LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0

[Valyrian Steel]

Originally Posted by LAofAnaheim

I just hope gas prices keep spiking! Eventually, cars will become a luxury and not a necessity, that's my hope!

Prices can keep rising but that doesn't mean people will give up their cars. For many people, there's no better option than driving and gas is one thing they're willing to pay for regardless of how expensive it is. Mass transit still only serves a small part of the of LA metro.

[LAofAnaheim]

Originally Posted by brudy

Little Tokyo can only go south, so it will be interesting to see what happens. 3rd street is a almost complete waste with stupid head shops and is ripe for development. Once that 3rd and Main complex comes along, that might spur inroads.

Can only go south? That's a pretty negative statement. The Regional Connector is going to create a new station in Little Tokyo and remove the at-grade station, thus new development will be ripe for 1st and Alameda. Also, with Block 8 coming along (finally), you're going to see more people walking around the district during the day/night.

There is still room for growth, this places hasn't hit a saturation point.

[Illithid Dude]

I think he meant in terms of direction, not viability or vibrancy.

[edkao]

Anyone know what this will become?

[brudy]

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

I think he meant in terms of direction, not viability or vibrancy.

Yes. I meant south towards 3rd, not towards the bottom. LT is one of my favorite areas of downtown.

[StethJeff]

Originally Posted by edkao

Anyone know what this will become?

I've been wondering for over a month now what the hell those things are doing there. And there hasn't been much progress on whatever it is either.

[Wilcal]

Originally Posted by StethJeff

I've been wondering for over a month now what the hell those things are doing there. And there hasn't been much progress on whatever it is either.

Could it be another Los Angeles attempt at "crap" avant-garde art--aka "Triforium"?

[alki]

Originally Posted by LAofAnaheim

There was one building opened in Chinatown recently that had no parking, the name escapes me. I think it was an adaptive reuse project, hence why the variance was allowed. Of course, it filled up nicely. So this expectation that "everybody needs a car" is no longer true; it's a person's own choice.

I know the area around the Cornfield was recenlty approved for zoning without mandatory parking requirements, so it will be interesting how that area develops and the demand for livability. I'm assuming it will be gentrified just like our Historic Core. It's only people from the suburbs who will complain about lack of parking, that's their choice. Just like you have plenty of parking in the suburbs, that's your choice to buy a car, not everybody needs it.

I just hope gas prices keep spiking! Eventually, cars will become a luxury and not a necessity, that's my hope!

Actually, I was talking hi end hi rises. There have been smaller bldgs, rehabbed or new construction, that have been built with minimal parking but few hi rises. I am pretty certain if developers could get away without building parking they would. The demand must still be there.

[alki]

Originally Posted by Mojeda101

Little Tokyo isn't even done! Ava and 2nd/San Pedro are going up, and I wouldn't doubt once the Regional Connector begins, development will follow suit. For Chinatown, it'll take some time, but I can see a completely different Chinatown in 15-20 years. I wish they could have ran the red or purple lines into Chinatown. Would definitely improve that district.

Yeah, I forget how much vacant land is in Chinatown. I guess I am hoping that its location near Union Station would act as a catalyst for more residential development.

[alki]

Originally Posted by edkao

Anyone know what this will become?

It looks like a scene from War of the Worlds. Where is Tom Cruise?

[Wilcal]

Originally Posted by LAofAnaheim

Are you sure it's the developers requirement or the zoning requirement made by the City? Right now, our parking zoning is erreonously high. Developers have to request a lot of waivers to reduce that.

The next important step in the re-zoning is coming in the next 2 years (http://recode.la/). This will be THE most important document that will impact downtown LA. The good news is that downtown LA will be the first neighborhood to be re-zoned. You can follow all the updates here: https://twitter.com/recodela

Sadly, I predict that two years from now most of the surface parking lots (e.g. cheaper available land) in South Park will already be (or committed to be) developed with low rise "crap" stucco boxes. Any future high rise construction will have to take place on occupied parcels which, of course, increases the expense. If there is not enough demand for this cost, then there will be no construction. If the planning department envisions a more urban high density neighborhood, then it must find a way to incentivise this type of development. Otherwise, the area will have a squat (almost suburban) low profile. One which wastes the potential of its current and future infrastructure. It will be dense to a certain degree, but not to its potential, and it will not have the appearance that I think most in this forum would like to see. Population wise, if the current model of development continues, downtown at its build-out (realize that more than two thirds of the approximate five square miles is zoned for industrial and commercial use) would realize probably less than half its potential. In conclusion, the two year time frame may be too late. As typical of Los Angeles, it squandered an incredible opportunity.

