Guest on November 05, 2010, at 01:35PM – #1

Great for Downtown. More total space plus a football stadium, plus getting rid of the outdated West Hall facilities. That'll do wonders for the convention business even without the new hotels that would be started because of it.

Question though- which hall is the "main hall"? Is that the South Hall, Concourse Hall? I'm trying to figure out where exactly the new convention space would be built on the site.

Guest on November 05, 2010, at 01:40PM – #2

This would be awesome. We need to get this done for sure. Downtown will once again become the epicenter for entertainment.

Guest on November 05, 2010, at 02:12PM – #3

South Park residents better get ready for a HUGE decrease in condo values. Who wants to live let to a staduim? Yuck! It will ruin Downtown by bringing more cars, more pollution, more crime, scalpers, t-shirt hawkers, etc, more vandalism.

I VOTE NO!!! Horrible idea. Name ONE area around a staduim that has been improved by its presence? One....anyone?

This should be fought tooth and nail!

Guest on November 05, 2010, at 02:48PM – #6

Does downtown need five more hotels?

Are any hotels making any money at all?

Guest on November 05, 2010, at 04:46PM – #8

Downtown needs five Trader Joe's locations!

Guest on November 05, 2010, at 04:47PM – #9

@ Guest #3, "Name ONE area around a staduim that has been improved by its presence? One....anyone?"

South Park... STAPLES Center. Before the arena was built, this area was a DUMP! lol, Hate to say it, but your probably living in the neighborhood that HAS been improved by an arenas/stadiums pressence.

Guest on November 05, 2010, at 05:05PM – #10

Who wants to live let to a staduim?

So all the surface parking lots and seedy old buildings scattered throughout South Park are doing wonders for the area right now? They're really adding value to residents' condos and apartments?

However, a traditional, football-only structure would be a killer to a community's potential. That's because you end up with a large space sitting unused or lightly used during most days of the year. And it's really deadening if it's directly encircled by dozens of acres of parking lots. Or similar to the setup of Dodgers Stadium and Chavez Ravine.

But that type of a stadium was first pondered by AEG several years ago and then canceled. In fact, I believe they sold much of the land first set aside for that project, which eventually ended up being used for new residential buildings.

By comparison, if the new plan results in a multi-purpose building versatile enough to accommodate football, exhibits, meetings and anything else requiring a large enclosed or roofless area, wedged into the area where the West Hall of the convention center is now located, that would be quite ingenious.

But I shudder to think how difficult that would be from a technical standpoint (the complexity of a huge retractable roof and sloped stadium seating that has to be adjusted for flat floor space) and the resulting budget necessary to bring it to reality.

Guest on November 05, 2010, at 07:27PM – #12

I hate to admit this, because I find breeders to be especially annoying (mostly), but for Downtown to really blossom it needs to be a bit more family friendly and kid friendly. Did I just say that?

Anyone who has recently bought a loft here probably knows (or should know) that we have the largest homeless population in America living on our streets over 40,000. Mostly men. Additionaly most recent owners also must be aware that there is a very high concentration of sex offenders and parolees living Downtown, again mostly men because women and children it has been decided don't fare so well on Skid Row. The city of LA has designed things this way.

Now, we have this proposal for another huge sports arena that brings in a lot of rowdy men (its mostly men, right?)from surrounding areas to cause ruckus after games, I've seen buring cop cars, spray paint, etc. we are not surrounded by bucilic suburbia, we are surrounded by South LA with a substancial gang population as well areas to the East. Who do you think would be coming to the games?

Not family friendly fare. more like a recipe for disaster. As a single woman living DT and one that loves it, Id like to see something there that would make me feel more comfortable for myself and my breeder friends to stroll around without feeling threatened.

And before you judge me as too prissy or uptight, I live right up aginst Skid Row myself and am thrilled with the neighborhood. I'd just like a feminine touch here is all. For balance, naturally.

KM

Guest on November 06, 2010, at 02:08AM – #13

Sounds like Kim went through a tough break up. I'm there for you, Kim. And, yes I am a man.

Guest on November 06, 2010, at 11:08AM – #14

I`m sure he meant ^and the rest of the world^....such technicalities !

Guest on November 06, 2010, at 11:17AM – #15

i like turtles

Guest on November 06, 2010, at 12:14PM – #17

The key to revitalizing neighborhoods is that the stadium/arena/convention center in question needs to be a constant beehive of activity. Staples was so successful in revitalizing South Park because it's one of the busiest arenas in the world, providing a nearly constant stream of patrons for neighboring businesses.

