From the Newsroom

Everyday

It's Busy Out There

By Eric Richardson — November 26, 2005
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My cousin and I just took a walk around the Fashion and Toy Districts. It’s a little crowded out. The parking lots appear to have bumped up their rates for the holidays, so expect to pay a little more if you have to drive here. Craziest thing I saw: a line of about 25 people waiting outside a store selling comforter sets for $25. I almost got in line with...


Everyday

Toy Soldiers Guarding Central City East

By Eric Richardson — November 26, 2005

Toy Soldiers in Central City East

I was bored yesterday afternoon, so I left the apartment and took off for a bit of a wander around Downtown. I started up Broadway, but then decided the real crowds would be over in the Toy District, so that was the direction I ended up taking. I met up with Town Crier Don Garza over on 5th by San Julian. He was excited to see toy soldiers installed on light...


Everyday

LA Live! Hotel Equity Partner Backs Out; Newspapers Make a Fuss

By Eric Richardson — November 23, 2005

The Downtown News today reports what’s been in various stories over the past few days, that Apollo Real Estate pulled out of the LA Live! hotel deal. Apollo Real Estate Advisors, which had agreed to finance the Hilton-operated hotel to the tune of $60 million, has backed out of the arrangement over escalating construction costs, according to sources close...


Everyday

In Pursuit of Regional Responsibility

By Eric Richardson — November 22, 2005
5 Comments

Short article showed up on the LA Times site this afternoon talking about a proposal to help clean up Skid Row by transporting released prisoners back to their original municipality. City and state officials today unveiled a sweeping new effort to improve downtown Los Angeles’ skid row and prevent the “dumping” of criminals and homeless people...


Everyday

The Loft / Condo Divide

By Eric Richardson — November 22, 2005
5 Comments

There’s an article in today’s LA Times on the change in Downtown housing as condo has largely surpassed new rental properties. The divided ambition between renters and purchasers reads to me as the focal point of the piece, but I really don’t know that I buy into it. The shift is becoming increasingly evident, said five-year loft resident...


Everyday

Inspired by Bad Design

By Eric Richardson — November 21, 2005

I doubt this to be a comparison that’s made too often: Don’t be surprised if you are reminded of London’s Trafalgar Square or Los Angeles’ Pershing Square the next time you try to walk through Cross Maidan to catch a train from Churchgate. … Architect Rahul Gore, who has drawn up the restoration plan, has very big plans for Cross...


Everyday

Somebody Has to Know...

By Eric Richardson — November 19, 2005
5 Comments

I was looking through photos in the USC Digital Archives today and happened across this one of the Santa Fe Bus Depot from 1941. It’s a cool looking building, but today it’s just the parking lot across from the PE Building. When did it get torn down? Why? The latest mention I could find was a Trailways ad from August 21st, 1977. Attempting to find...


Everyday

Two Interesting Motions, If Only From Their Summaries

By Eric Richardson — November 18, 2005
2 Comments

There were two interesting Council motions introduced by Jan Perry in the last day or so. Both made it in today’s Council Referral document, but neither has the full motion text in its file yet. Still, here they are to keep an eye on. 05-2513 (Perry - Reyes) directing the Department of General Services to report to the Arts, Parks, Health and Aging Committee...


Everyday

German Experimental Film Coming to December Art Walk

By Eric Richardson — November 17, 2005

Just now I stumbled across this press release talking about the German experimental film TRIP coming to Los Angeles. The first stop on their calendar is the December 8th Downtown Art Walk. Thursday, Dec. 8, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. – Outdoor “sneak preview” screening of TRIP during Downtown Art Walk. Across from 626 Gallery, 626 S. Spring St. (Gallery...


Everyday

Downtown on Ice

By Eric Richardson — November 17, 2005
5 Comments

Pershing Square Ice Rink

The Pershing Square Ice Rink is back and open. Every day from now until January 16th you can blade your way around the rink for $6 per hour long session. One thing I’d love to see next year is some sort of a residents’ package, where you can show proof that you live Downtown and buy a pass good for the entire run. You could still have the skate rental...