LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 3.0 - Page 443

BrandonJXN · #**8841** Posted **Jul 16, 2010, 2:14 PM**

Here is Broad's 'rival.'

Shen Yun Preforming Arts Center (From Curbed)

This does not belong anywhere on the planet.

sopas ej · #**8842** Posted **Jul 16, 2010, 2:48 PM**

Maybe a new Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas? But then most of Las Vegas doesn't belong on this planet, either.

--------------------------

And I'm not trying to play devil's advocate, but for those calling for the removal of the County buildings for a park, any suggestions on where the new ones could be built? LA County would obviously still need a Hall of Administration and Hall of Records, etc. That's why this Civic Center was created in the first place, after all. Over the years, LA County's offices have decentralized to such random places as having the County Registrar in Norwalk, the Sheriff's Headquarters in Monterey Park; isn't it better to have them all in the same area downtown? This is why I was likening this park more to a mini-DC Mall (namely a park lined with civic buildings and museums, with the availability of it being used as an event space) rather than NYC's Central Park.

JDRCRASH · #**8843** Posted **Jul 16, 2010, 2:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Westsidelife

But I'm happy this thing has finally gotten off the ground. Civic Park today, Pershing Square tomorrow!

Park 101 the day after that!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThreeHundred

This does not belong anywhere on the planet.

Sure it does. In Chinatown.

BrandonJXN · #**8844** Posted **Jul 16, 2010, 3:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by sopas ej

Maybe a new Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas? But then most of Las Vegas doesn't belong on this planet, either.

--------------------------

And I'm not trying to play devil's advocate, but for those calling for the removal of the County buildings for a park, any suggestions on where the new ones could be built? LA County would obviously still need a Hall of Administration and Hall of Records, etc. That's why this Civic Center was created in the first place, after all. Over the years, LA County's offices have decentralized to such random places as having the County Registrar in Norwalk, the Sheriff's Headquarters in Monterey Park; isn't it better to have them all in the same area downtown? This is why I was likening this park more to a mini-DC Mall (namely a park lined with civic buildings and museums, with the availability of it being used as an event space) rather than NYC's Central Park.

An idea I had for a while: What if the county all pitched in and moved into a new skyscraper? I was thinking they could revive Cal Plaza 3.

LosAngelesSportsFan · #**8845** Posted **Jul 16, 2010, 4:40 PM**

i believe a new highrise housing all those was brought up at one point, no? also, the sheriff will be moving back to downtown LA, at least they want to, into the building being renovated on hill and the freeway if i recall correctly.

pesto · #**8846** Posted **Jul 16, 2010, 6:23 PM**

OK; how about County moves to Spring/Bway, down to about 3rd or so. Plenty of empty upper floors that can be refurbed. Right on the trolley line to rest of Civic Center, etc. If a separate building is needed, something can be refurbed or built on Bway or Spring.

The existing county buildings become several mid-rise residential or more park space.

Chinese monstrosity goes to Hollywood Blvd. or Sunset near Scientology. If they just want theater space, that's available on Bway or Hollywood.

LosAngelesBeauty · #**8847** Posted **Jul 16, 2010, 6:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LosAngelesSportsFan

i believe a new highrise housing all those was brought up at one point, no? also, the sheriff will be moving back to downtown LA, at least they want to, into the building being renovated on hill and the freeway if i recall correctly.

Yes, the Hall of Justice

LosAngelesBeauty · #**8848** Posted **Jul 16, 2010, 7:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pesto

OK; how about County moves to Spring/Bway, down to about 3rd or so. Plenty of empty upper floors that can be refurbed. Right on the trolley line to rest of Civic Center, etc. If a separate building is needed, something can be refurbed or built on Bway or Spring.

The existing county buildings become several mid-rise residential or more park space.

Chinese monstrosity goes to Hollywood Blvd. or Sunset near Scientology. If they just want theater space, that's available on Bway or Hollywood.

I like your idea of moving the County services to buildings on Broadway or Spring.

The existing county buildings are seismically damaged by the Northridge quake and would need extensive repair to bring them up to habitable standards again. That is probably the best case of demolishing those hulking monstrosities because they are seismically damaged and would cost a lot of money to seismically retrofit them. That same money could be directed to another site, or lease out existing office space somewhere else in downtown.

Remove them, expand the parkland to the perimeter edges where it meets the SIDEWALKS. This will also allow a beautiful 360 degree view from the newly expanded park that will allow people to see the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, the Disney Concert Hall, Library Tower, the future Grand Avenue Project, the future Fed Courthouse, etc. which are all non-visible right now with the County buildings there.

Plus, it is important to have the park be as open as possible to allow as much access as possible to make it the most attractive as possible.

