01-09-17 by Los Angeles Downtown News

Who’s Buying Downtown’s Condos? : 6 Acres of Art at the Convention Center : 10

Another Try For the

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AROUND TOWN

Lineup Announced for Night on Broadway

ast year’s Night on Broadway saw more than 60,000 people throng the historic street for an evening of free music, art and performance. The third installment of the event, which will mark the ninth anniversary of 14th District City Councilman José Huizar’s Bringing Back Broadway initiative, takes place on Jan. 28, and last week the lineup of acts was announced. Highlights among the dozens of performers and events that will take place on 10 stages and in six theaters include the Oingo Boingo Dance Party and soul singer Mayer Hawthorne. Also on the roster are DJs from the music collective dublab at the Theatre at Ace Hotel, comedians at the Palace Theatre, multimedia presentations, a kids’ zone, a Ferris wheel and even adult dodgeball at Broadway and Eighth Street. The event will run from 4-11 p.m. Additional information is at nightonbroadway.la.

Citigroup Center Sells for $336 Million ne of Downtown’s most recognizable towers has a new owner. The Los Angeles-based real estate firm Coretrust Capital Partners announced that it has acquired the Citigroup Center at 444 S. Flower St. The

January 9, 2017

48-story tower was sold by the real estate firm Hines; Coretrust paid $336 million for the property. The tower has 914,000 square feet of space and current tenants include Citigroup and the Securities and Exchange Commission. “Our goal is to provide our tenants with a concierge-level of service found in boutique buildings with the amenities only a one million square foot trophy tower can provide,” Coretrust principal John Sischo said in a prepared statement. The tower opened in 1981 and is certified LEED Gold. Hines bought the building across from the Central Library in 2008 for approximately $280 million. Coretrust plans to upgrade common areas including the outdoor spaces and what it described as the “tenant arrival experience.” Coretrust was formed in 2014 by three former executives of the Thomas Properties Group, a longtime Downtown real estate power player.

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Petco Opens at Ninth and Hope

6th St. & Hill St.

owntown Los Angeles has another new store for its many pets. An outpost of the Petco chain opened last month at 850 S. Hope St. The store, which offers all manner of food, grooming products, supplies and toys for dogs, cats, birds and other animals, occupies a 5,000-square-foot space on the ground floor of a 654-stall parking structure that is part of the CIM Group’s 888 S. Hope St. development. The building, being designed by CallisonRTKL, will stand 34 stories tall and contain 526 apartments. It is the first Downtown store for Petco, which is based in San Diego and has nearly 1,500 outlets in the United States and Mexi-

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co. The Downtown shop is open seven days a week and offers vaccinations. Other recently opened Downtown pet businesses include Bone Sweet Bone in the Arts District. Coming soon is the Healthy Spot in South Park.

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to build a 48-story residential tower at 1000 S. Hill St. The tower, being designed by Chris Dikeakos Architects, would hold 498 units. There would also be 711 parking stalls and 8,707 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. The site is currently a surface parking lot. The budget and timeline for the tower have not been revealed. Onni Group has become one of the biggest players in the Downtown Los Angeles real estate scene, with numerous residential and office projects under construction or in the planning stage. It opened the Level Furnished Living tower at Ninth and Olive streets in 2015.

48-Story Tower Planned for South Park

hortly after announcing plans to transform Times Mirror Square, the Vancouverbased development firm Onni Group filed plans with the Department of City Planning

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January 9, 2017

EDITORIALS

The Downtown Agenda for 2017

While Downtown Los Angeles is enjoying plenty of investment and new projects, it also faces challenges such as homelessness and traffic.

owntown Los Angeles is an amazing community enjoying amazing growth with an amazing mix of people. Yes, that’s three uses of “amazing” in one sentence, and it’s intentional and appropriate. There simply is no community in California, and possibly the nation, seeing as much positive change, as billions of dollars are being invested in the residential sector, and the office, retail, restaurant and nightlife scenes continue to blossom. Sure, you expect Los Angeles Downtown News to say this, but look at the stories and features that have appeared in international media outlets and you’ll realize we’re not just being an unabashed booster. The cascade of new high-rises slated to open this year — projects include the Wilshire Grand replacement, the first phase of the Metropolis complex and the Ten50 condominium building — will add to the momentum. However, those tell only one side of the story. Downtown in the new year faces more challenges than it has in decades. Myriad trouble points demand the attention and resources of elected leaders, business groups, nonprofit organizations and a bevy of community stakeholders, including but not limited to neighborhood councils and small business owners. Critical thinking and creativity are necessary if Downtown is to continue to develop in a positive manner. Here are some of the issues that must be on the Downtown agenda for 2017. Homelessness: City and county leaders have improved their work and cooperation on this most vexing of problems — credit goes to individuals including Mayor Eric Garcetti, County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, City Council members José Huizar, Curren Price and Mike Bonin, County Health guru Dr. Mitchell Katz, and outgoing City Administrative Officer Miguel Santana. However, it will mean nothing without coordinated, long-term work, including convincing people across the region that all communities must be part of the solution, and that homeless services facilities must appear in many new neighborhoods. While city voters passed the $1.2 billion housing property tax bond Proposition HHH last November, there are still more than 46,000 homeless individuals in L.A. County, with over 28,000 of them residing in the city. They need apartments, along with a variety of supportive services. City leaders have been stifled in efforts to create more storage spaces for homeless peoples’ belongings. Job training, and improved health and mental healthcare, are a must. While there has been success in helping certain sub-groups such as homeless veterans, last year brought a shocking spike in the number of homeless women. The problem of homelessness will endure for the foreseeable future. Infrastructure: More than 100 projects are under construction or in the planning stage in Downtown, and at least half of them contain a residential component. We can expect tens of thousands of new residents in the coming decades, putting additional strain on local infrastructure. Projects can no longer be looked at individually, but must be considered in the context of what is happening on surrounding blocks. The new inhabitants will demand smooth roads and efficient water and energy delivery. Aged pipes and utilities must be upgraded, and all this comes at a cost in both money and convenience. Local leaders and planning authorities must ensure that the infrastructure can handle the load. Navigation: Related to the above is the issue of getting around Downtown. This is evolving, as more people leave their cars in the garage and walk or ride bicycles; projects such as dedicated bike lanes and Metro’s Bike Share program, launched last July, have helped. Still, navigating Downtown can be a royal pain. Traffic is

photo by Gary Leonard

thicker than ever due to more cars and a bevy of projects that result in the loss of street lanes. Past promises to ensure that sidewalks stay open near large projects seem to have produced only sporadic success. Again, this is where a community-wide outlook is mandatory. The impacts on navigating Downtown from one project — whether housing or something like the Regional Connector — must be viewed in the context of the dozens of other projects underway. We’re not saying a solution is easy or that people are not trying, but gridlock from the Historic Core to South Park to Little Tokyo to the Arts District is impacting quality of life. And where’s that improved and expanded DASH bus system we’ve been waiting for? Family Needs: Every year brings more dogs and strollers to the sidewalks of Downtown. These are signs of an evolving community. However, there remains a shortage of amenities for families. Although the network of Downtown green spaces is expanding, we still have too few dog parks and children’s playgrounds. The Los Angeles State Historic Park near Chinatown, scheduled to reopen soon, will be instantly embraced, but it is not a panacea. People need parks they can walk to, places they where they can recreate and meet their neighbors. Downtown also must have more elementary school options.

Urban Scrawl by Doug Davis

There has long been a shortage, and the stalwart Metro Charter Elementary has struggled to find a permanent home. As this page has stated before, if there are not high-quality educational choices for children, parents will leave. That would be bad for the future of Downtown. Hotels: Finally, something where a problem is being solved. Downtown has long had a shortage of hotel rooms, particularly within walking distance of the Convention Center. This has made it difficult for the city to secure the biggest trade shows and business meetings, which can have economic impacts in the tens of millions of dollars. The debut of the Wilshire Grand replacement will create 900 hotel rooms, and the nearby Hotel Indigo at Metropolis will provide another 300 rooms. The 270-room Hotel Figueroa will also reopen early this year. Still, Downtown could use even more hotels, and these can and should help fill city coffers through the transit occupancy tax charged to guests. In recent years many hotel developers have been allowed to keep some or all of the tax, arguing that their projects would not be profitable without them. It’s time to re-examine that practice. The hotel developers are coming because they smell money in a resurgent Downtown. Local leaders should woo the projects, and figure out just how much of an incentive to offer in this lucrative, modern market.

January 9, 2017

Downtown News 5

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I Just Got My First Cellular Telephone One of the Last Holdouts Finally Breaks Down. Blame Youth Basketball By Jon Regardie i. My name is Jon, and I have an admission that many people will find shocking: I just got my first cell phone. I don’t mean my first iPhone, my first Google phone or my first fire-starting Samsung Note 7, but literally

THE REGARDIE REPORT my first-ever cell phone. Though people from Carlsbad to Kolkata have sworn by the devices for more than two decades, until last month I had never owned one. I am the fallen last of the Mohicans, no longer able to escape the vines of modern technology. I am the failed holdout murmuring “Viva la resistance,” but into a device that lets me talk, share photos of cheeseburgers and send cute kitten texts. I’ll get to the why shortly, but first let me explain the how, because that’s the question I have answered time and again. Incredulous minds have always wanted to know: How do you live without a cell phone? It’s been really easy. I don’t mean easy for everyone, but it has been for me. Going cell-less in Los Angeles was 80% the result of my particular circumstances and 20% from donkey-like stubbornness. But I can think of almost zero instances in recent decades in which it was vital that I make an instant phone call or hunt a Pokemon Go character. I get that many people need cell phones. Freelancers, film production workers and medical personnel are among those who have to be able to communicate with friends, co-workers and customers instantERWaitingRoom_Inquicker10.25x6 16_158.pdf

ly. Life is improved for people commuting in the car a couple hours a day when they have a phone (even if talking and texting while driving is illegal). This is just the basic stuff, and I’m not getting into the ability a phone provides to avoid traffic/destroy quiet neighborhoods with Waze, or check the results of a fantasy football team. I just haven’t needed any of it. In the decade-plus that I have worked at Los Angeles Downtown News, I have had a phone at my desk. In fact, I am literally touching the phone with my left hand as I type this with my right hand. I’m usually at the desk, and when I am out, there’s this nifty thing called voicemail. At home I have a landline, which for the uninformed is a phone with a wire that plugs into the wall. My commute is 12 minutes without traffic, 27 minutes on an average day and 45 minutes when Los Angeles gets all stupid on the roads. The ultimate result is that I’m pretty reachable and, for the times I’m not, I’ll get the message soon. Having two young kids means I don’t go out too often. When I attend a Clippers game or something else, my wife usually knows the phone number of the friend I’m with. Plenty of people have questions, such as, what if someone I’m meeting is late? In that case, I do this radical thing: wait. The person almost always arrives shortly. Others ask about what happens in the event of an emergency. For years I could usually find a pay phone when necessary, and though their ranks are Continued on page 16

9/26/16

photo by Gary Leonard

Yes, there are still pay phones in Los Angeles. However, the author no longer has to use them.

