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Originally Posted by RAlossi
Just a couple updates / observations from my perspective while walking around today...
There's some work going on in the Chinatown/El Pueblo area on Alameda, which I *think* is a project to reconfigure north Alameda to be more pedestrian friendly and connect it to the new (temporary) park. Last I heard, the DOT is adding curbs to the area of North Alameda/Main Street/Cesar Chavez. As it is now, it's one big triangle of asphalt with no definable roadway or walkway. Also, the city is installing new reddish sidewalks around El Pueblo/Olvera Street.
Things are looking really nice now that the old fountain area has been redone to a quiet little park/"gazebo", lights have been added to the trees, and the whole Plaza has been cleaned up quite a bit since I started going Downtown a few years ago. Lots of tourists pouring out of Union Station and spending time (and money) at Olvera Street while waiting for their Amtrak connection...
In Little Tokyo, several buildings are undergoing some small renovations. The New Otani Hotel (previously mentioned by another poster here) received a paint job and some updated lighting on the 2nd Street side. In Weller Court, Marukai Market has completed its move to the north side of the building, to a more updated, larger space. The previous space is being converted into some type of office space or bank as far as I could tell. Curry House To-Go has added Saturday hours when previously it was only a Monday-Friday thing. The general condition of Weller Court is not good, however -- so I really hope that the owner (New Otani?) will pour some significant money into it and/or retrofit it entirely. There's an office building at the northeastern block of First/San Pedro that has undergone some cosmetic updating.
Pinkberry is coming to the Cultural Village Plaza, and the Teramachi Senior Housing complex is almost ready for move-ins if they haven't started already. The entire district feels a lot cleaner and more friendly compared to several years ago. Central Avenue between First and Second is pretty nice, especially with the Hikari open now. Lots of cool clothing shops are open on Second Street.
There were lots of people milling about the Financial District, but many stores are closed on the weekends. This is something that's got to start changing for there to be progress in the area, IMO.
I'm really glad to hear of the significant push to make 7th Street a "restaurant row" for Downtown. I didn't get a chance to check out the area aside from between Figueroa and Grand, but the Roosevelt's retail will add a lot. Before it seemed a bit worn out. I wasn't even approached by anyone asking me for money, though a homeless guy who seemed to be on drugs kept calling me and my boyfriend faggots and other nasty comments...
The mall at City National Plaza (505 Flower?) was really creepy. The lights were on but there was no one home. Muzak in a completely empty mall with all the stores closed was weird. The 24 Hour Fitness was open, but not very full... This is all in direct contrast to Macy's Plaza, which was pretty active.
I'm not really going to comment on South Park since it's been talked about on here so much, but I will say that I'm really impressed with the overall feeling of progress I get when I'm there. Grand Hope Park had a lot of families, though I do wish the owner of the park (is it the city?) would remove the fence around the perimeter.
Sorry, but I didn't bring my camera with me! ::ashamed::
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Very interesting observations. I might add a couple myself. As a new part time resident, I am so impressed with what is being accomplished and under impressed with what is not.
On the positive side...there is so much going on that will change the look of downtown for years to come. By the end of the year, we will hopefully see a real shift lack of street traffic (walking).
Today I took the Red Line to the Hollywood Farmers Market on Ivar. What a great market. It is so easy to get to from downtown. Then I stopped at the Standard Downtown for some pancakes..they were great...almost on par with Dupars.
On the negative side...most of the people walking downtown were either mentally ill or on drugs. A couple of people were so bad off I wanted to call the City to get them some help. They do not belong on the streets. They need some medication and hospitalization. What kind of society are we to allow this?
Also, I think the Downtown BID needs to clean the sidewalks...so many ugly, stained sidewalks. Get a water pressure hose or a sandblaster to clean these up. I am referring mostly to streets south of 7th and east of Hope.
The other item is what I find in Europe. Take Paris for example. Lots of Tree lined streets (Plane Trees mostly) and flowers. Downtown needs more grass and flowers. With our great weather, we should have a "park district". I know the Fashion District and South Park are going to start some major landscaping in the next few months, but we need so much more. The Ficus Trees are along the streets are nice and green, but so many need to be trimmed and many replaced with more street friendly trees.
I read recently that the triangle near Angelique Cafe is going to be landscaped...bravo. We need more landscaped medians!
In a few years, I believe Downtown will be a completely different area. We need to pressure businesses to do their part (tables, chairs, flowers). We need to support those businesses who are responsible. the "Globe" theatre is an example of a bad business...they renovate the theatre...but the part you see on Broadway is sadly in disrepair. Do you agree????