Raina on May 06, 2011, at 04:22PM – #1

Been living in Spring Towers for 10 years... Wow, I forgot how ugly that corner used to look! For as odd as those cut-out store-front/balcony/windows are - it is a million times better than the check cashing fortress looking thing it used to be. Now all we need is a cross-walk in the middle of the block!!

Oh yeah, on topic - so happy that contraflow lane thing is gone. People just used to drive the wrong way down it all the time!

on May 07, 2011, at 10:59AM – #2

Those peak hour "No Parking " signs should be removed from Spring and Main Streets as they stifle business for local restaurants and businesses that would relish the opportunity to welcome customers between the hours of 4-6pm. Furthermore, the lanes are really never free flowing as tow trucks line up even when the block is clear. In my opinion, If commuters want to use our local community as a thoroughfare, let them wallow in a little traffic or park and have drink, dinner, and contribute to local business.

ps. 2 lane streets anyone?

LAofAnaheim on May 08, 2011, at 08:15PM – #3

I agree with you whole-heartedly Eric. These "anti-gridlock zoning" signs in the downtown core should be removed. We're not the suburbs where people should speed through. It's not right sitting at Pete's cafe on 4th/Main or Panini cafe at 9th/Hope and having cars travel next to the curb at 40 miles per hour. This is an urban environment in which cars should be slowed down and that priority is given to pedestrians, bicyclists (more bike lanes!!) and buses.

Valerie Watson on May 09, 2011, at 09:11AM – #4

I've lived on Spring Street for 4 years. I love my neighborhood and serve on the Board of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council (DLANC). It's really amazing to have witnessed the changes. Now is the time to capitalize on the investment folks have made in our neighborhood and leverage new City policy oriented towards complete streets.

The Downtown Street Standards passed last year show a fundamental shift in how City departments view the function of Downtown's streets. I've heard some interest from business owners and stakeholders along Spring Street between 6th and 7th in installing a mid-block pedestrian crossing. The 2010 City of LA Bike Plan calls for a couplet of bike facilities on Spring and Main through Downtown, connecting to planned bike lanes on 7th Street and Figueroa. Countless new businesses are opening, bringing new life to these 24-hour streets, and Spring Street Park is set to break ground later this year. A huge concentration of folks now live and work along Spring and Main. Just a block away, a streetcar is planned to run the length of Broadway as it loops around the community.

What if Spring/Main become pedestrian-priority neighborhood streets? 24-hour metered parking, curb extensions, sidewalk extensions, and mid-block crossings where there are none would really change the quality of the historic core for the benefit of all. It's time we physically reconfigure our streets in DTLA to meet the needs of the current and future users - residents, workers, transit riders, visitors, cyclists - all who are pedestrians as part of their daily journey. This is LA's urban core - you shouldn't be able to drive 45 mph down any of our streets, and especially pedestrian-rich streets like Spring, Main and Broadway. Anyone who's been brushed by a speeding car or bus as they stand at an intersection waiting to cross knows what I'm talking about! Even at peak-hour commuting times, 5 lanes are hardly necessary. In fact, it's absurd. On my walk to work every morning, I see cars regularly reach speeds of 50 mph through the Spring/6th intersection as they gun it to make the light (only to slam on their brakes at the next red light - ugh!).

If anyone would be interested in donating their time, skills, or professional expertise to create a pedestrian-priority plan for Spring/Main, please contact me at

Chris Loos on May 09, 2011, at 09:40AM – #5

You know what would really be a victory for Downtown? Turning all the one-ways back to two-way streets. Think about it for a moment: the benefits of one-streets disproportionatly benefit non-residents cutting through Downtown while negatively impacting residents.

Downtown One-Way Streets

Pros:

• Let commuters zip through Downtown at near-freeway speeds.

Cons:

• Safety hazard to downtown pedestrians and cyclists

• Suck away potential business at local retailers by funneling cars through at speeds too fast to notice shops/restaurants/bars

• Difficult to navigate: missing a turn means circling further, more idling, more traffic

At some point the city needs to recognize that Downtown is a pedestrian environment first, and an auto environment second. Plenty of other cities have made the shift in their thinking, to the benefit of the vitality of their downtowns. Until DTLA does the same, it will remain a second class downtown. The one-ways have got to go.

Thomas K Nagano on May 09, 2011, at 10:23AM – #6

The one-way bus lane was a great revenue generator. I can't tell you how many times I saw someone driving in the lane and, then get a ticket.

They would probably never come Downtown again.

T K Nagano

The Dude on May 09, 2011, at 11:57AM – #7

I agree with the sentiments that the Historic Core needs to be made more pedestrian-friendly, but I disagree about converting one-way streets back to two-way. This will only lead to more congestion and lower air quality for all of the residents, and we don't want that.

Instead, I think it'd be a great idea to turn the two curb lanes into permanent parking lanes and narrow the intersections with bump-outs to facilitate pedestrian crossing.