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January 9, 2017

Who’s Buying Downtown’s New Condos? Although Sales Are Brisk at Metropolis, Some Worry About Too Many ‘Absentee’ Owners By Eddie Kim our glossy glass towers are rising at Metropolis, the six-acre mega-project just north of L.A. Live. The first move-ins will begin this month, according to the developer, the U.S. subsidiary of the Shanghai-based company Greenland, and by the end of the year the full first phase of the $1 billion development will be open, delivering a 38-story condominium tower with 308 homes and an 18-story Hotel Indigo. Ultimately the project will create more than 1,500 for-sale units. Representatives of Metropolis have for months touted strong sales of the condominiums, saying that the first tower is already 70% sold. A question is brewing: What effect will that actually have on the streets of South Park and on the evolution of the neighborhood? Early concern focuses on the likelihood that residences are being purchased by people from other countries, particularly China, who won’t live in Metropolis full-time. The worry extends to the overall South Park condo explosion — nearly everyone in Downtown cheers the 3,500 for-sale units that are under construction or in the pipeline, but real estate experts fret that the community benefits could be muted if there is a preponderance of “absentee” owners who are snapping up luxury units. Residences in the first phase of Metropolis range from $600,000 for studios to more than $2 million. In an emailed statement, Metropolis Marketing and Sales Director Sofia Padilla said that

The South Park megaproject Metropolis is set to deliver 308 residences in its first-phase tower, and move-ins will begin this month. Its second and third condo towers will hold more than 1,200 additional homes.

photo by Gary Leonard

60% of sales to date are from the United States, with the “vast majority” being California buyers. “Additionally, as the first for-sale residential project to deliver in Downtown in nearly five years, Metropolis is attracting strong interest from Downtown renters who have witnessed the area’s transformation firsthand and are looking to make it a longer term place of resi-

dence,” she wrote. Local condo brokers, however, say they have not seen a swell of buyers from Los Angeles, and that sales instead are trending international, largely Chinese, with high down payments common. Greenland has a dedicated China sales center for Metropolis, according to area brokers and the project’s main website.

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“They have a whole pool of units that aren’t available to U.S. buyers,” said one realtor, who asked not to be named to avoid impacting business relationships. Those sales could stem from a series of factors that relate to the current local real estate market as well as economic trends across the globe. On the former front, Southern California has long seen an influx of Chinese homebuyers, notably east of Downtown in the San Gabriel Valley. Luxury condos in Downtown are starting to pull buyers away from those single-family homes. The attraction is the same for those individuals as it is for Los Angeles residents, with proximity to restaurants and cultural activities. (A hot condo market doesn’t hurt, either.) Then there are the global aspects, as the slowing economy in China has helped to inspire a sizzle of outbound investment. Los Angeles, New York City and London are among the cities that have seen an infusion of Chinese money. For sellers, one advantage of Chinese buyers is their habit for simple transactions: 71% of them pay in cash, according to a 2016 survey from the National Association of Realtors. That echoes the way purchases are often made in China. Foreign buyers of all description also tend to pay more for homes than U.S. purchasers. Chinese buyers, the survey said, take more U.S. units and spend more money than people from any other foreign country. It is impossible to know how things will shake out at Metropolis, but in general, according to the Realtors survey, 40% of Chinese buyers plan on using their new home as a primary residence. The other 60% treat the property as a rental

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unit or use it sporadically for trips to the U.S. By way of comparison, 63% and 74% of buyers from Mexico and India, respectively, planned to use new U.S. property as their primary residence. “The safe assumption to make is that a foreign buyer is going to be an absentee owner or renting it,” Hamid Behdad, a real estate expert and head of the Downtown-based Central City Development Group, said about Metropolis’ sales. “If you’re not a citizen, you may be vacationing here or your kids may use it, but being absent is a real likelihood.” While any sale helps the developer’s bottom line, absentee owners can create a ghost-town feel in an ostensibly occupied building. That could turn off potential buyers looking to join a community and, at Metropolis, it could stunt the leasing of more than 70,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space along Francisco Boulevard. Downtown real estate experts warn that if the complex has a weak residential base, it could be hard to lure tenants, particularly when ongoing construction in the neighborhood is also considered. The Mortgage Question A bigger problem may come for other prospective buyers seeking a mortgage. Lending in Downtown Los Angeles is already difficult, with stringent requirements on down payments and income checks, said realtor Roxanna Godinez of the firm Loftway. Absentee ownership in a building is particularly unattractive to lenders, added realtor Allyson Connolly. She said certain lenders could halt loans if a building exceeds a specific percentage of non-owner-occupied homes. “The main reason is that, if there’s a financial downturn and you have an owner with multiple properties, which ones are they going to stop paying the loan on?” she asked. “Not the one they’re living in.” Some developers use homeowners association contracts as a way to cut down on absentee owners, stipulating that units must be occupied a certain amount of time or that the owners are not allowed to re-sell the unit or rent it out for a year or longer. Others screen buyers, limit “off-shore” marketing or sell units in smaller batches, according to real estate experts. It’s unclear whether any of these measures are in place at Metropolis, although multiple local brokers say they have not seen

any restrictions. The project is fetching some of the highest prices ever seen in the L.A. condo scene — more than $1,200 per square foot — which could set a bar for other area projects. The picture is slightly different at Ten50, the only other Downtown condo development slated to come online in the near future. Its 150 units are more than 50% sold, according to Arden Hearing, managing director of developer Trumark Urban. “More than 80% of our buyers so far work in Downtown. These are not international, offshore buyers, although it’s still a very diverse building,” Hearing said. “The strategy is by design. The building has a tight DTLA community vibe, and we did not market units offshore. Of course if we wanted to, there would be ways to do that effectively.” As with Greenland, San Francisco-based Trumark Urban is new to the Downtown housing market and sees huge potential for condos. Ten50 residences are selling for around $800-$1,000 per square foot, and units have been released in phases. Hearing said buyers come overwhelmingly from within the city. Behdad said that even if sales at Metropolis were to slow, he does not expect prices would come down. The cost of construction in a luxury mega-project like Metropolis means Greenland is going to demand a premium, he said. The overall scene could change quickly, and while Greenland will be the first to arrive, it won’t be going solo for long. Beijingbased developer Oceanwide is deep into construction on a mega-project that will bring 648 luxury condominiums, a hotel and retail space to Oceanwide Plaza across from Staples Center; it is slated to debut in 2018. Just south of Oceanwide Plaza, the twin-tower Circa will have 650 condos when it opens in early 2018. Another Chinese developer, Shenzhen Hazens, is designing a three-tower complex with a W Hotel and another 650 condominiums a block north of Oceanwide’s project. In other words, the condo floodgates are about to break open, ushering in new money and new residents. It remains to be seen if Metropolis will lead to a filled project that puts bodies on the streets, or whether fears of a ghost town in its towers come true. eddie@downtownnews.com

2 3

photo by Gary Leonard

The area around Staples Center can expect to see the arrival of more than 3,500 condominiums in the next few years. Here is some of what is under construction or on the drawing board. 1) Metropolis: More than 1,500 condominiums 2) Shenzen Hazens project: 650 condominiums 3) Oceanwide Plaza: 648 condominiums 4) Circa: 650 condominiums

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January 9, 2017

Back to the Future With the Triforium With $100,000 Grant, Supporters Look to Revive Long-Maligned Musical Sculpture By Nicholas Slayton he Triforium was never supposed to wind up this way. Created in 1975 by artist Joseph Young, it was intended to illuminate and enliven the Civic Center. Placed at the corner of Temple and Main streets at the Los Angeles Mall, the 60-foot-tall, three-pronged sculpture was a nod to the future amid 20th century architecture. Within years of its debut, however, its 1,500 lights stopped flashing and its speakers were silenced. Despite occasional upgrade efforts, it has more often been a perch for pigeons and a punch line for Angelenos. Now there’s another attempt to revive the artwork, and this one has two things past efforts lacked: significant seed money, and cutting-edge technology. In December, a group known as the Triforium Project won a $100,000 grant from the Goldhirsh Foundation’s LA2050 campaign to restore and update the sculpture. If all goes according to plan, the team members will incorporate new lighting, sound and computer systems. The goal is to have the Triforium operating again in 2018. “You don’t see something as far-reaching these days,” said Claire Evans, one of the four members of the Triforium Project. “This is a Rosetta Stone of art and technology. It shows how progressive Los Angeles is. I think it can be a beacon for a new and wonderful Los Angeles

going forward.” The Triforium Project, which also includes Tanner Blackman, Tom Carroll and Jona Bechtolt, believes that Young’s idea was ahead of its time, and that technology has had to catch up to the original vision. The members are taking a retro-futuristic approach, aiming to replace old bulbs with light-emitting diodes that have a long life. A modern computer would replace the massive 1970s system still housed inside the Triforium’s control room. Evans and Bechtolt, who make up the twoperson electro-pop band Yacht, are also looking to introduce a level of interactivity that Young envisioned, though with a twist. Where he wanted a system that would respond to passing footfall, so that pedestrians would essentially create their own light and sound composition, Evans and Bechtolt intend to create an open-source mobile app. It would allow anyone to create a light and sound composition, and users would submit their piece. It would go into a queue and the Triforium would play it back. “Interactivity means something quite different now versus what it did in 1975,” Evans said. “It’s part of our creative DNA as artists. We’re in an interesting position to update Young’s idea.” Overcoming Opposition The Triforium never had it easy. Although Young viewed it as an artistic piece of the future, the sculpture’s size, design and placement amid governmental buildings had many look-

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(l to r) Tanner Blackman, Claire Evans, Jona Bechtolt and Tom Carroll make up the Triforium Project. They received a $100,000 grant as part of their effort to restore and reactivate the 60-foot sculpture at the Los Angeles Mall.

photo by Gary Leonard

ing at it quizzically. Mayor Tom Bradley, who dedicated the artwork in 1975, later said that it was something Angelenos had to learn to be proud of. In 1976, Los Angeles Times columnist Jack Smith famously described it as “three wishbones in search of a turkey.” Technical issues with the speakers plagued the Triforium almost from the start, and many of the bulbs burned out. By the 1980s it was largely silent. During one revival effort, a federal judge in a nearby courthouse on Spring Street complained about the noise coming from the device. A 2006 return led by thenDowntown City Councilwoman Jan Perry was short-lived. Still, the project has always had a small if steadfast batch of supporters. They include the members of the Triforium Project, who held a 40th birthday party for the sculpture in late 2015. They began envisioning a comeback, and started making plans and filling out grant applications. The LA2050 grant marks their first

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cash infusion. The group doesn’t want to take over ownership or make maintenance of the Triforium a full-time job. The sculpture is the property of the Department of Cultural Affairs and part of what is known as the City Art Collection. The Department of Recreation and Parks owns the land under Fletcher Bowron Square in the Los Angeles Mall where the Triforium sits, while the city General Services Department is the custodian and groundskeeper of the property. The Triforium Project members have been in contact with City Councilman José Huizar, whose 14th District includes the artwork. Team member Blackman served as Huizar’s planning director before joining the public affairs and lobbying firm Kindel Gagan. In a statement to Los Angeles Downtown News, Huizar said he looks forward to meeting with the group and other city departments to implement the Triforium Project’s proposals. “I am thrilled to see a group of creative, civic-

