LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0

[LA21st]

It's too low rise for me. If this is gonna be the center of LA transit, it needs to be higher density. This looks like a Washington D.C. style development. Why
not go bigger?

[DistrictDirt]

Originally Posted by LA21st

It's too low rise for me. If this is gonna be the center of LA transit, it needs to be higher density. This looks like a Washington D.C. style development. Why
not go bigger?

Um...have you seen what DC is doing to their Union Station?? I only wish LA would do that kind of density around our Union Station.

Video Link

[Valyrian Steel]

Originally Posted by The Illusive Man

Actually now that I think about it, those buildings are a terrible idea. It needs to be at least 40 stories high, otherwise LA will never be a true world class walkable city.

.

[Quixote]

I wouldn't split hairs over what probably is a conceptual drawing (rendering was the wrong term). I'm encouraged that our city planners are starting to think in grander terms. That area behind Union Station is just begging to be either a bustling new urban district or a large park. Just BEGGING.

[StethJeff]

If our infrastructure, density, and lack of rail keeps us from being world class-y enough, it's good to at least see that our cultural institutions are picking up some of the slack. Going back to when I was in high school:

1) Getty Center made an enormous splash and became our it museum
2) WDCH became an instant tourist attraction and a city showpiece
3) Getty Villa reopened
4) LACMA expanded and added the wildly popular street lamps and boulder
5) Griffith Observatory got an awesome overhaul and expansion
6) LACMA's considering an awesome Zumthor redesign
7) NHM made some much needed upgrades
8) We have a f****** Space Shuttle!
9) The Broad will also likely be a smash

And I'm sure there's more. We may never be London, Paris, or Amsterdam, but damn we're doing a good job of making LA interesting. I mean seriously, a f****** Space Shuttle.

[The Illusive Man]

Yeah, but come on guys. 40 story towers though. Anything else is worthless. We need 40 story towers with crazy, spectacular, and wavy designs. Anything else is boring. We also need to make sure each building completely activates every single sidewalk. I also want trains, street cars, subways, and buses all on the same street! Pedestrian lifestyle to the max baby!

[blackcat23]

Delete

[LA21st]

Originally Posted by DistrictDirt

Um...have you seen what DC is doing to their Union Station?? I only wish LA would do that kind of density around our Union Station.

Video Link

I'm from Northern Virginia. I know DC well. But the development reminds me of a DC type scale.

[Mojeda101]

Heading to the city center on Saturday after the Flugtag festival. A long overdue update. Wonder how tall 8th and Hope, and 9th and Olive have risen.

[202_Cyclist]

More people, making more money, are flocking to downtown L.A

By Emily Alpert
September 19, 2013
LA Times

"More people are flocking to downtown Los Angeles -- and they have more money to spend, downtown advocates declared as they unveiled the results of a new study Thursday.

“We have more people. They’re making more money. They are more educated. And they are demanding more,” said Carol Schatz, president and chief executive of the Downtown Center Business Improvement District..."

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me...urvey-20130919,0,2405447.story?track=rss

[colemonkee]

Originally Posted by Mojeda101

Heading to the city center on Saturday after the Flugtag festival. A long overdue update. Wonder how tall 8th and Hope, and 9th and Olive have risen.

Decking for the 3rd floor is up on 9th and Olive, and 8th and Hope is now well above the parking structure next door. I didn't count because I was pulling my car into Ralph's, but it's at least 7-8 stories or more. Both are making a noticeable impact on their local environs.

[Trojan]

Originally Posted by colemonkee

Decking for the 3rd floor is up on 9th and Olive, and 8th and Hope is now well above the parking structure next door. I didn't count because I was pulling my car into Ralph's, but it's at least 7-8 stories or more. Both are making a noticeable impact on their local environs.

Oh my gosh, you drive to Ralphs...?