[DtlaCuriousity]

Originally Posted by Wilcal

Could it be another Los Angeles attempt at "crap" avant-garde art--aka "Triforium"?

Maybe you're not too far off.

http://boe.lacity.org/uprs/report/ProjectInfoReport.cfm?k=3987&dmy=10517

I noticed these things too, yesterday while I was walking around. The city looks to be improving the pedestrian/aesthetic experience and linking Union Station to the other side of the 101. Great to hear that, but at a $2 mil price tag, I wish we could see some renderings. Look like it should be done by March of next year.

[Wilcal]

Originally Posted by DtlaCuriousity

Maybe you're not too far off.

http://boe.lacity.org/uprs/report/ProjectInfoReport.cfm?k=3987&dmy=10517

I noticed these things too, yesterday while I was walking around. The city looks to be improving the pedestrian/aesthetic experience and linking Union Station to the other side of the 101. Great to hear that, but at a $2 mil price tag, I wish we could see some renderings. Look like it should be done by March of next year.

I just checked the link--they can't be serious. Is it too difficult to imagine something else which may even be somewhat cheaper. How about widening the sidewalk a bit and placing planters with trees or some other vegetation?
I think that that would be more appreciated by pedestrians then some "shit
art." It appears that the art base supports take up so much space on the sidewalk such that three people walking together would have to single file through the structures or step in the street to walk around.Oh and by the way, how does the city think that this "art" will fare with neighborhood taggers? Once that starts (and we know it will) the whole effect will look embarrassingly shabby. I swear some people in city hall are such fuck-ups.

[DistrictDirt]

Originally Posted by Wilcal

I just checked the link--they can't be serious. Is it too difficult to imagine something else which may even be somewhat cheaper. How about widening the sidewalk a bit and placing planters with trees or some other vegetation?.

From the flyer:

This is the art component phase of a multi-phased project, which will
improve the pedestrian linkage between the Union Station and the Civic
Center. The scope of work is to construct a gateway art Overcrossing
structure over the widened westerly sidewalk of Los Angeles Street
between the US-101 Freeway southbound off-ramp and the El Pueblo
Historic District. A similar art structure will be constructed over the widened
easterly sidewalk of North Main Street.

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by Wilcal

Sadly, I predict that two years from now most of the surface parking lots (e.g. cheaper available land) in South Park will already be (or committed to be) developed with low rise "crap" stucco boxes. Any future high rise construction will have to take place on occupied parcels which, of course, increases the expense. If there is not enough demand for this cost, then there will be no construction. If the planning department envisions a more urban high density neighborhood, then it must find a way to incentivise this type of development. Otherwise, the area will have a squat (almost suburban) low profile. One which wastes the potential of its current and future infrastructure. It will be dense to a certain degree, but not to its potential, and it will not have the appearance that I think most in this forum would like to see. Population wise, if the current model of development continues, downtown at its build-out (realize that more than two thirds of the approximate five square miles is zoned for industrial and commercial use) would realize probably less than half its potential. In conclusion, the two year time frame may be too late. As typical of Los Angeles, it squandered an incredible opportunity.

Do you know how many empty lots there are in South Park? Even if ten low rise buildings started construction each year, it would take years before all the lots were filled up, and we all know ten low rise building won't start in South Park next year and every year following that. South Park will be fine.

