LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0

[Quixote]

Originally Posted by bobcat

First look at the Macy's project.

It's a shame that they're not going to redo the facade of the two towers. That curtain wall is equally as antiquated as the brick itself.

[DistrictDirt]

Originally Posted by brudy

I don't know anything about transit design, but the way all the bus stops are clustered in downtown is pretty rough if you live or work near one of these. In other cities I've lived in I haven't seen stops clustered so heavily. Along 5th and 6th, including where I live, there might be 30 people waiting for the buses outside my door, depending upon time of day. The other day on 6th/grand I saw 5 buses pulled over at stops at once. Is that normal or optimal for transit design? I understand that people are connecting, but it treats downtown as nothing more than a transit hub.

At least some of this is due to the width of the sidewalk. Narrow sidewalks mean less space to stand close to the actual stop, and people are forced to spread out along the sidewalk on either side. The biggest offender I can think of the 6th street 720 stop between Broadway and Spring. Trying to walk down 6th during rush hour is like running the gauntlet.

[ChelseaFC]

Originally Posted by bobcat

First look at the Macy's project.

They are missing something in that rendering.

[citywatch]

Originally Posted by bobcat

Their website is up now and it *does* look like a video screen!

they apparently also will be creating a new level above the current main one, or where large blank wall space now exists, seen in this pic...



vrimagers.com

those walls originally were a wooden...or what looks like wood....facade. then they remodeled the interior by installing a very checkerboard design, with peach/orangey colored fields alternating with a lighter shade.


flickriver.com

they also removed the old fashioned type lights, which date back to the 1970s, & replaced them with a plainer, blander style.


flickriver.com

^ all the brick used in the original design was dark & unappealing to me. the brick floors are esp unattractive & have an unpleasant texture about them. that's why the renovation of this area cannot arrive a second too soon.

I don't care for the new name & hope they change it. "the bloc" makes me think of a shopping ctr in the OC.

I don't think it's realistic to want the new owner to limit all the shopping areas to the outer walls along the sidewalk, next to flower st or 7th St. that's cuz much of the existing floor space for shops is towards the middle of the block, between the hotel & office bldg.

the very difficult area is the lower level, or sort of the plaza's basement, & it looks & feels exactly like a basement. It has a shorter ceiling height too, just like a basement. Much of it is also under the main floor of macy's & so it will be impossible to get natural light to flood down into it. but if they remove all the gloomy brick & install something brighter & sleeker, that will go a long way to removing the feel of a basement...or dungeon.

I hope that website adds more pics in upcoming wks or months.

[RuFFy]

The design strikes me as a smaller scale, less colorful Horton Plaza. That's not necessarily a bad thing. I'd like to see what the punctured holes in the structure look like.

[StethJeff]

Originally Posted by brudy

Agreed. That's going to be prime real estate in a year or two after the 4th and Broadway buildings start going up. Taco #1 and La Cita can't be long for this world. That would also probably end the blightyness of the two metro plazas.

I'll tell ya though, standing there in Grand Central at the coffee bar, watching Angel's Flight go up and down packed with tourists, the jacarandas blowing in the breeze, loads of people passing through GCM, it felt pretty awesome.

Do you have a visual field cut or did you simply ignore the dozens-strong homeless colony that permanently occupies what would overwise be a nice park next to Angels Flight? Hill St has the potential to be awesome. It is definitely not, however.

[StethJeff]

Originally Posted by bobcat

First look at the Macy's project.

I find it hard to be picky about this one. Not only is it a huge upgrade from what is currently there, it actually exceeds what I expected. Increased retail, open air, attractive entrance, video board, etc. Sounds good to me.

[StethJeff]

Originally Posted by citywatch

they apparently also will be creating a new level above the current main one, or where large blank wall space now exists, seen in this pic...

That's gotta be the most flattering photo I've ever seen. I have trouble believing that's our current eyesore on 7th.

[ConstructDTLA]

Originally Posted by DistrictDirt

At least some of this is due to the width of the sidewalk. Narrow sidewalks mean less space to stand close to the actual stop, and people are forced to spread out along the sidewalk on either side. The biggest offender I can think of the 6th street 720 stop between Broadway and Spring. Trying to walk down 6th during rush hour is like running the gauntlet.

Wider sidewalks could be nice all around Downtown (5th, 6th, SPRING, etc). It wouldn't have any effect on the overall shittiness that is all the bus stops and the hoards that surround them (sorry to tell it like it is). A couple of the worst sections to walk; the spot in front of Macys plaza, and the spot in front of Ross. Two massive sidewalks.

Here's a pic taken today in front of the beloved Ross.


Theres no point talking about the terrible effect the bus stops have on the overall feel of downtown - it can sadly never be fixed. Heres another image taken this evening right after they pulled the paper down on Andrew Meierans long overdue store at the corner of 7th & Spring. Looks extremely cool!!

[Quixote]

Originally Posted by StethJeff

That's gotta be the most flattering photo I've ever seen. I have trouble believing that's our current eyesore on 7th.

I've actually never been inside. Doesn't look anywhere near as egregious as I thought it would. Loads of potential. I'm getting excited.

[Easy]

Originally Posted by ChelseaFC

They are missing something in that rendering.

