LOS ANGELES | Downtown Project Rundown 4.0

[colemonkee]

citywatch, if you don't physically resemble a broken record in person, I'm going to be thoroughly disappointed.

LAmarODom420, I don't think the thread needs rescuing at this point - it's somewhat civil and surprisingly on topic.

[citywatch]

colemonkee, I'd appreciate it if you just worried about the troll, & you know exactly who I'm talking about. I try to skip over his frequent flame baiting, but in one of his postings tonight I saw some noticeably snotty things he directed to one of the forumers. if that isn't a TOS violation, then I don't know what is.

back on topic....

the following came up in a google search this evening, & it would be nice to see some confirmation of it....

A fence has gone up and prep work is beginning on the Broad Museum site on that former parking lot south of Disney Hall.

so I'm assuming the lot shown to the left finally no longer has cars sitting on it:




btw, what's with all the references to "power lines"? talk about being fixated on something or broken clocks. It's a few forumers here who keep mentioning those words, not me.

[milquetoast]

A "street for street" foreign model for Los Angeles is not commendable for this area.

We could do a hell of a lot better than trying to emulate older cities

who have different ideas on their culture of transportation.

A subterranean mode is preferable,

but Los Angeles didn't have the money for it in entirety.

Are the sidewalks too narrow in many places?

Are there too many exposed power lines?

Sure, but holding cities Like Tokyo, and New York especially,

in esteemed stature compared to Los Angeles? echcchhh!

.

You want something to talk about in a rundown of projects for Los Angeles,

try getting a new Governor and a new Mayor first.

The tax structure desperately needs to change.

[djlx2]

I don't know if that's true. When I read about Bunker Hill, I understood it differently, and part of that was because I could "identify" with it. Not in the general dissolution, more in understanding general errors that took place that I've made. It was weird reading myself quoted in that phrase, because it comes off as accusatory, but when I wrote it I might have gotten heated about it in a way of identifying that was also self-critical. I know how it's possible to have a huge dream of something as fantasy rather than possibility, so that when opportunity arrives, you try to make it happen without the careful steps that would make it sustainable; I understand why this makes dream-ideas end up in failure. PR campaigns make the same general mistake of whitewashing flaws instead of fixing them, but people do this as well, and since I've done it I identified with that. Basically I mean that these things are definitely part of what set Bunker Hill back, even if your reasons are legitimate also: I wrote that because they're errors I've made, and that's why I know how it happens. Not that it's a metaphor either, because in real life, you don't have as much certainty as in a redevelopment project.

One of the things this made me think of was the way communication gets screwed up in general (on the forum). In here, there's all this arguing about what's going wrong with the development of Los Angeles, etc.; half the time it probably gets misinterpreted when we identify with the wrong aspects of that. But it also makes it tricky when you're trying to find the actual errors in the development, because when you identify with the errors and try to fix them it might sound like an attack; vice-versa too, I guess, though I don't know if I've seen it. If something like downtown LA is set back by ages of setbacks, the main point is: how do we fix it. So the heated opinions as far as blame goes (though well-deserved) might be obstructive, because they're not clear on how blame squarely placed might make things better, since the question is, how do we fix things. I can see where there are certain mistakes that I get, because I've made them. Those are easier to understand sometimes, because you've been there and figured it out. But it still doesn't solve the design process,

[pesto]

Citywatch: yes; excellent examples. Jtown and the Arts District are about to merge, with the brewery's opening. Opening up the Japanese fortress shopping centers is the next big step. When that is done there will be a huge area of walkability that is "downtown" but not "central business district" or poor people at all. A real urban neighborhood that is almost entirely under 10 stories yet frequented by tourists, visitors and locals for Japanese food and culture, new cuisine, clubs and art.

Other projects: re-do the "tree" plaza, which is actually becoming less full of homeless; and mitigate Alameda (wider than needed at that point).

[DistrictDirt]

@Citywatch: I always thought that Alameda was the official boundary between Little Tokyo and the Arts District, but I see what you mean that the brewery is very accessible from both.

@Pesto: Where/what is the "tree plaza"?

[DistrictDirt]

Originally Posted by pesto

Other projects: re-do the "tree" plaza, which is actually becoming less full of homeless; and mitigate Alameda (wider than needed at that point).

