LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0 - Page 14

Illithid Dude · #**261** Posted **Feb 8, 2011, 3:19 AM**

On Facebook, I just got an invite for the unveiling of the L.A. Streetcar Economic Study. Listed as one of the presenters is Tim (Da Man) Leiweke, the president of AEG. Remember that rumor that AEG was going to fully fund the Streetcar? Well, I have a feeling shit is about to get real, as they so eloquently say in Bad Boys.

LosAngelesBeauty · #**262** Posted **Feb 8, 2011, 9:51 AM**

I can't wait to see what we're gonna get! I heard that the "numbers" are going to be amazing?! Crossing fingers this thing is gonna break ground sooner rather than later...

202_Cyclist · #**263** Posted **Feb 8, 2011, 12:26 PM**

It is good to see AEG willing to take a leading role in funding a downtown streetcar. Unfortunately, the RepuBPlicans/GO(B)P want to eliminate New Starts transit funding and are absolutely hostile to raising the gas tax to generate new revenue to maintain or invest in our transportation infrastructure. Commitments like this for private funding will only become more important over the next couple of years.

http://thesource.metro.net/2011/01/21/ho...imination-of-federal-new-starts-program/

JDRCRASH · #**264** Posted **Feb 8, 2011, 4:52 PM**

This project is so vital to downtown's individual success that I think the case can be made that, in some respects, it is even more important than the Regional Connector.
If the streetcar is successful, maybe we'll be able to make the system larger with future extensions, possibly to include the Arts District and further into the Fashion District.

dktshb · #**265** Posted **Feb 8, 2011, 8:11 PM**

They just had a blip abouth the streetcar line on NPR right now. They said the streetcar will be a four mile track connecting LA Live, the music center (assuming they mean Disney Concert Hall) and Broadway. That is a pretty extensive line which is good.

dktshb · #**266** Posted **Feb 8, 2011, 8:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDRCRASH

This project is so vital to downtown's individual success that I think the case can be made that, in some respects, it is even more important than the Regional Connector.
If the streetcar is successful, maybe we'll be able to make the system larger with future extensions, possibly to include the Arts District and further into the Fashion District.

I would rather an extension start from union station and go up sunset connecting dodgers statium, elysian park, echo park, silverlake, sunset junction, los feliz the redline vermont/sunset subway stop... it could even continue up Vermont and go right ino griffith park.

DistrictDirt · #**267** Posted **Feb 8, 2011, 10:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by dktshb

I would rather an extension start from union station and go up sunset connecting dodgers statium, elysian park, echo park, silverlake, sunset junction, los feliz the redline vermont/sunset subway stop... it could even continue up Vermont and go right ino griffith park.

Both would be great, but for that kind of distance, light rail might make more sense than a streetcar.

tommaso · #**268** Posted **Feb 9, 2011, 6:14 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DistrictDirt

Both would be great, but for that kind of distance, light rail might make more sense than a streetcar.

S.F. does the street car well. It works there. It can work here. Actually, it is working because we're now having legitimate talks about financing this project.

Elsewhere, I'm still worried about Pershing Square. We can't have this dump of prime real estate in the center of our city. It's time we turn Pershing Square into a successful public space. I know that Madison Square Park is great and so is Bryant Park and Pershing Square can be just the same. I suppose we would have to get the citizens to get a ballot measure up requesting a special tax to finance this square. Although it can come from private money, I don't see that happening here in L.A. The well scrubbed elite here are too selfish and not civic minded enough to make a grand positive contribution to the public. I don't care if we rename it AEG Square if they want to pay for it.

jamesinclair · #**269** Posted **Feb 9, 2011, 6:16 AM**

So this is how AEG plans to extort $300 million in tax dollars? By throwing in a few bills at a streetcar project?

Illithid Dude · #**270** Posted **Feb 9, 2011, 6:28 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesinclair

So this is how AEG plans to extort $300 million in tax dollars? By throwing in a few bills at a streetcar project?

Honestly, I'd be fine with that.

JDRCRASH · #**271** Posted **Feb 9, 2011, 7:07 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommaso

S.F. does the street car well. It works there. It can work here. Actually, it is working because we're now having legitimate talks about financing this project.

