Future LA Convention Center to expand over Pico; but doesn't it do that already?
Courtesy Populous Designs
A rendering of "Pico Passage" that would be created by the Pico expansion of the convention center.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — When plans for the expansion of the L.A. Convention Center were released to a special city council committee last week, descriptions of the construction included "expanding over Pico Boulevard."
But the convention center already does that. So what exactly do the new plans entail?
Now, there is a small concourse of the convention center that bridges over Pico Boulevard, connecting the South Hall to the West Hall. The new plans indicate massive construction that may result in an entirely new "multipurpose" hall built over Pico as well as an expansion of the South Hall to form one long, contiguous hall. This will then connect the convention center to the future Farmers Field football stadium.
The area created underneath all these new Pico structures has been dubbed the catchy, "Pico Passage." It will serve as one of the convention center's featured entrances and according to the designs presented by Populous, include a decorative, futuristic-looking "LACOEX" welcome sign and a large lobby.
downtown vibe on February 07, 2012, at 03:23PM – #1
First off,
Populous should show the public how unrestricted truck traffic under a new convention hall is safe in the event of a terrorist attack.
David McBane on February 08, 2012, at 04:00PM – #2
downtown vibe - There are so many targets a truck bomb could be used against - for example, City Hall - why are you so focused on the new Convention Center? Let's also remember that since September 11th, there have been no bombings in the U.S. So to focus so much energy on such a slim possibility is just a waste.
downtown vibe on February 08, 2012, at 05:00PM – #3
Here we go again...given the fact that the LA Buiding And Safety Department and The Planning Department are both targets of FBI investigations and that AEG has been fueling the local organized crime ring with cash... I would bet money that nobody has any intention of doing an actual safety review on this project.
AEG helped the mayor buy the LA Unified School District Board so he could get control of their construction program.
And why was an AEG Owner's wife in a restaurant business with a local latino mafia thug?
You see how fast the restaurant closed when that hit the news in 2010?
How many city "case managers" are keeping prying eyes off this project....
They say this project has not cost the taxpayers anything, but you look closely and you will find that AEG has empowered others to steal hundreds of millions of dollars from the taxpayer ALREADY. Just remember I said this 12 months from now when the FBI finally decides to make some press releases.
downtown vibe on February 08, 2012, at 05:06PM – #4
David's logic reminds me of a great Whoopi Goldberg line from "Jumping Jack Flash"....I should just pin a hundred dollar bill to my ass and scream "Victim here! Victim here!" ...