Sorry to jump the conversation back a couple days, but this jumped out at me. I've seen that proposal to cap the 101 in downtown, but I've never seen anything for the 110. Has anyone heard anything different? That gulf depresses the hell out of me and I sincerely feel for anyone who has to walk across those pedestrian bridges.

I's too bad that we have to think about such projects as fantasies. Capping the freeways whenever possible seems like one of the most effective ways you could possibly add to increase the urban, pedestrian character of downtown.

[StethJeff]

Originally Posted by Just-In-Cali

Discussion is good, critique is good. Even differing opinions are good. But when your posts literally turn into a copy and paste of every other post you have ever written, almost exclusively negative and complaining about the exact same issue over and over again, even though everyone knows where you stand, that's not discussion, that's trolling.
A number of posters are guilty of this, just read back through their posts to find the common theme. Be it parking lots, power lines, homeless, stucco, brown people, LA as a whole...etc. If you don't like something, fine, state it...then move on.
This constant hijacking of the thread is making it a miserable place.

Originally Posted by citywatch

that's an interesting list of issues cuz some of them fall within the public domain, some of them don't. iow, some of them are under the watchful eye of local govt &, in turn, the ppl that you or I vote into office. So some of those issues can be affected by the opinions of ppl in a community, but some of them aren't. Or some of them, such as the issue of homelessness, is at the mercy of larger forces, beyond the control of even a vocal majority due to the influence of a vocal minority, or factors like LA's weather.

Please tell me that was the only conclusion you drew based on Just-in-Cali's post. Over-posting about the same nauseating issues didn't strike any sort of chord?

[StethJeff]

Originally Posted by MarshallKnight

Sorry to jump the conversation back a couple days, but this jumped out at me. I've seen that proposal to cap the 101 in downtown, but I've never seen anything for the 110. Has anyone heard anything different? That gulf depresses the hell out of me and I sincerely feel for anyone who has to walk across those pedestrian bridges.

I's too bad that we have to think about such projects as fantasies. Capping the freeways whenever possible seems like one of the most effective ways you could possibly add to increase the urban, pedestrian character of downtown.

Capping the 101 reconnects DTLA to its roots and capping the 110 expands DTLA's density and influence west toward the rest of he city's core. Along with the beautification and redevelopment of the river, the two downtown cap proposals are no brainers to me. I'd take any of those projects over a supertall any day.

[StethJeff]

Originally Posted by Wilcal

My understanding was that the GAO chose the lesser design so as not to antagonize a very conservative politician from the central valley who sits on an important government committee and is very budget minded. Of course the final decision could have been made because of typical government "bureaucratic blandness." Either way, I'm with you and your disappointment. I'm hoping that the facade of the SOM design my be the building's salvation. From the renderings it looks like it will be square cube, about 220 feet in height, and a facade with a pale whitish/blue transparent glass that is in an articulated pattern. On a clear spring day with intense sunlight--it could be stunning.

Just imagine what that glass/lighting woulda looked like on the lipstick proposal though. We sooo got screwed on that cube. I think most of us are happy that we're finally getting anything built on at block but the two proposals are miles apart.

[alki]

Originally Posted by Muji

This one: http://www.you-are-here.com/downtown/spring_street.html

That's one I don't remember. Thanks.

[Wilcal]

Originally Posted by 202_Cyclist

Wilcal:



This is sort of correct. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) audits government programs and agencies and offers advice and recommendations but it is the General Service Administration (GSA) that makes decisions about govt properties.

Jeff Denham is the conservative Republican that you are referring to. He is on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. He also wants to make significant cuts to Amtrak funding and he is also the #1 enemy of CA high speed rail.

House vote threatens new L.A. federal courthouse operations

"Still, the vote signaled Central Valley Republican Rep. Jeff Denham's determination to scuttle a $400-million project he considers unnecessary.

Denham, of Turlock, has sought to sell the vacant courthouse site to help reduce the federal budget deficit.