As far as Sunset Blvd is concerned, it's probably more likely that the Silver Line LRT project will use it as it is in the MTA's long range transportation plans.

Illithid Dude · #**272** Posted **Feb 9, 2011, 10:26 PM**

I asked this question on the Metro Forum, but nobody answered me, so I'm hoping you guys are nicer (even if you are mostly the same people). Could someone explain the Street Setback laws for me? Thanks.

Illithid Dude · #**273** Posted **Feb 9, 2011, 10:49 PM**

Oh, and sorry for the double post, but I just saw this:

http://la.streetsblog.org/2011/02/09/cra...r-south-figueroa-public-mostly-positive/

Pretty damn amazing. I'm on my iPad, so I can't really post the pictures, but they are of a proposed renovation to Figueroa St. It is really amazing.

LosAngelesBeauty · #**274** Posted **Feb 10, 2011, 12:51 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

Oh, and sorry for the double post, but I just saw this:

http://la.streetsblog.org/2011/02/09/cra...r-south-figueroa-public-mostly-positive/

Pretty damn amazing. I'm on my iPad, so I can't really post the pictures, but they are of a proposed renovation to Figueroa St. It is really amazing.

What is envisioned is so beautiful, words cannot describe it! LOL

It's SO NOT LA, but IT SHOULD BE LA.

Illithid Dude · #**275** Posted **Feb 10, 2011, 2:34 AM**

This is listed as the 'good' option.

This is listed as the 'better' option.

This is listed as the 'best' option.

All of these pictures are from la.streetsblog.org.

mdiederi · #**276** Posted **Feb 10, 2011, 3:11 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

I asked this question on the Metro Forum, but nobody answered me, so I'm hoping you guys are nicer (even if you are mostly the same people). Could someone explain the Street Setback laws for me? Thanks.

City of Los Angeles, Department of Building and Safety: Prevailing Setback Calculator.

Los Angeles Planning and Zoning Municipal Code: SEC. 12.21.1. HEIGHT OF BUILDING OR STRUCTURES.

Just-In-Cali · #**277** Posted **Feb 10, 2011, 3:25 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LosAngelesBeauty

What is envisioned is so beautiful, words cannot describe it! LOL

It's SO NOT LA, but IT SHOULD BE LA.

Really facinating proposal. Read the article from the link. Sounds like it could be a benchmark for some true rethinking of how LA, if not all of Socal, thinks of its streets and sidewalks. I can see something similar happening on Broadway.

One sad fact the comments showed me is the complex so many in this city have ABOUT our city. I dont know what kind of utopia they think exists in these other "world" cities, but really, lets focus on improving instead of complaining on what others are perceived to have.

JDRCRASH · #**278** Posted **Feb 10, 2011, 5:24 AM**

This is something we all probably already know, but LA, according to wikipedia's "sources", has passed 4 million.

colemonkee · #**279** Posted **Feb 10, 2011, 5:36 AM**

I think they're all dramatic improvements over what is there now. In reality I think we'll end up with something close to the "Good" option, though with hopefully the curbside parking spaces eliminated and used for a wider bike path. Personally I think the "Better" option is the best compromise of all the modes of transportation on Figueroa, which is a pretty heavily trafficked street come 5 p.m., regardless of a game.

And I know what people will say: "people shouldn't drive, they should take the streetcar." But the reality is that most daily car trips begin and end far beyond the streetcar's reach. Still, if I had to vote, I would go with the "Better" option. It's still worlds better than what's there now.

Illithid Dude · #**280** Posted **Feb 10, 2011, 5:42 AM**

http://www.ladowntownnews.com/articles/2011/02/09/news/doc4d5345e0192b5098016364.txt

Related is fast tracking and slightly scaling down a later part of the Grand Ave. Project. Originally two 35 story towers, they are now only going to build one twenty-something story tower next to the future Broad Collection. Honestly, I am fine with that.

EDIT: Actually, I'm not so fine with that. I don't really see how a building could fill up the huge parcel that the tower is supposed to go on. I really hope that they don't create some crappy 'plaza' to fill up the space, as the last thing Downtown needs is another 'plaza' next to a building. I think we have enough of those already.