LOS ANGELES | Central City Project Rundown 5.0

[jamesinclair]

Originally Posted by DTLAdenizen

Lol you've got no idea what you're talking about. Cars are a fashion accessory in Los Angeles whether anyone on this board believes that to be true or not. The automobile is engrained in LA culture. Before I get dragged down some nonsensical vortex of how the city that loves cars more than any other city on earth doesnt love them, I'll leave you with this:

"Southern California is the nation's biggest new-car market. Roughly 12% of the 12.3 million new vehicles sold nationwide last year were purchased in California, according to the state Department of Motor Vehicles and Ward's Automotive Reports, a research firm."

http://articles.latimes.com/1992-08-28/business/fi-6130_1_car-maker

And Universal made a few small films based on the LA auto scene, they grossed $3,886,300,000.00

There are also more car shows in SoCal than any other region.

Seriously, the Hollywood card? There are more of ANYTHING shows in SoCal than any other region. Just because CSI Miami is filmed in Long Beach doesnt mean people in the area love murders more.

And your stat is about new cars. You're telling me one of the richest metros in the country purchases more new cars than others? Duh. That has nothing to do with culture.

Originally Posted by alki

They are not taking mass transit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._cities_with_high_transit_ridership

NYC was the only city where more than 50% commute by public transit.....it was at 55%. It was downhill from there with Seattle coming in at 18% and LA at 11%.

Did you see my earlier point?

People pick their transportation mode not because they LOVE it, but because it makes the most sense.

Do NYers LOVE the subway? Is there something in the water that makes people rail buffs? No, not really.

They do the math. A metrocard is cheaper and faster than a car. Thats not culture, thats not love, its logic.

Likewise in LA. Do people drive everywhere? Sure. Is it because they love the sound of the engine? No, it's because it's more convenient, and almost always, faster than transit. Thats not love, its logic.

The point is, when you change the equation, you dont have to worry about culture, because people do the math.

If you could get from x to y on a train, and do it faster than in a car, and it be just as convenient as a car, people will use it.


Dutch people don't bike more because of culture or love, they do the math. Bostonians don't walk to work more than anyone else because of culture or love, they do the math.


Imagine this: If all cars were banned in Downtown LA for one week, you'd find a transit mode share of 90%, and walk/bike at 10%.

Culture shift? People loving Metro? No, of course not, just people making due with what theyre given.

Give people free parking, and theyll use it, because they do the math.

[brudy]

Originally Posted by jamesinclair

Seriously, the Hollywood card? There are more of ANYTHING shows in SoCal than any other region. Just because CSI Miami is filmed in Long Beach doesnt mean people in the area love murders more.

And your stat is about new cars. You're telling me one of the richest metros in the country purchases more new cars than others? Duh. That has nothing to do with culture.



Did you see my earlier point?

People pick their transportation mode not because they LOVE it, but because it makes the most sense.

Do NYers LOVE the subway? Is there something in the water that makes people rail buffs? No, not really.

They do the math. A metrocard is cheaper and faster than a car. Thats not culture, thats not love, its logic.

Likewise in LA. Do people drive everywhere? Sure. Is it because they love the sound of the engine? No, it's because it's more convenient, and almost always, faster than transit. Thats not love, its logic.

The point is, when you change the equation, you dont have to worry about culture, because people do the math.

If you could get from x to y on a train, and do it faster than in a car, and it be just as convenient as a car, people will use it.


Dutch people don't bike more because of culture or love, they do the math. Bostonians don't walk to work more than anyone else because of culture or love, they do the math.


Imagine this: If all cars were banned in Downtown LA for one week, you'd find a transit mode share of 90%, and walk/bike at 10%.

Culture shift? People loving Metro? No, of course not, just people making due with what theyre given.

Give people free parking, and theyll use it, because they do the math.

Not to wade into this morass, but plenty of people actually LIKE and PREFER taking public transport. Yes, it might take a combination of factors to get people out of the cars, but once they do a lot of people enjoy it. Less stressful, you can get stuff done, cheaper, etc. It's not just math.

[black_crow]

Originally Posted by alki

They are not taking mass transit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._cities_with_high_transit_ridership

NYC was the only city where more than 50% commute by public transit.....it was at 55%. It was downhill from there with Seattle coming in at 18% and LA at 11%.

That is true.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._cities_with_most_households_without_a_car

The city with the most car-free households is New York City at 56%. (households!.. that means over 80 % of the people have no car and it makes sense, I drove in New York)

L.A. will never be the same but we have to improve our public transportation. We might be on a good way.

[ConstructDTLA]

A lot of projects in these views. Can you spot them all?