Most football stadiums fail at this because there are too few events which are able to utilize an outdoor venue of that size. Likewise, pre-LA Live the LA Convention Center was a money pit and did nothing for the surrounding community because it wasn't able to book the needed conventions.

LA Live has changed everything. Between Staples, Nokia, the hotel, and the Regal cinemas that part of downtown is bustling with life most days of the year. Convention business is up significantly. If this stadium/event facility can hold 50 events per year and make LA into a top 5 convention city, then downtown will be completely transformed. Hotels, restaurants, and shops will spring up everywhere to try and capture that money. And yes, condo values will skyrocket.

Guest on November 06, 2010, at 06:23PM – #19

It will only work if Pink's Hot Dogs opens a second location next to the stadium.

Guest on November 07, 2010, at 11:13AM – #20

The developer needs to pay for the new LA streetcar.

The only way this proposal should be considered is if the project assures that the rest of downtown benefits. Building a Sports and Entertainment District that captures all of the business within the walls of the complex will not result in a healthy, business friendly, environment downtown.

We need to negotiate for the future of downtown!

In order to be heard, we need a single council office. Redistricting is coming soon.

Guest on November 07, 2010, at 11:16AM – #21

re:20, you do realize that almost all the restaurants and bars in south park and the financial district benefit GREATLY from Staples Center and Nokia events right? just ask any bar or restaurant owner.

D

Guest on November 07, 2010, at 07:46PM – #25

imagine living across the street or two blocks away from Disneyland, or Universal Studios. what about right behind a Las Vegas casino? sound fun? are neighborhoods directly surrounding these types of enormous projects ever made better? it seems like they would be made worse--the neighborhood that is--no doubt other people not living directly next these venues make money off these things. not arguing that.

Guest on November 07, 2010, at 08:01PM – #26

He's kidding us, right? Exactly HOW can he replace the same amount of square footage as now exists in West Hall and construct a 72,000 seat event center both within the area bounded by 11th, Pico, the existing atrium and the Harbor Freeway?? And allow for emergency access (fire rigs) all along the perimeters??

Take a look at the Coliseum on Google Earth and then pan up to the Convention Center and I think you'll start to see what I'm saying. Before any o.k.s are granted, both the City Convention and Visitors Bureau and the City Council had best get some independent planning analysis on this. Otherwise, after this train gets under way, he'll come back and say gee shucks, looks like we'll have to span 11th Street and we have to have some public assistance and he'll want the replacement hall to go on the north side of the "Event Center" and if that were to happen, you gots yourself a strung-out, from here to eternity convention facility which exhibitors do not like and how are you gonna handle a weekend playoff game and the L.A. Car Show on the same day? Car enthusiasts would stay away and the Car Show would never come back.

Guest on November 07, 2010, at 08:38PM – #27

Re; #26! wow im glad you thought of that cause it probably slipped his mind! are you retarded? dont you think they would have thought of seeing if the project actually fits before floating it? and who said the west hall replacement and the event center are going into the same space?

D

Guest on November 07, 2010, at 08:42PM – #28

also re #26. the convention space now is the reason that conventions dont come. it is disjointed. the new addition will make it seamless according to AEG. Also, They have had the car show, a lakers game and an event at Nokia at the same time, drawing over 100,000 with minimal issues, i think they could handle it. The main traffic impact on downtown has always been the 110 and part of Figueroa until 8th. go down two blocks on any given event night and no traffic impacts at all. Also, the traffic would only be for 2 hours tops an event day. an hour before and at most and hour after. hardly a big deal. after all, you are living in the middle of the second largest city in the USA.

Guest on November 07, 2010, at 11:03PM – #29

No 8: As compared with much of what's there right now? A mostly depressed community that has seen limited improvement and only a modest amount of new development over the past 60 or more years.

It's easy to walk around or drive through way too much of the southern half of downtown and sense that it's as semi-abandoned and economically starved today as it was 30 years ago. That's because beyond the token areas of LA Live, the convention center and a few new condo or apartment buildings (the latter occupying perhaps no more than a grand total of three or four blocks worth of land, max), it's still slim pickings in that part of downtown.

Guest on November 08, 2010, at 11:10AM – #31

@J-M: Since when is it the job of one project to "lift the surrounding neighborhood out of poverty"? I'd like see some local hiring on the project for construction and operations, but let's not create unrealistic hoops for AEG to jump through.

