Comments for Brigham Yen

Comment on USC Students and Faculty Will Benefit from Expo Line by Alex Wroblewski

Alex Wroblewski — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:45:34 +0000

As a USC student it’s too bad that the EXPO line still isn’t functioning yet

Comment on [Video] Ideas for Downtown LA: A Look at La Cañada’s 210 Freeway Cap Park by brudy

brudy — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:29:30 +0000

Almost anything could be less complicated or intrusive than the big dig! :-)

If you think about the experience of walking to/from Chinatown or Union Station and downtown, this would create a wonderful seamless experience. Combined with Civic Park, that whole area would be remade and redefined and what most people think of the northern boundary of downtown would be extended to the top of chinatown.

Comment on [Video] Ideas for Downtown LA: A Look at La Cañada’s 210 Freeway Cap Park by Arty

Arty — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:28:05 +0000

This is great reporting. Maybe they should do this in Glendale over the 134 freeway to link the north and south and rejuvenate its office market, then they could do the 210 through Pasadena, and the 110 freeway through downtown, and dare I say possibly even the LA RIVER!! cap those divides then we would have a real start to a more united LA once again. To see an aerial rendering of green parcels capping the 110 freeway downtown, 101 freeway downtown, and the LA River downtown and I am pushing my luck but also having the LA River’s concrete lining dug up and allowing for natural dirt and grass as it was intended as a natural waterway with kayakers, bikers and hikers trekking from downtown to Glendale Hyperion and beyond WOW in our lifetime?

Comment on [Video] Ideas for Downtown LA: A Look at La Cañada’s 210 Freeway Cap Park by True Freedom

True Freedom — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:20:42 +0000

Sounds great in theory.. but what will you do with auto and diesel emissions? Many, many studies have shown that air quality within the first 1/2 mile of a major freeway is full of auto particulate matter. Having children with developing lungs running and breathing deeply in this air is not a good idea, in my opinion.

Perhaps twenty years from now when electric and/or fuel cell autos and trucks rule the road, then I would love to have a freeway capped park.

Comment on [Video] Ideas for Downtown LA: A Look at La Cañada’s 210 Freeway Cap Park by Lawrence

Lawrence — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:43:48 +0000

@Brudy -- totally agree. The thing is, this freeway cap cap park would be even less intrusive or complicated than Boston’s Big Dig as the freeway is already in a trench. We just need to cover and add green space. What this plan ultimately needs is a champion to fight for funds etc. and vocal support from the downtown community.

Comment on [Video] Ideas for Downtown LA: A Look at La Cañada’s 210 Freeway Cap Park by brudy

brudy — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:10:43 +0000

I don’t like to read articles about this because I want it so much.

This is similar (but in a reverse kind of way) to Boston’s Big Dig. They shoved the highway underground and rebuilt streets and grassy areas above it at street level. While the city really hasn’t made the most of it in terms of how to use and develop the space, it has completely transformed how that area feels and re-connected neighborhoods that were separated.

Comment on [Video] Ideas for Downtown LA: A Look at La Cañada’s 210 Freeway Cap Park by Ryan

Ryan — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:09:11 +0000

This would be a major milestone in the urban gentrification of the DTLA area into an ideal central core. The park should somehow have a connection with union station, and would really be the driving force for a complete urban renewal from Downtown to Hollywood. Pasadena should consider this same option over the 210 freeway between Fair Oaks and Lake ave overpasses.

Comment on [Video] Ideas for Downtown LA: A Look at La Cañada’s 210 Freeway Cap Park by Dion

Dion — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:41:04 +0000

Couldnt agree more Steve.

Comment on [Video] Ideas for Downtown LA: A Look at La Cañada’s 210 Freeway Cap Park by Steve White

Steve White — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:09:04 +0000

I do believe this can be Downtown’s single most transformative project in our lifetimes.

Comment on Historic Millennium Biltmore Hotel Begins Multi-Phase Renovation in Downtown LA by Lawrence

Lawrence — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 20:20:26 +0000

Paul -- that parking lot was home to the old Philharmonic hall where the previous incarnation of the Los Angeles Philharmonic once played. The structure was later used as a church when performances moved to the Music Center in the 1960′s. It was demolished in 1985 to make way for another development that never materialized. You can see what it used to look like here:
https://sites.google.com/site/downtownlosangelestheatres/auditorium

From2006-2009 a project call Park Fifth was proposed to be built there. It would have been comprised of two towers. The first would have been a 40 story high end hotel, and the second would have been a 76 story condo tower (the tallest residential tower west of Chicago). When the real estate market crashed in 2009 so did plans for Park Fifth. At this point I think the land is quietly for sale until a new development opportunity comes around. You can learn more about the Park Fifth proposal here:

http://la.curbed.com/archives/2009/06/downtowns_park_fifth_listed_for_sale.php

There’s no doubt that it’s a prime piece of real estate. With the King & Grove hotel taking over the old Hotel Clark nearby, I’m hopeful that another proposal for this plot will come around soon.