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minded Angelenos coming together to shape our city’s future by honoring its cultural past,” Huizar said. Downtown Author Lisa Napoli Discusses Her New Book on Ray and Joan Kroc The team will meet with representatives from the Department of Cultural this peace activist said it was Joan Kroc who gave Affairs and other city staffers in the comBy Nicholas Slayton the money anonymously. I was intrigued. Why ing months to work on a plan. Blackman lmost everyone knows the name of Ray would she give money for a peace sculpture? said that the response from city departKroc, the McDonald’s chairman who ments has been positive, and that one of turned the fledgling burger restaurant Q: Why did Joan Kroc give away the fortune Ray left the next steps is coordinating plans with into an empire. Far fewer people have heard of her? the city and filling out a lot of paperhis wife, Joan. A: I think Joan’s story is even more interesting work so that upgrades can happen. Downtown Los Angeles resident Lisa Napothan McDonald’s. That’s a very Southern Califorli sets out to change that in her new book Ray & One key element is money. The Trifonia story of success, but Joan decided to give the Joan: The Man Who Made the McDonald’s Fortune rium Project aims to continue fundraismoney away because she was a hugely compasand the Woman Who Gave It All Away (Dutton). It ing throughout 2017. Blackman said sionate person. She did it gradually over her life, came out Nov. 15. a complete renovation would likely and then at the end when she learned she had cost about $250,000. The team is look Napoli, a veteran author and public radio host terminal brain cancer she made the decision to ing into additional grants and possible and reporter, traveled around the country and give it all away. And there was no foundation. The partnerships. into more than a few McDonald’s during her rewise thing to do in these situations is put your search (she notes she did not actually eat at any If all goes according to plan, the physmoney in a foundation so it can be donated forof them). The book is partly a biography of the ical upgrades will be just the start. Once ever. With Joan Kroc, she just wanted it gone and couple and partly a money trail showing why the systems have been modernized, Triout and used by people. She was unorthodox in Joan Kroc chose to fund peace efforts, public raforium Project members hope to have a every way like that. dio and other philanthropic causes. group of volunteers who can update the software from time to time. The book was written in Napoli’s Bunker Hill Q: What was the writing process like? “Essentially, we’re trying to futurehome. On Jan. 26, she will be speak about Ray A: It took me five years to write this. I traveled & Joan at the Los Angeles Athletic Club. She reproof it,” Carroll said. around the country to access records and talk to cently talked with Los Angeles Downtown News Evans said the team hopes to launch a photo by Gary Leonard people. Where you do the research is one thing. about her work and the Krocs. music series at the Triforium once it is reLisa Napoli wrote Ray & Joan, which traces how the Kroc Where you sit and write it is another. I’ve lived on stored. One of Young’s original goals, she family raised a fortune with McDonald’s, and what happened Bunker Hill for 13 years and I’m a huge longtime Los Angeles Downtown News: How did you get added, was to have concerts every day to the money. supporter of the Downtown Central Library. I’ve interested in this story? at noon for Downtown workers. the radio, you think she was just this rich woman, used their resources throughout this process. Lisa Napoli: I wasn’t a McDonald’s eater, but I If that comes to fruition, there is one but she wasn’t. She was involved and working worked in public radio so I was familiar with Joan less challenge than in the past. The fedwith McDonald’s in the earliest days. Q: What might surprise readers about Joan Kroc? Kroc’s name. About five years ago I was in Santa eral judges recently moved to the new A: Her first husband, before Ray, actually manMonica on assignment for KCRW. There was this United States Courthouse at 350 W. First Ray & Joan is available on amazon.com and othaged a McDonald’s early on and then got the peace sculpture in disrepair and they were strugSt. So there are no longer any powerful er online vendors. More information is at penguinrights to open a franchise. And she worked with gling with what to do with it. I went to cover it judicial officials to complain. randomhouse.com. him ordering food. When you hear her name on 800.900.5788 I foraerioconnect.com and asked who paid it in the first place, and nicholas@downtownnews.com nicholas@downtownnews.com Broadband I Voice I WiFi I HDTV

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10 Downtown News

January 9, 2017

DT s e r c A

Art

The 22nd annual Los Angeles Art Show takes place at the Convention Center this week. It will have booths from more than 100 galleries. Highlights include Lewis Hock’s “a wall,” a 95-foot barrier in the middle of the display space, and Raphael Montañez Ortiz smashing a piano.

Massive L.A. Art Show Returns to the Convention Center By Nicholas Slayton owntown Los Angeles has no lack of art display spaces. The Museum of Contemporary Art and The Broad show blue-chip artists on Bunker Hill. The Historic Core galleries bubble over with young and up-and-coming creative types. There is even plenty of street art. This week, the lineup expands even further, as Downtown again hosts one of the city’s biggest art celebrations. The 22nd annual L.A. Art Show will run from Wednesday-Sunday, Jan. 11-15, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The complex’s South Hall will turn into a maze of creativity, with booths from more than 100 galleries and work from 18 countries. The estimated 50,000 visitors will include serious collectors and casual art fans. “This show is curated in a way that gives visitors and collectors a chance to see things that might not be on the top of their list,” said Kim Martindale, the show’s producer and co-founder. The L.A. Art Show started in 1995 in Pasadena, and initially focused on historic works. Now in its third decade, much of the exhibition looks at contemporary art. Visitors will have a chance to ogle art and make purchases, with pieces ranging from roughly $200 to hundreds of thousands of dollars. There will be showcases for past styles. The “Roots” section will bounce across time with both 19th century works and new surrealist pieces. A big addition this year is a 50,000-square-foot section dedicated to museums in Southern California. Martindale said there has always been a museum presence, but in 2017 the L.A. Art Show is bringing in institutions that are collaborating on the Getty Foundation’s “Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA” project, which is looking at Latin American artists and opens in the fall. Martindale said the L.A. Art Show section is not officially affiliated with the Getty exhibition, but that he wanted to capitalize on the timing. “With ‘LA/LA’ in September, I really wanted to showcase L.A. and its new and amazing museums,” Martindale said.

One of biggest works in the section will be Lewis Hock’s “a wall,” which is exactly what it sounds like: a 95-foot wall made of paper bricks, stretching through the exhibition space and interrupting foot traffic and eye lines. LACMA Adjunct Curator Chon Noriega said that the Pacific Standard Time collaboration wasn’t intended to comment on or coincide with the current political climate and tense rhetoric over immigration, but the natural context does add a sense of immediacy. “Entering into the space where there’s a 95-foot wall dividing it in half will certainly make people aware of what’s swirling around the media right now,” Noriega said. Another Pacific Standard Time participant is artist Raphael Montañez Ortiz, who will be performing his signature piano destruction. Ortiz has been smashing pianos for 51 years, engaging with audiences as he does so. He’ll appear on Saturday at 2 p.m. The art show will run a shuttle for attendees to MOCA’s Grand Avenue location and the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA space in Little Tokyo. Single day admission is $30, while a four-day pass runs $60. The Pop Scene Along with the new elements, the show includes some returning favorites. They include the Littletopia section. It focuses on Pop and Surrealist art. Co-curator Greg Escalante said the galleries that make up Littletopia are kindred spirits. “It’s the section that’s more reflective of newer trends in art. It’s younger, edgier, a bit more underground,” Escalante said. The Littletopia section will hand out the 2017 Artist Lifetime Achievement Award to Mel Ramos. Escalante said the San Francisco-based artist is underrated, but is just as influential as fellow Pop artists Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. Martindale said that the show is about showcasing and selling art, as well as educating visitors. The lineup includes 10 lectures and panel discussions, dubbed “Dialogs LA,” with artists and curators discussing their creative process and contemporary art circles.

Martindale said the variety of pieces gives collectors a chance to break out of their comfort zone. Escalante echoed that take, though he joked that there are never as many collectors as dealers would like. He said the art market has recovered from the 2008 economic collapse, and he noticed more buyers at last year’s L.A. Art Show. Martindale said those shifts are a sign of how the show is growing. The focus on contemporary work came in response to visitor and collector feedback. The greater focus on Los Angeles art also is a response to what visitors have asked for. Martindale said that even though it’s an annual event, if someone has not attended in three or four years, this week’s show will be almost entirely new. The Los Angeles Art Show runs Wednesday-Sunday, Jan. 11-15, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St., (310) 822-9145 or laartshow.com. nicholas@downtownnews.com

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photos courtesy of the L.A. Art Show

CALENDAR

January 9, 2017

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Downtown News 11

Amélie Sings and Soars Movie-Turned-Musical Stuns With Its Visuals, Smarts and Charm

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easily follow what is going on. As a child, Amélie (Savvy Crawford) lives a mostly solitary life with her detached parents Raphael (Manoel Felciano) and Amandine (Alison Cimmet). Her only friend is a goldfish named Fluffy, which Paul Whitty brings to life by wearing a goofy puppet on his head and riding a scooter across the stage. Young Amélie literally hands off her role to Phillipa Soo, who earned a Tony nomination for playing Alexander Hamilton’s wife. Now in her 20s, Amélie works as a waitress in a Paris café and spends her free time looking out an apartment window, imagining what the world is doing, or what her life could be like if she wasn’t afraid to truly live it. Her discovery of an old tin box filled with a young boy’s “treasures,” lost for decades, leads Amélie on a quest to improve the lives of those around her through anonymous meddling. It also leads her to a chance at love. There’s hardly any dialogue, and there’s no song list in the program. That’s OK, because they tend to flow from one to another. The music and remarkable staging enhance each other. A prime example is the song “World’s Best Dad,” which details Amélie’s hypochondriac father giving her a monthly physical. The ensemble portrays through costumes, props and motion her heart swelling with love for her father. There is a wealth of visual and lyrical jokes, but the topper is when Amélie, after watching the TV coverage of Princess Diana’s memorial,

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By Jeff Favre ost people don’t rate their dreams on whether they make sense, or even if they can be remembered clearly. Wondrous, magical dreams wake us with a smile and leave us filled with a lighter, fuller heart. Amélie, A New Musical is such a dream, and it’s the kind that’s too rare in the days of bigbudget musicals. After all, who is going to risk lyrics that are more poetry than pop song, with music that focuses not on catchy hooks, but instead on melodies that are whimsical at times and achingly beautiful at others? Kudos to Downtown’s Center Theatre Group for providing the pre-Broadway run at the Ahmanson Theatre (it premiered last year at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, but has been revamped). This is a visually, aurally, artistically stunning re-creation of the equally impressive French movie of 2001. You’re probably not going to leave the theater humming the tunes — something that never mattered to Stephen Sondheim, by the way. Also, Craig Lucas’ book is razor thin. None of that matters in what is a 100-minute performance art piece dedicated to the power of imagination and of love, staged with more creativity than perhaps any show to grace the Ahmanson this century. Seeing the movie ahead of time is not necessary, though doing so would familiarize you with the basic plot points. Still, any newbie can

