05-18-15

INSIDE THIS WEEK DOWNTOWN RESIDENTIAL PAGE 18

MAY 18, 2015 I VOL. 44 I #20

BEHOLD THE

BOOM The Downtown Development Scene Picks Up Speed: The Latest on 90 Projects See Page 7

photo by Gary Leonard

Construction on the $1 billion Wilshire Grand replacement.

Blessing of the Bicycles : 6 The Butterflies Are Back : 29 2 01 5

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AROUND TOWN

Bob Baker Theatre Apartment Plan Receives Initial Approvals

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he future of the Bob Baker Marionette Theatre at 1345 W. First St. is becoming clearer, with plans to build an apartment structure that incorporates the existing property moving forward. However, there is no imminent move to shutter the performing space.

The city Office of Historic Resources has approved a proposal to create 102 one- to threebedroom apartments in a new building that “arches” over the theater, according to architect Steve Albert. The theater itself, a city HistoricCultural Monument that has hosted puppet shows for more than 50 years, would become the lobby for the complex. Recent renderings suggest the ground floor could hold a puppet “workshop,” a small performance space, a display honoring the late Baker’s legacy and retail space. The project, which would stand five stories tall and have green space on the roof, is now under review by the Department of City Planning, and developer and landowner Eli

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS Melech said he intends to begin construction by early 2017. The theater continues to operate and it is unclear when its month-to-month lease will end.

May 18, 2015

TAKE MY PICTURE GARY LEONARD

Downtown News Grabs Statewide Journalism Awards

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he California Newspaper Publishers Association recently handed out its annual journalism awards, and once again, Los Angeles Downtown News was in the mix. Prizes for the Better Newspapers Contest were announced on May 9, and in the field of weekly newspapers with a circulation greater than 25,000, Downtown News won first place for Sports Story for Eddie Kim’s piece about how the tiny Downtown school St. Turibius became a soccer powerhouse. The editorial staff of Downtown News also received a second-place prize in Enterprise Reporting for a package of stories about the worsening conditions in Skid Row. Additionally, Downtown News scored in the CNPA Advertising Excellence Contest, with both first- and second-place prizes in the Best Niche Product-Magazine category: The annual Downtown Guide won first place, and the Restaurant Guide garnered second place. Additionally, a second-place Advertising Excellence prize went to the Downtown Living section.

Dodger Stadium

5th Annual Catholic Schools Night

FYF Fest Returning to Exposition Park

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ast year, construction prompted the FYF Fest to move from its longtime home of Los Angeles State Historic Park to Exposition Park.

Archbishop Gómez

05/11/2015

With the $20 million renovation of LASHP still underway, FYF organizers recently announced that they are doing a second installment in the campus at the southern end of the Figueroa Corridor. The two days of music will take place Continued on page 28

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May 18, 2015

Urban Scrawl by Doug Davis

A Wise Move At JANM

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s Downtown Los Angeles has changed in the past decade, the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo has changed with it. The institution has made a concerted effort to expand beyond its traditional audience of people of Japanese descent, and to appeal to young audiences. It has been largely successful, with exhibitions dedicated to, among other things, Asian tattoos and their influence on modern American culture, and the Dodgers and their breaking of racial boundaries. JANM’s current big exhibit, about the art and impact of the character Hello Kitty, set opening weekend attendance records.

Another recent move by the museum also stands out. Although its results might never lure as many people as came to see the feline character created by the company Sanrio, this one is ultimately more important to JANM’s mission.

Los Angeles Downtown News last week wrote about how JANM has acquired a collection of approximately 450 pieces of art and artifacts created by Japanese Americans held in 10 internment camps during World War II. This was no easy task, as the collection had been scheduled to be sold at auction. Without action, the public’s ability to examine and learn from them would have been lost.

JANM’s move ensures that these pieces of American history will be remembered and will resonate well into the future.

The JANM leadership team deserves immense credit for recognizing what was at stake and for having the framework in place to act. This remains a tough time for nonprofit organizations, with demands on every dollar, and it could not have been easy for JANM to assemble the funds (the acquisition cost was not disclosed). In making the decision to buy the collection, the museum’s brass demonstrated their priorities and understanding of what is important for the museum and the community.

It makes a strange sort of sense that, in this media and social media-driven age, JANM was aided in its cause by an Internet outcry and a celebrity.

News that the collection would be sold by its Connecticut owner drew attention on Facebook, and an online petition to stop the auction of paintings, wood carvings and other items created by those held prisoner by the U.S. government generated more than 8,000 electronic signatures. Actor George Takei, a longtime supporter of JANM and Little Tokyo causes, got involved after reading about the proposed sale. He arranged an introduction between the auction house and JANM President and CEO Greg Kimura.

Small museums such as JANM have a tough time standing out these days. However, it is hard to think of a better recent local museum move than JANM’s acquisition of this collection. Kimura said the items will form the base of an exhibit that will go up in the museum in three to five years. We look forward to seeing the show.

Bike Theft Epidemic — Go After the Ringleaders

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ast week, Los Angeles Downtown News reported on the spike in bike thefts in Downtown. The crime is up nearly 60% this year, with an average of more than one bicycle each day being stolen. The numbers may actually be higher, as this is just thefts reported to police. If the current pace continues, Downtown will see more than 400 bicycles taken in 2015.