This is no ordinary park. This is going to be one of the most important public spaces in Downtown LA. And if you believe that Downtown LA will eventually become the most significant district out of many districts in LA, then it is incredibly important to invest the energy to improving our public realm so that the future success of it begets more success in the form of more economic development, prestige, desirability, etc. These indirect qualitative benefits arise from coherency in urban form, and given that most companies relocate to where the top executives want them to be, it is important to create an environment that is also appealing to top company execs.

sopas ej · #**8849** Posted **Jul 16, 2010, 7:20 PM**

I like the idea of the park eventually expanding out to the sidewalks, but I'm not all that big on locating County administration and services to Spring/Broadway. The Civic Center was created in the mid-20th Century precisely because County government offices were scattered throughout downtown (and beyond) in leased office space. I'm thinking high-rise and skyscraper County buildings, maybe on the old Parker Center site, as well as on the site of the foundation of the old State Office Building at 1st and Spring; something distinctive (but not overpowering City Hall) could be built there to bookend that side of the park, being that the Criminal Courts Building will be on the north side of it anyway.

LosAngelesBeauty · #**8850** Posted **Jul 16, 2010, 7:33 PM**

^ No disagreement here. That would be great if they could build a high-rise within the Civic Center (possibly at the old Parker Center) and keep those services within walking distance of each other.

I would like to have my cake and eat it too: Get rid of the current hulking county buildings, open up the land to expanded parkland, create added density by taking advantage of underutilized space. Wow, that sounds like "Real City" talk there!

DistrictDirt · #**8851** Posted **Jul 16, 2010, 10:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LosAngelesBeauty

Yeah, that's why I hardly ever read the comments on Curbed LA! There are only a handful of posters on there that I align with. I think Chris Loos is one of them. There are a few more.

And...that would be me!

-Chris/DD

DistrictDirt · #**8852** Posted **Jul 16, 2010, 10:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThreeHundred

Curbed LA is where intelligence goes to die. I can't stand the comments there as they remind me of the comments on Youtube.

Yes there's a few of idiots/curmudgeons, but pointing out the holes in their 'arguments' is good sport and excellent work procrastination fodder.

I think the vast majority of readers are probably okay, but they don't leave comments, or just leave comments as guests.

colemonkee · #**8853** Posted **Jul 17, 2010, 1:18 AM**

The old Parker Center site would be the best answer to moving County Records and Court House operations. Jan Perry already ordered a study of what City or County use could be made of that property, and hopefully she's considering that. Though a few well-timed letters to her could at lease keep it top of mind. Hint, hint...

LosAngelesBeauty · #**8854** Posted **Jul 17, 2010, 2:04 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by colemonkee

The old Parker Center site would be the best answer to moving County Records and Court House operations. Jan Perry already ordered a study of what City or County use could be made of that property, and hopefully she's considering that. Though a few well-timed letters to her could at lease keep it top of mind. Hint, hint...

She's also on Facebook, which is instant access to her.

I think I might post on her wall. Anyone else want to do the same thing?

LosAngelesBeauty · #**8855** Posted **Jul 17, 2010, 2:04 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DistrictDirt

And...that would be me!

-Chris/DD

You're Chris Loos?!

I had no idea!

Blueseattle · #**8856** Posted **Jul 18, 2010, 3:16 AM**

does anyone have update on 537 S Broadway? or the spring arcade, metropolitan building, jewelry trades building or the chester williams? thanks

colemonkee · #**8857** Posted **Jul 18, 2010, 6:31 PM**

^ I don't have any updates on those at the moment, but here's one on Glass Tower, long thought by many to be dead in the water. Apparently it's down, but not out. From the Downtown News:

Glass Tower Gets Extension

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES - A long-stalled plan to build a 25-floor condominium tower in South Park notched an extension last week from the Community Redevelopment Agency.

The proposed Glass Tower at Grand Avenue and 11th Street has been unable to secure construction financing since the CRA awarded the project a density variance in 2005; the variance was contingent upon developer Amir Kalantari securing building permits within five years. With that deadline looming and no financing in place, Kalantari sought a delay. “Allowing the variation to remain in place until financing becomes available will allow the developer to quickly commence construction activities when the financial crisis eases,” said a CRA staff report. “The faster construction can commence, the faster the project can assist in the community’s economic recovery.” In 2008, plans called for a $60 million project that would include 128 high-end condos and take two years to build.

Read the article here: http://www.ladowntownnews.com/articles/2010/07/16/news/doc4c40cdc4c5606675534601.txt

RAlossi · #**8858** Posted **Jul 18, 2010, 10:29 PM**

The Downtown Center BID has added the Spring/Broadway Arcade buildings to their Saturday housing tour. FWIW, they've also added the Blackstone to the list. That means they're ready for occupancy soon, if not already!

Der Blut · #**8859** Posted **Jul 19, 2010, 1:29 AM**

Medallion, El Dorado, Spring/Broadway Arcade Building and Blackstone filling up with residents soon. SB tower filling up now as well too, WOW.

Has the historic core turned the corner? I sure hope so because I wouldn't mind a few more restaurants and some retail down here.

Kingofthehill · #**8860** Posted **Jul 20, 2010, 2:19 AM**