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Phillipa Soo is the title character and Adam Chanler-Berat is her love interest Nino in the Ahmanson Theatre’s Amélie, A New Musical.

photo by Joan Marcus

imagines that Elton John actually pays homage to her instead. Randy Blair, who like several cast members tackles multiple roles, delivers an over-the-top John impersonation with other actors portraying a white robed angelic chorus waving lighters in the air. It’s hard to imagine David Zinn not winning a Tony for scenic design (he also created the vibrant and fanciful costumes). Expressionist angles dominate each set piece, wild splashes of color sparkle from everywhere, and there’s an endless array of small touches that add beauty to each scene, including a series of doorways on wheels that serve as Amélie’s apartment building. Zinn works in harmony with Peter Nigrini’s visual projections, and director Pam MacKinnon uses each element and every inch of the stage to serve this unusual type of storytelling. As the lead, Soo displays the same innocence and curiosity that Audrey Tautou did in the movie, only Soo does so with an impres-

sive, expressive vocal range. She anchors almost every moment of the last 90 minutes, elevating each of her already impressive co-stars. Don’t look for a love story that has background or motivation. It hardly matters why Amélie and Nino (the enjoyable Adam ChanlerBerat) are destined to be together. Lucas, working with the brilliant lyrics by Nathan Tysen and Daniel Meesé, seems to operate on the idea that there’s no point in pretending to explain the meaning of love. Amélie, A New Musical is love in total — of people, theater and life. This is one of those shows that seems destined to go to Broadway, win several Tonys — and not stay too long because of its unusual nature. Angelenos are lucky it’s here, and anyone who gets to see it more than once is even luckier. Amélie runs through Jan. 15, 2017, at the Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 6282772 or centertheatregroup.org.

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CALENDAR LISTINGS

ROCK, POP & JAZZ

Au Lac/Café Fedora 710 W. First St., (213) 617-2533 or aulac.com. Jan. 12: Blues festival with Viva Vinson and Sista Jean McClain & The Blues Machine. Jan. 14: Janice Anderson. Belasco 1050 S. Hill St., (213) 746-5670 or belascous.com. Jan. 14: A double bill with Avalon & Liquid Soul. Blue Whale 123 Astronaut E. S. Onizuka St., (213) 620-0908 or bluewhalemusic.com. Jan. 9: Chris Dawsons Trio. Jan. 10: Ken Ton Group. Jan. 11: Get K’d with Katalyst and Knomadmik. Jan. 12: Sarah Reich’s Tap Music Project. Jan. 13: Jonathan Pinson’s Boom Clap. Jan. 14: Jeff Parker Group. Jan. 15: Hafez Modirzadeh with Bobby Bradford. Bootleg Bar 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 or bootlegtheater.org. Jan. 9: Color us confused, but tonight’s Albert and His Dreamboats residency kick-off also coincides with a video game release. Jan. 10: Anna Ash is picking up where Tracy Chapman left off. Jan. 11: Flavia claims to be “trapped between reality and ethereal dream world,” making her the McRib of the music scene. Jan. 12: Imbued as he is with a John Phillips writing sensibility and aesthetic, we’d just like to encourage Eric McEntee to keep inter-family fun time strictly platonic. Jan. 13: Tickle Torture’s grandiose beats promise to introduce you to the Minneapolis Sound, which differs greatly, no doubt, from the St. Paul Sound. Jan. 14: The Silversun Pickups headline the Love Trumps Hate Show to benefit the ACLU and Planned Parenthood. Jan. 15: Sunday Night is Jazz Night. Continued on next page

A PUBLIC SAFETY TALK, CONFRONTATIONAL ART & BIG SITAR SOUNDS ARE ALL IN DTLA THIS WEEK The pianist Mark Robson probably dreams about the 88 keys. He was part of the L.A. Opera music staff for 15 years and has served as a piano teacher and vocal coach at institutions including USC, Cal State Fullerton and Cal Arts. He also co-founded Piano Spheres, which will bring him to Downtown this week. On Tuesday, Jan. 10, Robson will appear at REDCAT. The highlight of the Piano Spheres performance is Natural Durations, a translation of the Karlheinz Stockhausen piece Naturliche Davern. Also on Robson’s roster is Philip Glass’ Selected Etudes and a world premiere of Daniel Rothman’s Life Between Tidemarks on Rocky Shores. Get schooled on modern piano action at 8:30 p.m. At 631 W. Second St. or pianospheres.org.

Few individuals in Los Angeles have a tougher job than Police Chief Charlie Beck and Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas. Both men administer massive organizations responsible for maintaining the public well-being over a nearly 500-square-mile area. How do they do it amidst constant scrutiny and criticism? Find out on Wednesday, Jan. 11, at noon, as the organization Town Hall-Los Angeles hosts the luncheon titled “LAPD & LAFD: Readiness, Reform and Public Safety.” At the event at the City Club, the two dedicated professionals will give the average Angeleno a glimpse of the challenges and pressures they face. L.A. Downtown News Executive Editor Jon Regardie will be wearing his moderator cap for this one. At 555 S. Flower, 51st floor, (213) 628-8141 or townhall-la.org.

When the Downtown Art Walk returns on Thursday, Jan. 12, for its last night of artistic activities before the Trump era begins, the Art Walk Lounge (at 634 S. Spring St.) will feature a special group exhibit entitled We the People. The show confronts a bevy of frightening issues likely to beleaguer the human race like an atomic albatross for many years to come — it promises works on topics such as immigration, gender, race, violence, sexuality and more. A host of other galleries and watering holes will be open, but we encourage a stop at We the People to get a taste of the power of art at this time of flux. Throughout the Historic Core or downtownartwalk.org. From the halls of Honolulu’s Punahou School to the shore of that gloomy bay up north, the Kingston Trio came to represent the gold standard for harmony in the late ’50s and early ’60s folk scene. The Grammy Museum has seen fit to immortalize the three singing lads with a unique exhibit of instruments, handwritten history, costumes and a built-in explorative narrative. January is the final month to catch The Kingston Trio and the Folk Revival, and learn about an era of popular music that still sends acoustic shockwaves through the cultural vernacular. The Grammy Museum is open seven days a week. At 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org.

photo courtesy SCBrown Public Relations Consulting

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11 Police Chief Charlie Beck and Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas at Town Hall-Los Angeles City Club, 555 S. Flower St., (213) 628-8141 or townhall-la.org. 12 p.m.: Public safety, reform and preparedness are the topics as the heads of the LAPD and LAFD join Downtown News’ Jon Regardie for a discussion. Cyberpunk Is Not Dead Last Bookstore, 453 S. Spring St., (213) 488-0599 or lastbookstorela.com. 7 p.m.: With a name that shouts at you to put your hands up and say, “Gee, man, listen, no one’s saying it is,” a panel of authors and filmmakers discusses a genre that is definitely not dead. THURSDAY, JANUARY 12 Barry Yourgrau at Aloud Central Library, Mark Taper Auditorium, 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7500 or lfla.org. 7:15 p.m.: A man steeped in the traditions of magical realism will descend on Downtown in an effort to eliminate the pain of hoarding. Author Aimee Bender moderates. Rebecca Matalon at MOCA MOCA, 250 S. Grand Ave., (213) 626-6222 or moca.org. 6 p.m.: Curatorial guru Rebecca Matalon leads a guest jaunt through the institution’s exhibit “Mickalene Thomas: Do I Look Like a Lady?”

From the first family of sitar, Ravi Shankar progeny Anoushka Shankar has emerged as both a top performer and composer. In a three-show display at Walt Disney Concert Hall this weekend, Shankar the younger joins forces with the L.A. Philharmonic and conductor Zubin Mehta for a unique collision of Western and Eastern music. Mehta, who worked with Ravi Shankar during his illustrious career, has the baton for the West Coast premiere of Anoushka’s “Raga Mala” sitar concerto and a special performance of Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben. The mixed-string opus plays at 8 p.m. on Friday-Saturday, Jan. 1314, and 2 p.m. on Sunday. At 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.com.

2 photo by Gary Leonard

Saturday Night Jazz Bar Fedora in Au Lac Plant-Based Restaurant, 710 W. First St. or saturdaynightjazzdtla.com Thursday, Jan. 12, 7:30-10 p.m.: Saturday Night Jazz DTLA presents a night of the Blues, with Viva Vinson from 7:30-8:30 and Sista Jean & The Blues Machine from 9-10 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 14, 7:30-11 p.m.: Celebrate our Jazz one-year anniversary with vocalist Janice Anderson. Free appetizers from 6-7 p.m. One of the best jazz venues in L.A. Great healthy food and drink. Right behind Disney Hall.

BY DAN JOHNSON - CALENDAR@DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM photo by Fadil Berisha

SPONSORED LISTINGS

The ‘Don’t Miss’ List

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EVENTS

January 9, 2017

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12 Downtown News

Send information and possible Don’t Miss List submissions to calendar@downtownnews.com.

January 9, 2016

Downtown News 13

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Caña 714 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 745-7090 or 213dthospitality.com. Jan. 10: Sitara Son. Jan. 11: Los Gringos Con Clave. Jan. 12: Joey De Leon. Escondite 410 Boyd St., (213) 626-1800 or theescondite.com. Jan. 10: The Sheriffs of Schroedingham are hoping for better in 2017. Jan. 11: The Fashion District’s own King Corduroy. Jan. 12: Standard Angels are not actually angels. Jan. 13: Punctual Boom Boom Boom return. Exchange LA 618 S. Spring St., (213) 627-8070 or exchangela.com. Jan. 13: KSHMR. Jan. 14: Purity Ring DJ Sets. Grammy Museum 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org. Jan. 10, 7:15 p.m.: Though it occurs outside the typical purview of 12 bells on KLOS, tonight’s Lonely Boy program features the ever-delightful candor of onetime Sex Pistol and current local DJ hero Steve Jones. Jan. 11, 8 p.m.: Try to guess which famous guitarist was Doyle Bramhall II’s father. Las Perlas 107 E. Sixth St., (213) 988-8355 or 213dthospitality.com. Jan. 9: Tres Souls. Jan. 10: Yosmel Montejo. Jan. 11: La Victoria. Jan. 12: Spaghetti Cumbia. Redwood Bar and Grill 316 W. Second St., (213) 652-4444 or theredwoodbar.com. Jan. 9: Boogie Trap. Jan. 10: Jack Rabbit Jade. Jan. 11: The Great Sadness and Annie Hardy. Jan. 12: Rex & The Lying Heir. Jan. 13: Mike Watt & The Secondmen with Diegroup, Sean Gospel and Hepatitus. Jan. 14: Surprise Vacation, Images, Die Evil Die and Tenement Rats. Jan. 15: 32 Pints and The Concussion Theory. Resident 428 S. Hewitt St. or (323) 316-5311 or residentdtla.com. Jan. 10: Wilderardo. Jan. 11: Teenage Wrist, Tennis System and Cologne. Jan. 12: Scavenger Hunt, Saro and The Midnight. Seven Grand 515 W. Seventh St., (213) 614-0737 or sevengrand.la. Jan. 9: Whiskey River is the once and former Salty Suites. Don’t ask. Jan. 10: The Makers love this time of the year when every visit by the mailman portends the possibility of an incoming 1099! Jan. 11: We’re going to be very displeased if Steve G & The VIP Band turns out to be a musical side project of the legal minded Geragos clan. Jan. 14: Yes, there is a band called Bruce Forman’s Reso Bop. Jan. 15: The Mudbug Brass Band is best shortened as MugBB. The Novo 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-7000 or thenovodtla.com. Jan. 14, 7 p.m.: The heads are set. The snares are tightened. All kick-drum triggers have been properly inspected. Yes, it’s the 28th annual Drum-Off Finals. The Regent 448 S. Main St. or theregenttheater.com. Jan. 11: Resident Sam Morrow is playing at The Regent, not to be confused with fellow new-school DTLA venue Resident, which is regal in its own right. Jan. 13-14: Joyce Manor had the foresight to bring AJJ (aka the once and former Andrew Jackson Jihad) along on their jaunt across the country. The Smell 247 S. Main St. in the alley between Spring and Main or thesmell.org. Jan. 12: Tolliver, The Red Laugh and Soft Faces. Jan. 13-15: Frequency Fest V. 6.0 features the best synth sleaze bit-crushing demipunk electro-wail new-wave genre-bending Nintendo-core around. Teragram Ballroom 1234 W. Seventh St. or teragramballroom.com. Jan. 11-15: If you like Lord Huron, you’re in luck. They’re playing five nights this week.