Given Alameda's proximity to Little Tokyo, the Arts District, and Union Station, it would be a great candidate for a "Complete Street", like what they're planning for Figueroa.

Repave it with less car lanes, new bike lanes (seperated by buffers) new on street parking, bike racks, improved lighting and some street furniture, and watch development pop up all along it.

[DtlaCuriousity]

Originally Posted by milquetoast

A "street for street" foreign model for Los Angeles is not commendable for this area.

We could do a hell of a lot better than trying to emulate older cities

who have different ideas on their culture of transportation.

A subterranean mode is preferable,

but Los Angeles didn't have the money for it in entirety.

Are the sidewalks too narrow in many places?

Are there too many exposed power lines?

Sure, but holding cities Like Tokyo, and New York especially,

in esteemed stature compared to Los Angeles? echcchhh!

.

You want something to talk about in a rundown of projects for Los Angeles,

try getting a new Governor and a new Mayor first.

The tax structure desperately needs to change.

Good points here. I don't think having a model of unilinear evolution for development is what we need or should strive for. A historical particular (to borrow a term) paradigm is probably better suited. There are many political.geographic.economic.etc. reasons for where dtla is in terms of development and where it should be headed. That being said, I think there is plenty of agency here, enough to shape dtla into something that is both functional and aesthetical. At least I hope so.

[LosAngelesSportsFan]

Originally Posted by citywatch

colemonkee, I'd appreciate it if you just worried about the troll, & you know exactly who I'm talking about. I try to skip over his frequent flame baiting, but in one of his postings tonight I saw some noticeably snotty things he directed to one of the forumers. if that isn't a TOS violation, then I don't know what is.

back on topic....

the following came up in a google search this evening, & it would be nice to see some confirmation of it....



so I'm assuming the lot shown to the left finally no longer has cars sitting on it:




btw, what's with all the references to "power lines"? talk about being fixated on something or broken clocks. It's a few forumers here who keep mentioning those words, not me.

i just came on to post that the lot has been fenced off. i noticed it a couple days ago, just kept on forgetting to post.

I would also like to say that i have noticed the amazing increase in pedestrian activity on 7th from all the new restaurants and bars. i live a block away and its very exciting to see it changing for the better. i think when the bar on the corner of 7th and grand (across from Bottega) opens, it will be hugely successful. there are so many new restaurants coming to 7th street that i can barely keep track. Freshii, a new 7-11, chipotle, the new restaurant underneath the roosevelt building, the space next to Wokano, the old sandellas space, etc etc. Also, lots of tourists as well.

im still shocked that the retail world hasnt taken notice. its odd

[Just-In-Cali]

A friend of mine whom was working downtown today took this and sent it to me. The parking lot which I have used numerous times is indeed fenced off with that typical green covered construction fence.
Looks like the Broad is off and running!

[DistrictDirt]

Originally Posted by LosAngelesSportsFan

i just came on to post that the lot has been fenced off. i noticed it a couple days ago, just kept on forgetting to post.

I would also like to say that i have noticed the amazing increase in pedestrian activity on 7th from all the new restaurants and bars. i live a block away and its very exciting to see it changing for the better. i think when the bar on the corner of 7th and grand (across from Bottega) opens, it will be hugely successful. there are so many new restaurants coming to 7th street that i can barely keep track. Freshii, a new 7-11, chipotle, the new restaurant underneath the roosevelt building, the space next to Wokano, the old sandellas space, etc etc. Also, lots of tourists as well.

im still shocked that the retail world hasnt taken notice. its odd

It is kind of weird. They're definitely sleeping on Downtown. Maybe they'll all figure it out at once and it'll be a mad rush to open up shops downtown.

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by Just-In-Cali

A friend of mine whom was working downtown today took this and sent it to me. The parking lot which I have used numerous times is indeed fenced off with that typical green covered construction fence.
Looks like the Broad is off and running!

This is great! I guess they were telling the truth when they said they would break ground in April, unlike that other project that was going on Grand Ave.


On account of the retail, I think that is is coming, and soon. Don't forget that LA Times article that said both Urban Outifitters and H&M are actively looking for available spaces. Moreover, I read an article somewhere (probobly Downtown News) about a guy who was shopping downtown to some of the boutique stores on Abbot Kinney and/or Melrose.

