Featured Stories

LAPD's Mounted Patrols Honored for Their Work on Downtown Streets

By Ed Fuentes — Yesterday, 02:17 PM — 3 Comments

IMGP0065 Ed Fuentes

They may look a little out of place sauntering through Downtown streets, but LAPD's mounted units have proven themselves an important part of neighborhood policing.

The horses have become a common sight in Skid Row, where mounted officers have been an integral part of the Safer Cities Initiative. — Continued Inside...


Faulty Railing May Have Led to Alexandria Death

By Eric Richardson — Yesterday, 08:41 AM
15 Comments

Spring Street Police Tape

A failed fire escape railing may have led to the death of an 87-year-old resident of the Alexandria this morning. Spring street was closed for over two hours this morning as police investigated what they are calling an accidental fall. They believe that the man was leaning on a railing which gave way, causing him to lose his balance and drop approximately...


Metro Says Fully Underground Connector Feasible, Could Cost 20% More

By Eric Richardson — Thursday
22 Comments

Regional Connector - Underground Map

Little Tokyo's call for a fully grade-separated Regional Connector has been answered. Metro today used its blog to unveil early engineering study results, which it then presented to a Little Tokyo working group meeting later in the evening. The transit agency warned that the new configuration, which continues under 1st and Alameda below-ground, could add $200...


Other Content

School Search: Solano Elementary

Thursday – 4 Comments

It seems like I have been looking for a school since Bella and Iza were kicking in my belly: first there was the traumatic daycare hunt that aged me five...

SB Tower Reveals a Head-Scratcher of a Ground Floor

Wednesday – 26 Comments

Scaffolding was removed from the ground floor of Barry Shy's SB Tower at 600 S. Spring today, revealing the new look of what was once the headquarters...

In Tough Times, Talking Helps

Wednesday – 5 Comments

Last week, a stranger brought a Downtown neighborhood together. In the days after a young woman committed suicide on Spring street, those who lived and...

Flower Street Getting ... a New Parking Lot?

Wednesday – 1 Comment

A small crew was hard at work Tuesday clearing rubble from the fenced-off site at 737 S. Flower, but don't get too excited thinking some mysterious project...

Thursday: Give Your Input on Greening Harlem Alley

Tuesday – 8 Comments

Before Lost Souls Cafe could open in January of 2006, those involved had to convince the city that Harlem Alley was not an active street, full of dangerous...

Shopping

New Vespa Dealership is a Stylish Return to Roots

By Eric Richardson — Yesterday, 03:36 PM
1 Comment

New Vespa Dealership is a Stylish Return to Roots

|Photo Gallery| When looking to open a Vespa dealership in Downtown Los Angeles, Roger Miyakawa didn't have to think hard before settling on Little Tokyo. After all, his grandfather was one of the Nisei pioneers who helped found the neighborhood. "These are my roots," he said. After two years of planning and process, the dealership at 3rd and Central finally opened last...


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Everyday

Pershing Square's Downtown on Ice Opens 2009-2010 Season

By Eric Richardson — Yesterday, 01:20 PM

Pershing Square's Downtown on Ice Opens 2009-2010 Season

The first of Downtown's two outdoor ice rinks had its official opening this morning, as Pershing Square's Downtown on Ice returned for its 12th season. The ice is open seven days a week through January 18, 2010. An hour on the 70 foot by 50 foot sheet of ice is $6, plus $2 for skate rental.


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Development

With No Parking Revenue, Moinian Faces Foreclosure Across from Staples Center

By Eric Richardson — Thursday
1 Comment

With No Parking Revenue, Moinian Faces Foreclosure Across from Staples Center

In June, Moinian Group Director of Development Oskar Brecher said that the loss of parking revenue on an $80-million lot across from Staples Center could send the project into default. Turns out, he was right. The Downtown News reported today that Wachovia Bank has initiated foreclosure proceedings after the project missed payments. The paper reports that...


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Arts/Culture

Win Tickets to See Julian Casablancas at the Palace Theatre

By Eric Richardson — Thursday
11 Comments

Win Tickets to See Julian Casablancas at the Palace Theatre

Strokes lead singer Julian Casablancas is bringing a little life back to Downtown's historic Palace Theatre. Casablancas is halfway through a four-week solo residency in the 1911 venue, built to host the Orpheum vaudeville circuit. On Friday, he returns for show number three and we've got a pair of tickets to give to a blogdowntown reader who wants to be there... |Photo Gallery|


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Etc

Central Area Weekly Update: November 14, 2009

By blogdowntown Staff — Wednesday

Each week Captain Blake Chow, Commanding Officer of LAPD's Central Division, sends out an email to the community. Captain Chow has agreed to let blogdowntown bring his emails to our readers.


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Politics

Swearing In For Beck, L.A.'s 56th Police Chief, is a Family Affair

By Ed Fuentes — Tuesday

Swearing In For Beck, L.A.'s 56th Police Chief, is a Family Affair

|Photo Gallery| With his family sitting behind him, Deputy Chief Charlie Beck was unanimously approved by council this morning to be the next police chief for the City of Los Angeles. Before Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa introduced the nominated LAPD Deputy Chief at this morning's hearing, there was one last piece of closed door business: determining Beck's new salary. Then it...


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History

36 Years Ago: Broadway Moves to 7th Street

By Eric Richardson — Tuesday
5 Comments

36 Years Ago: Broadway Moves to 7th Street

|Photo Gallery| On November 17, 1973, Broadway department store opened the doors of the chain's new flagship, centerpiece of the massive, mixed-use Broadway Plaza. Described by its architect as a "totally integrated environment," the complex really did have a little something for everyone. 36 years and a name change later, Macy's Plaza is better known as a dated brick fortress...


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