Rite-Aid Still Working on Short Move

Yes Eric - the roll-down barriers are a million times better on the inside of the glass. One of the biggest factors in the “grimming” of the eastern part of Downtown is the block after block view of steel roll-up doors lining the streets. It makes for a very forbidding fortress-like feeling. It occurs in many other parts of the city of course - and combined with bars over windows, it makes this look like Johannesburg after dark. Thank goodness LA isn’t anywhere near as violent as Joburg though.

If there ever is a serious incentive program set up to beautify Downtown andthe rest of LA it really needs to have provisions to assist businesses relocate the roll-ups inside the glass. That is a huge improvement - look at San Pedro Street south of 11th for a example. There are a few blocks with the glass on the outside, and though the buildings are quite cheesy in a way, they look professional and even a little welcoming. Then go a couple blocks any direction and see the metal barricades… and the general feeling of urban blight they engender.

I went in the other day to pick up some things, and the manager helping me told me that it should be done by the end of the month. Looking at their progress, I am somewhat skeptical…

Have you visited London? Go to the city center after-hours, you’ll see roll down steel over the shops on many major streets. But, their intention is most probably to prevent the soccer hooligans to break windows….

As much as I dislike a wall of solid roll-down doors at least I understand their purpose. What I find even more objectionable are boarded up windows, which give you that fortress like feeling day and night. The worst offender, in my mind, would be the Honda dealership across from Staples Center who have had their windows boarded over with “Open During Construction” painted on it ever since the Laker’s won their first championship at Staples Center.

I think it’s time they find a new contractor and get rid of the blight they have perpetuated on that portion of the street. I can’t figure out how Honda corporate allows them to cast such a negative image of the company in such high-traffic public place.

Roll-down gates on the outside are ugly, but that ugliness can be mitigated with other nice features, like awnings and lighting. BTW, I appreciate the nice lamps that the new Rite-Aid has along Broadway. It lends a touch of class to the corner.

Veronica,

Funny, I was in the other day and was told the move was being delayed due to a failed safety inspection at the new location. The cashier told me it was looking more like “summer” for the move.

I do hope you are correct. I live in the building above the current store and am looking forward to portions of that floor being converted to more parking.

Damm taggers ruined the windows. hopefully rite aide repairs the windows. the building is coming along.