Final Renders Released for CRA Park Plans
Deborah Murphy Urban Design + Planning
CRA-backed Prop 84 park projects: (L-R) Budokan Little Tokyo, Olympic / Grand and Ord / Yale.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — The deadline for applications by park projects interested in Prop 84 funding was Monday, and this morning the Community Redevelopment Agency sent out renderings of the park designs that it submitted for Chinatown, Little Tokyo and South Park.
The state program could provide up to $5 million for each project, with winning entries to be announced by September.
All three projects, along with four CRA-backed proposals in South L.A., were sent to the state on Saturday and confirmed as received on Monday morning.
In South Park, the Grand Avenue Linear Park would take two lanes away from cars between 9th and Olympic, converting them into a strip of park space proposed to feature trees -- both real and photovoltaic -- plantings, seating, a water feature, WIFI and power hookups.
Budokan of Los Angeles is the latest incarnation of efforts to bring a gym to Little Tokyo that first began in 1970. The project, to be built by the Little Tokyo Service Center, has an agreement with the City to build on a Los Angeles street site located directly behind the new LAPD Motorpool facility. The project cost is estimated at $16.3 million. Renderings show a two-level facility with two basketball courts and a rooftop garden that would feature a playground, bamboo grove, performance space and a Japanese garden.
Located next to the Chinatown Library, the Ord & Yale project would be a multi-level space featuring plantings, performance space, a cafe / concession stand, fitness trail and play equipment. The CRA is currently in the process of purchasing the land.
Guest on March 04, 2010, at 11:30AM – #1
The links are broken to view the PDF's
Guest on March 04, 2010, at 12:18PM – #2
Hi. The links aren't working.
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on March 04, 2010, at 12:47PM – #3
Sorry about that. Links are working now.
Alex Brideau III on March 04, 2010, at 01:43PM – #4
Only had a chance to view the Olympic & Grand rendering. Very impressive. Looks like they actually took some of the suggestions I wrote down! When's the groundbreaking? :-)
Ginny Brideau (@ginnycase) on March 04, 2010, at 03:14PM – #5
buy a shovel!
Jared Zanini on March 04, 2010, at 03:37PM – #6
Wow those renderings look great. The Olympic & Grand with its wifi stations, light "trees", and other unique aspects would be a nice addition!
Jared Zanini on March 04, 2010, at 03:37PM – #7
Wow those renderings look great. The Olympic & Grand with its wifi stations, light "trees", and other unique aspects would be a nice addition!
Jared Zanini on March 04, 2010, at 03:37PM – #8
Wow those renderings look great. The Olympic & Grand with its wifi stations, light "trees", and other unique aspects would be a nice addition!
Simon Ha on March 05, 2010, at 08:17AM – #9
It's a great proposal. I thought there was a design for the other side of the street also... It seems like this park should be next to FIDM. I think there's an opportunity to add to an existing park and make it more usable. Although this would create a nice green space for people working in the Fed building.
Russell Brown on March 05, 2010, at 12:50PM – #10
These are the proposals through CRA sponsored process. There also is the 9th & Hill parcel behind Eastern Columbia (Rec & Parks & CD14)
Proposals are also submitted for Washington Blvd. Park at 1945 S. Hill Street.(CRA)
Add in the Grand Avenue/Bunker Hill Park that is expected to break ground this summer. This is already funded by the Related Group’s lease contribution for the (stalled) Grand Avenue project. (Joint Powers Authority- City & County & private)
Spring Street Gardens has also been purchased by the City and public meetings are scheduled in 2 weeks- proposed date March 18th. Details to follow. (Rec & Parks led with CD9)
There also is the Cornfields Park in Chinatown that may eventually be built out with facilities and amenities, and the Vista Hermosa Park in City West at the Roybald Learning Center site (old Belmont). Eventually there may be the redevelopment of the LA River through downtown from Taylor Yards (another park) to Vernon. Pershing Square will get some capital improvements after a community input process.
Park 101 Freeway Cap Park from LA River to Bunker Hill (Cathedral and Performing Arts School) is also moving along in planning with much support. Big part of this is the high speed train pltaform into Union Station.
There is a proposed Freeway Cap Park near Adams and Figueroa and in Hollywood along the 101 from Santa Monica Blvd to Bronson.
So if most of these come to fruition, downtown should be a pretty park friendly neighborhood (eventually).