LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 6.0

[LosAngelesBeauty]

What Should Replace Shuttering Sport Chalet in Downtown LA?

http://brighamyen.com/2016/04/25/replace-shuttering-sport-chalet-downtown-la/

[brudy]

Waaay too much old school thinking and lack of experience raining on the Expo parade. While the so called last mile will remain an issue, once people get a taste of not driving, especially commuters, it's going to be a different ball game. I know LA has people trained to love their cars and climate control, but younger people, especially people from other places, care a lot less. Tech people care less because they can spend that time working instead of twiddling with their air conditioning. This sets up downtown to be the center of tourism and hotels. It broadens the reasonable job market. In an era of declining car ownership, environmental destruction, expanding rail is a necessity.

People complain about smells and stuff? Yeah, that happens. Everywhere. You know how many times I've seen someone clip their toenails in Boston? Or see someone pee on the platform in NYC? It's part of the nature of american public transportation yet millions of people seem to deal with it because it's cheaper and easier. I understand people here have different ways of thinking but let's see how the expo line does before throwing it under the bus because some people here aren't used to it or are afraid...

[bobcat]

Originally Posted by LosAngelesBeauty

What Should Replace Shuttering Sport Chalet in Downtown LA?

http://brighamyen.com/2016/04/25/replace-shuttering-sport-chalet-downtown-la/

I agree with the comments that an REI would be a great fit.

[ChargerCarl]

Originally Posted by brudy

Waaay too much old school thinking and lack of experience raining on the Expo parade. While the so called last mile will remain an issue, once people get a taste of not driving, especially commuters, it's going to be a different ball game. I know LA has people trained to love their cars and climate control, but younger people, especially people from other places, care a lot less. Tech people care less because they can spend that time working instead of twiddling with their air conditioning. This sets up downtown to be the center of tourism and hotels. It broadens the reasonable job market. In an era of declining car ownership, environmental destruction, expanding rail is a necessity.

People complain about smells and stuff? Yeah, that happens. Everywhere. You know how many times I've seen someone clip their toenails in Boston? Or see someone pee on the platform in NYC? It's part of the nature of american public transportation yet millions of people seem to deal with it because it's cheaper and easier. I understand people here have different ways of thinking but let's see how the expo line does before throwing it under the bus because some people here aren't used to it or are afraid...

Theres no secret to public transit. People will ride it if it's convenient. For the vast majority of trips in LA it's simply far more convenient to just drive. It has nothing to do with "taste."

[brudy]

Originally Posted by ChargerCarl

Theres no secret to public transit. People will ride it if it's convenient. For the vast majority of trips in LA it's simply far more convenient to just drive. It has nothing to do with "taste."

I'd agree with you about other cities, not sure about here.

[black_crow]

Originally Posted by MKLA

I think everyone here can agree that the Expo Line would benefit with signal preemption.

Absolutely, I grow up in Berlin, the public transportation there is on a different level. When I got my first job, I used my car once. It took me 1 1/2 to come home, I could have done that in 20 minutes via public transportation. I learned my lesson..

But to be fair, you drive the subway/underground for the most part, there is no issue with signal preemption.

Still.. I will use the Expo Line for my travels to Downtown and back .No problems with parking, no honking, no stress. Yes, it might take the same time, but I can use my time. Read a book, answer some emails or make some important calls, that's the freedom of public transportation.

And remember, not everyone can afford a car, so this project is important.

[retina]

Originally Posted by ChelseaFC

The alcohol issue doesn't seem to be relevant because unless you happen to live within walking distance from the Expo Line, you still have to drive to/from the station before and after the game. In any case, I don't drink, stadium parking is only $10, I can have private/loud conversations with the people I'm traveling with, and I get to enjoy the comfort of my car's cabin (no sticky floors, awful smells, etc.). And because of the traffic, I can still check stuff on my phone. It's just a much more enjoyable experience. That's why I really don't mind traffic. It's just part of the deal when you sign up to live in Los Angeles. And with technology nowadays, you can be more productive than ever in your car.

That said, having to jump on multiple forms of public transit after the game and the long late-night wait times (Union Station and 7th/Metro) is probably the dealbreaker.

