Featured Stories

Have a Happy Fourth of July, Downtown

By Eric Richardson — Yesterday, 09:49 PM

Waving Eric Richardson

Expect light posting over this holiday weekend as those of us here at blogdowntown take a break and perhaps catch some fireworks. For those of you still figuring out where to catch a show around L.A., check out this list from the Fire Department's safejuly4th site.

— Continued Inside...


Broadway Effort Would Do Well to Look at Denver Mall

By Eric Richardson — Yesterday, 09:25 PM
9 Comments

16th Street Mall

Three years ago I pitched Denver's 16th Street Mall as a model for Broadway. Built in the 1980s, the mall took sixteen blocks of derelict downtown and turned it into a walkable destination. The street was closed off and turned into tree-lined pedestrian space, with a free bus as the only traffic. Yesterday I was back in Denver and again walked along the mall...


Council Vetoes Pershing Square Work

By Eric Richardson — Wednesday
10 Comments

Pershing Square's Palm Court

City Council today voted to veto a $190,000 renovation that would have added grass and exercise equipment to Pershing Square's Palm Court. The site, on the northeast corner of the park, is currently surfaced in crushed granite and is home to the park's collection of statues. Council asserted jurisdiction over the Rec & Parks decision in mid-June. The proposed...


Etc

A Lost Legacy: Downtown's Historic Churches

By Eric Richardson — Yesterday, 01:30 PM
9 Comments

Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church

Like most cities, the architecture of downtown Denver is punctuated by its historic churches. Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, built in 1887, sits right across the street from modern office buildings. Other century-old churches dot the spaces between civic structures and new condos. Whether one is religious or not, the buildings provide a distinct style of...


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Everyday

Should L.A. Emulate Other Cities' Homeless Meters?

By Eric Richardson — Wednesday
8 Comments

Homeless Donation Meter

In March of 2007, the city of Denver deployed the first of 86 refurbished parking meters that now stand around Downtown, collecting donations as part of "Denver's Road Home," the city's ten-year campaign to end homelessness. The meters have a two-fold purpose: collecting money that otherwise would go to panhandlers, and educating the public on the homeless...


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Arts/Culture

Chinatown's Central Plaza Swings Into the Night

By Ed Fuentes — Monday
4 Comments

Big Band

With a big band playing hits from the 40s, scheduled after the traditional Dragon, The 70th Anniversary Celebration of "New Chinatown" had the substance of history and tradition, along with a nod to L.A.s noir era Visitors, dignitaries, Downtown locals and Chinatown residents filled Central Plaza to watch restored neon be lit, dance to swing music, wear 40s...


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Growth

Business Growth in Downtown is Using Diverse Team Work

By Ed Fuentes — Monday

Woman Empowerment

Amelia Ransom Letcher, Divisional Vice President, Corporate Diversity Affairs Nordstroms with Carol Schatz, President, CEO Los Angeles Downtown Center Business Improvement District, after honoring L.A. Sparks owners Carla J. Christofferson and Katherine E Goodman at the "Living History Makers Awards" during the Turning Point Urban Business Summit and Expo 2008...


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Movement

Dodgers Emphatic on Government's Role to Fund Public Transportation

By Eric Richardson — June 25, 2008
13 Comments

Dodger Parking Lots

At the City Council's Transportation committee today, a representative from the Dodgers was clear on the organizations view that public transportation to the stadium should be paid for by government and not by the team.


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Other Content

Walking with Estela Lopez and Three Years of Skid Row Walks

Wednesday

Neighborhood Watch Walks happen all over the country. In the case of Skid Row, a different group of people walk together. Neighbors from surrounding...

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Tonight: Three-Year Anniversary for Skid Row Walk

Wednesday

This evening marks the third anniversary of the Central City East Association's monthly Skid Row Neighborhood Walk. The theme of this evening's walk centers...

Around the Halls: June 30 - July 2

Monday

It's Monday, June 30th, and it's a busy week for Downtown. Here are some of the issues winding their way through the city that Downtowners should know...

Citizen Journalism Academy Has Bloggers and Journalists Talking Shop

Sunday

A behind the scene tour of blogdowntown's Newsroom was the final topic for the Society of Profesional Journalists' Citizen Journalism Academy, held Saturday...

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Downtown Model Turns Planning Into Play

June 28, 2008

James Rojas is a transportation planner who loves toys. In 2005 and 2007 he created large-scale models of the LA River, inviting the public to use legos...

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