LOS ANGELES | METRO Project Rundown 2.0 (non-downtown)

[bzcat]

Originally Posted by colemonkee

^ blackcat makes a good point. The other thing that hinders Century City is that outside of Westfield Century City and Craft (or possibly the Annenberg Center for Photography), there's nothing to do in Century City, and all of those attractions are inwardly designed, so they'll never activate the street. The eventual arrival of the Purple Line (which I do think will happen) will make it easier to get in and out of Century City without a car, but Century City would need some pretty dramatic programmatic changes before it's streets become activated at night or on weekends.

The Century Plaza re-design is supposed to create the pedestrian center but we shall see...

The issue with Century City is two fold...

1. It has an actual working studio - unfortunately, Fox is not about to knock down the fence and open its gates.

2. The low rise gated developments on the south end is ridiculously wrong 25 years ago, and it is just silly now. Unfortunately, it won't get redeveloped, probably ever.

Given those two constrains, there is still a lot we can do to make century City more user-friendly. The subway will help immensely once it is here but short of that happening, these are the things I would do:

1. Make sure the Century Plaza re-development plan has pass-through pedestrian access to its courtyard opening on Constellation, like the CAA courtyard. This will change the pedestrian dynamics in Century City and connect the Twin Towers to the Mall via existing underground connection between CAA and Century Plaza and the green space on both sides of Ave of The Stars.

2. Figure out a way for pedestrian to access the Mall from Century Park East, without having to go around the block. I don't have a real solution but maybe Century City Center development will have an open perimeter and eventually the parking garage in the middle of the block will get redeveloped and open up the connection.

3. Century Park East and Century Park West should get a road diet. CPE especially, should get bigger sidewalks.

4. Implement the LA City Bike Plan for Century City, which calls for bike lanes on Avenue of the Stars and Constellation. The Countywide bike share program should eventually make its way to Century City and West side in general... having bike stations throughout Century City will really improve local circulation.

5. Improve pedestrian access to Little Santa Monica Blvd. The decent pedestrian flow on Little Santa Monica meets a triangle intersection at Moreno Dr designed to speed cars along to Beverly Hills. Part of the problem is 10,000 Santa Monica is right there and it has been a rubble pit for so long. Unfortunately, 10,000 Santa Monica design didn't really place that much emphasis on street facing amenities.

6. Eliminate the freeway style on ramps on Olympic and Avenue of the Stars. I use these ramps everyday and I think they are one of the biggest problem with Century City today. It funnels vehicles in an illogical fashion into middle of the block. The footprint of the freeway on ramps will probably make good candidates for re-development.

[blackcat23]

http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.c...-make-way.html

Mixed-use development planned at 5750 Hollywood Boulevard. Seven-story building designed by Carrier Johnson + Culture with 161 apartments and 5,700 sq. ft. of ground-level retail. Construction scheduled to begin in January 2016 and finish in June 2018.

[brudy]

And eastward we go! Kind of exciting.

[Flavius Josephus]

http://www.latimes.com/business/real...129-story.html

[ChelseaFC]

Neon Retro Arcade opens in Pasadena



http://www.sgvtribune.com/lifestyle/...ay-in-pasadena

[elcoronel]

Article about anti-density sentiments in the city council races: http://www.latimes.com/local/cityhal...ry.html#page=1

[Flavius Josephus]

Some interesting news courtesy of the LADCP website: they're pushing to reform the planning process, and are making budget requests accordingly.

Highlights:
- Hiring full time CEQA lawyer to make EIRs more likely to hold up in court
- Hiring a full time manager dedicated to community planning
- General Plan Framework Element Update to reflect changes in state law and local circumstances, as well as dealing with citywide issues at a citywide level rather than trying to patch the holes with local community plans
- Collecting the 35 Community Plan Areas into 11 geographic Planning Regions, allowing for better economies of scale and more coordinated internal and outreach processes.
- Reforming the planning EIR process, with a citywide EIR as part of the Framework Element Update and doing environmental analyses for community plans together by collecting the 35 community plan areas into 11 planning regions. LADCP hopes that by using this approach some of the community plans themselves might even require only a Mitigated Negative Declaration.

http://cityplanning.lacity.org/Reorg...ingFor2035.pdf

My quick take is that some of this document echoes criticisms that people like Mark Vallianatos of Oxy have been making recently, that it's crazy to have a Framework Element that doesn't reflect the growing transit system, concern about climate change, etc.

[Flavius Josephus]

Originally Posted by elcoronel

Article about anti-density sentiments in the city council races: http://www.latimes.com/local/cityhal...ry.html#page=1

On the other hand, at least they've managed to put all the most extreme NIMBY neighborhoods in one Council District so they aren't holding things up elsewhere...

This is also why I think that pro-infill groups need to get more active in the courts. NIMBYs are politically powerful, so political processes won't always work. I think there's a fair argument that the city isn't complying with all the state laws designed to reduce barriers to infill and promote affordable housing, and a reasonably strong argument that the city's land use policies have disparate impacts on protected classes (e.g., by protecting rich people's views instead of poor people's right to affordable housing). Reminding the city that it's not just Silverstein they have to worry about during planning decisions would be a good thing.