Guest on November 08, 2010, at 11:46AM – #32

it just seems as though J-M has a bone to pick with AEG.

I would share the same concerns if this project was on prime land, lets say Olympic and Grand, but its not, its in the very edge of South park, shoehorned between a freeway and the convention center, a perfect spot for the event center. its not as though anyone was going to build condos or mixed use there.

D

Guest on November 08, 2010, at 08:36PM – #34

Guest 15: clearly, you haven't a clue regards adjacencies, programming, space planning, circulation or site design. Guest 16 didn't EVEN mention docks and truck access. Look at the amount of area taken up by service access for South Hall. If you put it underneath, you'll need a hell of a lot of service elevators (giant sized) and it will be much more of a hassle setting up and loading out for the crew and the place then gets a bad rep.

How will large exhibitors feel after their attendees inundate them with a cascade of complaints after trying to get to and navigate through the convention center after 72,000 fans have messed up their day?

This idea that a West Hall replacement with an equal amount of square footage can meld "seamlessly" with the I.M. Pei addition is sheer puff mongering. A significant portion of the addition would have to be demolished to make things seamless and the replacement facility would have to stretch along the north side of Pico, be relatively narrow in width to allow space for an event center and fire/safety requirements on the balance of the site. No two ways about it.

100,000 you say? My, what a nice round number. Let's allow 6,500 for a full house at Nokia and 17,500 for Staples; that leaves 76,000 having attended the car show in one day. Now imagine your 76,000 attendees for a car show, 72,000 for a sporting event, 6,500 for Nokia and you've got over 150,000 packed into the southwest corner of Downtown at one time. Cross our fingers that a 7.0 doesn't then occur.

Do you work for Leiweke or are you under the illusion that Anchutz walks on water? And do they get the land for free? It's damned valuable terrain which can bring in lots of income under a land lease. There'll be much campaign contributions if this thing goes forward. Did I say free? Oops...

Guest on November 08, 2010, at 10:31PM – #36

No. 30: South Park doesn't look as bad as it did 5 years ago, but it's still mostly a joke. It's more Paducah than New York City, more Raytown than Chicago, more Barstow than Vancouver. The southern half of downtown still gives off the vibe of being starved for money. And with the current slump in RE investment, it's not going to change much over the next 5.

I wouldn't say a new stadium will necessarily cause the surrounding area to become nice. And you're right about the slum-bum condition of the area around the Coliseum. But my argument doesn't have to do with that. My issue is with the folks who think South Park is good enough just as it is. The ones who think it has reached a point where everyone can kick back, put their feet up on the table and take it all in. The ones who think small, aim low, and might just as well be living in San Bernardino or Reseda.

Guest on November 08, 2010, at 11:00PM – #37

No. 34: Do you have enough inside information and technical know-how to be as competent in assessing the layout of the convention center as the folks who presumably will be hired by AEG, or who are working for them right now? Maybe you do, maybe you don't. All I know is that the west hall of the center has a big setback on its north, south and west sides. Huge outdoor staircases and terraces that have rarely been used or ever needed. It's like the original architect had more land than he knew what to do with.

Considering all the large, sleek public buildings, including newer convention halls, built throughout the US over the past 20 years, the old west hall -- even without it being replaced by a combo stadium/events center -- looks like it would be better off flattened and totally replaced instead of tinkered with here and there. That seems more apparent because the annex to the west hall, added in the 1990s, has made the original building look even more unsophisticated and tired.

Guest on November 09, 2010, at 02:32PM – #42

J-M, I previously posted a comment to you, and I'm a DTLA resident of the Financial District who's lived here for four years. Just because you can't fathom why a resident of the neighborhood would actually consider that a stadium plus new convention space would benefit the area doesn't mean you can dismiss them as people who don't live there.

Guest on November 09, 2010, at 07:58PM – #43

No 40: I bet a lot more people are going to be chased out of downtown not by the expansion of the convention center or LA Live but by chronic problems with vagrants, ex-felons (in which downtown is sort of an entryway for those released from nearby jails), an ongoing lack of conveniences people elsewhere take for granted (Trader Joe's still thinks downtown spells trouble for their type of business?!), lousy schools, and other assorted urban pitfalls.

No 41: If a football field can be covered with a floor and surrounding seating areas somehow pushed back or pushed under, that would allow for the ground level of a stadium to double as an exhibition hall. Not sure how that can be accomplished, but such a room would have a super high ceiling.

