KWPro.net

Interesting article on how city officials just approved spending almost 2 billion dollars in improving the downtown area with "high-rises, shopping centers and parkland around the Disney Concert Hall." The idea is that the space has been purely business oriented while at night the area is completely empty. Net effect will add 5000 jobs and probably increase the economy down there, making it a center, not only for business, but living as well. The start date is estimated at a year from December. http://www.wavy.com/Global/story.asp?S=3384845 Comments: great idea. from the outset at least. let's compare this to two other urban spots: Tokyo and SF. the first question that comes to mind when examining this, is whom the primary people living here will be? In tokyo, big high rise apartments make tons of sense since the real estate market is skewed and land is a premium over there. with most people commuting by train, living closer to the center is a dream for many since it helps people avoid the mad rush. also, home ownership there is insane as most people will be indebted the rest of their life once they obtain some sort of property. SF is similar in some ways, except their transportation system isn't as good. but a chief thing about SF is that it's an artistic city. the buildings themselves exude a taste of individualism with the integration of style, art, and commercialism as you'd see a living complex often integrated with a small shop (probably the owner's). These high rises seem like a big bet on people who'd prefer living close to their office. But this is LA so the mentality isn't the same. We have a pre-existing notion of owning our own property, but not just that, rather large property. homes. these new high rises seem to target the businesses exclusive to downtown LA as it won't be practical for say an OC commuter to live in that place for the novelty. However, I assume that the average price for one of these spots will be insane. And most likely it'll be for rent unless the city somehow subsidizes for the upfront cost of ownership on these things. considering that they're already planning nearly 2 billion, it's just a loss waiting to happen. but the people living in these things, will they just be execs with excess money? that's my guess. it's like those new Trump condos being built in Vegas. a complete novelty except for the exclusively wealthy. home ownership in LA has become ludicrous, but you still get a better deal than what i expect will come out of these high rises. i mean, take a look at our zoning laws here. they limit how late things stay open. what's the point of building these things outside of making a few people's lives more convenient? and what if your business fails or you get laid off? then your precious spot that you theoretically may own really doesn't seem worth it, especially if your next job is in a spot like OC, etc. honestly, i love the idea but in practice i think it's going to fail expectations just like the Metroliner. the city just isn't equipped from a sociopsychological viewpoint of handling a truly urban experience the way spots like SF, Tokyo and NYC do. some things that need to change if this project succeeds: 1) the rent must be low or home ownership should be relatively inexpensive if these things become like condos. the average person commuting down there probably faces hell on the freeway, but after a while you get used to it. however, for the price, you have to make it worth their effort. something like this would be great for post-college kids or those without families. otherwise, the amount of space and the quality of facilities will determine the success and justification of the cost of such an endeavor. 2) cleaning up those fucked up roads. Downtowns are never fun to drive in. but adding people living in those spaces will just congest things even more since you'd end up getting more people in one spot than before, especially if, indeed, it becomes a popular spot. the confusing one way roads that zigzag need to be eliminated into something more friendly and sensible. those living in that area wouldn't have to face commuting issues but they would face other driving issues when they're not at work. 3) cleaning up the downtown zones in making it more secure. a lot of people who stayed downtown especially my japanese friends felt creepy just leaving their cocoon of the New Ohtani Hotel at night. can't say I blame them. as a downtown area, you face issues of homelessness and creeps hanging out all night. not that i can't sympathize with them, but when you're talking families living in a zone like that, you gotta make it safe. and you gotta make it feel safe. sure part of the creepiness is that at night downtown is dead. but that legend isn't going to disappear until there's some assurance. otherwise, we'll see more supersized children whose parents retain them indoors since their neighborhoods are filled with child molestors, drug dealers and violent people. 4) expanding the whole metro system. the key element to housing and projects like this is the public transportation system. the idea is that you're living in a tight urban, community zone so you save on gas by not having a car. in turn, you utilize public transportation more as things are more economical in terms of getting around. the bus system at the moment doesn't cut it. it sucks. it doesn't come around frequently enough to warrant usage. but this project allows for a great opportunity to expand and create new metroliners or even a subway. even if it starts small, i prefer something starting than having nothing at all in the future. i mean, how do you expect to get to the shopping centers and work? i feel the bus system will be too inefficient and cumbersome to absorb the load that this project seems to bring on. but if you have say two lines, one running to the mall and one running to a major downtown spot, then it becomes worth it. the city would recoup their loss of money quite quickly with people utilizing the metro system as opposed to cars. lots of trickle down effects like lower demand for gas, better effects on the environment, lower gas emission. regardless, i'm definitely for this idea. i think one major thing it'll reduce (hopefully) is the traffic whenever you bypass that area. also, new housing development is always a plus. there's earthquake safety issues as we're on a major fault line, but compare that to SF and Tokyo. i still feel far safer in LA with our faultlines than those two places combined. besides at this stage of the game, our engineers should understand enough to create sophisticated buildings that can withstand the blast of a major earthquake, unless it's something catastrophic. hopefully, they'll approve more projects like these in spots like West Hollywood, but i'm doubtful since only conceited, overpaid millionare stars live out in those spots.