THEATER

Amelie, A New Musical Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 628-2772 or centertheatregroup.org Jan. 10-13, 8 p.m., Jan. 14, 2 and 7 p.m. and Jan. 15, 1 and 6 p.m.: It’s the last week for a whimsical love story about an imaginative Parisian girl bent on finding love in a city of coincidence. It features Phillipa Soo from the Broadway run of “Hamilton.” Through January 15. Bob Baker’s Nutcracker Bob Baker Marionette Theater, 1345 W. First St., (213) 250-9995 or bobbakermarionettes.com. Jan. 13, 10:30 a.m. and Jan. 14-15, 2:30 p.m.: Nothing says holiday spirit quite like a crew of puppets enacting a little girl’s nighttime trip about sugarplum fairies and talking candy canes and whatnot. Continued on page 14

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Lease example for a new 2016 Prius two liftback, model #2016 Models 1223. Security deposit waived. Plus tax and license. Individual dealer prices vary. Lessee responsible for maintenance, excess wear and tear, and pays $0.15 per mile for all mileage over 12,000 miles per year. Lessee to pay $ 199 a month for 36 months with $ 1999 drive-off, dealer fees included. Payment may vary depending on model, equipment choice, and final transaction price. Lease cash, if advertised, is only valid in combination with lease program through TFS. Must be leased from new car dealer stock by 10-03-2016. Offers cannot be combined. See your Toyota Dealer for Details. ToyotaCare covers normal factory scheduled service. Plan is 2 years or 25K miles, whichever comes first. The new vehicle cannot be part of a rental or commercial fleet, or a livery/taxi vehicle. See participating Toyota dealer for plan details. Valid only in the continental U.S. and Alaska. Roadside Assistance does not include parts and fluids. Lease cash (bonus cash) valid in combination with program through Toyota Financial Services (TFS). See dealer for details. On Approved Credit exp.1/15/17.

$14,288 2011 Avalon Limited .............................. $21,588 Black/Light Gray, Auto, 4 Dr. TU1642/388014 2014 Tundra LTD ..................................... $36,988 Certified, White/Gray, Auto, Double Cab. TU1659/157770 2012 Prius C Two ..................................... Certified, Blue/Gray, Hatchback. T154495-1/000579

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VW JETTA S 1.4T Signthen NEW ’17LEASE FOR ONLY DriveEvent per month $

NEW ’17 MERCEDES CLA 250

*Lease for $139 + tax per month for 36 months. Based on MSRP of $18,895 for Manual Transmission. Residual Value $10,251.90 $4,865 total of payments. Includes $1,000 Owner Loyalty (must have qualifying VW at household) $0 due at signing, $0 down, $0 first month payment, $0 security deposit excludes: $80 Documentation Fee, Sales Tax, Title and License Fee. Based on 30,000 total miles, with 20¢ per excess mile. Closed-end lease offered on approved above average credit with VCI, excludes TDI and Hybrid Models. One (1) at this offer HM204518. Offer Expires 1/15/17

Available only to qualified customers through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. Not everyone will qualify. MSRP of $35,675 less the suggested dealer contribution resulting in a total gross capitalized cost of $34,676. Dealer contribution may vary and could affect your actual lease payment. Includes Destination Charge and Premium 1 Package. Excludes title, taxes, registration, license fees, insurance, dealer prep and additional options. Total monthly payments equal $11,844. Cash due at signing includes $2,499 capitalized cost reduction, $795 acquisition fee and first month’s lease payment of $329. No security deposit required. Total payments equal $15,138. At lease end, lessee pays for any amounts due under the lease, any official fees and taxes related to the scheduled termination, excess wear and use plus $0.25/mile over 30,000 miles, and $595 vehicle turn-in fee.

888-781-8102 1900 S. FIGUEROA ST. • VWOFDTLA.COM

Volkswagen

$ DOWN PAYMENT*

DUE AT $ SIGNING*

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139

FIRST MONTH’S PAYMENT*

$13,999 2015 Ford Fusion SE ........................... $14,399 Gray, FWD, 6 Speed Auto, 1 Owner. ZV3921/207551 2015 VW e-Golf SEL Premium ............. VW Certified, Electric, Auto, Beige w/Leatherette. V161242-1/902021 $21,699 CARSON NISSAN Silver/Blk, Turbo, 6 Speed Auto w/OD. ZV3895/225492

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$9,888 2012 Nissan Altima 2.5 S .................... $12,888 Low Miles, Alum Whls, Blue Tooth. CU2453P/179063 2013 Nissan Frontier SV .................... $17,888 SV Trim, Auto, Tow Hitch. CU2429P/722813 FELIX CHEVROLET 2012 Nissan Sentra 2.0 S ...................... Excellent Cond, Great MPG, Carfax Avail. CU2461R/744807

888-304-7039 3300 S. FIGUEROA ST. • FELIXCHEVROLET.COM

NEW ’16 CHEVY TRAX

LEASE FOR ONLY

per month for 39 mos

1 at this lease/price (F-18645) per month plus tax for 39 mos. Which includes $1,600 Rebate, $750 Select Market Cash Bonus and $1,500 Lease Loyalty Bonus, $250 Auto Show Cash, and $750 Select Model Bonus Cash. $1,500 customer cash. 10K miles per year. $0.25 per mile over. Program subject to change and availability. See dealer for details.

2016 Kia Forte ........................................ 1 Owner, 4500 mi, Pwr Wind, Pwr Dr, Auto. F17949-1/462790

2016 BMW X3 ......................................... Silver, 1 Owner, 9,300 Miles. F17851D/S16880

2015 Nissan 370Z .................................. 1 Owner, Auto, Pwr Wind, Pwr Dr, Tilt, Cruise. F17617-1/444292

$11,888 CALL STORE $15,888 FOR DETAILS $27,888

329

per month for 36 mos

$21,989 2014 Mercedes GLK ............................... $31,981 Certified, Blk/Blk, Auto, Prem Pkg 1. 9454C/311297 2015 Mercedes E350 .............................. Certified, Auto, Prem Pkg 1, Sport Pkg, Park Assist. 9524C/091408 $42,989 AUDI OF DOWNTOWN L.A. 2013 Mercedes C250 Sedan ................. Silver/Blk, Prem Pkg 1, Sport Pkg, Multimedia Pkg. 9326C/751278

888-583-0981 1900 S. FIGUEROA ST. • AUDIDTLA.COM

NEW ’16 AUDI A3 SEDAN

LEASE FOR ONLY

per month for 36 mos

2 available. Model # 22117, C170443/383565 C170312/133383 Lease includes $1,400 NMAC Lease Cash and $500 Nissan Bonus Cash. Closed end lease payment plus tax for 36 months on above average approved credit. Payment net of Lease Cash Rebate and/or Bonus Cash Rebate. $2,999 cash or trade equity, plus tax, license and registration fees due at lease signing. No security deposit. 12,000 miles per year, 36k total miles with 15 cents per mile thereafter. Subject to availability and charges for excess wear and tear. Not all lessees may qualify, higher lease rates apply for lessees with lower credit ratings. Offer expires 1/31/17

LEASE FOR ONLY

for 36 mos

2014 VW Jetta Sedan SE .....................

888-319-8762 1801 S. FIGUEROA ST. • MBZLA.COM

279

per month for 36 mos

36 month lease. On approved tier A credit. $1,999 cap reduction. 7,500 miles per year. $0.25/mile charge for miles driven in excess of 22,500. Must qualify for acquisition or loyalty rebate. Excludes tax, title, license, registration, 1st payment, acquisition fee, options, and other fees. $0 security deposit. #G1114924. Offer ends 1/15/17.

$27,495 2013 Audi A5 ........................................... $27,895 Prem Plus, Quattro, Certified. ZA11447/031085 2015 Audi Q7 .......................................... $45,895 Prem Plus, Srt Certified. A170634P1-1/003014 PORSCHE OF DOWNTOWN L.A.

2013 Audi Allroad .................................. Wagon, Quattro, Certified. ZA11407/223127

888-685-5426 1900 S. FIGUEROA ST. • PORSCHEDOWNTOWNLA.COM

NEW ’17 PORSCHE MACAN

LEASE FOR ONLY

498

per month for 48 mos

$3,999 Down Payment. 48 months, 10k miles per year, VIN#HLB01128, residual $26,770.50. 1 at this price. Down payment excludes tax, dmv fees, $995 Bank Acquisition fee, first payment and document fees. Rates based on approved Tier 1 credit through Porsche Financial Services.