"This country is $15 trillion in debt, and [the General Services Administration] continues to waste millions of dollars on a project no one needs," he said..."

http://articles.latimes.com/2012/may/10/nation/la-na-new-downtown-courthouse-20120510

Thank you 202, I had forgotten the specifics of the case. But, I think that the design outcome was essentially victimized by politics (as usually the case with government).

[Wilcal]

Originally Posted by StethJeff

Just imagine what that glass/lighting woulda looked like on the lipstick proposal though. We sooo got screwed on that cube. I think most of us are happy that we're finally getting anything built on at block but the two proposals are miles apart.

This doesn't surprise me at all. Years ago, when I worked for LACO parks and recreation, I had never met more stifled and unimaginative people. They were just very bland in their thinking. Most bureaucrats, whether they be city, county, state or federal exist with a similar core.

[Wilcal]

Originally Posted by Quixote

Nevermind on Clifton's. Here's what it looked like a little over 2 weeks ago (no significant progress):


http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

Forumers, notice the building to the right of Clifton's? Obviously it was very poorly "modernized" at some time with metal panels. Does anyone know what the original facade looked like? The reason why I ask is because I was recently reading on line about the "Bring Back Broadway" project and wondered about how many buildings on the street have had their original facades altered (at least at ground floor), and what if anything can be done to restore them. There is one cluster of buildings on the southwestern corner of Broadway and 2nd that I think they call the Law building. I believe that the facade was "modernized" in the early 50's, because I saw an old photo of the block and the original buildings look to have been constructed maybe in the teens or twenties. Ironically, the more cheaply they altered the faced the less likely they made actual structural changes which can never be restored. I think of the Pacific Mutual building on Olive and 6th. And the old Philharmonic (now demolished) building on 5th and Olive as great architectural losses of the past. I think that it would be interesting if part of the Broadway project included a study of the street's "original" architecture and potential for restoration. This in fact would be a wonderful project for some SCI-Arc students. Any comments or observations?

[ConstructDTLA]

Originally Posted by Wilcal

Forumers, notice the building to the right of Clifton's? Obviously it was very poorly "modernized" at some time with metal panels. Does anyone know what the original facade looked like?

The building on the left with the giant neon sign on top. The building itself says HAAS. Also across the street from it & also on the left of the picture is the now demolished Hotel Lankershim. That site is currently a wonderful parking garage with some nice shops on the groundfloor like Carls Jr & KFC.

[Lalaland]

I for one, actually like the new courthouse design. It has lots of glass and metal, and the perfect cube shape will still look modern decades from now. It could be much worse; it could be stucco ������

[DistrictDirt]

Originally Posted by HunterK

That site is currently a wonderful parking garage with some nice shops on the groundfloor like Carls Jr & KFC.

Single fugliest building downtown, in my opinion. And at the main intersection in the Historic Core. Hope it gets replaced sooner than later.

[Wilcal]

Originally Posted by HunterK

The building on the left with the giant neon sign on top. The building itself says HAAS. Also across the street from it & also on the left of the picture is the now demolished Hotel Lankershim. That site is currently a wonderful parking garage with some nice shops on the groundfloor like Carls Jr & KFC.

Good find. I wonder how badly it's been structurally adulterated. What a loss. Makes me wonder what in the hell the powers that be of the time were thinking. But then again, imagine if they had the foresight to prevent Bunker Hill from becoming a rundown slum. If preserved as it was originally developed, today it would literally be a "jewel" mounted in the core of the city.

[Muji]

Originally Posted by Wilcal

Good find. I wonder how badly it's been structurally adulterated. What a loss. Makes me wonder what in the hell the powers that be of the time were thinking. But then again, imagine if they had the foresight to prevent Bunker Hill from becoming a rundown slum. If preserved as it was originally developed, today it would literally be a "jewel" mounted in the core of the city.

The Haas building's old facade was basically destroyed when it was remodeled, so there wasn't anything to salvage during its residential conversion. All that's left is an entryway facing 7th St (there's an old post about it here).

[Wilcal]

Originally Posted by DistrictDirt

Single fugliest building downtown, in my opinion. And at the main intersection in the Historic Core. Hope it gets replaced sooner than later.

