blogdowntown: Life in Downtown Los Angeles

Regional Connector Down to Two Alternatives

By Eric Richardson — Wednesday — 30 Comments

Metro

Planning for the Regional Connector is down to two preferred alternatives, one above ground and one below. Costs for the two differ by only $150 million.

At a meeting of the Bringing Back Broadway Streetcar Committee this afternoon, Metro staff presented the Connector project, intended to link the Blue and Expo light rail lines with the two parts of the Gold Line. At peak times, 48 trains per hour will use the Connector.

The cost difference between the two was much narrower than many had expected. The above-ground Connector estimates came in at $650 million, with a subway alternative at $800 million. — Continued Inside...

Art Walk Preview for May, 2008

By Ed Fuentes — Wednesday
8 Comments

The spoken word of Downtown Poets joins the visual display of art, video and comedy. It's Downtown Art Walk for May, 2008, and the streets are ready for you. Reminders are the same: Art Walk DASH is free, refrain from taking alcohol out of the galleries, and don't be afraid to buy art.

Parked Transformer Asks: Do We Really Need that Lane for Traffic?

By Eric Richardson — Tuesday
9 Comments

For several weeks a generator transformer has been sitting in the northbound curb lane on 6th street with cables feeding down a small drain hole into the utility vault below. That lane is supposed to be for traffic during peak hours, but has been blocked during the duration of the transformer's well-protected stay on the street. If the city's content to let...

Tomorrow: Check Out Housing with DCBID

By Eric Richardson — 01:07 PM

The Downtown Center BID's Saturday housing tours are a great chance to check out projects around the neighborhood, whether you're already comfortably settled Downtown or actually looking for a place. They happen twice a month, and are led by the inimitable Hal Bastian, who's been responsible for luring more than his share of business Downtown. Tomorrow's tour...

Conceptual Lanes in the Arts District

By Ed Fuentes — Yesterday, 06:30 PM
5 Comments

If you're driving on Santa Fe, make sure you pay attention. Traffic lanes were repainted yesterday as part of work to widen the First Street Bridge and accommodate the Eastside Gold Line extension, and early results suggest they may not be clear to everyone. This afternoon saw several cars head north in the southbound lane, not sure what to make of the variety...

Main Street Hosts Prankster

By Ed Fuentes — Tuesday

Before we start loading up on Downtown Art Walk Previews, I wanted to note Old Bank DVD’s Saturday night screening of the documentary “Abel Raises Cain” being held Saturday night at Farmers and Merchants Bank building. Filmmakers Jenny Abel and Jeff Hockett (along with special guests) will take Q&A and then be followed by a bonus screening of the Alan and...

New Marathon Route Shows off Downtown, but at a Cost to the City

By Eric Richardson — Monday
8 Comments

The 2007 Los Angeles Marathon debuted a new point-to-point route designed to show off the city, but the popular changes look to have a negative impact on the city's wallet at a time when it can least afford it. City salary costs for the 2007 race were up nearly $800,000, and yet a recent memo from the city's Chief Legislative Analyst suggests revised invoices...

March Traffic Disruptions Too Much for USPS

By Eric Richardson — May 01, 2008
1 Comments

Today's marches and the associated street closures were apparently too much for USPS, which decided to take a holiday from mail collection in at least one Historic Core building. This sign posted on the mail drop in the lobby of Premiere Towers says that there's no collection for May 1st, though the lack of accompanying signs on upper floors might make the warning...

'Crazy' Gideon Kotzer to Enter Adaptive Reuse Market

Tuesday

Gideon Kotzer, long time electronics entrepreneur and provider of late night television commercial classics, may be thinking that keeping his warehouse...

5 Comments

Can I Buy a Vowel?

Monday

Little Toyko's Weller Court will soon be lit with new signage. Seen here is the first of two signs being installed for the shopping center that sits along...

1 Comments

Overlooking the Arts District

Monday

Late Friday afternoon and later into the evening, graffiti artist Thomas Burns painted this street style Mona Lisa on Rose between Traction and East 3rd...

2 Comments

May Skid Row Walk Takes a Later Start to See the Lights

May 03, 2008

The monthly Skid Row Neighborhood Walk continues, but gets a one-hour delay in May. The May 7th walk will begin at 7pm, giving Bureau of Street Lighting...

'Spring on Spring' Continues at the NEW LATC

May 03, 2008

Andrew Shafer is the new director of the Los Angeles Theatre Initiative at the NEW LATC, the reborn Los Angeles Theatre Center. He has his sights set on...