LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0

[Mojeda101]

Marriott is looking good. Can't wait to see the interior and LED go up.


Untitled by mojeda101, on Flickr


Untitled by mojeda101, on Flickr


Untitled by mojeda101, on Flickr


Untitled by mojeda101, on Flickr

Question to all you forumers out there. Is there ANYTHING proposed for this site on Pershing? I'd imagine if Park fifth started, we could finally fill every parking lot around the square.


Untitled by mojeda101, on Flickr

[blackcat23]

ustream.tv/channel/lausmp

Here's a link to the Union Station Master Plan presentation from yesterday evening. They offer up a couple of options for some very ambitious expansion plans for the passenger concourse.

The large and currently vacant ticketing room would be filled with retail/restaurant space. Front parking lot would be closed and covered with grass. Also sounds like they want to close of Los Angeles Street north of the freeway to better unify the Los Angeles Plaza Park.

Both options involve shutting Patsaouras plaza down and developing that area. The bus terminal would be relocated either directly west of the Gold Line platforms or to where the Mozaic Apartments currently stand, depending on what option is chosen for the passenger concourse.

[LongBeachUrbanist]

* Start of Shameless Cheerleading Section *

I have followed the progress of Downtown LA for twenty years now, since back when the Blue Line didn't even make it to Seventh Street. Back then Downtown was FAR worse back then. If anybody else remembers, almost every building in the Historic Core was either empty or a sweatshop. At 5PM every day, people would flee Downtown like a rats fleeing a sinking ship.

Now in 2013, we have several Metro lines, thousands of residents, restaurants, shopping, entertainment, supermarkets and dog-walking services. Parking lots are getting filled in with new towers, and the remaining empty old buildings are being filled with residents. People come downtown nearly every night for shows at LA Live/Nokia.

We also have a lot of huge projects "coming soon". These include Wilshire Grand Tower, the Macys renovation, the new subway (Regional Connector), etc. We also have tons of small projects in progress, like the wonderful Clifton's renovation.

The fact that Downtown survived the Great Recession relatively intact is itself a huge accomplishment. I think it's a testament to the strength and diversification of the Downtown LA economy that it not only weathered the last five years without descending into some crazy dystopia, but continued to thrive and innovate.

* End of Shameless Cheerleading Section *

[202_Cyclist]

Originally Posted by blackcat23

ustream.tv/channel/lausmp

Both options involve shutting Patsaouras plaza down and developing that area. The bus terminal would be relocated either directly west of the Gold Line platforms or to where the Mozaic Apartments currently stand, depending on what option is chosen for the passenger concourse.

What will happen with the FlyAway buses when the Crenshaw line to LAX is completed? Will there still be service to Union Station? We've ridden the FlyAway twice and it is an excellent bus route.

[202_Cyclist]

Regarding Union Station, is there any reason why the LA County Jail needs to be located on valuable land 1/3 of a mile from one of the busiest intermodal stations in the United States? LA County could perhaps earn significant revenue from selling this and relocating it to some other location and it would also help make this area more vibrant by having a different use here.

Additionally, has there been any discussion of decking over the tracks located next to Union Station or is land not that scarce and valuable in downtown or downtown adjacent yet to make this feasible? In DC, there are plans to deck over the tracks directly north of Union Station and building housing and office there.

[202_Cyclist]

Here is a link to the Union Station presentation: http://media.metro.net/docs/lauscommunitymtg3_08013_final.pdf .

It does look like there are long-range plans to possibly deck over the tracks and build an entirely new urban district.

[The Illusive Man]

Originally Posted by LongBeachUrbanist

* Start of Shameless Cheerleading Section *

I have followed the progress of Downtown LA for twenty years now, since back when the Blue Line didn't even make it to Seventh Street. Back then Downtown was FAR worse back then. If anybody else remembers, almost every building in the Historic Core was either empty or a sweatshop. At 5PM every day, people would flee Downtown like a rats fleeing a sinking ship.