Well, enjoy traffic and distracted driving. Metro shouldn't be in the business of convincing people to take the train, some people just won't do it. Others will choose to live where it is feasible if it's an option they want.

[ChargerCarl]

Obviously if public transit is unsafe, dirty, and gross that will hurt your ridership numbers. But thats a venial sin in comparison to the fact that our transit system just isn't that useful to most people.

[SimonLA]

Odd how people on a Skyscraper forum are proud (?) of the fact that they refuse to take transit and admit to playing with their phone while driving. Maybe that's why our air looks like this (via Wilshire Grand Facebook).

[Mojeda101]

To be fair our air pollution has improved IMMENSELY since the early 20th century. It hasn't gotten anywhere to the point of not being able to see the next city block since then. While the number of drivers have gone up 10 fold, the emissions have gone down sharply.

Just look at this:



I don't want to defend the cars. I'm all in favor of our metro expansions. I'm just proving a point.

I can't wait to take the train for Azusa to Santa Monica without having to get out

[ChelseaFC]

Originally Posted by ChargerCarl

Obviously if public transit is unsafe, dirty, and gross that will hurt your ridership numbers. But thats a venial sin in comparison to the fact that our transit system just isn't that useful to most people.

Correct. I'm all for the metro system expanding, but in its current state, it's just not useful to me. I'm a millennial who uses public transit in New York, Chicago, London, Paris, and Tokyo almost exclusively, but here in LA I find my car to be far more efficient and convenient. The metro system here just isn't the most practical way to get around for most people.

As for tonight's game, took me about 45 minutes to get into the stadium during rush hour traffic from the westside using Waze. Easy access to the freeway after the game. Zipped home in less than 20 minutes. Probably would have still been stuck underground waiting at Union Station had I taken the metro.

[AndrewK]

Originally Posted by NativeOrange

That's not the one I was thinking of but thank you for telling me as I haven't seen that one yet. The one I was referring to is not nearly as cool and way smaller. It's really only a small portion on the side of a driveway where the sidewalk has crumbled away.

I wish I still lived in the AD, as I would probably go on a lookout for the driveway you are describing. Glad to have tipped you off to a cool street you weren't aware of though. I wish they had cleaned it up more when they repaved that street, but glad they exposed as much as they did (I used to park on that street about 4-5 years ago when only a glimpse of the brick was visible).

[blackcat23]

Sheets come off at Westlake's Valencia

Six-story building from Sonny Astani, designed by KFA. 218 apartments (18 affordable) plus 4,400 square feet of retail space.

[ChelseaFC]

I'm all for this kind of development in City West, but the streetscapes (roads/sidewalks) are in dire need of improvement. New benches, bulb-outs, landscaping, streetlights, waste receptacles, etc.

[BrandonJXN]

City West would greatly benefit from a lot of these type of 7 - 10 story range.

[King Kill 'em]

Considering how ugly most of the 7 stories are in City West, this is an improvement. Considering the neighborhood's proximity to downtown though, more residential highrises are needed. There's 3 proposed right now right? I hope they all get through.

[colemonkee]

This is like our own stubby version of 420 W. 42nd Street in New York, albeit with slightly better materials (the wood paneling feel more natural than brown and tan brick). This is not a compliment.

It's great that City West is getting infill, but in 10 years this will be one of those buildings that people look at and think "what they hell were they thinking?"

[a very long weekend]

Originally Posted by Mojeda101

I can't wait to take the train for Azusa to Santa Monica without having to get out

wait, am i wrong or won't the connector make it azusa/long beach and east la/santa monica? you may need to move, my friend.

[Valyrian Steel]

Originally Posted by colemonkee

This is like our own stubby version of 420 W. 42nd Street in New York, albeit with slightly better materials (the wood paneling feel more natural than brown and tan brick). This is not a compliment.

It's great that City West is getting infill, but in 10 years this will be one of those buildings that people look at and think "what they hell were they thinking?"

Honestly, it already looks pretty ugly to me. The contrasting colors just don't seem right.

[Jun]

On the risk of derailing the thread off topic, I just want to add that while Metro isn't perfect by any stretch, we've made significant progress in 26 years, where we had zero rail, we now have over 100 miles of it. My only hope is that technology advances to the point in the next decade where we can speed up the process to areas that sorely need it. (looking at you Sepulveda underpass)