JM on October 27, 2009, at 02:32PM – #1

City-owned community parking is definitely the way to go for Downtown. As much as I like and encourage walking, I think parking rates are extortionately expensive in the center of town.

Btw, is this the same parking facility I hear planned for the vicinity of St. Vincent's Court? Or is this another city parking being planned?

loveandhatela on October 27, 2009, at 02:37PM – #3

Wow that is totally awesome. Please,please let it all fall into place accordingly so this could be realized.

I still remember going to the Palace Theater with a friend back in 1996, it was so beautiful to be inside it despite the wear and neglect.

Such rich architectural beauty that once was and now hopefully can be once more.

The movie sucked, it was Julia Roberts in "Mary Reilly"- in one of her attempts at being a "real/serious" actress.

-Priceless history!

Tim on October 27, 2009, at 03:23PM – #4

This is great news. Culver City, Santa Monica and Beverly Hills all have city owned parking structures with reasonable rates. Even Hollywood does. I just hope the prices at this new structure aren't "whatever the market will bare", but more along the lines of the Hollywood & Highland structure, which is very reasonable.

John Crandell on October 27, 2009, at 06:44PM – #7

An interesting design problem, as parking garages go.

david on October 27, 2009, at 06:48PM – #8

WOW. i literally just moved out of 621 s. broadway and had no idea this was even a remote possibility. someone should probably tell the tenants about this...

Jeff on October 27, 2009, at 06:55PM – #9

Revitalizing these theaters is undoubtedly key to the long-term success of Broadway and the Historic Core. The streetcar has been touted as a way to attract investment and patrons to the area and if Portland, Seattle, and countless European cities are any example, then it surely will. Create connections between the streetcar and existing (and future) Metro stations in Downtown and the return of Broadway is all but assured, which makes me question the need for a parking garage.

Using the parking garage funds to accelerate the timeline for the streetcar will attract the investment and activity boosters have long sought. The vitality of the neighborhood will be reason enough for Ezat Delijani and others to reinvest in their theaters. As the hub for all mass transit in LA the need for accommodating cars is not as it was in Santa Monica, Culver City, and Pasadena. Using those cities as the basis for our thinking ignores what makes Downtown so unique and valuable. It also stifles our ability to create new innovative models for rejuvenating Downtown - without much concern for cars. Build the streetcar first and enjoy the success it brings, then concentrate on activating the theaters, if they haven't done so already.

david on October 27, 2009, at 07:00PM – #10

PS - i know for a fact there are people living in 621 s. broadway who have been there for 10-15 years. maybe this is good for downtown in the long run but it's a shame some longtime residents of downtown may be displaced so unceremoniously.

bp on October 27, 2009, at 08:24PM – #11

i think all the commenter above are all correct in some ways. We still need parking garages regardless if there is going to be a downtown streetcar system in the near or distant future (or not).

this is LA you can't stop people from driving and even pedestrian friendly places like oldtown pasadena, playhouse district of pasadena and south lake district of pasadena all have muti-level parking garages in addition to gold line stations on- site or near by.

The importance is to have quality parking buildings that are closely infused with surrounding retail and architecture elements. the best example is the "one colorado" parking garage on fair oaks and union st. the retail spaces on the street level allow street life to flow in all directions.

the worse example: some city own parking building in hollywood (not hollywood and highland but not great either) and there are also a few bad ones in santa monica.

carter on October 28, 2009, at 08:25AM – #12

Good examples of parking garage development can be seen in Beverly Hills and Old Pasadena, while those in Santa Monica are not. How about some architectural continuity between garage and theatres? Other thoughts include returning downtown streets to two-way and thus allow for proper access to the garage via right turns only. And let's build the connector and forget the streetcar.

Jeff on October 28, 2009, at 10:29AM – #14

Eric - agreed, parking structures will definitely maximize foot traffic/train riders. But with Metrolink/Gold/Red/Expo/Blue/Regional Connector/Streetcar I question the value or need for dumping $50 million into a parking structure that will only contribute to auto-pedestrian conflict.

Jasmijn on October 28, 2009, at 11:51AM – #15

It would be great to have those theaters back in use again! Hooray to Mr. Delijani!

Re. parking: Just now I'm reading Richard Longstreth's massive City Center to Regional Mall: Architecture, the Automobile, and Retailing in Los Angeles, (from the Central Branch library). The earlier chapters make much of how the lack of conveniently located, easily accessible parking was a major force in driving retail and entertainment out of downtown in the early decades of the 20th century.

Ads from the late '20s already tout special lots as incentives for May Co. and Broadway shoppers, or point out the availability nearby lots for prospective tenants of "new" office buildings (like the Title Guarantee Building @ 5th & Hill, whose proximity to 4 garages and 3 auto parks was apparently a major selling point). And this is at a time when the streetcar system was in full swing.

