From the Newsroom

Everyday

An Illustrated Look at Parking on Spring

By Eric Richardson — May 26, 2005

Typical Signage

Given the context of this morning's decision on the contra-flow lane, I thought it appropriate to take a walk down Spring from 1st to 9th in order to get a more solid feel for the current parking restrictions. I took some pictures, and have put them together in a Spring Street Parking flickr set. It is my firm opinion that the removal of the contra-flow lane...


Everyday

Transportation Commissioners Approve Eliminating Contra-Flow Lane

By Eric Richardson — May 26, 2005

This morning I attended the Board of Transportation Commissioners meeting that I mentioned yesterday. The issue of the contra-flow lane was last of the decision items on the agenda, but it was worth waiting around for. The Commission voted unanimously in favor of LADOT's proposal to remove the lane and run Spring and Main as paired one-way couplets.


Everyday

"Will This Time Be Different?"

By Eric Richardson — May 26, 2005

Dominating the front page of the LA Times' California section today is a picture of 7th+Fig's metal not-roof framed against a high-rise. Below the picture runs an article on Downtown development that asks, "Will This Time Be Different?" This is not downtown's first attempt at revitalization. In the decades before World War II, the area was a destination...


Everyday

Protest in Pershing Square

By Eric Richardson — May 25, 2005

Protest in Pershing Square

I'm sure if you're Downtown this afternoon you're well aware of the protest going on right now in Pershing Square. I'm not, but I grabbed this image off of CBS2's 5pm news. It's good to see the park getting some foot traffic, even if it is angry foot traffic.


Everyday

Spring Street Contra-Flow Lane on the Way Out?

By Eric Richardson — May 25, 2005

Bus Backup

Fresh on the heels of my post illustrating the problems of the contra-flow lane comes word that LADOT is finally moving to make the lane a thing of the past. In fact, tomorrow morning they take the issue to the Board of Transportation Commissioners to get their consent to move forward. Southbound buses will continue to run on Spring, and a peak hour bus lane...


Everyday

Antonio Wants MTA To Reconsider Late Night Cuts

By Eric Richardson — May 25, 2005
1 Comment

Yesterday Mayor-Elect Villaraigosa introduced a Council resolution asking the MTA to revisit its decision to cut late night rail service. I think it's a very well-written resolution, that not only recognizes the problem but seeks to offer a better solution. While the need to achieve these savings is understandable, considering the agency's difficult budget...


Everyday

Calendar Live on South Park

By Eric Richardson — May 24, 2005

A random bit about Downtown from an LA Times piece on the Palm steakhouse: L.A.'s first Palm is a venerable 30-year-old outlet in West Hollywood; then there is "Downtown Palm," a newcomer near the Staples Center. The restaurant's arrival there several years ago was one of the perennial events declared by developers to be the thing that would finally revitalize...


Everyday

Body Found on Spring

By Eric Richardson — May 24, 2005

A sad scene early this morning just up the street from my apartment. NBC4 is reporting that an MTA driver found a dead body between 3rd and 4th. The driver of an MTA bus traveling south on Spring Street, between 3rd and 4th streets, found the body of a man lying face-down on the road early Tuesday. The victim, about 60 years old, according to...


Everyday

Grand Ave. Authority Approves Plans

By Eric Richardson — May 23, 2005
2 Comments

The LA Business Journal is running a news piece this afternoon saying that the Grand Avenue Authority has approved Related's master plan for Grand Ave. The LABJ piece pretty closely echoes a press release issued by the Authority. I'll confess that I haven't followed Grand Ave. stuff very closely, so it's sort of news to me that Frank Gehry is on the master...


Everyday

DLANC Special Election: Area-Wide Resident

By Eric Richardson — May 23, 2005

Next Tuesday, May 31st, DLANC will be holding a special election to fill the vacant seat of Area-Wide Resident. John Sellars, the board member who previously held the seat, disappeared and only recently turned up in England. At the May meeting the Board voted to formally remove him and go ahead with a special election. If you are a resident in the DLANC boundaries...