[Munchitup]

Originally Posted by ChelseaFC

Neon Retro Arcade opens in Pasadena



http://www.sgvtribune.com/lifestyle/...ay-in-pasadena

Walked past this place the other day. IIRC it is really close to Lucky Baldwins and a handful of other Old Town bars. It was busy when I walked past, and from the article it seems like a pretty reasonable price to play too. Hope it continues to do well.

[Flavius Josephus]

Just found this partial map of project ideas that cities are submitting to Metro for consideration in the LRTP update/ballot measure: http://gis.fehrandpeers.com/Projects/MobilityMatrix/. I think the full list should be available from Metro in a month or two.

Not always easy to read, but some interesting takeaways:
- Santa Monica is submitting a Lincoln Blvd "Express Bus/BRT/LRT" project
- LA is submitting a Venice Blvd "Streetcar/Rapid Bus Upgrades/BRT" project
- Multiple jurisdictions are submitting a Purple Line WeHo/Santa Monica Blvd (Pink Line) project
- The SR-134 Transit Corridor (which is an idea that has been floating around for a while) is categorized as a rail project
- A Burbank-Glendale-DTLA rail line is listed (again, an idea that's been floating around for a while).
- Sepulveda BRT/light rail to LAX is listed
- Westwood Blvd is listed as a "bicycle/transit corridor" (odd, given the resistance to bike lanes), and does not have a rail project listed. This would seem to suggest that if Metro builds the Sepulveda Pass line and extends it south, it would probably be via Sepulveda rather than Westwood.
- LA is pushing for a Vermont Corridor subway
- There's a proposed rail route from Santa Monica/Vermont to La Puente via DTLA and El Monte
- The Crenshaw Line Northern Extension is listed as "to Hollywood," but only shown on the map to Wilshire.
- "Rapid Bus Improvements/BRT" are listed for several major E-W arterials, including Pico and Olympic

It looks like only the Westside and Central LA projects are listed at the moment--the only projects in other regions shown are ones that in some way connect to those regions. There seem to be some weird inconsistencies in whether Measure R projects are shown--it looks like those in or connecting to Central LA are (e.g., West Santa Ana Branch), but the Westside ones (e.g., Sepulveda Pass Corridor) aren't.

The South Bay projects seem to be here: http://www.southbaycities.org/sites/...acket%20v2.pdf (main highlights: Green Line extension from Galleria to Long Beach; 105/405 HOT Lanes; lots of freeway improvement projects). Can't find any of the other regions' project lists.

[blackcat23]

Great find, Flavius.

Lots of excellent projects are on the table, but only so much $$$ to go around. In a perfect world, we'd emphasize corridors with the greatest need and highest ridership potential (Sepulveda to LAX, Purple Line to Santa Monica, Crenshaw Line to Hollywood, Vermont between Wilshire and the 105).

In reality, it's going to come down to building regional consensus and local politicians adopting pet projects. That means we'll probably see yet another Gold Line extension to Timbuktu.

[elcoronel]

I don't understand why there is such an emphasis on having the Westside tunnel go right next to the 405 the entire time. If it were using the 405 as a right of way in order to make construction cheaper, I would understand, but from what I have read, it's merely snaking along nearby the entire time. I can't imagine Sepulveda being that inviting to rail travelers. It would only be a few steps above the Green Line. If I were planning it I would have it enter the tunnel from Van Nuys/Ventura and the next stop be at UCLA or Westwood/Wilshire then take Westwood then Overland and then, finally Sepulveda in order to reach the airport. Why take Sepulveda for so long?

[Flavius Josephus]

Originally Posted by blackcat23

Great find, Flavius.

Lots of excellent projects are on the table, but only so much $$$ to go around. In a perfect world, we'd emphasize corridors with the greatest need and highest ridership potential (Sepulveda to LAX, Purple Line to Santa Monica, Crenshaw Line to Hollywood, Vermont between Wilshire and the 105).

In reality, it's going to come down to building regional consensus and local politicians adopting pet projects. That means we'll probably see yet another Gold Line extension to Timbuktu.

Yeah - there are rumors that the union-backed state tax reform initiative that they're going to try to gather signatures for ay include cutting the vote threshold to 55% from 2/3 for infrastructure taxes, but even if that happens and wins, they'd have already chosen the ballot measure projects.

[brudy]

Originally Posted by Flavius Josephus

Just found this partial map of project ideas that cities are submitting to Metro for consideration in the LRTP update/ballot measure: http://gis.fehrandpeers.com/Projects/MobilityMatrix/. I think the full list should be available from Metro in a month or two.