The greatest economic reason for the lack of sufficient parking at the time was apparently the reluctance of the owners of empty parcels to commit to building a multilevel garage on the lots, as they brought in much less income than a commercial building erected on the same site would. They preferred to operate them as asphalted parking lots and thus keep the option of selling/building open for the future. Given current parking rates in many areas of downtown, I don't think that's a concern any more!

Jeff on October 28, 2009, at 12:22PM – #16

The 1920s were the high-water mark for streetcar ridership, declining steadily thereafter until it was dismantled. Thanks in large part to suburban malls with ample parking and an economic model for the region that centered around private auto use.

The proposition is simple - provide greater accommodation for cars and you'll get more of them. Don't take my word for it, just look around you.

Downtown affords LA its best hope to fight our tendency to build for cars. For those in favor of the parking garage, I have one question: what are we going to do once the area returns to life and the garage is full and parking is again a scarce commodity and constraint for further growth? Build another garage?

Russell Brown on October 28, 2009, at 11:58PM – #18

The garage is just a part of an overall strategy to lock in parking and theatre support facilities for a revitalized theatre district. The Los Angeles and Palace have no loading docks and minimal back stage facilities. Those functions will be built into the garage and theatre support complex. This will also allow off street valet parking and car queuing. The entrance to the parking can also be on Hill so as to not conflict with the Broadway Theatre entrances. Filming support facilities can be incorporated to minimize neighborhood impacts of generators and on street parking,

The garage will be designed to support housing or other development above. Maybe a rooftop lounge above a performing arts facility?

No matter how amazing transportation is downtown (and we have a long way to go)- for many ticket buyers from the Westside, the Valley and other areas, there is not seamless transportation links. Cars are the only options. Look at the needs of the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood and compare parking access there (controlled by the Pantages and Neiderlander organization) to the availability downtown.

Although downtowners may crave that pedestrian option, the tourists from Orange County, San Diego and Oklahoma are not of that mindset. Indeed, when I use a car out of necessity for deliveries to the LA Theatre for DLANC meetings, I must leave by 8:45 pm so as not to have the car locked in overnight. Imagine that as an option for theatre goers and it is a business killer.

We are also looking at this garage is only part of the transit linkages that will include the streetcar on Broadway and on Hill, the Regional Connector, a Red Line to Westwood, an Expo Line to Culver City and Santa Monica pier, the Gold Line thru East LA and beyond. Add in the high speed train to Sacramento, San Francisco, Anaheim and San Diego and downtown becomes the center of all transportation linkages in the entire state.

Robert on October 29, 2009, at 06:58AM – #19

Are they planning to have a retail element on the bottom floor of the garage fronting Broadway? I sure hope so.

Jeff on October 29, 2009, at 01:06PM – #20

Thanks for the clarification Russell. Knowing that alleviates some of my concern.

I still wonder what that leaves us when we think about reviving Broadway's other defunct theaters? Will we need parking garages for each of those too? And what about when the parking garage helps the area recover - does that logic commit us to building ever more garages to continue the growth of the area?

John C. on October 29, 2009, at 01:21PM – #21

Thank you, Mr. Brown. That'sa discussion with lottsa nuance on top.

Now: how to make such a parking garage look NOT like a parking garage, provide dazzle at sidewalk level and sought-after housing up on top and complement the theater, rather than immitate, all in one package.

Best call Frank.

Russell Brown on October 29, 2009, at 03:29PM – #22

The intent is not to build private garages for each facility. This will be city owned community parking that will accomodate facilities within a 2-3 block area. This is the foundational support that convinces others to match (and significantly exceed)the city's support. It will also serve as parking for the reactivation of one MILLION square feet of upper floors on Broadway that are presently unoccupied. Adaptive reuse does not require parking but reality does.

The planned streetcar will also link the parking at Broadway and Olympic with the parking at 3rd & Broadway. The Million Dollar has access to Grand Central Market parking. Orpheum parking is open lots, garages, significant adjacent parking and most importantly, managed by the theatre owner Steve Needleman. Add in increased exiting and signage from Pershing Square parking and it all starts to come together. The streetcar also connects Broadway to Music Center/ Disney Hall/ Civic Center and South Park/ LA Live/ Staples/ Convention Center. Streetcar just included in Metro approve Long Range Transportation Plan. CRA has committed $10 mil of $90 mil budget.

The Los Angeles and Orpheum are the premier theatres on Broadway. Restored LA and Palace with the already restored Orpheum and Million Dollar Theatre will create 4 great theatres for live programming. Add in the Tower as a music focused event/lounge complex and eventually the very well maintained State Theater (now a church) and you have 6 very functional, architectural significant theatres. The UA Theatre may also come back as publicly accessible (Gene Scott Church presently).

Remember, we also have the Mayan Theatre, soon to reopen Belasco Theatre and the Los Angeles Theatre Center on Spring. Add in the 740 Nightclub in the Globe Theatre, Versus/Stock Exchange reopening, Company of Angels Theatre troupe at the Alexandria, 2 comedy clubs, 40 restaurants and bars, and 40 galleries and art facilities anchored by a growing residential community. Art Walk has proven the neighborhood has reinvented itself. These components become your residential/ retail/ hospitality and cultural district.