[inSaeculaSaeculorum]

LA's population and economic dispersion doesn't warrant much beyond stucco boxes anywhere. The trick is to being transit to density nodes rather than trying to bring everyone to DTLA

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Originally Posted by inSaeculaSaeculorum

there is literally no reason to build in downtown los angeles other than to build a glorified shopping mall. LA's population growth has stagnated and it's financial base is diffused throughout the region, as opposed to most traditional urban centers where its concertrated in one area. i'm not sure that resonates in the heads of all the nerds here but LA's urban dream field rests on developing areas OUTSIDE of DTLA and bringing transit to places OUTSIDE of DTLA. DTLA will become a glorified Grove so there is no incentive to build high or big, wooden stucco boxes make economic sense for this neighborhood and thats what we'll get for the short term AND the long term. get used to it, guys. The LA Metro construction thread is way more important than the DTLA construction thread. It's no coincidence that all the better designed projects are happening outside of DTLA. I feel sorry for the nerds here that get excited over terrible retail like Acne or a crappy highrise like 9th and olive via massive desperation. but this menatlity is poisonous too. the focus on DTLA is hurting the city as a whole. We'll never be a world class city if we keep focusing on DTLA. Sorry simcity nerds, this isn't how life works

who the hell are you to call us nerds? secondly, youre right... all the billions being poured into downtown LA by private developers is nonsense. what do they know? some geek on SSP said we are all wrong because he is right.

[Valyrian Steel]

Originally Posted by inSaeculaSaeculorum

there is literally no reason to build in downtown los angeles other than to build a glorified shopping mall. LA's population growth has stagnated and it's financial base is diffused throughout the region, as opposed to most traditional urban centers where its concertrated in one area. i'm not sure that resonates in the heads of all the nerds here but LA's urban dream field rests on developing areas OUTSIDE of DTLA and bringing transit to places OUTSIDE of DTLA. DTLA will become a glorified Grove so there is no incentive to build high or big, wooden stucco boxes make economic sense for this neighborhood and thats what we'll get for the short term AND the long term. get used to it, guys. The LA Metro construction thread is way more important than the DTLA construction thread. It's no coincidence that all the better designed projects are happening outside of DTLA. I feel sorry for the nerds here that get excited over terrible retail like Acne or a crappy highrise like 9th and olive via massive desperation. but this menatlity is poisonous too. the focus on DTLA is hurting the city as a whole. We'll never be a world class city if we keep focusing on DTLA. Sorry simcity nerds, this isn't how life works

Whatever you say, Joel Kotkin.

[202_Cyclist]

Originally Posted by inSaeculaSaeculorum

there is literally no reason to build in downtown los angeles other than to build a glorified shopping mall. LA's population growth has stagnated and it's financial base is diffused throughout the region, as opposed to most traditional urban centers where its concertrated in one area. i'm not sure that resonates in the heads of all the nerds here but LA's urban dream field rests on developing areas OUTSIDE of DTLA and bringing transit to places OUTSIDE of DTLA. DTLA will become a glorified Grove so there is no incentive to build high or big, wooden stucco boxes make economic sense for this neighborhood and thats what we'll get for the short term AND the long term. get used to it, guys. The LA Metro construction thread is way more important than the DTLA construction thread. It's no coincidence that all the better designed projects are happening outside of DTLA. I feel sorry for the nerds here that get excited over terrible retail like Acne or a crappy highrise like 9th and olive via massive desperation. but this menatlity is poisonous too. the focus on DTLA is hurting the city as a whole. We'll never be a world class city if we keep focusing on DTLA. Sorry simcity nerds, this isn't how life works

Exactly! I am not convinced there is a shortage of land downtown but if there is, all of these 7-8 story wood buildings would encourage development of marginal land downtown (such as next to the rail yards around Union Station). It will also encourage development throughout LA- Hollywood, Century City, Koreatown. This should be LA's strategy, encourage development downtown, while also developing all of the other regional nodes which LA is known for.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Originally Posted by 202_Cyclist

Exactly! I am not convinced there is a shortage of land downtown but if there is, all of these 7-8 story wood buildings would encourage development of marginal land downtown (such as next to the rail yards around Union Station). It will also encourage development throughout LA- Hollywood, Century City, Koreatown. This should be LA's strategy, encourage development downtown, while also developing all of the other regional nodes which LA is known for.

which is exactly what is happening. Hollywood is booming, Koreatown is booming, Century City is booming, Santa Monica, Glendale, West Hollywood...... Its not Downtown or bust. Its Downtown AND the rest of the city.