Mandell Lofts Building Gets Tagged

By Eric Richardson
Published: Thursday, October 19, 2006, at 01:30PM

Tagging on the Mandell Lofts Eric Richardson

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — The Coulter-Mandell Building will someday become lofts. It's been in the conversion process for a long, long time now. In the meantime, though, it's got that ugly wooden sidewalk overhang that pervades Downtown construction.

Last night, some time between 9pm and midnight, Sometime recently someone (or someones) up to no good climbed up that and made the easy transition to a low-hanging fire escape ladder. They then proceeded to tag three levels on the building.

I walk by that building at least twice a day and really despise the way their construction blocks the sidewalk, so I spend a lot of time looking over there. Many times I've marvelled at how easy it would be to make that same move and get up the building. In the larger version of the photo you can see two workers trying to raise the ladder and secure it. I hate to say it, but getting tagged almost serves them right for letting it hang so long.

Update (3pm): Jason says the tags were up Monday. Am I really that blind that I went by seven times before noticing?



Comments

1
Aaron writes:

My office is directly accross the street from this building. Its been in construction for over two and a half years but has been sitting in its current state for a year. The future use of the building has changed several times. Our office is taking bets on when the project will finish. I am guessing that LA Live and the Grand Avenue project will be finished before tenants move in.

# on Oct.19.2006 AT 02:32 PM
2
Jason McCabe writes:

The Grafitti actually went up over the weekend, probably Sunday Night. Was up monday for sure. Here across the street we really exited to see the parade of degnerates line up to buy booze at the 7Eleven if it ever opens. Does any other ideas to lour folks from skid row west?

# on Oct.19.2006 AT 02:39 PM
3
Jason McCabe writes:

Don't feel bad Eric, I didn't notice it either. Aaron had to point it out to me. BTW if anywone comes across the idividual who spraypainted "OUTLAW" (presumably the name this individual would like to go by) on the side of my car please give them a good foot in the ass. And to you, 'Outlaw' I would have left the grafitti there had you done a passable job but you have no skill as an artist so i spent about 20 minutes with some rubbing compound and it came right off.

# on Oct.19.2006 AT 03:03 PM
4
Scott Mercer writes:

We need a Downtown Development Czar to prevent things like this from happening. Either use the building for something or board it up, but don't leave construction barricades there for two years.

I've said it before: the entire Empire State Building was constructed in 15 months. There's no reason it should be taking this long to complete these rehabs. I'll throw the blame on the city building inspectors for now. Anyone else have a scapegoat?

# on Oct.20.2006 AT 12:41 AM
5
Dana Gabbard writes:

Scott, construction costs have exploded and everyone (even Caltrans and LAUSD) have had to adjust. That may be part of why projects slow down.

# on Oct.20.2006 AT 09:09 AM
6
Eric Richardson writes:

Dana, I understand the issues with construction costs. Here's what I don't understand, though: how can the City let a stalled construction project block off a busy sidewalk for more than a year? That stretch of 7th between Grand and Olive is heavily trafficed, but the bulb-out in the sidewalk covering at Mandell means that strollers, wheelchairs and such can't pass and many people are forced to end up walking in the street. Where's the City saying "Hey, finish up or get your materials off our sidewalk"?

# on Oct.20.2006 AT 11:56 AM
7
R writes:

the developer is paying for the project out of his own pockets while at the same time building his own house in bel-air, so that is why this project is taking soo long to finish, occasionally if u walk by u will hear the sound of construction tools but thats about it.

# on Oct.21.2006 AT 01:13 AM

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