Palmer Olympic / Broadway by Hunter, on Flickr

Palmer Olympic / Broadway by Hunter, on Flickr

Ace Hotel & Onni Level LA by Hunter, on Flickr

Olympic & Broadway to 11th & Broadway by Hunter, on Flickr

Olympic by Hunter, on Flickr

Edit:

Unveiled just hours ago at Level LA - sign looks nice!

Level LA / Onni 9th & Olive by Hunter, on Flickr

Level LA / Onni 9th & Olive by Hunter, on Flickr


Wilshire Grand & Skyline by Hunter, on Flickr

South Park / Fig Central by Hunter, on Flickr

Metropolis by Hunter, on Flickr

South Park by Hunter, on Flickr

South Park / 11th & Grand Glass Tower by Hunter, on Flickr


For scale from the 36th floor:

Wilshire Grand by Hunter, on Flickr

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

beautiful pics as always. So much going on, i love it.

Also, as someone that has lived in DT for 5 years now, the amount of foot traffic is easily at an all time high, as are the number of tourists and the energy. Lots of good going on here, and i think the MyFigueroa, 7th street rehab and the Bringing Back Broadway projects are the most important projects in DTLA for everyday people. I love me some supertalls and new hotels, but as someone that walks around all the time, im most excited about these smaller changes that will make the walking experience much better, just like the small addition of the Big Belly trash cans that made a significant impact on the amount of trash in our streets

[brudy]

Originally Posted by LosAngelesSportsFan

beautiful pics as always. So much going on, i love it.

Also, as someone that has lived in DT for 5 years now, the amount of foot traffic is easily at an all time high, as are the number of tourists and the energy. Lots of good going on here, and i think the MyFigueroa, 7th street rehab and the Bringing Back Broadway projects are the most important projects in DTLA for everyday people. I love me some supertalls and new hotels, but as someone that walks around all the time, im most excited about these smaller changes that will make the walking experience much better, just like the small addition of the Big Belly trash cans that made a significant impact on the amount of trash in our streets

Yeah, I wish they'd put them throughout the core. If I had dollar for every time I've seen a whacked out meth head dump out a can along 5th, I could probably buy them all myself.

[The Illusive Man]

So nice seeing all of these projects going up. LA's definitely going in the right direction.

[ChelseaFC]

New 6th Street Viaduct is a bridge to a different future

The new 6th Street Viaduct 'introduces a new dynamic and language,' says an L.A. Conservancy official

Three years later, Michael Maltzan's sketch is a $428-million public works project, expected to open in 2019

Even on a diminished scale, the design of the new 6th Street Viaduct suggests more than mere utility

http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-sixth-street-bridge-20150601-story.html

[Mojeda101]

With Onni just about finishing up with 9th & Olive, do we have word on the other projects? Have entitlements and permits already been filed? I was just curious if they've all already been approved so they could get started whenever Onni planned.

[StethJeff]

Originally Posted by ChelseaFC

New 6th Street Viaduct is a bridge to a different future

The new 6th Street Viaduct 'introduces a new dynamic and language,' says an L.A. Conservancy official

Three years later, Michael Maltzan's sketch is a $428-million public works project, expected to open in 2019

Even on a diminished scale, the design of the new 6th Street Viaduct suggests more than mere utility

http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-sixth-street-bridge-20150601-story.html

Honestly more excited about this than WG. The infrastructure improvements and aesthetic touch-ups that have been going on (Broadway theaters, adaptive reuse, LA River) do so much more for DTLA than any collection of south park Vancondo infill towers. Dare I say it, even more than a supertall.

[alki]

French Label A.P.C. Opens New Downtown LA Store

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Brigham Yen | 6 comments

The intersection of 9th/Broadway
continues to push forward as one of the main epicenters of new retailers making a comeback in Downtown LA. This past Saturday, the high-end fashion French label A.P.C. (standing for “Atelier de Production et de Création”) finally opened its doors for business here helping to boost the intersection’s critical mass as it begins to take more concrete shape as a bona fide shopping destination. DTLA Rising first announced the rumors that A.P.C. was coming to Downtown LA a year and a half ago back in December of 2013. Replacing what used to be a nondescript art gallery (called Vista Art Galleria), the once forgettable space facing 9th Street has been transformed into a chic and modern fashion showroom and a head turner with a strong street presence.