Not always easy to read, but some interesting takeaways:
- Santa Monica is submitting a Lincoln Blvd "Express Bus/BRT/LRT" project
- LA is submitting a Venice Blvd "Streetcar/Rapid Bus Upgrades/BRT" project
- Multiple jurisdictions are submitting a Purple Line WeHo/Santa Monica Blvd (Pink Line) project
- The SR-134 Transit Corridor (which is an idea that has been floating around for a while) is categorized as a rail project
- A Burbank-Glendale-DTLA rail line is listed (again, an idea that's been floating around for a while).
- Sepulveda BRT/light rail to LAX is listed
- Westwood Blvd is listed as a "bicycle/transit corridor" (odd, given the resistance to bike lanes), and does not have a rail project listed. This would seem to suggest that if Metro builds the Sepulveda Pass line and extends it south, it would probably be via Sepulveda rather than Westwood.
- LA is pushing for a Vermont Corridor subway
- There's a proposed rail route from Santa Monica/Vermont to La Puente via DTLA and El Monte
- The Crenshaw Line Northern Extension is listed as "to Hollywood," but only shown on the map to Wilshire.
- "Rapid Bus Improvements/BRT" are listed for several major E-W arterials, including Pico and Olympic

Yes to that Burbank - DTLA line. Actually yes to anything that's a train.

[DistrictDirt]

Originally Posted by Flavius Josephus

Yeah - there are rumors that the union-backed state tax reform initiative that they're going to try to gather signatures for ay include cutting the vote threshold to 55% from 2/3 for infrastructure taxes, but even if that happens and wins, they'd have already chosen the ballot measure projects.

About time. Its unbelievable that Measure J was a "failure" with 65% of the vote. Its not right.

[Flavius Josephus]

Originally Posted by DistrictDirt

About time. Its unbelievable that Measure J was a "failure" with 65% of the vote. Its not right.

Not sure it will happen, but the unions are definitely talking about some kind of tax reform, and if the construction unions have anything to say about it, I'd guess that making infrastructure spending easier would be on their wish list. It'll need an initiative, though - Republicans have enough votes to block a legislatively referred constitutional amendment.

[blackcat23]

http://buildinglosangeles.blogspot.c...headed-to.html

Five-story, 23-unit condominium complex to break ground next to L'Ermitage Beverly Hills in March.

[Eightball]

Originally Posted by brudy

Yes to that Burbank - DTLA line. Actually yes to anything that's a train.

+ a million.

Vermont subway line sounds very interesting

[ChelseaFC]

Decades after the notion of building a park over the 101 freeway was first floated, groundbreaking for a Hollywood Central Park may now be no more than two years away, according to its backers.

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/lo...291020241.html

[Quixote]

Originally Posted by Flavius Josephus

Just found this partial map of project ideas that cities are submitting to Metro for consideration in the LRTP update/ballot measure: http://gis.fehrandpeers.com/Projects/MobilityMatrix/. I think the full list should be available from Metro in a month or two.

Not always easy to read, but some interesting takeaways:
- Santa Monica is submitting a Lincoln Blvd "Express Bus/BRT/LRT" project
- LA is submitting a Venice Blvd "Streetcar/Rapid Bus Upgrades/BRT" project
- Multiple jurisdictions are submitting a Purple Line WeHo/Santa Monica Blvd (Pink Line) project
- The SR-134 Transit Corridor (which is an idea that has been floating around for a while) is categorized as a rail project
- A Burbank-Glendale-DTLA rail line is listed (again, an idea that's been floating around for a while).
- Sepulveda BRT/light rail to LAX is listed
- Westwood Blvd is listed as a "bicycle/transit corridor" (odd, given the resistance to bike lanes), and does not have a rail project listed. This would seem to suggest that if Metro builds the Sepulveda Pass line and extends it south, it would probably be via Sepulveda rather than Westwood.
- LA is pushing for a Vermont Corridor subway
- There's a proposed rail route from Santa Monica/Vermont to La Puente via DTLA and El Monte
- The Crenshaw Line Northern Extension is listed as "to Hollywood," but only shown on the map to Wilshire.
- "Rapid Bus Improvements/BRT" are listed for several major E-W arterials, including Pico and Olympic

It looks like only the Westside and Central LA projects are listed at the moment--the only projects in other regions shown are ones that in some way connect to those regions. There seem to be some weird inconsistencies in whether Measure R projects are shown--it looks like those in or connecting to Central LA are (e.g., West Santa Ana Branch), but the Westside ones (e.g., Sepulveda Pass Corridor) aren't.

The South Bay projects seem to be here: http://www.southbaycities.org/sites/...acket%20v2.pdf (main highlights: Green Line extension from Galleria to Long Beach; 105/405 HOT Lanes; lots of freeway improvement projects). Can't find any of the other regions' project lists.

All of those projects are already in the LRTP, which was last updated in 2009 after the passage of Measure R. It still boggles my mind that we were able to get a 67% majority of County voters to agree on a sales tax increase during a deep economic recession. Imagine if it had failed… yeah, I don't even…

One of the biggest bang-for-the-buck projects is the Red Line extension to the Arts District. Literally the only thing you'd need to do is add station platforms, as the tracks are already in place. Imagine what a boon that'd be to the burgeoning Arts District and the forthcoming 6th Street Viaduct replacement. Why haven't we heard more about this?