Actions Speak Louder than Words on Pedestrian Friendly Downtown
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Curbed yesterday took a reader complaint about the closed off sidewalk on Grand Ave, across from Disney Concert Hall. The reader was complaining about the effect the closure would have on tourists wanting to take pictures of Frank Gehry's concert hall.
While certainly the Disney is a highly visited attraction, the situation illustrated has far more bearing on those of us who live in Downtown and are trying to buy into the idea of a pedestrian urban lifestyle. As we discussed last May, Los Angeles treats sidewalks as second class citizens, not hesitating to close off a span for a year at a time while a project is under construction.
Our city leaders love to tout Downtown's pedestrian potential, but how can we possibly believe their commitment to making Downtown a walkable place when it's so acceptable to force those on foot to take the long way around?
The problem is not simply one of convenience. As shown in the shot above, pedestrians are going to continue to walk where they want to walk, whether the sidewalk is closed or not. Surely we have to recognize this and accommodate it instead of simply turning a blind eye?
The spot in front of Disney is particularly egregious, given that Grand Avenue has a large center lane. The city could easily re-stripe the street and put in dividers to allow for a temporary sidewalk along the east side of the street during construction of upper 2nd and the eventual work on the Grand Avenue Project.
And while we're on the subject of closed sidewalks... A particular favorite of mine is the zig-zag one has to do to walk Main from the Historic Core to City Hall. Between 3rd and 2nd, the east side sidewalk is blocked for Motorpool contruction. Between 2nd and 1st it's the west side that's closed, for construction of the LAPD HQ. The resulting crosswalk waits and extra signals make the walk especially frustrating.
Don Garza on March 27, 2008, at 03:19PM – #1
I agree with you Eric, especially, at the corner of 2nd and main. I have walked that stretch and thought very seriously that someone might get hurt. This is not a good way to be nice to the citizens and those who come here to work in Downtown Los Angeles. Good call.
Next to where I live, SRO Housing Corporation is still digging their hole for a new hotel , and they have extended the fence and added the green nylon so you can't look in , but they didn't extend it onto the sidewalk. I will take a photo for you.
I think someone should speak up. What they are doing is wrong and will one day get some pedestrian hurt.
I sort of have also been thinking that it could be because of the Construction paparazzi s out there who keep going onto people's properties for their blogs. I wonder who that could be? Eh?
David Kennedy on March 27, 2008, at 03:47PM – #2
I concur. I've been pushing baby strollers all over downtown for near five years now. I can attest that street sidewalks have been blocked off for years. Another scenario is a sidewalk which is covered in scaffolding, yet can't be navigated by a stroller. The problem for thsoe in a wheelchair is surely more severe.
At heart, this behavior exhibits contempt for pedestrians. Basically, the construction authority is not interesting in being a good neighbor. That the city tolerates this is puzzling because of the risk of litigation. Eventually, the wrong person will be inconvenienced or injured because of this behavior. Presumably, no one cares or is held to account.
I understand this can be necessary. I delighted with the development this kind of construction brings. However, one wonders if it could be handled with a little more care and thought.