I would also propose improving the signal timing within the district because as noted, the signal timing leads to a "hurry up and stop" traffic pattern that fosters driver aggression and aggravates poor air quality. Signals should be timed more appropriately to the speed limits, and maybe ATSAC should be implemented (or improved if already implemented...it's very frustrating to have a green signal when everything is all backed up and no one gets through).

Agreed on additional midblock crossings.

Dion on May 09, 2011, at 12:05PM – #8

Valerie, those sound like great idea. i hope someone who makes decisions listens and implements these measures.

Chris,i agree 100%. its a simple fix that can change downtown tremendously.

crystal on May 09, 2011, at 12:29PM – #9

I disagree w/ 24hr metered parking and undoing the one ways that Valerie suggested. Everything else is great.

Especially the mid street crossing on Spring between 6/7. I'm going to end up w/ a ticket one day otherwise.

Valerie Watson on May 09, 2011, at 01:56PM – #10

Crystal - It was Chris who suggested reintroducing two-way traffic. I listed physical design changes that don't relate to traffic patterns specifically, more so traffic calming generally. Maybe in the long term, the directionality of all downtown streets can be examined, but that's a huge undertaking - making a change on one street affects all the other streets in the grid. For now, there are physical changes that can be easily implemented in the near term on these and other streets that can dramatically improve pedestrian safety.

Chris Loos on May 09, 2011, at 03:44PM – #11

I agree that converting the one-ways to two-ways is huge deal with a lot of effects. That would be one massive EIR. Still, I'd like to see it happen one day.

In the meantime there's lots that could be done. Someone earlier mentioned corner bulbouts...they go a long way towards making crossing the street feel safer, and as a bonus, prevent cars from careening around the corner like its a freeway offramp. Santa Monica uses them, as does Long Beach. I wonder if City Hall even knows what they are? ;P

on May 10, 2011, at 07:50AM – #12

I'm in favor of mid-block crossings...if you bring the number of lanes down. Just throwing up a traffic signal and painting a crosswalk isn't enough. Those existing mid-block crossings on Spring and Main are dangerous...they give a false sense of safety to the pedestrians.

I'm sure you've all had a car ram through the crosswalk when you thought you could safely cross. I'm even skeptical of the in-pavement flashing lights...they're ok at night, but in the day drivers can barely see the flash.

So if this is a serious study coming up, I want to see vehicular lanes taken out, if not the entire block (I'm not delusional), then at least narrow down to the crossing...bulb out the sidewalk at the crossing area.

Chris Loos on May 10, 2011, at 09:51AM – #13

Imagine if DTLA's streets got the same kind of treatment that NYC's streets have been getting lately?

http://www.streetfilms.org/complete-streets-its-about-more-than-just-bike-lanes/

on May 10, 2011, at 09:29PM – #14

Yes! Let's eliminate the peak period "no parking" - at least on some streets. Also looking forward to Metro making more strides (which I keep hearing rumors about) for less buses going through downtown that are primarily doing transfers across the bigger city. Keep the bus thoroughfares to some outer loops or get that transfer station.

Looking forward to seeing an article in 10 years about how buses are minimized; bikes and pedestrians are prioritized in downtown.

Dion on May 11, 2011, at 05:03PM – #15

Maybe Blogdowntown should do a huge story on downtown streets, complete streets and what the residents want? maybe that will get the cities attention. i feel like if there is a plan to implement, then we can go after funding and get this done.

John Swartz on May 12, 2011, at 11:00AM – #16

Wow, I can't believe its been 5 years! I used to sit on my balcony and watch drunk drivers get pulled over at night who didn't know the lane was just for buses! (That was back when the cops downtown drew their guns automatically when they pulled anyone over.)

Look at the SB Tower building... I almost forgot that it was a 3 story solid, windowless wall with a check cashing place on the first floor!

Spring Street was my first home in downtown and is still my favorite street. Its amazing to see how much it has changed at night, from a barren wasteland to a pedestrian friendly neighborhood with lots of bars, restaurants, & coffee shops.
Go downtown go!

-J

Tara Devine on May 20, 2011, at 04:02PM – #17

I've lived in the 600 block of Spring for 10 years, and I'm glad the contraflow bus lane is gone. I'm pro-bus, but it didn't make sense here. It was one more circulation oddity that confused the heck out of visitors (I saw a lot of cars mistakenly end up in that lane.) And it did stifle business on that side of Spring. It was eliminated at a great time - as retail and dining was finally taking off in Historic. Kudos to DLANC and Eric for advocacy.

Buses, rail and bikes are good. We need way more bike racks, more flexible transit options, and some updates to existing DT stations (for example, there are a lot of stations that are hell to get a bike in/out of.)

Kudos to Metro's steadily improving commitments to better alternatives: flexible passes, the bicycle roundtables, the Regional Connector and the DT Streetcar, just to name a few.

Valerie Watson on June 08, 2011, at 12:07PM – #18

DLANC is convening a talented bunch to move forward with a Vision for Urban Complete Streets on Spring/Main! If you'd like to be a part please contact me at

We will have a meeting within the next month to flesh out a game plan. What can you contribute?