[blackcat23]

Originally Posted by colemonkee

Decking for the 3rd floor is up on 9th and Olive, and 8th and Hope is now well above the parking structure next door. I didn't count because I was pulling my car into Ralph's, but it's at least 7-8 stories or more. Both are making a noticeable impact on their local environs.

8th and Hope had decking up for the 10th floor when I walked by on Monday. Quite a bit taller than the parking garage next door, now.

[Easy]

Originally Posted by Trojan

Oh my gosh, you drive to Ralphs...?

He should instead drive home from work and walk a mile to the grocery store?

[LAofAnaheim]

Originally Posted by Easy

He should instead drive home from work and walk a mile to the grocery store?

Why drive home from work? I work in Santa Monica and live in downtown LA and either take Big Blue Bus Rapid 10 or bike across the city/connect with Expo Line.

People can get around LA without cars.......just try new things. It's unfortunate that driving and parking is too convenient in this city.

[ThomJames]

Originally Posted by LAofAnaheim

Why drive home from work? I work in Santa Monica and live in downtown LA and either take Big Blue Bus Rapid 10 or bike across the city/connect with Expo Line.

People can get around LA without cars.......just try new things. It's unfortunate that driving and parking is too convenient in this city.

I think people are being a touch too critical here. It's a little hard to carry a couple of twelve packs home, and sometimes you NEED to take a car to the supermarket. I hardly think that puts him at the top of the list of gross polluters, nor that he deserves to be castigated by the public transit crowd for driving to the supermarket.

I live downtown, walk to work, take public transport regularly, walk to Ralph's, Target and the Japanese supermarkets, but once in a while use carshare and visit these places. Jeez.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, to my surprise I've been car-free for over 4 years.

[The Illusive Man]

Originally Posted by ThomJames

I think people are being a touch too critical here. It's a little hard to carry a couple of twelve packs home, and sometimes you NEED to take a car to the supermarket. I hardly think that puts him at the top of the list of gross polluters, nor that he deserves to be castigated by the public transit crowd for driving to the supermarket.

I live downtown, walk to work, take public transport regularly, walk to Ralph's, Target and the Japanese supermarkets, but once in a while use carshare and visit these places. Jeez.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, to my surprise I've been car-free for over 4 years.

I don't see what the big issues with cars are. Sure, I want more public transit options, but what if you actually like driving? Also, it's a pain in the ass having to lug heavy groceries and children on a train and then having to walk to your home. How about big items?

There is nothing more convenient than a vehicle. Hate them or love them, the'll always be here and will always be far more convenient that trains, buses, and walking. Stop hating.

Not saying that I don't want the options of trains, subways, and having stores close to me, but come on.

[Trojan]

Originally Posted by ThomJames

I think people are being a touch too critical here. It's a little hard to carry a couple of twelve packs home, and sometimes you NEED to take a car to the supermarket. I hardly think that puts him at the top of the list of gross polluters, nor that he deserves to be castigated by the public transit crowd for driving to the supermarket.

I live downtown, walk to work, take public transport regularly, walk to Ralph's, Target and the Japanese supermarkets, but once in a while use carshare and visit these places. Jeez.

Oh, and I forgot to mention, to my surprise I've been car-free for over 4 years.

Dear Thom James, guess you didn't sense the sarcasm. And secondly, I wasn't talkin to u neway!

[Valyrian Steel]

Originally Posted by Trojan

Dear Thom James, guess you didn't sense the sarcasm. And secondly, I wasn't talkin to u neway!

He was replying to LAofAnaheim, not you.

[Easy]

Originally Posted by LAofAnaheim

Why drive home from work? I work in Santa Monica and live in downtown LA and either take Big Blue Bus Rapid 10 or bike across the city/connect with Expo Line.

People can get around LA without cars.......just try new things. It's unfortunate that driving and parking is too convenient in this city.

Or you could work closer to home and contribute even less to pollution and congestion. And while I also wish that more people took advantage of transit, I disagree that it's bad to have choices.