Downtown's 'Infrastructure Nodes' Deemed Feasible

By Eric Richardson
Published: Thursday, June 08, 2006, at 01:53PM

Eric Richardson [Flickr]

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Back in February Jan Perry proposed developing a mesh of "infrastructural nodes" across Downtown to provide power and water points for filming use. This would decrease pollution and space use by eliminating the need for studios to bring generators Downtown when they come here to shoot.

In a reply dated May 12th but only showing up in the Council files yesterday, DWP responded that the idea is feasible (PDF). They said they already have a system for permitting temporary hookups to the hydrants for potable water needs, and that power boxes could certainly be accomodated.

In response to the suggested power service points mentioned in the report entitled, "The Future of Filming in Downtown Los Angeles", LADWP can provide power supply points located in the general vicinity of the most commonly used film sites. The power supply points will allow direct connection to the City of Los Angeles' (City) electricity and eliminate the need for mobile generators.

...

One idea that is worth exploring would be to combine power supply points of service with the LA City/Viacom Kiosks (Kiosks) that are currently being considered. The Kiosks would provide an attractive enclosure for the power cabinet. Additionally, Viacom owns Paramount Studios so there is a studio tie-in. The Project Manager for the City Kiosks, Mr. Lance Oishi, has indicated his willngness to explore this option.

As I said back in February, I think this would be a very positive thing for Downtown. Having a generator stuck in the alley beneath your window isn't a fun experience.

I'm not sure about the kiosk tie-in, though. That program has been so unbelievably slow to get any traction that I just don't know that any additional project scope won't cause it to fold in on itself.

If you hadn't heard of the report mentioned, it's from 2003-2004. You can find a PDF here from Monu magazine. I'm not sure if that's the full report or just a summary.

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Filming Nodes Proposed for DWP HQ, City Hall and 650 S. Spring
Thursday

Comments

jim writes:

i don't know anything about the kiosks, but they sound like a bad idea. i don't think i've ever seen a kiosk that wasn't horrible, especially more than six months after it was installed.

the infrastructure nodes for filming sounds like a promising idea, though.

# on Jun.08.2006 AT 02:37 PM

Eric Richardson writes:

The kiosks are part of the City's street furniture deal with Viacom. I'm not sure exactly which pieces they mean when they say "kiosk", but the furniture designs all look pretty nice to me. Like I mentioned, though, the deal is way behind schedule and it's one of those situations where either side could sue the other for breach of contract and win.

# on Jun.08.2006 AT 03:03 PM

mike writes:

I understand the view that if LA and downtown aren't amenible and flexible for filming, Toronto/Vancouver/etc. will be happy to make the industry welcome, but the city also needs to start doing a substantially better job of balancing the needs of the downtown residents. 'Infrastructure nodes' seem like a great way for the city to make some small adaptations that will both make the city itself more attractive for the industry while hopefully making the enntire process less invasive for the people who actually live here.

Next on the agenda would be for the city to start being a little more stringent with blocking off on-street parking--for any given shoot, there are entirely too many legal spots being blocked off for little or no reason. Sure, if you're shooting a car chase, I can understand having several blocks with no cars, but there is no obvious reason why the residents ought to have to lose 7 meter-spaces for a catering truck and tent.

# on Jun.10.2006 AT 11:02 AM

Sarah Lorenzen writes:

I was interested to hear that our proposal is getting some traction. Here is additional information about the project, including a short film we did about our research and the proposals: http://www.plasmatic-concepts.com/fadd/movie.html

# on Jun.12.2006 AT 12:54 PM

Sirimiri writes:

I work downtown..have done so since 1999. When the entertainment industry locusts are busy down there, it's a pain to get in, and a worse pain to get out. Makes me want to go to Studio City or Hollywood or wherever the heck these people live when they are not working and set up my "workspace" up and down their street.

Or maybe I could just intercept their unemployment checks that they get when they decide to take a few weeks off because they are "freelance"? Yes, I am biased.

# on Jun.15.2006 AT 10:35 PM