9th and Main Median Getting Its Trees

By Eric Richardson
Published: Thursday, May 29, 2008, at 04:36PM

Eric Richardson [Flickr]

Trees are installed into the median at the fork of Spring and Main streets.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — The whimsical median at 9th and Main is finally getting its landscaping, after sitting incomplete for the last several months. The project broke ground in January, and will provide color to what was previously a triangular strip of asphalt at the confluence of Spring and Main streets.

Early work on progressed quickly, but the site stalled after the city had completed installation of the basic structure. Today a landscaping crew arrived to plant trees, install utilities, and move the project toward completion.

Along with greenery, the project will also provide nighttime light for the expanding evening uses on the corner.

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Comments

David Kennedy writes:

I rolled by this morning on the way to daycare. Great to see the progress. I like the choice of the trees. Don't know their name. They are the ones used at Angels Knoll and the median on Hill between Angels Flight and Grand Central Market. They are lovely when they bloom. I'll be very interested to see how they execute the lighting.

Also, I hope there are sufficient funds allocated to maintain the median. As I recall, the project was funded by the Fashion District business district.

My four-year old daughter wanted to know if she could play there. I gently pointed out that wouldn't be very practical. I told her that once everything is done, we'll be sure to pay a visit.

# on May.30.2008 AT 10:26 AM

Eric Richardson writes:

Capital funds for the project came from LADOT, but Im pretty sure you're correct that the Fashion District BID will be handling maintenance and paying the electric bill on the lighting (via an assessment).

# on May.30.2008 AT 10:51 AM

brady westwater writes:

Cool! They actually planted the flowering trees the local review panel asked for. It's been so long I'd even forgotten about being on that panel.

# on May.31.2008 AT 05:53 PM

John Crandell writes:

Looks to be a Chorisia speciosa - the Floss Silk Tree

# on May.31.2008 AT 07:03 PM

RobertA writes:

Finally. Would love to see more of this. I just returned from NYC and so many of the medians in Manhattan are beautiful gardens. I would love more flowers and trees. BTW, when are they going to do something about all those white planters lining Broadway? They are all empty. Would be nice to see some flowers and shrubs filling them.

# on Jun.01.2008 AT 07:27 AM

John Crandell writes:

Clearly, an adoption program is in order. These streets MUST be mothered, midwifed and husbanded - tilled, amended and cropped with floraminifera. Chicago is WAY out in the lead in this respect. Here are two informative, key articles worth looking at:

http://www.planning.org/greatplaces/streets/northmichiganavenue.htm

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/03/realestate/03NATI.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Meanwhile, take a stroll through the central garden at the Getty Center. And then imagine..

Brady's comment lends, is right-on perspective. For what could Spring renew?

# on Jun.01.2008 AT 11:47 AM

Russell Brown writes:

Historic Downtown BID is working on a program to move the planters back into the district. Many are north of 4th, outside our boudaries. They should be moved and re-planted within the next 6 weeks.They will be on Broadway from 4th to 9th.

The original trees were really twigs and died quickly. They were also planted in the summer, so no time to root. They also get used as trash cans and urinals. However, we have many trash cans on order, and with regular watering, maybe it will be better this go round. But hardy, urban resisitant and drought tolerant trees are requred. They obviously must be a species that does well in pots.

But you are correct, we need block captains to add an extra level of service and care. The sidewalks are really our front door parks (really scary thought for parts of downtown).

I do need help finding a nursery vendor. Resonable prices, good knowledge and reliable.

I also want to redo the pots on Main Street. So if any of your readers are avid urban garderners and knowledgable, call me, or email.

Also, there is a missed opportunity the recapture the green space just inside the fence at the NW cormer of 6th & Main at the parking lot and garage.

Russell Brown
Executive Director Historic Downtown LA BID

cell 213-999-0379 Russ.HDBID@gmail.com

# on Jun.01.2008 AT 12:37 PM

Benjamin Pezzillo writes:

Russell:

Check out what the Chapman and Union Loft buildings are using in their planters -- an evergreen shrub at the Chapman and what looks like a ficus of some sort at the Union Loft building.

Also, have you investigated coordinating with DPW/BPW on the Mayor's push to use reclaimed water? Downtown's need for self-watering planters might work as an opportunity and their need to get some pr mileage out of the 'toilet to tap' concept.

# on Jun.01.2008 AT 05:25 PM

Urban Trojan writes:

'Toilet To Tap' would have tertiary treated water injected into the groundwater table, not directly into the city distribution system. Reclaimed water distribution (purple colored pipes) is strictly for suburban parks and industrial uses.

# on Jun.02.2008 AT 01:09 AM

Benjamin Pezzillo writes:

Thank you for the clarification on 'toilet to tap'. I don't suppose a planter is enough tertiary material to treat the waste these planters seem to already collect...

The purple lines would be appropriate for automatically watering planters Downtown if engineering that system was an economically viable option. I do believe Downtown has some of these lines already but I do not know how prevalent they are in the Historic Core area.

# on Jun.02.2008 AT 08:26 AM