Post by gibiscus on Oct 31, 2007 1:22:39 GMT -8
There are some sites in downtown that are extremely underutilized and in prime locations that need to be put into better use. First of all, the Patsaouras Transit Plaza. I was waiting for the 33 the other day and I noticed the parking lot and the empty land between it and the Denny's. What's the point of having a transit plaza with no TODs around it? Also, the area just west of the Gold Line could become a TOD.
While I was waiting there, I read the sign about El Aliso, the council tree of the Tongva of Yangna. I'm trying to pinpoint the exact site of this, I believe it is where Brew 102 used to be, but even that was before my time. I think that this site needs to become a historic park, with a similar tree planted by Tongva descendants, a relative of the original if possible.
The parking lots to the west of El Pueblo are another sad misuse of land which not only links to El Pueblo, but also to Chinatown and the Civic Center. Since it is a historic site, any buildings there would have to be compatible with El Pueblo and should be based on old buildings which were demolished. A significant portion should be kept as parkland with a community garden.
The Dodger Stadium parking lots are another wasted space. Whenever I go to a game, it ruins the atmosphere being surrounded by asphalt. The outfield lots should be given to Elysian Park and restored to parkland while the infield side overlooking downtown should become gardens to enjoy the view from and possibly some mixed-use buildings (but not too tall to block the view!) The parking should be reconfigured into structures by the entrances and some smaller lots closer to the stadium which would also be used by park visitors. All this would be connected to Sunset Blvd and Chinatown via funiculars, which would continue into Union Station once down the hill.
There are two places in the Historic Core area that I think would make especially good public plazas:
1) the parking lots between the Spring St side of the Arcade Building and Main St (kitty-corner to the Pacific Electric Building)
2) The parking lot south of Olympic at Broadway Place
These and other sites currently occupied by parking lots could include playgrounds, fountains, chess tables and community gardens.
While I was waiting there, I read the sign about El Aliso, the council tree of the Tongva of Yangna. I'm trying to pinpoint the exact site of this, I believe it is where Brew 102 used to be, but even that was before my time. I think that this site needs to become a historic park, with a similar tree planted by Tongva descendants, a relative of the original if possible.
The parking lots to the west of El Pueblo are another sad misuse of land which not only links to El Pueblo, but also to Chinatown and the Civic Center. Since it is a historic site, any buildings there would have to be compatible with El Pueblo and should be based on old buildings which were demolished. A significant portion should be kept as parkland with a community garden.
The Dodger Stadium parking lots are another wasted space. Whenever I go to a game, it ruins the atmosphere being surrounded by asphalt. The outfield lots should be given to Elysian Park and restored to parkland while the infield side overlooking downtown should become gardens to enjoy the view from and possibly some mixed-use buildings (but not too tall to block the view!) The parking should be reconfigured into structures by the entrances and some smaller lots closer to the stadium which would also be used by park visitors. All this would be connected to Sunset Blvd and Chinatown via funiculars, which would continue into Union Station once down the hill.
There are two places in the Historic Core area that I think would make especially good public plazas:
1) the parking lots between the Spring St side of the Arcade Building and Main St (kitty-corner to the Pacific Electric Building)
2) The parking lot south of Olympic at Broadway Place
These and other sites currently occupied by parking lots could include playgrounds, fountains, chess tables and community gardens.