That may be the first, but the title of the second "fucking ugliest" building in downtown goes to that monstrosity on the north east corner of Broadway and 3rd., right across from the masterpiece Bradbury building. I think that it is occupied by Pollo Loco and or a Carls Jr. (figures). It reminds me of something so garish that it would be on the midway in a carnival. Honestly, you look at it and expect to hear a carnival barker try to entice you in. I think that it may have been built in the same decade as the Haas building desecration. Obviously some dumb-shit in planning gave the approval thinking that anything is better than nothing. "When you expect nothing but scraps you will receive nothing but scraps."

[brudy]

LA Downtown news has an interview with Carmel Partners (the people behind 8th and Grand). He mentioned mid-2015 to begin occupancy. Sigh.

http://www.ladowntownnews.com/news/why-a...0ab4d3c-eb53-11e2-b51e-0019bb2963f4.html

[colemonkee]

Wilcal, it's weird (and I'm fully aware that it is indeed weird), I actually like the El Pollo Loco building on 3rd and Broadway. When I first moved downtown 8 years ago, I despised it, just like you, but it's grown on me over the years. It has a certain kitsch factor to it (the red tiles, the industrial looking copperesque piping) that screams "I'm different!" to me. But I can totally see how others would think it's hideous, as I did some time ago. To each his own, I guess.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Originally Posted by colemonkee

Wilcal, it's weird (and I'm fully aware that it is indeed weird), I actually like the El Pollo Loco building on 3rd and Broadway. When I first moved downtown 8 years ago, I despised it, just like you, but it's grown on me over the years. It has a certain kitsch factor to it (the red tiles, the industrial looking copperesque piping) that screams "I'm different!" to me. But I can totally see how others would think it's hideous, as I did some time ago. To each his own, I guess.

im in the same boat as you Colemonkee. Hated at first, now i find it very interesting and different. i wont shed a tear if its torn down and replaced mainly because its not the best usage of the space, but there are far worse buildings on broadway

[Wilcal]

Originally Posted by colemonkee

Wilcal, it's weird (and I'm fully aware that it is indeed weird), I actually like the El Pollo Loco building on 3rd and Broadway. When I first moved downtown 8 years ago, I despised it, just like you, but it's grown on me over the years. It has a certain kitsch factor to it (the red tiles, the industrial looking copperesque piping) that screams "I'm different!" to me. But I can totally see how others would think it's hideous, as I did some time ago. To each his own, I guess.

Colemonkee,
you're being honest which I do respect. Perhaps I am being to harsh. The thing that annoys me so much is the lack of standards that the planning department has (or had). I say this because in the late 1970's early 1980's I was an intern with the San Francisco city planning department while at Berkley. I was astounded by the amount of care the department gave to any and all development. I truly believe that Broadway (as well as all of downtown) has such incredible potential that any city in the country, or world for that fact, would envy and nurture. But for some reason Los Angeles is not "getting it." I have hopes for the bringing back Broadway plan, but the city has a history of well devised plans (perhaps hundreds) which approached issues such as housing, industry, parks/recreation, revitalization--you name it) and yet it seems as if very little of it is ever implemented, they just collect dust. Fortunately, I think that Garcetti and Huizar do "get it," and the future of the revitalization of downtown is bright. Maybe one day, when Broadway's potential is realized, I will look back upon this building as just a little oddity--an eccentric piece that survived. Kind of like an eccentric uncle at a family reunion--everyone is amused--but no harm done. If anything, it can represent how far the city has come.

[DTLA87]

Brigham just posted a good article about the new Smart & Final... worth a read.

http://brighamyen.com/2013/07/18/smart-final-extra-market-now-open-in-downtown-los-angeles/

[StethJeff]

Originally Posted by DTLA87

Brigham just posted a good article about the new Smart & Final... worth a read.

http://brighamyen.com/2013/07/18/smart-final-extra-market-now-open-in-downtown-los-angeles/

I'm excited to check it out, probably go tomorrow. Gotta agree with some of the people who commented on Brigham's site, Ralph's is usually still pretty busy at its latest hours. My guess is that the S&F will eventually close later. A lot of the 50K people who live in DTLA are professionals working long hours so the demand is there for late night hours.