Plans Submitted for $6.6 Million Park at 9th & Hill
Rendering of the proposed pocket park at 9th & Hill.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Plans to convert a parking lot at 9th and Hill into a pocket park took a step forward this month, with Councilman Jose Huizar's office and the community group behind the proposal partnering up on an application for $5 million in state funds. That money, along with $1.6 million in local funds, would pay for the acquisition of the 0.7-acre parcel and the development of the park.
That's a big drop from previous estimates, which were based on the $8 million price tag that Kor Group has been using to shop the site.
While he declined to give the land price in the current figure, the project's neighborhood outreach committee chair, Bill Cooper, said today that the funds would be sufficient to get the project done.
"The city had the park appraised by an independent appraiser" to determine the price, Cooper explained. "That initial funding can build the park the way we have planned."
The site is located immediately behind the Eastern Columbia building, and is also close to residential units at the Orpheum Lofts and the soon-to-open Blackstone.
Councilman Jose Huizar's office helped line up the $1.6 million in local money, which the state application required be committed already. "I am proud of the collaboration that went into this proposal, with my staff working hand-in-hand with the downtown community, along with support and assistance from the Department of Recreation and Parks," Huizar said in a statement.
The $5 million in state money would come from the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program of 2008, which is slated to pump $368 million into park projects throughout California. Several other Downtown projects have applied for similar funding amounts.
Cooper said that the project is pursuing private funds that could allow it to lessen the amount of city money required or add additional features to the park.
Whitman Lam on March 13, 2010, at 12:16AM – #1
It's funny how the renderings never include homeless encampments and graffiti sprayed on walls and trees.
Baktaash Sorkhabi on March 13, 2010, at 07:02AM – #2
@ Whitman Lam: So what do you propose, that we just not have any parks built? This is the problem with Southern California, there is no sense of pride in public spaces. Everyone wants their big, park-like backyard with a swimming pool and built in BBQ somewhere out in Riverside county....LA is not greater than the sum of its parts because each part of LA works independently from one another, instead of working at creating a city full of collective pride...its a shame that LA is one of the largest and well known metropolises in the world, but shares more attributes with some midwest suburb town than it does a large city...
Dennis Smith on March 13, 2010, at 08:45AM – #3
^^ For more commentary on Los Angeles' roots as a mecca for midwestern values, please read Richard Meltzer's slightly dated but still relevant -L.A. Is the Capital of Kansas-.
Whitman Lam on March 14, 2010, at 01:17AM – #4
I'm not saying we shouldn't have a pocket park built. If a park can be built and well maintained, it would be a huge plus for the quality of life in Downtown. Example: Grand Hope Park.
What I'm saying is, a park does not succeed by itself. It takes a community to maximize the park. Organize events, promote discussions, be vigilant of any abuse. But the most important part, is to use the park.
If done correctly, the park will flourish for generations. Maybe become a famous landmark. If done wrong (As so have so many Pershing Squares) it will become a den of urban decay, vandalism, and homeless refugee camp.
6.6 million can buy a much larger plot of land just outside of Downtown, but still accessible by local residents. Like the highly successful Cornfield park, and Vista Hermosa. These are huge expanses of greenery.
Sidbo (@sidbo) on March 15, 2010, at 09:15AM – #5
@Whitman Lam: A plot of land outside of downtown does not service the rapidly growing amount of residents inside of downtown. The whole idea of the Quimby funds, collected through additional city taxes for each apartment/condo sold in a specific area, was to bring green space to that specific area. It's not fair to take those Quimby funds, and divert them to an area outside of this when this money was collected to serve the residents who paid into them. Nor is it even legally allowed.
From what I've learned, the plan for this park is to have it gated and closed at night. It's also going to be in a high traffic area where you have business and residents who are present day and night.
The fact that this is truly a now TWO YEAR grassroots effort to start this park shows residents in this area are committed to what you say about community and it succeeding.
One should really do their homework before making derogatory comments that contradict the facts.
Steve White (@StevenMWhite) on November 21, 2011, at 04:07PM – #6
Any update on whatever happened to this? I walked by the site today and clearly, it's still a parking lot. Has the land been purchased or did something fall through? Is it still in the works or have plans changed?
Eric Richardson (@blogdowntown) on November 21, 2011, at 06:42PM – #7
They didn't get the $5 million in state funds, so nothing moved forward. In the time since, the lot has been sold, though no plans for it have been announced.