Movement & Transportation

Workshop Looks to Sell L.A. on Streetcar

By Eric Richardson — May 15, 2008
13 Comments

Portland Streetcar Trip

The concept of a Downtown streetcar isn't new, but the current push is picking up steam in a way past efforts never did. Political will, redevelopment and transportation necessity seem to all be coming together to make the project suddenly seem quite feasible. Next Thursday, May 22nd, Reconnecting America and the Seaside Institute will be hosting the Los Angeles...


Celebrate Bike to Work Week Downtown

By Eric Richardson — May 11, 2008
6 Comments

Ride to City Hall

May 12 - 16 is Bike to Work week, and Downtowners have a number of opportunities to join into the two-wheeled fun. Whether you ride to work or just ride to ride, there are Bike to Work week events Downtowners should know about.


Conceptual Lanes in the Arts District

By Ed Fuentes — May 08, 2008
6 Comments

Santa Fe

If you're driving on Santa Fe, make sure you pay attention. Traffic lanes were repainted yesterday as part of work to widen the First Street Bridge and accommodate the Eastside Gold Line extension, and early results suggest they may not be clear to everyone. This afternoon saw several cars head north in the southbound lane, not sure what to make of the variety...


Regional Connector Down to Two Alternatives

By Eric Richardson — May 07, 2008
57 Comments

2nd Street with Regional Connector

Planning for the Regional Connector is down to two preferred alternatives, one above ground and one below. Costs for the two differ by only $150 million. At a meeting of the Bringing Back Broadway Streetcar Committee this afternoon, Metro staff presented the Connector project, intended to link the Blue and Expo light rail lines with the two parts of the Gold...


Parked Transformer Asks: Do We Really Need that Lane for Traffic?

By Eric Richardson — May 06, 2008
12 Comments

Temporary Power

For several weeks a generator transformer has been sitting in the northbound curb lane on 6th street with cables feeding down a small drain hole into the utility vault below. That lane is supposed to be for traffic during peak hours, but has been blocked during the duration of the transformer's well-protected stay on the street. If the city's content to let...


May Day Marches Join Forces

By Ed Fuentes — April 30, 2008
9 Comments

Mothers March En Masse

May 1st is March Day for Downtown L.A., as four marches set out from three start points, dividing Downtown into four pieces and making sure tomorrow will be an interesting evening commute for those stuck in their cars. The four come from the west, the south and the east before converging at 5th and Broadway and then proceeding to a rally location on Broadway...


Sunday: Fiesta Broadway Brings Music and Street Closures

By Eric Richardson — April 23, 2008
4 Comments

Fiesta Broadway

On Sunday, April 27th, Fiesta Broadway will bring music, crowds and a healthy dose of commercialism to Broadway. The annual event claims to draw 500,000 people and markets itself as the "largest Latino event in the nation's largest Latino market." For those who live Downtown, what's more important than the concert line-up is the schedule for street closures...


The Modern Streetcar's Greatest Asset: Low Floor Boarding

By Eric Richardson — April 22, 2008
17 Comments

Red Streetcar

The proposed streetcar system for Downtown is often referred to as a revival of the Red Car, the romanticized system that connected all parts of the L.A. area. That has led many to think that the system should use historic vehicles, either original or recreations. Last week a delegation from Downtown visited Portland and Seattle, two cities that have opened...


Streetcar Construction Not Your Typical Rail Project

By Eric Richardson — April 18, 2008
4 Comments

Portland Streetcar Trip

One of the most interesting things presented in yesterday's talks about the Portland Streetcar was the pace of construction. Mike Powell, owner of massive Portland bookstore Powell's Books, told the delegation how he was originally opposed to the project, which was scheduled to run on two sides of his store. His experience with rail construction was the work...


First Glimpses from the Portland Streetcar Trip

By Eric Richardson — April 17, 2008
8 Comments

Portland Streetcar Trip

It was a full day for the more than two dozen members of the Downtown group up in Portland to ride streetcars and hear about how development has blossomed along the streetcar's route. Councilman Jose Huizar led the delegation of Downtowners, most of whom will be visiting Seattle tomorrow before returning to Los Angeles. While many concrete ideas and possibilities...