$43,898 2015 Macan S .......................................... Grey/Grey, CPO Loaded, Exc. Cond., 18k Miles. P16848-2/FLB71796 $52,898 2016 Cayman ........................................... Mahogany/Beige, CPO, 1 Owner, PDK, 4k Mi., P16851-1/GK170364 $55,898 2011 Panamera 4 .................................... Blk/Blk, CPO, 20” Wheels, Nav, Must Sell! P17320-1/BL010459

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

14 Downtown News

FILM

Ace Hotel 929 S. Broadway, (213) 623-3233 or acehotel.com. Jan. 9, 7:30 p.m.: Nocturnal Animals screenwriter and director Tom Ford will be on hand to screen his latest flick tonight. Jan. 13, 8 p.m.: Audience members are encouraged to “dress to impress” for tonight’s Sailor Moon R premiere. That’s code for “cosplay encouraged.” Downtown Independent 251 S. Main St., (213) 617-1033 or downtownindependent.com. Jan. 15, 6:30 p.m.: Pacific Coast Premiere Short Film Festival. IMAX California Science Center, 700 State Drive, (213) 744-2019 or californiasciencecenter.org. Journey to Space 3D brings audience members along on an E-ticket ride of exploration to the red planet. Ewan McGregor is the voice of Humpback Whales 3D, not that the whales aren’t significant enough in their own right, but Obi-Wan narrating means we’re dealing with serious power brokers here. Power brokers who know a good whale story when they see it. MOCA 250 S. Grand Ave., (213) 626-6222 or moca.org. Jan. 12, 7 p.m.: The L.A. Filmforum hosts Claiming Space: Collage in Cinema. REDCAT 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org. Jan. 14, 8 p.m.: In a joint program with The Broad’s Array series, REDCAT presents the 1975 cult classic Cooley High with special guest curator Ava DuVernay and a panel moderated by Common.

CROSSWORD

Regal Cinemas LA Live 1000 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 763-6070 or lalive.com/movies. Through January 11: Hidden Figures (11:40 a.m., 1:20, 2:50, 4:30, 7, 7:40, 10 and 10:40 p.m.); Underworld: Blood Wars (2:50 and 7:50 p.m.); Underworld: Blood Wars 3D (12:10, 5:20 and 10:20 p.m.); A Monster Calls (1:50, 4:40, 7:30 and 10:10 p.m.); Why Him? (12:20, 3:20, 6:50 and 9:50 p.m.); Assassin’s Creed (3:40 and 9:30 p.m.); Passengers (4:05 p.m.); Passengers 3D (1:10 p.m.); Sing (12 and 6:10 p.m.); Sing 3D (3:10 and 9 p.m.); Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (1, 4:10, 7:20 and 10:30 p.m.); Rogue One: A Star

January 9, 2016

Wars Story 3D (12:10, 1:40, 3:35, 4:50, 6:40, 8, 9:50 and 11:10 p.m.); La La Land (12:35, 3:435, 7:10 and 10:15 p.m.); Moana (12:50 and 6:30 p.m.).

CLASSICAL MUSIC TUESDAY, JANUARY 10 Chamber Music Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., (213) 972-0777 or musiccenter.org. 8 p.m.: Bach, Carter and Schumann provide the score for tonight’s group effort featuring Aron Kallay on harpsichord.

China Inn why Cook? Regent Authentic Chinese Cuisine 10 PieCe sPeCiaL

thighs & Legs now accepting Credit Cards

Party Paks available

with Tortillas & Salsa onLy

$11.95 +

taX

2 Downtown Locations Corner of BroaDway & 3rd

260 S. Broadway, 213-626-7975 • 213-626-8235, Tel/Fx: 213-626-4572

Fashion DistriCt at Corner 9th/santee 226 E. 9th St. , 213-623-5091 • 213-327-0645, Tel/Fx: 213-623-9405

in Chinatown

✤ Live Lobster and Crab ✤ Delivery, Minimum Order $15 ✤ Lunch Special From $5.50 – Mon.-Fri. 11-5, Sat.-Sun. 11-3 ✤ Party Tray Available 739-747 N. Main St. Los Angeles, 90012 213.680.3333 PARKING IN REAR

MORE LISTINGS@

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LAST WEEKS ANSWERS

LOVE LINES

January 9, 2017

CLASSIFIEDS Express

Downtown News 15

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To place a classified ad in the Downtown News please call 213-481-1448, or go to DowntownNews.com Deadline classified display and line ads are Thursday at 12pm. FORfor RENT

Your Love

All submissions are subject to federal and California fair housing laws, which make it illegal to indicate in any advertisement any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color,

Angeles Downtown News We will not knowingly facebook: in our romantic Love Lines section online publishing February 8.marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial status, source ofLos religion, sex, sexual orientation, income or physical or mental disability. accept any advertising for real

It’s FREE! REAL ESTATE

W. First Street,on Los Angeles, CA 90026 estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings 1264 advertised are available an equal opportunity basis.

Streetcar... I can’t wait to have youS I N C E 1 9 7 2 Angeles Prop, 9140 St. Ives Dr., ride all over me... BroadwayLos Angeles, CA 90069, and SERVICES

L.A. Downtown News

phone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-250-4617 web: DowntownNews.com email: realpeople@downtownnews.com and Professions Code).

twitter: DowntownNews

Pub. 12/26/16, 01/02/17, All you have to do is… FOR RENT (4) Sue Metropolis 01/09/17, and 01/16/2017. EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Laris Prop, 9140 St. ART DIRECTOR: Brian Allison RESIDENTIAL GENERAL MANAGER: Dawn ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR: Yumi Kanegawa Ives Dr., Eastin Los Angeles, CA 90069 HEALTH are hereby registered by the • Email your message to Gary Leonard EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Jon Regardie the LOFT expert! AUTOS PHOTOGRAPHER: & following registrants: LF8 Real CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MANAGER: Catherine Holloway SERVICES SENIOR WRITER: Eddie Kim lovelines@downtownnews.com Estate Inc., 9140 St. Ives Dr., ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Brenda Stevens, Michael Lamb RECREATIONAL MASSAGE FOR STAFF WRITER: Nicholas Slayton Los Angeles, CA 90069. This SALES ASSISTANT: Claudia Hernandez • 20 words or less LOFT/UNFURNISHED CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Kathryn Maese MEN & WOMEN business is conducted by Jeff a corCONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Tom Fassbender, Favre, 10am – 10pm daily CIRCULATION: Danielle Salmon • Include your contact info (name, phone and email)poration. Registrant(s) began to AUTO SALES Greg Fischer, Emily Manthei Downtown since 2002 DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Salvador Ingles 323-522-6564 transact business under the fictiACCOUNTING: Ashley Schmidt DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla • Don’t forget the name of the person you are Seasonal Specials $10 off tious business name or names DTLA Residential The original Live/Work Cooper listed on 10/2016. sending the love lineLofts to ©2016 Civic Center News, Inc.above Los Angeles Downtown News is a trademark of Civic Center News Inc. All rightsBill reserved. The Los Angeles Downtown News is the 4658 Melrose Avenue #204 Bill Cooper Real Estate DoWNtoWN must-read newspaper for Downtown Los Angeles every Monday throughout the offices and residences of Downtown Los Angeles. from $1,500 This statement was and filedis distributed with LA Ca 90029 • Limited to 1 Bars, FREE per readerOne copy per person.DEAN C. LOGAN, Los Angeles 213.598.7555 Cafes, Shops,message Galleries, l.a. aUto 213.598.7555 1-888-515-0506 Parking Pets no charge TheLoftExpertGroup.com County Clerk on December 12, (don’t try to adjacent. be sneaky, we know) TheLoftExpertGroup.com groUp Call 213.253.4777 2016. LEGAL DRE # 01309009 BRE #01309009 LAloft.com NOTICE—This fictitious name TM

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FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 2016300598 The following individual(s) is (are) doing business as: (1) Prop Inc., 9140 St. Ives Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90069, (2) DTLA Prop, 9140 St. Ives Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90069, (3) Los

Over 1000

statement expires five years from the date it was filed in the office of the county clerk. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before that time. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under federal, state, or common law (see Section 14411 et. seq. Business

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EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Sue Laris

GENERAL MANAGER: Dawn Eastin EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Jon Regardie

Thinking about proposing? New love in your life? A special valentine for mom?

LOVE LINES S I N C E 19 7 2

Los Angeles Downtown News 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 phone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-250-4617 web: DowntownNews.com • email: realpeople@downtownnews.com

Express Your Love

facebook: L.A. Downtown News

twitter: DowntownNews

EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Sue Laris GENERAL MANAGER: Dawn Eastin

in our romantic Love Lines section online publishing February 8.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Jon Regardie SENIOR WRITER: Eddie Kim Streetcar... I can’t wait to have you STAFF WRITER: Nicholas Slayton CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Kathryn Maese ride all over me... Broadway CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Tom Fassbender, Jeff Favre, Greg Fischer, Emily Manthei

It’s FREE!

All you have to do is…

• Email your message to lovelines@downtownnews.com PHOTOGRAPHER: Gary Leonard • 20 words or less ACCOUNTING: Ashley Schmidt • Include your contact CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MANAGER: Catherine Hollowayinfo (name, phone and email) ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Brenda Stevens, Michael Lamb • Don’t forget the name of the person you are SALES ASSISTANT: Claudia Hernandez sending the love line to CIRCULATION: Danielle Salmon DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Salvador Ingles • Limited to 1 FREE message per reader DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS: Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla (don’t try to be sneaky, we know) ART DIRECTOR: Brian Allison ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR: Yumi Kanegawa

©2016 Civic Center News, Inc. Los Angeles Downtown News is a trademark of Civic Center News Inc. All rights reserved. The Los Angeles Downtown News is the must-read newspaper for Downtown Los Angeles and is distributed every Monday throughout the offices and residences of Downtown Los Angeles.

One copy per person.

DeaDline for entries January 30

SENIOR WRITER: Eddie Kim

STAFF WRITER: Nicholas Slayton

Los Angeles Downtown News 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 phone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-250-4617 web: DowntownNews.com • email: realpeople@downtownnews.com

E IN THE CITY

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Los Angeles Downtown News 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 phone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-250-4617 web: DowntownNews.com email: realpeople@downtownnews.com

Fischer, Emily Manthei

n 10 Downtow

News

es Love Lin

ART DIRECTOR: Brian Allison

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR: Yumi Kanegawa

towners’

So Are Down

and PHOTOGRAPHER: Gary Leonard or Day Is Here, Valentine’s and Silly Am Gooey Messages of

facebook: L.A. Downtown News

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for what ACCOUNTING: Ashley Schmidt you not only Shug… I love when I am for what I am you are, but Big Daddy with you…

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MANAGER: Catherine Holloway

twitter: DowntownNews

ACCOUNTDarlin EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Brenda Stevens, me… g, you send Charles B.… Michael Gwen C. Lamb than you more today rrow. David… I love less than tomo C. ia yesterday and haters… Soph Booyah to the thing. Each are my every use of Mimi… You joyous beca more is life y day my baby!… Jerem you. I love you

SALES ASSISTANT: Claudia Hernandez CIRCULATION: Danielle Salmon n, I love you,

I love

quee Kaye… My E.G. I love you… DISTRIBUTION MANAGER: Salvador Ingles you, I love you, Will you marr

