LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 3.0

[JDRCRASH]

200 Rooms doesn't sound that big to me.
Maybe at most, 18 stories.

Nice pics, k3d!!!!!!!!! Are those from Luma?

[Echo Park]

Originally Posted by Westsidelife

What would you like to see?

I would like to see Broadway a bit more cosmopolitan. I really just think new signage and store fronts are needed for the shops that are already there (that fallas parades is an example of getting better storefront). It seems kind of offensive to me that the city finally earmarking money for streetscaping along Broadway, but only after wealthy whites started moving in. Broadway has needed its sidewalks repaired, trees planted, new benches, new lighting, etc forever. As far as the trolley, as someone pointed out, probably better as a sleek streetcar like Portlands, but its something that should be integrated with the rest of the Metro lines. But from the looks of it it just seems like a Broadway thing though it make more sense to extend to union station and also have it go to other DT destinations like south park and Grand ave. But thats kinda what an underground connector is already for. It would be awesome to have a fare-free district like Portland but I don't think thats feasible with the way MTA does business.

[JDRCRASH]

In the LAEJC Report, I found out that it could take no more than 5 years for Gail Goldberg to complete City Zoning Updates; and that is only if funding and support is allocated. Without it, this could take 10 years. And it hasn't been done since the 40's.

If you sit back and think about it.....we really are behind....

[DJM19]

LA has had prior attempts at improving Broadway, but they never really got off the ground. This time there is at least some funding. It makes sense, because there actually are residents moving in, wealthy or not, and the whole of downtown actually is improving. I find nothing suspicious about the timing.

I think it will take more than improved store fronts to get more diverse customers. Theres too many bridal shops and stores selling cheap electronics. Improving the store front isn't going to change that. There is going to be businesses who leave and new ones who come. Its not a tragic story though. You can find stores on Broadway a dime a dozen throughout the city, they just don't happen to be in beautiful buildings (poorly kepts and underutilized to boot)

[DowntownCharlieBrown]

Originally Posted by Echo Park

Fuck it.

Malls have ruined cities for me.

Looking at that Broadway drawing I should be excited and thrilled with the renovation of that street, but the whole scene reeks of The Grove down to tacky trolley. Shit I think I'd rather leave Broadway to the flea markets then have greedy white people turn it into The Grove Downtown.

I have to agree with you that the scene above does look like a scene from The Grove or the Irvine Spectrum. But I think that has more to do with the style the artist used in the rendering. The buildings are there and they are “real” city buildings. I think the intention is to show a clean, vibrant street. And while the signage in the rendering is very “Citywalk”, it is something that is going to develop organically over time. And the bottom floors of each building are not going to be uniformly lit all the way down the street.

Theaters are not cheap to renovate (same with all the historic buildings). So when you finally have the owners dumping a boatload of money into them, I think its smart for the city to shell out some money to make improvements to the street. If the “plan’ doesn’t work, there is a good chance some of the structures will not make it to the next “Broadway Revitalization”.



Btw, Congratulation k3d on the new place. Great View!

[DJM19]

It doesnt seem like the grove to me at all. These buildings really are historic, they have detail that the grove couldnt dream of, the street is actually a real one and an old one, and it contains actual historical venues to visit. Plus the trolley would actually have a purpose and is based in real history, not s conjured up Disney history.

[Tanster]

AMEN ^^

I beleive Broadway will not end up looking like the Grove. If anything The Grove was made to look the way it does. Broadway is truly organic. Its L.As History. So fixing up The buildings and adding some signage does not make it fake or citywalkish. If anything Broadway should be more unique then citywalk and the Grove put together. So I think they should go all out on signage advertisment repairs and everything. Its the most logical place to do so...!

[ladowntowner]

Originally Posted by ThreeHundred

There is 5% left. And what kind of analogy is 'a truck going down the 101?'

Ya beat me to it, ThreeHundred. I was trying to figure out how the 5% thingy worked...

Looks like you got some 'splainin' to do, JDRCRASH... Not that it matters what you are.

I tend to agree with the sentiments expressed in a few of the last posts above that Broadway will not morph into The Grove. As long as it's kept as an open thoroughfare, the risk of that is minimized (of course there are many other issues to consider as well). Compare/contrast The Grove or Third Street Promenade in SM with Pine Street in LB or Colorado through Old Town Pasadena. Stop the talk about closing Broadway to through traffic already. It only serves to remove and isolate it from the urban fabric of our city. In other words, turn it into a glorified mall. It would be a travesty to do so, IMHO.

Any trolley would be welcomed, particularly one that ties all of the distinct downtown districts together so the we can dump the DASH in it's favor. Historically accurate replicas could be very classy. If that can't be done, sleek would be better than some phony, tacky plastic replicas of the real deal.