Now in 2013, we have several Metro lines, thousands of residents, restaurants, shopping, entertainment, supermarkets and dog-walking services. Parking lots are getting filled in with new towers, and the remaining empty old buildings are being filled with residents. People come downtown nearly every night for shows at LA Live/Nokia.

We also have a lot of huge projects "coming soon". These include Wilshire Grand Tower, the Macys renovation, the new subway (Regional Connector), etc. We also have tons of small projects in progress, like the wonderful Clifton's renovation.

The fact that Downtown survived the Great Recession relatively intact is itself a huge accomplishment. I think it's a testament to the strength and diversification of the Downtown LA economy that it not only weathered the last five years without descending into some crazy dystopia, but continued to thrive and innovate.

* End of Shameless Cheerleading Section *

It's kinda sad that positivity and optimism has to enveloped with "Shameless Cheerleading Section" due to the negative nancies on here. LongBeach, its refreshing to read what you wrote. Don't ever feel the need to have that header and footer again.

[blackcat23]

Originally Posted by 202_Cyclist

Regarding Union Station, is there any reason why the LA County Jail needs to be located on valuable land 1/3 of a mile from one of the busiest intermodal stations in the United States? LA County could perhaps earn significant revenue from selling this and relocating it to some other location and it would also help make this area more vibrant by having a different use here.

A lot of people have recommended moving the jail, but I'm not sure what the likelihood is. The Sheriff's Department wants to demolish part of Men's Central and build a new facility, so it might not be going anywhere soon.

[sings twin]

Marriott looking really good.

Thanks for the update Mojeda

[Quixote]

Originally Posted by 202_Cyclist

Here is a link to the Union Station presentation: http://media.metro.net/docs/lauscommunitymtg3_08013_final.pdf .

It does look like there are long-range plans to possibly deck over the tracks and build an entirely new urban district.

A good general concept to start with. Although it's not the main focus of the project, hopefully more thought is given into the design of the new urban district. I certainly hope it's a precursor to this:


http://archpaper.com/uploads/piggyback_yards_05.jpg

[brudy]

Originally Posted by The Illusive Man

It's kinda sad that positivity and optimism has to enveloped with "Shameless Cheerleading Section" due to the negative nancies on here. LongBeach, its refreshing to read what you wrote. Don't ever feel the need to have that header and footer again.

For the love of god, nobody is saying it isn't better. It's just not as great as some here make it out to be. Especially people watching from afar who don't live here day in day out, who don't have to deal with the downsides. I'm a huge downtown cheerleader and believe in its eventual future (part of the reason I live here), but I'm not going to put blinders on to everything that's not right.

[The Illusive Man]

Originally Posted by brudy

For the love god, nobody is saying it isn't better. It's just not as great as some here make it out to be. Especially people watching from afar don't live here day in day out who don't have to deal with the downsides. I'm a huge downtown cheerleader and believe in its eventual future (part of the reason I live here), but I'm not going to put blinders on to everything that's not right.

I can agree with that, but if someone wants to feel optimistic and postive about the area, such as what the poster did, he shouldn't need to highlight his post as being a cheerleader. That's just silly. Balance is always good.

[brudy]

Here are some bad iphone shots of that victorian facade that will be saved as part of this low income housing project at 4th and Main.

[brudy]

Originally Posted by The Illusive Man

I can agree with that, but if someone wants to feel optimistic and postive about the area, such as what the poster did, he shouldn't need to highlight his post as being a cheerleader. That's just silly. Balance is always good.

Agreed, balance is good. Balance in this case means both the good and the bad of downtown. Too bad most aren't interested in a balanced point of view, rather they just want their happy pills and their SSP platitudes. It's like everybody wants this to be the Afterschool Special of urban development.

What he wrote is great. But that still doesn't change the fact that I have to walk 20 minutes to find garlic.