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Raneeta Best… Dixon JazzmineASSISTANTS: DISTRIBUTION Lorenzo Castillo, Gustavo Bonilla Nani Mami?…

en Developm

n Downtow

Downtown

News

NEWS.COM

DOWNTOWN

February 23, 2015

EDITOR & PUBLISHER: Sue Laris GENERAL MANAGER: Dawn Eastin

Development

FOREST CITY/SOUTH PARK Developer Forest City is preparing to break ground on a pair of seven-story South Park buildings in late spring, according to Vice President of Development Frank Frallicciardi. The $135 million project will bring one building to 156 W. 11th St. (11th and Hill streets) with 177 studio to two-bedroom units and about 7,500 square feet of ground floor retail space. Amenities would include a pool deck, courtyard and gym. It would also create a pedestrian paseo in the alley between the apartments and the Herald Examiner Building. Another structure will rise at 1201 S. Main St. with 214 studio to two-bedroom apartments and 7,500 square feet of retail space. The two buildings would have more than 500 combined parking stalls and nearly 450 bicycle parking spaces. Forest City is aiming to construct both buildings simultaneously and open them by the summer of 2017, Frallicciardi said.

looking at the Downtownallows potentially come Flammang Architects Courthouse, that News 13 is nearly complete. isFederal handling the designs. the funds could to a new law First Street, is on astanienterprises.com. At taxes, thanks 2013 andcreate revitalization Broadway and property 237 studio be used on to three-bedroom began in summer Traci the City tax dollars to apartments, Construction according to reserved forcertain In January, with 53 units low-income residents. in fall 2016, works projects. to wrap The development MIXED Broadway will track public for the U.S. General USE and at 900 N. create a detailed also have 19,000 staff to an feetcould asked citysquare for restaurants of street create Madison, a representativeThe 600,000-squarelevel space Council and retail; the Los Angeles project to will hold four restaurant how spaces. Additionally, Services Administration. district courtrooms report on Forest City is creating Financing Districtthe for will have 24 public Infrastructure a 17,000-square-foot plaza with well as offices foot building of the river; a walkway Enhanced connecting 31 miles chambers, as ar-to Broadway, the MetroMarch. station At and improve and 32 judges’ Service. The design from of Gold Line restoreallowing rail riders beginning to easily heartdeof Chinatown byis due in the ngaccess thefor both retail and residential & Merill the U.S. Marshals report foot (currently, they wouldspaces tenants. the attached Skidmore, Owingsset at down angles several flights of stairs have to go Theater and chitecture firm lariver.org. and Street plaza. owned Merced project will cube with windowsthe design is slated for completion walk up multiple blocks). near the Olvera and will run PARKThe picts a large in late spring outer skin; Masonic Hall, HISTORIC 2016. solar re rebegan last summer ANGELES STATE to create a serrated while also cutting CITY hearings to The process MARKET LOS light is being summer. Public bring in natural buildingAccording slated to take through this Civic Center designs are status, to the most recent information Platinum heat gain. The phase of development available, the initial view the preliminary according to the city to achieve LEED for the massive Fashion winter, Historical engineered project City Market, District megaplace by early Los Angeles a proposed $1 billion the GSA. The El Pueblo de space, hotel rooms hub of housing, office according to the buildings). department and a college campus, For the initial phase, (which manages studio for Chanbegan last summer. Chan BIKEWAY Monument dubbed City Market has CORRIDOR to move the South, developer LENA Group and FIGUEROA improvements intends to turn two the city is planning City Council meetings of the street aged buildings on Tim and said the airs San Julian San Pedro Construction Corridor, between 11th and nel 35, which programs, into 12th the Figueroa associfice space and dining establishments. streets into creative ofbegun along engineering other government-related The overall City Market, from landowner Peter My Figueroa Fremaux, a transportation Fleming, ultimately The $20 million housing units, 210 would include 945 hotel rooms, 225,000 ate for the city. to make the street friendlier square feet of retail 295,000 square and expected to feet of creative office space. project, an effort bicyclists, isbefore It could be 20 years and entire project is complete. trimming call forthe to pedestrians At citymarketla2.com. December. Plans protected arlast through FIGUEROA CENTRAL and establishing will The project vehicular lanes Chain-link travelers. fences went up on the 4.6-acre site of the entrance eas for two-wheeled preserving mega-project the Fig Central late last year, and this while and other construction work menced on accomplish has comtheof parcel, which for years for auto dealerships section operated as a surface parking and exit points the three-mile lot and also held two squat mechanical underground Financial District buildings and an businesses along bank vault. Beijing-based between the developer Oceanwide plans to build two photo by Gary Leonard myfiegueroa.com. Figueroa Street Developer Forest 40-story towers and At City is finished with a 49-story high-rise, top of a large parking Exposition Park. theand million Blossom Plaza foundation all on podium with about at the $100 complex and began retail space. Initial 200,000 square feet the parking podium pouring concrete renderings show of PARK for the retail space as in January, according air galleria with BROADWAY Parks, andtwo an openDevelopment Frank to ViceAND levels. The towers, FIRST President of of Recreation Frallicciardi. Construction meanwhile, will hold 504 condominiums development is about city Department combined a Councilman on and 183 hotel rooms, 30% complete, he The the five-story ties and such as a pool and of Engineering with amenisaid. Bureau hosting green space on top project theThe will of the podium. The office have begun for the park José Huizar’s Continued on page outreach meetings Street and 14 photo by Gary Leonard community First

VALENCIA Developer Sonny Astani broke ground in late 2014 on a $60 million, six-story roughly apartment project at 1501-1521 W. Wilshire Blvd. The 218-apartment City West complex plete in February is slated to be com2016, according to Astani. The Valencia have amenities such would as open courtyards and a fitness center. Most units would have balconies and there would be 4,400 square feet of ground-floor retail and commercial space. Killefer

23, 2015

on on

BLOSSOM PLAZA

photo by Gary Leonard

Authority’s Transportation The Metropolitan Bus Maintenance in Division 13 completed $120 million Facility will be month. All and Operations open the followingwork has been May and will and infrastructurewashing, vacuconstruction now the fueling, being installed. is finished, and equipment on page 16 uming and other Continued

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sold St. was W. First complex at 1345 Theatre build an apartment of the West Marionette plans to the demolition Baker the City who involve The Bob to Eli Melech, deemed The initial dethat would the city but in 2013 in 2009. for a five-story, site. Whether seen, calls theater on the remains to be al MonumentAlbert existing Steve theater a Historic-Cultur over the be preserved architect building Melech and that bridges space would displays comhouse structureof the theater sign from hold 102 would and would wood-framed the majority complex upper floors said construction at the The building; in the new Melech end of 2015 April, career. as a lobby Baker’s apartments. until the through this No not start memorating lease runsth arrangement. three-bedroom would one- to company’s development on the the Bob Baker into a month-to-mon

revealed. soonest; point it turns has been Group is hitat whichfor the project Partner Jon Regardie Los Angeles but Holland of the forbudget Kim and built, Eddie Partner’s just south City is in Downtown being ased developer LOFTS Evans, parcel boom Holland projects the Central VIBIANA Washington-b one-acre head of expects to that By Donnadevelopment Not only are words, he in other the nearly Tom Warren, the firm Vancouver, building new level:vertical. In density , said e-foot ting a it. has purchased Cathedral. going of wood to increasing Vibiana developments fre247 they are upswing. 179,000-squar that welcomes five stories mer St. it speaks Valley Californiamonth on a call for on an and the because in Los Angeles approximately is being Plans this Southern literally important in Downtown ground apartments. podium, with The project and the Westside mass. This is few communities break 237 is proposed, Martin, spaces. critical concrete Hollywood, the Smith area a parking will create over a Wilshire one of residents of a new high-rise or restaurant give the and firm Togawaof retail constructionbelow-ground Whereas protest when a means to fronts. The 73-storystreets residential feet and as architecture square abovea 41-story St. Warren quently embraced and Figueroa completion. by the 4,000 on numerous including 222 S. Main an opening designed just under it is often being seen rising at Seventh St. is nearingconstruction projects, the site at leading to on is S. Olive under This is for will include previous ground years, at 888 L.A. Live is Two replacement proposedtaking two in South just broke space. near Grand Onni Tower Urban Grand Ave. made had been MetropolisTrumark S. tower, construction the 33-floor firm at 1050 have been anticipates The multi-tower complex as drawings batch of high2017. development in early RESIDENTIAL and the condominium the start, for another just design rental a 22-story is literally being sought up the of low-rise civic streets, are Park. That is wrapping Olive The rush 50 stories. on the Partners Eighth and Dan GaribST. heated and entitlements 40 or even of the boom. OLIVE HLW International d Carmel tower at are also CourthousereMarch, extent 801 S. rises, some image courtesy end of of Development and things the Federal not the g of the apartment by the 2017. will be That’s San Francisco-base projects, groundbreakin continues, of a 27-story Vice Presidentground quarter of other Arts District with stuprophase to break the third complexes among recent to Senior in the creative office and units, News with, and the up in Viaduct. Downtown for 363 accordingcompany plans building with penthouses. to confront, Angeles forward Street St. call wrapping things of Los milpool complex Coca-Cola and eight aldi. The S. Olive steaming of the Sixth a $19 Los Angeles Expect rooftop at 801 mixed-useGPI Companies pages, 96 projects. apartmentscenter, a with construction a fifth-floor tower completed & Traction The century-old into a placement on following for the two-bedroomlarge fitness the area on Fourth last spring In the updates Plans and literally. transformed and restaurants. a streets, and recreation of street-facing retail now dubbedMerrick the latest figuratively of the Atlas Capital or threefeet dios, one- would include pool and space, vides up, structure, Fourth and name). The square podium. Most the to look were revived PROJECTS Amenities and a largerbe 10,000 Fourth New York-based of the corner of tinue NEW parking panels, allowing the street at 963 E. also lounge, announced, acquisition on the and lion change would operations sits four-story it publicly months. to building housed of a There in translucent deck. Leasing red brick (although are seeking as part were either past five e-foot and previously vacant. projects in the get be wrapped retail space been developers has acThese at night. it will would 150,000-squar in 1915but has long prominence Group to podium to glow softly with an story, opened announced gained plans Partner company, RKF have Holland streets and penthouse on the structure St. originally is AND SPRING ased Cola-ColaPartners and -foot rooftop will be and ground-floor the ST. and Spring for the EIGHTH Washington-b Internationalof a Eighth OLIVE Industry head of a restaurant lot at 320 apartments 10,000-square 820 S. agents Vancouver, firm HLW pit, and creation Tom Warren, a parking building with , said Holland St. and fire Architecture include the the building. a landscaped, quired to kitchen will S. Spring a 24-story to city documents. developments deat 737 outdoor of the structure. adjacentfourth quarter build The project Californiathe property Downtown broke according end structure in the east retail, for other Southern the redesign.parking million follow the companyBixel be completed handling multi-level company’s paid $12.5project would Last June, at Sixth and due to 300-spaceTraction is Partner Core Partner. structures & Fourth The Historic for Holland year. of seven-story of this velopments on a pair SQUARE ground City West. entitlein is seeking The deMARIONETTE streets TOKYO Tokyo. Etco Homes LITTLE in Little St. would offer HOMES developer project square ETCO Hills-based apartmentEllison S. Onizuka up to 1,250 of the Beverly a 66-unit plans end for by the is BGA Inc. Astronaut with floor ments at 118 lofts, ground to break The architect velopmenttwo-bedroom aiming Kyle Milano. one- and company is feet. The project manager revealed. corner year, said has been Onni Group southwest into image courtesy No budget at the 213.683.1900 transformed building Franciscois moving Hill will be San Factory BUILDING floor. FORD Onni Group between 10 Ford MotorSanta Fe Avenue ground purchased the$37 tower on page on the developer for The former Street and residential Properties structures with retail Continued space Shorenstein Canada-based of Seventh office for a 50-story of Shorenstein, Vancouver, opening creative estate giant and two accompanying with plans vice president real forward senior based building announced. and anticipates Pierre, has been this April, floor. 102-year-oldApril. Jim to begin last No budgeton the groundwinGroup Architects million construction 2016. The Albert windows feature large in spring of image courtesy expects views floor-to-ceilingalso would sweeping in 1912 the development show the street a deck with opened above Renderings assembly building have levels The Ford Californiaas the headThe four rooftop would Heights. Southern The dows. primary A’s. It functioned and Boyle to 2005. Company’sand Model from 1972 Downtown Motor T’s as Ford for Model Toy Company Imperial operations of the quarters