[BrandonJXN]

Originally Posted by LA420

His name is Carlos Slim (Part Lebanese), btw if you are 80% then your latin. Forget the 15%, dont count cause you already got white in you , rememeber the Spanish and the indigenous (Aztec, Mayan) people when Spain conquered Latin America, then you have rest of of europe jumping on the the band wagon so you could also be German, french etc and arabic.= (Latino, Hispanic).

The former Mexican President Vincente Fox was part Irish. Just a little history for you.

Vincente Fox always looked like a mix of Desi Arnez and Saddam Hussein to me.

Anyway, angelenic posted these up and I thought these looked pretty good. However, even though I'm a fan of light and neon, I think that Broadway should have a classy night display. Leave the bright stuff to LA Live.

[DJM19]

Well, Broadway use to have lots of neon light. I think the theaters at least should try for some flair. I have no problem with most of the buildings doing just a classy normal lighting. I don't like the blue stair-way shape lighting on that last building.

[Affrojuice]

From Curbed
Transportation Plan Update II: Aerial Tram!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008, by jwilliams

Via the net, editor Josh is listening to today's City Council hearing on traffic. Here is his second report: Lots of jabbering from Council Chambers. Currently Council Members are questioning a planner from Portland, Oregon who is thrusting his wisdom upon us. Councilman Eric Garcetti (CD13) noted that Portland's new aerial tram costs the same as light rail. He also mentioned that an aerial tram has been discussed as a possible solution to the "snarl of traffic" around Dodger Stadium, with the tram connecting Chinatown and the summit at Chavez Ravine. Hot damn, we want an aerial tram!

I actually rode the tram when I was in Portland, and it is awesome. It goes up the hill from the South waterfront to Oregon Health Sciences University at the top. Residents and Attending doctors at the hospital love the tram, cause they take it down the hill, and then hop on the streetcar, being able to get back and forth to work with out ever having to drive.

A tram would be great for Dodger Stadium. It could go from Chaves Ravine to the Chinatown Goldline stop, finally allowing a decent public transportation option to getting to dodger games

portland tram

pic from gridskipper.com

[KarLarRec1]

The rendering of Broadway revitalized looks like the West End of London to me - specifically, Oxford Street. LA would be infinitely lucky to have a downtown street resembling the vibrancy of London's West End and Oxford Street.

[edluva]

^too hard to glean anything from the rendering. Just hope it avoids gaslampification. I think DTLA is at a point where redevelopment should just leave things be, just like any other neighborhood. We don't want a sterile family-friendly "restaurant-row" or "nightclub row" no matter how crowded and yuppified the streets. Downtown will never be manhattan or chicago's lakefront - it's too small to be analagous, and our various LES's, UES's, Greenwich Village's, and SOHO's are already established throughout the westside. It's a futile act trying to recreate all these things in the tiny little plot we call DTLA, and civic leaders and forumers who are pushing for a "24 hour city" status in DTLA really don't fundamentally understand LA for it's unique circumstances. DTLA is just another patch in the quilt stretching to the beach, just like the tip of Lower Manhattan is for the entire island. Don't hold any vainglorious delusions about DTLA being all things Manhattan to this vast city. Angelenos aspiring to create identity by looking elsewhere end up ego-tripping themselves to failure. We need a real mix which could only develop over many years time, and we need it integrated into the other neighborhoods of the basin. Good organic urbanism is like a seedling - you only want to supply the essentials to get things started.

[Tanster]

Edluv I dont think L.As trying to create something thats not there. We have everything to make L.A a 24hour downtown. Though it does not mean its trying to be chicago or NYC if anything L.As looking at the big picture of what wroks and what does not work. I dont know why so many complain about everything as If L.A is going to make its self.

[MapGoulet]

Originally Posted by edluva

^too hard to glean anything from the rendering. Just hope it avoids gaslampification. I think DTLA is at a point where redevelopment should just leave things be, just like any other neighborhood. We don't want a sterile family-friendly "restaurant-row" or "nightclub row" no matter how crowded and yuppified the streets. Downtown will never be manhattan or chicago's lakefront - it's too small to be analagous, and our various LES's, UES's, Greenwich Village's, and SOHO's are already established throughout the westside. It's a futile act trying to recreate all these things in the tiny little plot we call DTLA, and civic leaders and forumers who are pushing for a "24 hour city" status in DTLA really don't fundamentally understand LA for it's unique circumstances. DTLA is just another patch in the quilt stretching to the beach, just like the tip of Lower Manhattan is for the entire island. Don't hold any vainglorious delusions about DTLA being all things Manhattan to this vast city. Angelenos aspiring to create identity by looking elsewhere end up ego-tripping themselves to failure. We need a real mix which could only develop over many years time, and we need it integrated into the other neighborhoods of the basin. Good organic urbanism is like a seedling - you only want to supply the essentials to get things started.

