Fun Notes from the NBG Meeting

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — I love going to the meetings where I get to pick up fun tidbits about developments happening in the neighborhood. Such was the case tonight, when I attended a meeting for the Old Bank District Neighborhood Block Grant program. Let's just bullet point some fun things I jotted down:

• It looks like there will be some NBG money available in this cycle for two new projects: Harlem Alley between 4th and 5th, and the storefronts of the LA Garage on Main between 5th and 6th.

• One of the new projects presented was a DVD rental store planning to open in one of Gilmore's Old Bank buildings. They want to do a lot with cultural films, indie, foreign, etc. Their estimated pricing would be about $2.99 for a rental, and they're playing with the idea of also offering Netflix style subscriptions as well. Rough open date would be early September.

• The PE Lofts project presented some facade work they would like to do, and in the process talked about some of the retail they have lined up. Right now they're in the paperwork phase with a gourmet market, a bar/lounge to go next to Cole's, a "bohemian coffee house", and a UPS store. Another random PE fact: the top-floor lofts have unfathomably high 38 foot ceilings.

• is hoping to open in the Old Bank alley sometime this summer. Roughly 2400 sq. ft., seating for , featuring coffee, sandwiches, dessert, etc. They want to stay open late (2am late) and have a host of live entertainment including music and poetry.

There's definitely a lot of cool stuff going on right now.