Will Campbell on March 04, 2009, at 10:53AM – #1

In the Bringing Back Broadway literature I got during my visit to the Palace Theater this past weekend I was initially heartened by the streetscape renderings but disappointed that bike lanes were not included.

mac on March 04, 2009, at 11:12AM – #2

I hope they do something simple and classic like brick. You really can't beat the old-time appeal of a brick sidewalk, and it will never go out of style. What a savvy way to spend a million dollars! Simple, unassuming brick. How very un-LA.

Dan in La on March 04, 2009, at 11:20AM – #3

Will,

The plans are still in flux. I too would love to see the bike lane there. Contact and let then know you want it. They are very cool people.

Ride safe...

Juanito on March 04, 2009, at 12:55PM – #5

Bike lanes? In both the north and south-bound lanes, I'm sure. And how about lanes for skateboarders and in-line skaters as well? They pay taxes too! Broadway would look like the Venice Boardwalk.

Are those red and blue swirls meant to connotate waves? The Civil War? Whatever, we need quality and simplicity, to be aware of history (context). The final product will need to withstand wear and be easily cleaned. Ordinary brick wouldn't stand up and it bonds so well with chewing gum.

But there is concern in this quarter over the idea of those swirls. The sketches we see are nothing more than suburbanoid decoration. Architects and preservationists must unite and shut down the organic concept proferred so far.

And why improve the ground plane while the buildings continue to deteriorate?

Brian on March 04, 2009, at 01:12PM – #6

I hope they go with a design that is in keeping with the historical aesthetic. Sweeping flourishes seem over the top. How about something simple, like mac writes - maybe brick.

David on March 04, 2009, at 03:35PM – #8

The swirls look dated now -- how bad are they going to look 10 years from now? Since this is one of the most historic sections of the City, I hope they just do a design that is more historically appropriate. To me that means having rectangular landscaping wells, not the rounded version shown, and no swirls, just a straight line pattern.

Juanito on March 04, 2009, at 05:41PM – #9

Eric,

oh the tales that I could tell, of contexts of which we speak. Having once worked with Lauren and knowing her track record, the renderings were a shock to see. Perhaps the eye candy had to be drawn up on short notice for media distribution and there was no time to critique and start over. Done right or done wrong, the new streetscape along Broadway will become a classic example of a landscape architect walking a tight rope in front of architects, preservationists, owners, politicians and the citizenry. The solution must be deferential to the facades which define the lane. This is a basic urban design issue.

mac on March 07, 2009, at 12:33PM – #10

Juanito,

Some of the oldest sidewalks in the world are made of brick (or cobblestone). I think that proves that brick can withstand the demands of time and wear. And gum sticks to pretty much everything. 'Cause.... its sticky. But I'm glad you have faith that the planners will come up with a design that pleases everyone. I hope you're right. Since "use brick" is the only suggestion I can come up with, I guess I have to sit back and hope those swirlies are just a sick, sick joke.