Damn, I totally agree with you Edluva. Thanks for the balanced tone. The geographic reach of downtown, especially relative to the expanse of the urbanized "center" of LA, is too small, islolated, and incidental to support urbanism on a grand scale. And looking to other cities for inspiration is good for economic development, but bad for identity, perception, and growth of new culture. Regardless, it will be interesting to see what we do end up with in the next few years.

We already are seeing some examples. To me, South Park is largely sterile and devoid of community, however, I would say that the Old Bank District at 4th and Main feels to me to be the first "organic" neighborhood to hit LA in many years. Particulary now that other property owners (not just Gilmore) are spreading the retail and the rehab to neighboring buildings, and thus extending the neighborhood incrementally and without a grand plan.

[RAlossi]

Sure, Downtown is but a small part of the overall LA urban experience. But don't discount the Westlake and Koreatown neighborhoods that are urban experiences in their own right, and are Downtown-adjacent. Those are 'organic' neighborhoods as well, and they don't get enough exploration by forumers or Angelenos overall.

[BrandonJXN]

You also can't rule out East LA who will become another offshoot of DT in a year and a half's time.

[citywatch]

Originally Posted by MapGoulet

The geographic reach of downtown, especially relative to the expanse of the urbanized "center" of LA, is too small, islolated, and incidental to support urbanism on a grand scale.

The question is that a bad thing? Most ppl accustomed to really good cities would say "yes". Ppl into burbanism either would say "no" or "who cares?!" So they'd be more apathetic about the idea & goals of improving Broadway.

As for ppl who admire really top notch cities, yet who also are skeptical & negative----& happily cynical too----about improving a major street in DTLA? They may be the types who talk out of both sides of their mouth.

BTW, I drove by the tinker toy parking lot on Grand Ave last night & noticed green tarps now are hanging on its first level. I'm guessing they're an indication that demolition is coming a bit closer to reality. To that I say, hallelujah!!!

[Quixote]

Forget the Market! New Kor Group Project

By Rich Alossi
January 29, 2008

Located immediately adjacent to the Eastern Columbia Building on the northeast corner of 9th and Hill, a water-color rendering has been released for a new ground-up development to replace a current surface parking lot.

The more curious among us may count 21 or 22 stories in the proposed Fashion District residential building, though just trying gives me a headache. We can say with precision, however, that the tower is 240 feet high and will contain 158 live-work condominium units, 4,880 square-feet of retail and 245 parking spaces.

The Kor Group project at 850 S. Hill Street, designed by Nadel Architects, has been in the works since 2006, way back before the mortgage mess reached current proportions.

Think it’ll break ground anytime soon? We’ve contacted the developers for their take on the real estate market, and we’ll let you know as soon as we hear back.

-Eastern Columbia Welcomes First Retail Tenant
-Kor Group Planning a New Lounge in South Park
-1500 Figueroa Quietly Advances



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Source: angelenic

[deehrler]

Originally Posted by Affrojuice

From Curbed
Transportation Plan Update II: Aerial Tram!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008, by jwilliams

Via the net, editor Josh is listening to today's City Council hearing on traffic. Here is his second report: Lots of jabbering from Council Chambers. Currently Council Members are questioning a planner from Portland, Oregon who is thrusting his wisdom upon us. Councilman Eric Garcetti (CD13) noted that Portland's new aerial tram costs the same as light rail. He also mentioned that an aerial tram has been discussed as a possible solution to the "snarl of traffic" around Dodger Stadium, with the tram connecting Chinatown and the summit at Chavez Ravine. Hot damn, we want an aerial tram!

I actually rode the tram when I was in Portland, and it is awesome. It goes up the hill from the South waterfront to Oregon Health Sciences University at the top. Residents and Attending doctors at the hospital love the tram, cause they take it down the hill, and then hop on the streetcar, being able to get back and forth to work with out ever having to drive.

A tram would be great for Dodger Stadium. It could go from Chaves Ravine to the Chinatown Goldline stop, finally allowing a decent public transportation option to getting to dodger games

portland tram

pic from gridskipper.com

This should go further: Stop at the top of Radio Hill (view), Dodger Stadium, the sport fields on Angel's Point Rd.

From there, how about going along the LA River to Griffith Park and the Observatory and maybe to Universal City..... Think that I am kidding? Most of the right of way is publicly held......a private developer could be called in to finance the cost. It would be LA'S NUMBER ONE TOURIST ATTRACTION.

I think that the important thing to consider is that t would be quite useless for the Dodgers simply because it could not handle enough people in a short period of time. I hope that it goes further, not so much as a transportation solution, but as an attraction in itself.

The natural place for this to start would be El Pueblo State Park (Olvera St). It is closer to Union Station than Chinatown. It would be the great escape for Downtowners, with access to green space they don't currently have. It would open up our vast inaccessible parks. It would be a historical treasure that would display LA from its infancy to date with spectacular views.

If anyone is interested check out the Casa de Campo cable in Madrid Spain.