UCLA Extension Moves Back Near Old Home
Eric Richardson
[Flickr]
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — UCLA extension has signed a ten-year deal at Figueroa Courtyard, moving into 16k sq. feet in the complex at 3rd and Figueroa. It's a return of sorts for the extension campus, which was located just across the street in the World Trade Center before moving to Little Tokyo and the JACCC. The old Extension space in the World Trade Center is now home to the Oscar de la Hoya Animo Charter High School.
One who drives by the World Trade Center would be excused for not knowing that this move ever took place, given that the building hasn't taken down any of its UCLA signage. Now that the school will be returning to the neighborhood and locating diagonally across the intersection of 3rd and Figueroa, one would assume that they'll require the old signage be taken down to avoid confusion.
Interesting side note: A UCLA report says that (PDF) the school left the World Trade Center due to seismic concerns.
John Crandell on January 15, 2008, at 01:54PM – #1
Tear the WTC down! Far and away, it is the most ill-conceived structure in the city. Speculation has it that the Maguite tower at 7th & Fig will not go forward given the situation in which his REIT is now in. If he gets bought out, he won't have to worry any more about Ballona Flats. He could then buy the WTC and solve the biggest urban design fiasco in Downtown with a new office tower.
LAofAnaheim on January 15, 2008, at 04:51PM – #2
Agreed John. Figueroa is very disappointing north of 5th street. With its 10 lane one-way street (and either none or limited street parking) make for a very suburban downtown area. No street facing retail, parking garage entrances, no street parking, etc...this is the worst section of downtown.
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on January 15, 2008, at 05:19PM – #3
Interestingly, I was reading Times coverage from the construction of the Figueroa Courtyard complex at 3rd & Fig and its suburban nature was a selling point touted by the developer. I'll have to go back and find that article.
Metro Local on January 15, 2008, at 09:07PM – #4
Eric, UCLA Extension has maintained a presence in the WTC building despite not occupying the space you are discussing above.
Figueroa and Flower are car commuter buildings. You pull into a garage a block or two off a freeway ramp. Then you go up to your office and then walking across a sky bridge to another building for lunch is considered an outing.
It's a building with a interesting mix of tenants.
Desert Bruin on January 15, 2008, at 11:08PM – #5
Interesting that the architect/artist team which gave us the WTC, also gave us the timeless Times Parking Garage between Broadway and Spring. FAB.
Metro Local on January 15, 2008, at 11:31PM – #6
Not surprising given the similarity between stone work inside the World Trade Center's main lobby and the exterior of the Times parking structure.
World Trade Center tenants include offices for federal, state, county and local government agencies or affiliated entities (like the Los Angeles City Employees Club) as well as a few Chinese business and trade organizations.
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on January 16, 2008, at 12:47AM – #7
Metro Local: Are you sure they were still in there? I can find no mention online of them being there since 2001 or so, and the report linked from 2005 specifically says that the World Trade Center facility "had to be abandoned."
Joanne Han on January 16, 2008, at 08:48AM – #8
We have not been in WTC since 2004. But I am very excited that we will be moving our downtown location back to Figueroa. Our current location at JACC had some safety concerns due to its proximity to skid row. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!
11 on January 16, 2008, at 10:18AM – #9
I wonder if they'll be moving all of their classes to this campus now. I found it ironic that they didn't offer Japanese classes in Little Tokyo.
David Kennedy on January 16, 2008, at 10:35AM – #10
Safety concerns in Little Toyko? You're kidding me? Unbelievable. Who are these people? Have they ever walked the lively streets of Little Tokyo? Clearly, they have not. Their loss.
Well, Fortress WTC should provide the ultimate bunker for these nervous nellies. I'm astonished they are 'brave' enough to leave their homes. Alas, their inability to deal with urban life leads to the construction of bunkers like the WTC. It is an aesthetic and urban disaster. One can only imagine how the venue contributes to the intellectual development of these erstwhile students. The building completely kills the surrounding streets. It adds nothing to the neighborhood. Clearly, these students bring nothing to the neighborhood except their demand for secure parking.
As I'm apt to say, dynamite, please.
LAofAnaheim on January 16, 2008, at 10:48AM – #11
Eric...I would love to see the article you are referring to. I agree w/ David Kennedy, WTC, Bunker Hill condos/apartments were all built with the intention you have secured parking and the car was your primary mode of transportation. During the '60s, '70s, I'm sure this was the mantra of the day, but times have surely changed. When I was shopping for a condo last year, I looked at Bunker Hill towers. And all the agent could tell me was that the freeway entrance was right next door and they didn't have to deal with the Staples Center "traffic" being in South Park. When I asked about walking to shops, he's like "well, you have your car and the 101/110 freeways". Geez...
Metro Local on January 16, 2008, at 10:34PM – #12
Maybe I've been fooled all these years by the signs for UCLA Extension inside the WTC's lobby? The fallacy of signs, how silly of me.
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on January 16, 2008, at 11:12PM – #13
Metro Local: And thus you make the point of this very post.
Metro Local on January 16, 2008, at 11:53PM – #14
UCLA Extension classes in subjects like philosophy will soon be held at the WTC and no one will have to worry about putting signs up in the building?
Desert Bruin on January 17, 2008, at 12:23AM – #15
Philosophy AND seismology.
Maurice Dennison on February 21, 2008, at 01:21PM – #16
The move to Figueroa Courtyard on 3rd & Fig maybe turn out to be a poor choice due to a volatile tenant named Stub Hub, a ticket pick-up center, who has recieved negative results of late and solicits all sorts of people from thugs to outright criminals. The Minnesota Public Radio has addressed the issue.
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on February 21, 2008, at 01:26PM – #17
Maurice: I'd love to hear how you think Stubhub solicits criminals. I used that pick-up office a few weeks back to get tickets for the USC - Arizona State game and thought it actually made for a great location for them.
David Kennedy on February 21, 2008, at 01:41PM – #18
Fortress WTC fails to deter the criminal element! I can see it now. The Stub Hug Thugs lie in wait to prey upon unsuspecting UCLA extension students. The horror. Good job, Mauri, for informing the public of this menace!
Yes, empirical data, please.
Egads! Where do these people come from and why do they exist?
Sydney on April 12, 2008, at 05:05AM – #19
UCLA Extension's move to Fig Courtyard is causing big fears for one major tenant there who's lease is almost up, Los Angeles County Bar Association. They have programs and meetings for their members at night and are very concerned about how parking will be eaten up by the students taking night classes. A big challenge for this building is visitor parking, cars attempting to pull into the visitor parking who's only entrance is on Fig is difficult since there is a major freeway on ramp there and you have to basically wait for someone to let you in.