The Roxie/ Cameo and Arcade complex are all owned by the Helens Company who own the Merchantile Arcade/Broadway Spring Arcade(soon to open with 143 market rate apartments), Chester William building (under construction/ pending residential), Jewelry Trades building (soon to open market rate residential- 62 units )and Art Deco/ Hartsfield Building at 537 S. Broadway (under construction/to be restored as Helens Co.corporate offices). There will be a parking structure for these new residential behind these theatres and adjacent to the Spring Street entrance to the Merchantile/Spring Arcade entrance (opposite LATC). Privately financed by Helens Company.

The restored Broadway buildings include Eastern Columbia, Chapman,Orpheum Lofts, Judson, Jewelry Trades, State Theatre Towers. Other buildings under construction are the Blackstone Building (SW 9th & Broadway), Falles Parades Building, and Pershing Square Building with lounge restaurants on roof, ground floor and basement.

All of this will be connected to a revitalized streetscape on Broadway, a streetcar linking light rail/heavy rail/ high speed trains and other mass transit.

So when folks ask what is happening on Broadway, now you can start to see the future.

Bert Green on October 30, 2009, at 12:46AM – #23

Thanks, Russ. For anyone who wants to get more information about these and other projects it's always a good idea to attend the DLANC Planning Committee meetings and the DLANC board meetings. Info at dlanc.com

Douchebag suit on October 30, 2009, at 10:39AM – #24

This is a joke. The garage is being built to for the Delajanis plain and simple. There is WAY more than enough parking in the area to support the theaters. True, parking is pretty full duringt he day but those same lots and garages are pretty empty at night. For a lot less than $50 million I bet the city could bribe/subsidise garage and lot owners into keeping them open, with attentants on-site 24/7.
It should also be pointed out a) how much money Ezrat and his family have given to our local councilmembers and mayor and 2) that they also just happen to own several other buildinsg in the area with approvals for residential conversion but with no on-site parking. Wow! what a boon to all of a sudden ahve the city build you a garage smack in the middle of several hundred future residential units. Sure, those aren't going to be built any time soon but there's a hell of a lot more going on here than just trying to revive the theaters. So in summary, the Delajani family owns most of the theaters that will directly benefit from the garage AND several nearby buildings with approvals for several hundred residential units. This is absolute horse shit. BTW - parking is VERY cheap in the historic core ($5 - $10 all day), which is precisely why none of the parking lot operators in the area have built a private parking garage. And, this garage will probably ruin St. Vincent's Court.

Russell Brown on October 31, 2009, at 11:00AM – #25

Since others seem to be such an expert on this, the previous post failed to mention that none of this parking can be leased to residential buildings. The city is only allowed to create commercial parking.Same at Pershing Square.

So as the Chapman Building, Hass building, Merchantile Arcade, Chester Williams, Jewelry Trades and Jusdon building, Blackstone building, Douglas, Bartlett, ShyBarry Grand, along with all the residential on Spring and Main including SB Main, SB Spring, SB Manhattan, and 2 new rehabbed building at 8th and Main/ Spring come on board- these folks are to park were? Try in the existing spaces that are rapidly disppearing in the future.

Did we mention that the project will take 3 years or more and this is a plan to build towards where we expect to be 5 years to 20 years from now?

So when it is stated that community benefit only goes to a single entity, I guess we can also argue that the sidewalks and streets in front of our own homes are only for ourselves also.

Dan in LA on November 02, 2009, at 11:12AM – #27

Thanks, Russell-

and in the buried lead department,

" The Los Angeles and Palace have no loading docks and minimal back stage facilities. Those functions will be built into the garage and theatre support complex. "

This is a huge deal for keeping these theaters programmed and the street busy. The Nokia has a huge loading dock under the stage, and this saves the production companies a ton of money in labor charges, and this will make the theaters more attractive to book...

Guest on October 27, 2010, at 03:51PM – #29

The 1911 Palace Theatre does indeed have a load in - it's off the stage house which is rather large for a 99 year old vaudeville house. In addition to two levels of "star" dressing rooms on the stage level, there is a massive green room with several good sized dressing rooms, two bathrooms, and several storage rooms beneath the stage. The Palace has the most potential. If that theatre was completely restored and upgraded then it could be used as one of the most versatile venues in the city. Now, if there were only a way of linking the second balcony to the lobby and reconfigure the seating then we'd be in business,

The 1931 Los Angeles was built as a movie house with only about 15 feet of stage with a fly loft, mainly to fly in drapes and the big screen. There is very limited access to the stage at the LA - the building was really squeezed into that lot. With a stage that is both super wide and super shallow, I think the Los Angeles would do best as a movie/live concert venue - along the same lines as the programing at the Wiltern, but we'd keep the seats on floor.......