[alki]

part of it is LA has historically been aimed at ppl of modest means, not a corporate or $$ type of town like some of the most prized major cities of the world are. part of it also may be due to all the ppl who've settled in the city through the yrs who have judged things in a way similar to the woman with the frightening cat face, jocelyn wildenstein. IOW, the type of person who does something where you wanna ask: what the heck were they thinking?!!!

We may be saying the same thing. LA architecture tends to be flashy/trendy. I remember when some people were talking about the newly renovated Pershing Square. They were very impressed with the purple monolith........how it spoke to a new kind of plaza where the plaza becomes art. I remember thinking I would have preferred a few more trees and fountains while sparing the cost of the 'famed' architect from Mexico City. LA has a 'cutting edge' reputation and seems easily seduced by the latest fashion whether it be in music, cars, clothes or architecture. Sometimes it works and makes the city more interesting.........other times, not so much.

[alki]

ask me anything - why do i like diller scofidio renfro's proposal and not gehry's? why do i not care for other pomo darlings of los angeles such as eom, gehry, or mayne? why am i disappointed with the selection of fentress? why do i admire craig ellwood so much? do you have your own opinions, justincali? or just hollow knee-jerk defenses and attacks based on homerism? i suspect the latter.

What do you like about downtown LA?

And when it comes to buildings, are there any buildings new or old that you prefer?

this cartoonish attachment of a city's urbanism to its cbd is an especially american phenomenon. it is simple minded and demonstrates the shallowness and unsophistication of those who adhere to this belief - and there are many of influence in la who do. la needs new politicians, developers, and wealthy elites who are better schooled in urban planning, or are at least more cosmopolitan. that way la will also begin to appear more sophisticated and cosmopolitan.

The attachment may be outdated but its hardly cartoonish.......if for no other reason than too many people, sophisticated or not, still see the center of the city as the heart of an urban area. And that includes cities in Europe as well. While its true bigger cities in Europe like Paris and London don't have a true downtown per se but that's because they are large, world cities and are the exception not the rule. When my German friends moved to Bonn, they wanted to be near downtown because it was convenient to shopping, daycare, his office and the train station. It was only downtown where all those amenities could be found. In a typical, average sized city those functions usually are concentrated in the CBD. Its part of the desirability of a CBD.

In the past, LA was supposed to be the new urban archetype.....the king of sprawl.......low density and dispersed with a number of commercial nodes. It was supposed to reduce traffic congestion......instead it made it worse. I think that's what contributed to its negative image nationally and why the city is working to change that image by focusing on its urban core.......the CBD......and reinventing it. At least that's how I see it.

[Illithid Dude]

Suprised no one has posted this yet:

NEW RENDERINGS






http://la.curbed.com/archives/2011/0..._announced.php

Pretty much the new renders, and the fact that they are changing the name to FIGat7TH. Oh, and when asked about the fact that the mall is now on a sign district, a sales person said "no comment".

[alki]

It is kind of weird. They're definitely sleeping on Downtown. Maybe they'll all figure it out at once and it'll be a mad rush to open up shops downtown.

You all may know this but it may be worth repeating. Typically, when a commercial area is reviving, its restaurants that go in first. That's how they revived 3rd Ave in SM.....they 'seeded' the street with restaurants and movie theaters. Its based on the premise that people will eat in a restaurant in the worst of neighborhoods if the food is good. Only after the foot traffic gets heavy enough will major retail consider moving onto the street.

Suprised no one has posted this yet:

Is Neiman Marcus moving into the 7th/Fig mall? I only ask because they show the name on the kiosk.

[Illithid Dude]

Originally Posted by alki

Is Neiman Marcus moving into the 7th/Fig mall? I only ask because they show the name on the kiosk.

Look closer. It says Meiman Narcus. It is a filler name.

[SD_Phil]

Originally Posted by Illithid Dude

Look closer. It says Meiman Narcus. It is a filler name.

That's cute.

I like the new renders and the way it feels more open. Better keep that rooftop glass clean though or things could get really unsightly.

[LosAngelesDreamin]

Originally Posted by SD_Phil

That's cute.

I like the new renders and the way it feels more open. Better keep that rooftop glass clean though or things could get really unsightly.

bird poop =] LOL!!

[LosAngelesDreamin]

Downtown Stadium Render

sorry i dont know how to post pics =/

heres the link to the article

http://la.curbed.com/archives/2011/0...mers_field.php