Broadway's Upper Floors Targeted With New Reuse Rules

By Eric Richardson — October 22, 2008 — 30 Comments

Eric Richardson

Councilman Jose Huizar today took aim at the million square feet of vacant upper floors lining Broadway, introducing a motion intended to remove the red tape involved in converting that vacancy into uses such as creative office space.

Huizar wants to see an ordinance that would do for these buildings what the Adaptive Reuse Ordinance did for residential conversions. His motion calls for an inter-departmental task force to be put together to craft such language. — Continued Inside...

Pay Stations Continue Impressive Rollout

By Eric Richardson — October 22, 2008 — 3 Comments

Eric Richardson

It took years of talk and study for pay stations to find their way onto Downtown’s streets, but only a couple weeks for the meter replacements to make their way from South Park to Bunker Hill. Now, attention turns to the Fashion District, where LADOT will be installing several dozen of the new devices over the next two weeks.

Along with new technology, the rollout signals the end of the line for long-held assumptions about the hours and days when meters must be fed. Those parking Downtown are going to need to get good at reading signs. — Continued Inside...

Halloween Options Abound Downtown

By Ed Fuentes and Eric Richardson — October 21, 2008 — 4 Comments

Downtown’s the place to be for Halloween, with a full slate of events offering something for all budgets and ages. From kids’ shows at the Million Dollar to 21+ events at the Edison and Little Radio, a free screening at Pershing Square to $65 orchestra seats at Disney Hall, there’s a little bit of everything going on next Friday night. — Continued Inside...

May Co Annex Site of 2nd Fire in Five Days

By Eric Richardson — October 20, 2008 — 2 Comments

Eric Richardson

Broadway was filled with fire apparatus today as the Los Angeles Fire Department was called to a blaze in the May Co. Annex for the second time in just five days.

On Wednesday, the department quickly extinguished a blaze in a 9th floor space on the building’s Hill street side. This time firefighters were called to a fire on the building’s Broadway side, in a 6th floor space.

While flames were again put out quickly, residents of the next-door Eastern Columbia are likely a little unsettled to see LAFD back in the neighborhood so quickly. — Continued Inside...

Arts District Serves as Runway for Li Cari Spring '09 Debut

By Camilo Smith — October 20, 2008

Ed Fuentes

Friday night’s fashion show at the Barker Block saw the debut of Li Cari designer Jazmin Whitley’s Spring ‘09 collection. Marked by the 50’s glamour that’s shaped her previous collections, Whitley’s current designs include the similar bold details that give the feel of yesteryear with a new twist. Quarter-length dresses, mixed with bright neon skirt ensembles, lime greens, and high waisted pant and skirt all accented the collection which had a mix of hip throwback appeal, with a more contemporary boldness is color. — Continued Inside...