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Originally Posted by destroycreate
I'm really intrigued by the Arts District of LA and want to check it out next time I'm in town. How overrun is it with homeless and mentally ill? That would be my only reservation staying there considering how close it is to Skid Row. Is it an actual livable district or?
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Downtown LA is a large area made up of many neighborhoods and districts. Homeless issue is a major concern in a couple areas. Skid Row is the most severe in all of LA, the adjacent area called the Historic Core from Pershing Square to Skid Row. The area around El Pueblo/Olvera Street and the 101 freeway streets. Also quite a number near metro stations especially Pershing Square and 7th Street. While there are homeless in all other areas, they are so small in number and really just individuals here and there and dont bother anyone that you sometimes dont notice.
Little Tokyo is north of Skid Row but dont really notice too many homeless except the library. With all the new development at former parking lots, I've noticed less and less homeless camping out at the edges of Skid ROw and Little Tokyo.
Arts District is just east of Little Tokyo. And there are even less homeless there. There might be only a few dozen in the 2 square miles hidden in areas that hardly anyone walks. PLus there is nothing there for them like places to get food, public transportation to get around, bathrooms, or pandhandle since there are not that many people in general in the arts district.
I look at the Arts district in 2 parts. North of 4th street and south. I would say the north is where 80% of housing is located and where many lots have turned into housing and ordinary businesses are located. It is more livable in that there are things nearby and next to Little Tokyo and has a large art gallery. And a metro station nearby. South of 4th street is still mostly industrial light and warehouses. The old large buildings have been turned into lofts and some smaller buildings into restaurants, cafes. But really not that much new development has taken place, just fix up some older buildings. So dont expect much here. Not many people walking around this area.
You can use google streetview to see what it is like street by street. Only like less than 5000 people in all the 2-3 square miles of Arts District so it isn't dense in jobs or people living there. But with all the construction happening and proposals, this area can double or triple populatin and businesses and its going to be a whole different area. So it is nice to see a before and after.