Continue reading →

http://brighamyen.com/2015/06/01/french-label-a-p-c-opens-new-downtown-la-store/

[StethJeff]

Originally Posted by alki

French Label A.P.C. Opens New Downtown LA Store

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Brigham Yen | 6 comments

The intersection of 9th/Broadway
continues to push forward as one of the main epicenters of new retailers making a comeback in Downtown LA. This past Saturday, the high-end fashion French label A.P.C. (standing for “Atelier de Production et de Création”) finally opened its doors for business here helping to boost the intersection’s critical mass as it begins to take more concrete shape as a bona fide shopping destination. DTLA Rising first announced the rumors that A.P.C. was coming to Downtown LA a year and a half ago back in December of 2013. Replacing what used to be a nondescript art gallery (called Vista Art Galleria), the once forgettable space facing 9th Street has been transformed into a chic and modern fashion showroom and a head turner with a strong street presence.

Continue reading →

http://brighamyen.com/2015/06/01/french-label-a-p-c-opens-new-downtown-la-store/

Wow that took forever. I assumed that had happened a long time ago given how long ago we've known about that place.

[alki]

Originally Posted by StethJeff

Wow that took forever. I assumed that had happened a long time ago given how long ago we've known about that place.

Well I thought the 6th Street bridge was well under construction and was opening soon. Its hard to stay on top of all these changes.

[brudy]

Originally Posted by StethJeff

Wow that took forever. I assumed that had happened a long time ago given how long ago we've known about that place.

They didn't even start renovating the space until maybe January, they sat on it for what felt like forever.

[JerellO]

Originally Posted by ChelseaFC

New 6th Street Viaduct is a bridge to a different future

The new 6th Street Viaduct 'introduces a new dynamic and language,' says an L.A. Conservancy official

Three years later, Michael Maltzan's sketch is a $428-million public works project, expected to open in 2019

Even on a diminished scale, the design of the new 6th Street Viaduct suggests more than mere utility

http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-sixth-street-bridge-20150601-story.html

I wish the design still included the bridge under the bridge to bring people just above the river that was an awesome addition.

[brudy]

Originally Posted by JerellO

I wish the design still included the bridge under the bridge to bring people just above the river that was an awesome addition.

Agreed. Despite the pedestrian and bike accommodations above, that lower bridge would have made the experience much more pleasant.

[alki]

Originally Posted by ChelseaFC

New 6th Street Viaduct is a bridge to a different future

The new 6th Street Viaduct 'introduces a new dynamic and language,' says an L.A. Conservancy official

Three years later, Michael Maltzan's sketch is a $428-million public works project, expected to open in 2019

Even on a diminished scale, the design of the new 6th Street Viaduct suggests more than mere utility

http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-sixth-street-bridge-20150601-story.html

I like the way Maltzan thinks:

The neighborhood that will change most during construction and afterward lies just east of the river before the bluffs of Boyle Heights.

Some of the derelict properties, cold storage facilities and warehouses lying in the path of construction, have been purchased by the city. In their place, a soccer field and children's playground are being considered if funding is secured.

Bringing this neighborhood and its Pico Garden housing project out from the shadows was one of Maltzan's goals. In the past, he said, infrastructure projects such as freeways have divided neighborhoods.

"If we can work to break down the divisions, the siloization of different neighborhoods, then we have an opportunity to have a positive impact on the social function of the city, as well as the identity of the city," he said.

"As the city continues to develop, developing these connections becomes of even great consequence."

[DistrictDirt]

Originally Posted by alki

I like the way Maltzan thinks:

The neighborhood that will change most during construction and afterward lies just east of the river before the bluffs of Boyle Heights.

Some of the derelict properties, cold storage facilities and warehouses lying in the path of construction, have been purchased by the city. In their place, a soccer field and children's playground are being considered if funding is secured.

Bringing this neighborhood and its Pico Garden housing project out from the shadows was one of Maltzan's goals. In the past, he said, infrastructure projects such as freeways have divided neighborhoods.

"If we can work to break down the divisions, the siloization of different neighborhoods, then we have an opportunity to have a positive impact on the social function of the city, as well as the identity of the city," he said.

"As the city continues to develop, developing these connections becomes of even great consequence."

Wow, that's urban planner/social justice stuff. Weird (and awesome) to hear it from an architect. Maltzan just went up a peg in my book.

[ninjaz]

Hello all
I'm moving to downtown (I think art district area?) and will be commuting to work (fig and second) by bike and was wondering how easy it is for bikes to trek this distance. I can't tell if there are bike lanes or not and haven't been able to find an answer. If not, then I'll have think of a spot closer. (I won't be able to drive to work)
Thanks for the help

[Muji]

Hey ninjaz, I think it's fairly easy to bike to 2nd and Fig from most parts of the Arts District. There are bike lanes on much of 2nd St between Fig and the upper part of the Arts District around Traction Ave. If you're coming from further south, Santa Fe Ave and Mateo St are decent to bike on (but no bike lanes). LADOT also keeps a generally up-to-date map of bike lanes within the city of LA here: http://www.bicyclela.org/maps_main.htm.