Fight Over Glass Blocks Halts Sidewalk Work at 5th and Broadway
Eric Richardson
[Flickr]
Plywood covers halted sidewalk reconstruction outside the Jewelry Trades building at 5th and Broadway. The property owner and the City disagree on how the sidewalk should be rebuilt.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — For the past two weeks, a thin layer of plywood outside the Rite Aid at 5th and Broadway has covered a controversy over how to rebuild Broadway's fragile sidewalks.
Property owner Mideb Nominees wants to replace 200 feet of crumbling concrete with a new, reinforced span. The City, though, has put the work on hold, telling the developer that removed glass block panels were "character-defining features" of the historic property and must be replaced. Mideb says that its plans were already approved and that it doesn't believe the glass blocks are protected.
Caught in the middle are Broadway pedestrians and the residential redevelopment of the 1913 Jewelry Trades building.
Mideb Vice President Greg Martin isn't pleased. "We still believe we have a valid permit," he said. "They have a process. We followed it."
The story starts nearly 90 years ago, when A.C. Bilicke and R.A. Rowan & Co. set out to build a new home for the Title Guarantee & Trust company. Like many structures of the time, the building's basement was extended out under the sidewalk, reaching nearly to the roadway. The glass block panels were placed in the sidewalk to allow light to reach the space below.
Over the years, moisture has penetrated the panels, corroding the metal inside and crumbling the approximately three-inch thick concrete.
A 1978 report commissioned by the City didn't mince words when it came to the safety of Broadway sidewalks between 5th and 6th. "It is our opinion," wrote Tom Kamei of Tom Kamei Associates, "that the buckled and chipped surfaces of the skylights, voids created by missing glass inserts, together with the deteriorated condition of the steel beams, reinforcing bars and pressed metal forms present a hazardous condition to the pedestrian traffic."
Yet for two more decades, all the sidewalk saw was patches and minimal repairs.
After the collapse of a two-foot by six-inch section of panel in early October, likely when a heavily-loaded cart was rolled over it, Martin decided that it was time for a full-scale replacement. Mideb had been working on plans for such a project, and had been working on them with Building and Safety since August. On October 16, the department signed off on the plans and work began shortly after.
On November 18, the City delivered Mideb an order to halt the work, saying that it required "further review of field conditions and specifications for the proposed improvements." A letter delivered to the firm on Tuesday said that permits for the job had been issued incorrectly, and that the City required restoration of the "character-defining" glass blocks.
Martin, who questions the City's assertion that the blocks are a protected element of the Broadway National Historic Register District, believes that the preservation discussion ignores safety. "They've completely glossed over the public safety hazard," he said. "They not just glossed, they've ignored it."
There are glass block replacement options that provide for structural support. Circle Redmont, a Florida company, manufactures precast concrete glass block panels that are used as replacement pavers by the New York Transit Authority in high-traffic areas. Martin said his firm is still considering its options on how to move forward.
On hold with the sidewalk project is the residential conversion upstairs. DWP is requiring Mideb to install an access hatch in the sidewalk, and will not transfer power over to new switching equipment until it is installed. The 62-unit building will open once that is done and life safety equipment testing can be completed.
In the meantime, Broadway pedestrians might have to make do with plywood for just a bit longer.
Allison on December 02, 2009, at 12:14AM – #1
Do we even know how safe the plywood is? When you walk across it, you can feel it give slightly below your feet, and it isn't that thick. And in the spots where there are holes and gaps, it looks pretty deep. Are the City and Mideb endangering pedestrians by prolonging the restoration process?
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on December 02, 2009, at 01:26AM – #2
If you take a look at the photos from inside the basement, the plywood sits on top of rebar and only six inches or so above some metal decking, so there's no immediate danger.
HP on December 02, 2009, at 01:56AM – #3
I'm betting this will be an issue that comes up again and again with reviving Broadway. There are some lovely sidewalk elements, all crumbling and hidden under layers of filth that frighten me so.
I say they should restore it in a safe manner. There is no reason they CANT put glass back in...LA has no money anyways, and those who buy historic buildings need to keep them historic. Either way no one has a right to just do away with things like that.
Justin sullivan on December 02, 2009, at 02:37AM – #4
I feel like the glass blocks in the sidewalks are one of the greatest historical features of downtown LA. I still remember seeing them for the first time and the big smile that crept across my face. It's a shame that so many areas have become so dishevled. I for one would love riser every last one restored and glowing. It adds so much beauty to the neighborhood.
Downtowner on December 02, 2009, at 07:04AM – #5
I'm glad to see the city is standing up for historic preservation. Bout time. I look forward to all of Broadway being restored so I'm glad they're making sure each part is done right. Plus the glass block will enhance the restored building.
jorgie on December 02, 2009, at 10:11AM – #6
Come on people, get it together! The glass blocks are a fantastic feature to a DRAB area. Put them back! Fix it properly, and don't jerk us around with short-cuts and shabby workmanship! Downtown deserves better than this! Let's start expecting more for our city and residents who are fighting this uphill battle to improve and resurrect downtown! Why do we always feel the need to demand respect!
Alex Brideau III on December 02, 2009, at 10:50AM – #7
Heck, if cost is an issue, I'd be happy to donate to a glass block dedication program. Might also be a good way to raise funds for Broadway restoration!
Mike on December 02, 2009, at 11:44AM – #8
The City can revoke the permits at any time. The Bringing Back Broadway initiative states that the glass blocks are an intergral part of the streetscape. Property owners know better. They're just cheap. Bravo LA for sticking to their guns.
E. on December 02, 2009, at 07:37PM – #9
"After the collapse of a two-foot by six-inch section of panel in early October, likely when a heavily-loaded cart was rolled over it". Was it actually a heavily-loaded cart that rolled over it? You mean a homeless person's cart? This is pure speculation. My concern with the Broadway (and parts of Spring between 5th/6th) sidewalk is that simply the weight of a single person walking could create a collapse.
Purple Haze on December 02, 2009, at 07:50PM – #10
The extended basements are within the public right of way. If the owner refuses to budge, the city should proceed to have the work conducted as it sees fit and then place a lien against the property. No permit will be granted. No stores will open and no residents will move in. If the owner remains stuborn and has enough heft to live with a very negative cash flow and write it all off forever, the CRA should just condemn the place: low-rent housing for artists, playwrights, poets and writers. And they could utilize the adjacent Palm Court as a performance space.
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on December 02, 2009, at 10:29PM – #11
E: They believe it was a cart delivering to Rite-Aid, loaded down with soda or something like that. That's not to say that your fears are necessarily unfounded...
where's your copy editor? on December 03, 2009, at 10:22AM – #12
correction: "make do," not "make due."
L.P. on December 05, 2009, at 10:07PM – #13
The sidewalks look pretty scary to me. Purple Haze if the sidewalks are within the "public right of way" why doesn't the city pay for them? Why should the owner not only pay for the repairs, be stopped, be obligated to do the repairs as the city seems fit or else have the property "condemned". It doesn't seem fair to the owner who is looking out not only for your safety but for the safety of everyone.
EGL on December 06, 2009, at 03:56PM – #14
This was a subdivision approval by the City. Because the property owner got approved, he is also required to make improvements to the public ROW in front. The National Register status of Broadway District changes the nature of the improvements - hence the need for glass blocks.
El Dabe Sherif on December 08, 2009, at 11:43PM – #15
From the Circle Redmont website:
Pound for pound, glass is stronger than steel. You just have to know how to integrate it.
(Cool, I just used Markdown)
baddicus on March 29, 2011, at 08:01AM – #16
Concrete sidewalks going in now...what happened to the glass block sidewalk?