They have some sort of placeholder for 8th/hope. Is that it? Because I think that the Wilshire Grand is just outside on the bottom right.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

anyone have an update on this??

http://laist.com/2012/06/07/hide_sweet_hidden_dtla_batchelder_s.php#photo-1

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Originally Posted by StethJeff

That's gotta be the most flattering photo I've ever seen. I have trouble believing that's our current eyesore on 7th.

it look nothing like that inside right now. place has had years of deferred maintenance...

[saybanana]

It's hard to tell what the new Macy's Plaza looks like at street level. It looks like it will have 3 levels of shops/eateries because I think I see two bridges.

The Glendale Galleria is a giant brick fortress much like DT Macy's Plaza. The GG is renovating and it is looking more inviting by their rendenings. Im curious to what the Bloomingdales section will look like. I know they knocked down a lot of brick on the bottom level. The interior of the GG is so white, bright and glassy. Somehow I think Macy's Plaza will be something similar. on all 4 sides.

[Illithid Dude]

Santa Monica did something similar to the Macy's attached to the old Santa Monica place, knocking windows and entrances into an old, brick, fortress-building. Now it's a Nordstrom's.

[brudy]

Originally Posted by StethJeff

Do you have a visual field cut or did you simply ignore the dozens-strong homeless colony that permanently occupies what would overwise be a nice park next to Angels Flight? Hill St has the potential to be awesome. It is definitely not, however.

Yeah, the angle I was at and a large pillar blocked the metro plaza next to angel's flight. That encampment is growing out of control with the homeless now sometimes leaving their structures up all day and storing their crap in the bushes. It's an embarrassment for the city to have that in a tourist and business area. The stuff I see happen there on a daily basis is pretty awful.

[brudy]

Originally Posted by LosAngelesSportsFan

anyone have an update on this??

http://laist.com/2012/06/07/hide_sweet_hidden_dtla_batchelder_s.php#photo-1

I first read about that chocolate shop almost a year ago. It's an antiques shop now. Occasionally the door will be open and as of maybe a month ago there wasn't anything going on in there in terms of development that I could see. Last year it was open for visitors to walk around in one art walk night. It's an absolutely stunning space, the kind of magical lost in time urban space you dream about. I hope something happens with it soon, but I'm not holding my breath.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Thanks Brudy.

In regards to the Homeless situation.. i have complained to the city many times regarding the tents on Spring right outside Olvera street and they had a city inspector call me. Apparently, the ruling from that retarded judge is still in affect and the city cant force them to move. There is an advocacy group that is basically filming any interaction with police and the homeless and the cities hands are tied. i asked the guy if we could get the judges address so that the homeless can go shit, piss, fuck and do drugs on her / his front door and he said that they had thought of doing the same (Lol) but dont have her info. Im really tired of how common sense isnt factored in by the judge. The biggest problem is the health hazard of that many mentally ill, sick and unhealthy people congregating in one place and passing disease to everyone else. enough is enough

[202_Cyclist]

Originally Posted by LosAngelesSportsFan

Thanks Brudy.

In regards to the Homeless situation.. i have complained to the city many times regarding the tents on Spring right outside Olvera street and they had a city inspector call me. Apparently, the ruling from that retarded judge is still in affect and the city cant force them to move. There is an advocacy group that is basically filming any interaction with police and the homeless and the cities hands are tied. i asked the guy if we could get the judges address so that the homeless can go shit, piss, fuck and do drugs on her / his front door and he said that they had thought of doing the same (Lol) but dont have her info. Im really tired of how common sense isnt factored in by the judge. The biggest problem is the health hazard of that many mentally ill, sick and unhealthy people congregating in one place and passing disease to everyone else. enough is enough

I understand the safety issue posed by the homeless but please have a little more sympathy from them. Many of them are mentally ill and some of them are homeless through just bad luck and some bad choices. Just try imagining being homeless and not having a dry, safe, place to sleep or a warm meal to eat for one day.

Yes, nobody wants to see the homeless but they deserve some compassion.

[brudy]

Originally Posted by 202_Cyclist

I understand the safety issue posed by the homeless but please have a little more sympathy from them. Many of them are mentally ill and some of them are homeless through just bad luck and some bad choices. Just try imagining being homeless and not having a dry, safe, place to sleep or a warm meal to eat for one day.

Yes, nobody wants to see the homeless but they deserve some compassion.

Obviously they deserve compassion. But it's not an either/or situation. Don't make it out like someone is for or against the homeless just because someone wants the city to be cleaner. It's not that simple. I can be compassionate but not want to dodge over vomit or feces, or needles, or fear for my wife when she needs to take the dog out at night when drunk and drugged out people harass her. Or be around the serious and heavy drug use that occurs in these encampments. Is it compassionate that they are left to live this way? The other day I saw a guy literally pee on the sidewalk and then roll around in it. How is letting them live that way compassionate?

Maybe I don't want downtown to be the epicenter of homelessness and criminals (often their first stop after being let out) because the city made terrible decisions a few decades ago. As downtown develops and revitalizes the city and state need to figure out something. Skid Row can't be allowed to persist (or indeed grow by adding more housing). It needs to be decentralized. I'm not saying abolish services by any means, but having all the regions' homeless in one area is not good for anybody.