Growth & Development

USC and Urban Partners Win Decisive Victory Against Conquest Housing

By Eric Richardson — January 25, 2008
10 Comments

The lawsuit between USC and Conquest Student Housing, filed back in September, has produced some concrete results. A settlement has been signed prohibiting Conquest from “challenging and interfering with any current or future University of Southern California (USC) development project, any Urban Partners project and any student housing project undertaken...


Newly Landmarked Van Nuys to Get a $42 Million Update

By Eric Richardson — January 23, 2008
4 Comments

Van Nuys Building

It was a busy December for the 95-year old Van Nuys Building at 7th and Spring. On the 5th, City Council approved the Cultural Heritage Commission’s recommendation that the building be given Historic Landmark status. Just two days later the building was again on the Council agenda, with the vote this time to approve $25 million dollars in CRA tax-free bonds...


Globe St Looks at Downtown Retail; Details a Little Fuzzy

By Eric Richardson — January 22, 2008
14 Comments

Real Estate trade site Globe St looks at the improving state of Downtown retail today in a piece that’s heavy on the warm and fuzzy improving picture but light on real details. It talks of increased interest in Downtown shown by retailers like Gap, Nike and Urban Outfitters but that interest hasn’t resulted in any deals. The piece again mentions...


After Presentations to CRA and Planning, What Next for Industrial Use?

By Eric Richardson — January 18, 2008
7 Comments

Arts District

The debate over Industrial Land Use can be a tough one for the mere resident to unravel, delving deep into zoning and city documents. The infamous joint memo delivered to staff by CRA head Cecilia Estelano and Planning chief Gail Goldberg got another two hearings in the past week as the document was presented to the pair’s respective boards. In the meetings...


Garden-Like Figueroa Courtyard and the Suburban Downtown

By Eric Richardson — January 16, 2008
6 Comments

Figueroa Courtyard

Yesterday’s story on UCLA Extension’s move brought out a discussion on the Figueroa Courtyard and World Trade Center complexes. Several commenters derided the suburban nature of the two developments, and I pointed out that this was actually a selling point when Figueroa Courtyard was constructed in 1978. The complex was originally slated to be the...


Renderings Released for Restaurant Space at Union Lofts

By Eric Richardson — January 15, 2008
1 Comment

I keep scratching my head, though, on the company behind the space. Back in July a release highlighted the involvement of “acclaimed restaurateur John Valencia.” Today’s release instead cites his “more than 18 years of experience in hospitality and customer service.” I believe it also breaks ground in the nicknamed bartender space...


Muttropolitan in Little Tokyo Quietly Opens

By Ed Fuentes — January 14, 2008
6 Comments

Muttropolitan

Under the radar of many in the K9-Service-Watch is the full service pet grooming at Muttropolitan, who opened in Little Tokyo with no fan fare. Offerings range from full with several grooming packages, to do-it-yourself with a self-pet wash. With a location designed to serve the east side of Downtown, Muttropolitan has quickly established a client base from...


Unable to Raise Funds for Courthouse, Feds Shift Course

By Eric Richardson — January 12, 2008
11 Comments

Civic Center Lake

Downtown’s green space will be expanding in the upcoming year, but it won’t be the city’s Parks and Rec doing the planning. With the upcoming 2009 U.S. budget unlikely to include funds needed for construction of a new Downtown Courthouse, the federal government has decided to shift course on the land it holds at 1st and Broadway and create Downtown...


NYC Gets Into APT Game; Downtown Slowly Adding Its Own Units

By Eric Richardson — January 11, 2008
4 Comments

4th/Hill APT

New York City opened its first Automated Public Toilet yesterday in Madison Square Park. The city plans to open twenty of the units over the next two years. While Downtown L.A. has several operating APTs, each has taken its time in coming online. Ground was broken for the APT at 4th & Hill back in April, and the unit has been in the ground since mid-summer...


Colorful 9th & Main Median Project Breaks Ground

By Eric Richardson — January 09, 2008
10 Comments

Median Project at 9th/Main

The southern tip of Gallery Row should soon look a whole lot friendlier. The city broke ground today on a four-month project to replace the asphalt median at 9th and Main streets with a colorful replacement featuring trees and flowers. The triangular site, roughly 115 feet long and 30 feet wide, sits just south of Angelique Cafe in the confluence of Spring and...