Guest on November 09, 2010, at 08:09PM – #44

# 34: if you could see a plan-view drawing, the layout of the south hall with it's long arc of a loading dock leading to & interfacing directly with so much interior exhibition space - now THAT's what I call a seamless interface. Now, take an aerial view of the site that Lieweke wishes to work with. Position an event center with it's long axis parallel with 11th Street, between Staples Center and the freeway and as close to 11th as possible.

The leftover space must allow for fire/safety access and exhibition space equal to the amount existing at West Hall. You've got to cram it along the north side of Pico between the I.M. Pei convention concourse and the freeway. With that, how can you provide easy and efficient truck access and an efficient, seamless interface between a lengthy dock and the new exhibit space??? Only way I can imagine is if the dock were to face Pico and the truck access were to be elevated above and along that street.

There could be a high canopy between the new West Hall and the Event Center, but this could not be an enclosed space, due to the Fire Code. Fire trucks would need to be able to maneuver beneath such a canopy and its long axis couldn't center upon the pavilion now fronting West Hall. One gets the suspicion that either Pico or 11th (or both) would need to be bridged across.

Guest on November 11, 2010, at 04:11PM – #46

When the Rams played at the Coliseum, we'd often go and visit the Natural History Museum afterwards, rather than deal with the traffic congestion. After paying premiere prices for their seats in a new Event Center, many attendees will likely not be able to shell out for dining, seeing a movie or drinking or bowling next door.

But they may be in the mood for walking about and simply hanging in Downtown instead of sitting in traffic. The increased pedestrian traffic would have its effects, be it football, basketball or whatever. And a resultant increase in venues will draw conventioneers out of their hotel rooms to stroll about in the shades of evening.

As we know, government at all levels is way-strapped. Lieweke and company had ought to be willing to pony up for new/replacement facilities that would catch the direct attention of the entire nation, a must-see place which would provide an abundant payback for them, for South Park and for Downtown at large. The project has got to be done right, become a large civic inspiration. If not, people WILL NOT want to hang, will not want to see the place just for the sake of it. They'd best hire the right urbanist/urban designer/architect/structural engineer. If they're not willing to do this, the city council should tell him and his cohorts to take a hike.

Guest on November 11, 2010, at 11:46PM – #47

What, a living room (of sorts) for the entire city?

Guest on November 12, 2010, at 10:36AM – #48

Oh yeah: be sure that they include a one hundred foot high statue of Michael Jackson, right? And lots of kneeling pads scattered about....

Guest on November 12, 2010, at 10:59AM – #49

Hardly anyone cares here. I mean, when the Giants won last week, the whole SF (people from all walks of life) took to the streets to celebrate. The team rode around in cable cars!

Compare that to here, where mostly crazies show up after the Lakers win!

Guest on November 24, 2010, at 11:00PM – #50

FYI:$258m PLAN TARGETS GRIDLOCK / Interchange plans for alleviating traffic congestion along the 57/60 freeway interchnge include new connections on-ramp & off- ramp with new loops and overpass adjustment- to accommodate four lanes of traffic in each direction. SOUNDS LIKE THE SHOVELS' ARE READY!!!! THE CITY OF INDUSTRY IS NOT PLAYING DOWNTOWN.....WELCOME N.F.L...

Guest on December 02, 2010, at 10:33PM – #51

Sounds like they've roped Magic Johnson in on this project. See 'L.A. Observed.'

Guest on December 31, 2010, at 04:32PM – #52

I don't understand how the area is going to be "revitalized" without this complex? Do current residents (who only came there after Staples and LA Live made the area better) think that the area will simply get better because they moved there?

What do you think will improve the area? Another Starbucks or fast food joint?

Do you think the Convention Center can bring in more revenue in it's current state? We just lost a shot at an August convention that chose Huston over LA...in august? They would rather bake in Huston than come to our disjointed Convention Center...how bad is that?

I understand that everyone wants more prisons as long as they aren't near them...but this is a Sports complex and imprivement to the Convention Center in an area you moved into because of the changes made to the area BECAUSE of a Sports complex (Staples), if you want to live in a nice building in a bad area I'm sure we can find another spot in LA for you.

And the area around the baseball and football stadiums in Seattle have really been great for business and in cleaning up an area that was pretty scummy just like downtown LA used to be and still is in parts.