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than 14th District be used for to be finished 2015 the hosthe office of is expected actual Officials with offices including includes have said the The renovation José Huizar but the which clinics and physician Councilman $270 million, the end of 2017. Specialties Clinic, company lower than arey Building surgery, neurounclear. pital’s Surgical Architect, the and In crews will cost could be and pancreatic picture remains have begun Bada. The with Ahbe Landscape hepatobiliary surgery, said project’s funding t complex, METRO BUS FACILITY the new facility, of orthopedic on the design tapped to create surgery and get public input L-shaped lot. and Severson. we the effort to on an builder is Millie that will rise Supervid St. the project the office of then-County RIVER an y J.P. Morgan $950,000 to Last May, the LOS ANGELES of Engineers contributed the Army Corps e-story buildings between First and $1 billion sor Gloria Molina the amount secured for Last May, the an estimated its support of $5 million project, bringing plan, dubbed million. Another funds. Demoli- nounced River revitalization by Mayor facility to $8.25 84 state Los Angeles backed Proposition tear 20. The effort, headquarters with a grand comes from Alternative 719 acres and for Megatoys, a toy business run by the Woo famto begin soon, would restore and tion is expected this summer. Eric Garcetti, ion development, with designs by Togawa channeling, for of concrete Smith to opening slated out three miles from the waterway city is include connections Park. Now the Development million State Historic the project; FEDERAL COURTHOUSE of the $323 Los Angeles cover half of of steel frame of for money to in the form The massive southwest corner

February 23,

February 23, 2015

including a fifth-floor pool deck, cabanas The ground floor and a fitness center. will hold 5,672 square feet of retail space, storefronts along Grand with was initially proffered Avenue and 11th Street. The project by developer Amir Kalantari, but plans hit a wall when the recession began and lending markets froze. Trumark Urban acquired the project in June based architecture 2014. Downtownfirm HansonLA is handling designs building, which features for the several Rubik’s Cube-like ting out along an accents jutedge of the structure.

TITLE INSURANCE BUILDING Hard demolition for the Historic Core’s Title Insurance Building is imminent, said Bill Lindborg of Capital Foresight, which the 1928 structure owns at 433 S. Spring St. The company has pleted the abatement comand soft demolition to move forward work, and continues in the permitting process, he said. Plans for turning the building call into square feet of ground-floor 216 residential units with 40,000 retail space.

TOPAZ

Construction continues on Jade Enterprises’ ment complex just 159-unit apartnorth Main streets, according of the Santa Fe Lofts at Sixth and to a company spokesman. dubbed Topaz, broke The project, ground last September. fice at 550 S. Main The six-story ediSt. will stretch between streets. Topaz will Main and Los Angeles offer studio and oneto three-bedroom and will include 23,000 units square feet of retail. project is expected The Historic Core to be complete by the third quarter No budget has been of 2016. revealed.

Downtown News 11

February

FOURTH AND BROADWAY Planning for a high-rise at Fourth Street and Broadway from veteran developer Izek Shomof continues, said Eric Shomof, his son and business partner. The entitlement process is underway, he added. The 34-story tower would feature 450 residential units and parking spaces, and there would be 7,000 square feet of retail space. The 450,000-square-foot development, being designed by Downtown-based architect HansonLA, would be built News 15 to condominium specifications but likely Downtown would open as apartments, Eric Shomof said. Renderings show a mid-rise portion of the building with a curved segment also create fronting the southeast project will Development corner of $23 million would Fourth and Broadway. A rectangular tower building. The theater, which would rise and a 50-seat on top of that. No timeline or budget cost of $125 million. activities. office space and cultural has been revealed City by public events the initial projected

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FOR LEAS EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Jon Regardie BLAME IT ON L SKIN. IFU UT BEA SENIOR WRITER: Eddie Kim STAFF WRITER: Nicholas Slayton es in 2016 Buy All 3 Issu NE! CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Kathryn Maese T 25% OFF EACH O GE S I N C E 19 7 2 CONTRIBUTING* WRITERS: Tom Fassbender, Jeff Favre, ST WAX FREE GregFIRFischer, Emily Manthei Los Angeles Downtown News 1264 W. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90026 WNTOWN LES - DOdate d Parking LOS ANGEStre et / Vali ART DIRECTOR: Brian phone: 213-481-1448 • fax: 213-250-4617 719 West 7th TER.COM Allison 4 / WAXCEN 213 262 284 web: DowntownNews.com ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR: Yumi Kanegawa email: realpeople@downtownnews.com PHOTOGRAPHER: Gary Leonard NEW CONSTRUCTION / ADAPTIVE RE-USE SPECIALIST Commercial ~ Residential Restaurants ~ Retail

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the corner of photo by Gary Leonard Carmel Partners’ seven-story, Rick Coca. proposed for 700-unit apartment complex at Huizar spokesman park Eighth Street and excavation, Broadway, said 34-acre Grand the Avenue, formally known as G8, is enterwork, including renovation of has been last Site demolition and grading, The expansive which began of a Continued on page 12 of Chinatown, backfill, re-compaction rise on the site to the discovery on the edge after The park would delayed due and completed. that was razed April, has been archaeological features office building had The new facility former state of underground The park, which earthquake. is which the 1971 Sylmar Grand Park, in the spring, some soil contamination. to complement to be complete Huizar’s according is expected According to been scheduled to the north. reopen in November, million Civic Recreation lies directly now slated to of Parks and million to $20 so far, work office, the $18 $14 million to state Department Woods. Completed has secured Sean of Center project of that in Quimbyof Superintendent excavation and grading $10 million with more than developers for the creation area, constructhus far includes to restored wetlands framing of a of Recreation fees (charged the two-acre bridge, and The Department funds green space). and public resttion of a pedestrian that the remainingQuimranger station of future and Parks anticipates include a treewelcome center, a combination planned features parking area. will come from allocations. rooms. Other and a paved department by fees and at approximately flanked promenade is budgeted The renovation HOSPITAL At lashp.wordpress.com. GOOD SAMARITAN $20 million. MediMEDICAL PAVILION Samaritan Hospital Good STREETCAR The $80 million pace to open late this year, LOS ANGELES assessment of the Los Angeles is on Katrina cal Pavilion manager URS The most recent hospital spokeswoman from project development, according to Streetcar’s cost, about $270 million. That’s will hold in at estimate from Bada. The 190,000-square-foot Corp., came by Ware Malcolmb, at than the worst-case Lic#01753250 Surgery Center, being designed put the price much lower Seaver Ambulatory suites. Adin 2013, which is also far higher the Frank R. it a city analysis eight operating Boulevard at million, though which will have up to $327.8 project on Wilshire outpatient ditionally, the will hold a pharmacy, Witmer Street

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diminishing, I’ve got a mental register of where some are. Other times things just work out. Once when I was attending a meeting at City Hall, a radio station was trying to reach me for an interview. They called the Downtown News office, and a coworker called a friendly City Council press aide, who found me and communicated the message. Sure, it took an extra step, but I didn’t have to pay $1,000 a year and worry about exceeding data limits. I think I came out ahead, though I understand that others may have thought I looked prehistoric. In the Moment There’s another benefit to being phone-less. Over the years, I’ve embraced what having no talking device/handheld computer means — simplicity. Unlike so many people, I have never been tethered to work, telephonically or psychologically. No phone means that at a concert or a game my first and last impulse is to watch and experience the concert or game, to be present and not give in to that gnawing urge to check a fact, answer a text or inform the world via social media what I’m doing. If I need to take a photo I’ve got a digital camera. I remember being early for a Star Wars screening two years ago. As I looked around, I saw that almost everyone was staring down at their phone, unable to use the time to glance about the theater, or be bored and accept that that’s OK, or just live inside their own head and think for a few minutes. I have been a phone-less Marie Kondo, sparking joy by my lack of technology, eliminating high-tech clutter even before it starts accumulating. What? No Fax? So given that I survived without a phone, and could continue to do so, why did I bite the Apple? Two reasons. First, I’ve figured out that phones are not actually the CB radio of the new millennium, and that they will impact society in ever-more-magical ways. People will increasingly get their news and information via mobile devices, and considering that I work in journalism, it makes sense to understand how info and silly columns will be consumed. Yes, that applied five years ago, but remember the line above about the stubborn donkey. But what really made me enter the Apple store in Glendale last month was something else entirely: youth basketball. I’ve signed up to coach my 7-year-old son’s team. This means I need to contact parents to let them know when practices will take place, and to ask important questions like, who can bring Oreos and juice boxes for the post-game snack? That means I need to communicate via group text. It’s either that or ask each parent for his or her fax number, or be like “Game of Thrones” and send a raven with practice info. I’m joking, of course. About the ravens. My descent into iPhone ownership has not been without quirks. One helpful sales person said I was the only non-elderly individual he had met who had never owned a cell phone. When I attended an iPhone basics workshop at the store a week after my purchase, I made the woman leading the session laugh out loud by asking, “How can I not send balloons with each text?” It turns out I’d been pressing a button too hard, which on new devices brings up the option to send balloons along with your message. I couldn’t figure out how to turn it off. On the down side, I think I sent needless balloons to a bunch of basketball parents. On the bright side, whose day isn’t improved by balloons? I’m ramping up. Having used a traditional keyboard forever, the cell phone thumbing means I text with the dexterity of an intoxicated squirrel looking for nuts on a frozen tundra. And I still haven’t figured out how to install my ultimate ringtone: When people call me, I want to hear L.A. City Council President Herb Wesson’s angry 2012 admonishment to former Mayor Richard Riordan, “I get the last word. This is our house.” I’d smile at every phone call. My friends are astonished that I’ve finally joined the 21st century. I play it up by going all René Descartes and writing, “I text, therefore I am.” Other times I’ll say, “Look, I have purchased a cellular telephone. I think I will download an application. Would you like to accompany me to the app store?” So here I am, connected, informed and able to have my location tracked by the NSA. Though I admit, I occasionally leave the phone at home. There’s a joy in, sometimes, still being untethered. regardie@downtownnews.com