[alki]

Originally Posted by HunterK

Progress means everything. And LA is generally heading in the correct direction, just at a far slower pace than other great cities even though we have way more catching up to do.

Hunter, I've got news.......as a general rule, LA [compared to other cities] moves on steroids and DTLA makes the steroids A-Rod uses look like candy. I am astounded at how many new projects, restaurants and infrastructure changes have been announced in the last few years. Very few DTs in this country see that kind of activity.

Therefore, I have to conclude that you must be comparing DTLA to cities whose DTs are well established; that have a history. A downtown that essentially is done. I hope that's the case because otherwise your criticisms don't make a lot of sense.

Few DTs go thru this kind of metamorphosis in such a short period of time. I understand that its frustrating at times.....that you have a vision for DTLA that is not there yet. Nonetheless, its an amazing time for DTLA........I would try to enjoy the process and take full advantage.

[rajuncajun]

Don't feel like going back to search for the comment, but someone noted that the Ace Hotel renovation seemed as if the exterior improvement was subpar. I don't know if the rest of the building will look like this, but the "steeple" seems to have a gloss/semi gloss finish. (I don't know if you can see by the picture.) I can't see them leaving the rest of the building as-is while allowing the "steeple" to stand out like this.

[Kingofthehill]

^ your photo isn't attached/showing

[ConstructDTLA]

Originally Posted by alki

Hunter, I've got news.......as a general rule, LA [compared to other cities] moves on steroids and DTLA makes the steroids A-Rod uses look like candy. I am astounded at how many new projects, restaurants and infrastructure changes have been announced in the last few years. Very few DTs in this country see that kind of activity.

Therefore, I have to conclude that you must be comparing DTLA to cities whose DTs are well established; that have a history. A downtown that essentially is done. I hope that's the case because otherwise your criticisms don't make a lot of sense.

Few DTs go thru this kind of metamorphosis in such a short period of time. I understand that its frustrating at times.....that you have a vision for DTLA that is not there yet. Nonetheless, its an amazing time for DTLA........I would try to enjoy the process and take full advantage.

I respectfully disagree with everything you said there.. Though I cant get too into it without naming cities - as thats against the rules.

Originally Posted by rajuncajun

Don't feel like going back to search for the comment, but someone noted that the Ace Hotel renovation seemed as if the exterior improvement was subpar. I don't know if the rest of the building will look like this, but the "steeple" seems to have a gloss/semi gloss finish. (I don't know if you can see by the picture.) I can't see them leaving the rest of the building as-is while allowing the "steeple" to stand out like this.

That was probably me. They took off the scaffolding from the main building and it was dirtier than when they put it up. That exhaust covering looks silly being a different color. It will be very interesting to see who stays here.

[DtlaCuriousity]

Closing off Los Angeles street would be amazing. That would open up some nice possibilities. As it is right now, there is a small grassy section between Alameda and Los Angeles that is an isolated island of homeless and others that have camped out there.

[Munchitup]

Originally Posted by alki

Hunter, I've got news.......as a general rule, LA [compared to other cities] moves on steroids and DTLA makes the steroids A-Rod uses look like candy. I am astounded at how many new projects, restaurants and infrastructure changes have been announced in the last few years. Very few DTs in this country see that kind of activity.

Therefore, I have to conclude that you must be comparing DTLA to cities whose DTs are well established; that have a history. A downtown that essentially is done. I hope that's the case because otherwise your criticisms don't make a lot of sense.

Few DTs go thru this kind of metamorphosis in such a short period of time. I understand that its frustrating at times.....that you have a vision for DTLA that is not there yet. Nonetheless, its an amazing time for DTLA........I would try to enjoy the process and take full advantage.

I agree - Los Angeles seems like a city that changes at a hyper-speed rate. I mean, one of the city's knocks is its nonchalance towards its past.

I do feel the frustration of DTLA residents though, from the close up perspective that rate of change probably seems exponentially slower.