This has serious implications for an evolving Downtown Los Angeles. The community is in transition, and although billions are being invested in the Central City, it might not take much to turn newcomers off of the area. For multiple reasons, some not so obvious, local leaders need to treat bike theft seriously, and they need to take action right away.

It is easy to shrug off a bike theft. A casual observer might imagine some kid who either can’t afford a bike or who commits a crime of convenience when he sees a bike inadequately locked. That may be the case sometimes, but other evidence, plus the sheer magnitude of the thefts, indicates that something else is afoot. A coordinated effort by some level of organized criminal activity — possibly a bike theft ring, those who buy stolen bikes, or others — likely underlies what is happening. It should not be given short shrift.

Downtown bike theft is the purview of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Central Division, and it is the appropriate entity to take the lead role. That said, this should not be seen as solely a police matter. The LAPD has myriad duties, with its officers responding to serious crimes across the community. To make headway against bike theft, the police should seek cooperation from business improvement districts, neighborhood groups, management companies at apartment complexes and the homeowners associations in condominium buildings.

The economic aspect is real. New bicycles can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. If the approximately 140 bikes taken in the first four months of the year were worth an average of $250 each, then that would be a cumulative loss of merchandise valued at $35,000. If the bikes on average were worth $500, the total lost value for the 140 victims would be $70,000, and annualized it comes to around $210,000, not exactly chump change.

The first step is for Central Division to take a proactive approach, whether that means a new bike theft detail, staging frequent bi-

cycle theft “sting” operations or, more importantly, having officers visit known stolen bike collection yards elsewhere in the city. Once there, they must challenge the management to produce proof of ownership of the plethora of bikes stacked high. In short, arrest those who stand to make significant dollars from the bicycle “chop shops.”

A bike theft also takes on meaning when placed in a community context. Downtown is forming neighborhoods rapidly, but someone who loses a bike from a seemingly secure spot might think twice about whether the Central City is an appropriate long-term home. Anyone who has ever gone to a bike rack or street sign to find their locked bike gone, or who has entered a community storage room in a residential building to see a twowheeler missing, can tell you how the loss is both economic and emotional.

What’s behind the spike? One detective pointed to Proposition 47, a measure passed by California voters last year that, in the effort to reduce prison overcrowding, reclassified six felonies as misdemeanors. Apparently this change has led to less enforcement of many “minor” crimes, as police know that criminals end up back on the streets very quickly. The unintended repercussions of Prop 47 are being seen throughout the state. That’s why the police need to focus on the bike collection yards; the dollars will be big enough to prosecute for felonies. That will bring the District Attorney’s office into the action.

The LAPD will find eager partners in the community. Officers can work with the security teams from the area BIDs — this will lead to dozens of pairs of eyes on the streets every day.

Bike owners play a role, of course. It may be impossible to stop a determined thief, but people can curb some crime by locking their bike effectively. A U-lock is the best approach, and both frame and wheels need to be secured. This is widely known, and riders must realize that Downtown L.A. is not Podunk, Idaho. In any big city potential crime must be anticipated.

The LAPD has been trying to warn people to lock their bikes securely through a social media campaign, but that can’t be the extent of the action. A stronger response is necessary. As we say, this is more than the occasional kid grabbing a bike. This is its own kind of organized crime, and it ought to be treated as such.

May 18, 2015

Downtown News 5

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

As Homelessness Spikes, Downtown Remains the Epicenter of the Problem New Count Finds That Council District 14 Has Nearly 6,300 Homeless Individuals

By Eddie Kim he announcement last week that homelessness in the county has risen 12% in the past two years drew equal amounts of consternation and outrage. Almost lost in the analysis was the revelation that the council district that includes Skid Row holds one out of every four homeless individuals in the city.

Council District 14, which comprises nearly all of Downtown Los Angeles, has the highest homeless population estimate with 6,292 individuals, according to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, which conducted the count.

The new estimate represents a 14% increase from 2013’s figure of 5,500 homeless people in the district. CD14’s chronically homeless population, defined as people with disabling conditions who are experiencing “long-term street homelessness,” jumped 89% from 1,046 individuals in 2013 to 1,977 this year.

The Ninth Council District, which comprises most of South L.A. and parts of South Park, ranked second with 2,395 individuals. The lowest tally was in the San Fernando Valley’s 12th District, which counted 569 homeless people.

Throughout the entire city, LAHSA found there were 25,686 homeless people.

The countywide homeless population was put at 44,359, up from 39,461 in 2013. LAHSA also found an 85% increase in the number of people living in tents, makeshift shelters and vehicles, from 5,335 in 2013 to 9,535 this year.

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The LAHSA report said that the problem continues to grow despite increasing efforts to house the homeless. Nearly 11,000 homeless people, including 5,140 veterans, were placed in housing in 2014, according to figures from the United Way’s Home for Good campaign.

LAHSA Commissioner Larry Adamson, who is also president and CEO of the Midnight Mission in Skid Row, noted that, despite the 7,500 veterans housed in 2013 and 2014, there were approximately 4,300 homeless veterans in both 2013 and 2015.

“Does that mean, as a logical conclusion, that 7,500 new veterans have entered into our region in two years?” Adamson asked at the presentation of the statistics on Monday, May 11.

“That’s the clear implication,” LAHSA Executive Director Peter Lynn replied.

The uptick in homelessness was attributed to a number of factors, including rising rents, wages that have remained flat or decreased, and a local unemployment level that is above both the state and national average.

“We have a number of people working under a living wage of $15.25 an hour, on top of those who are not working,” Lynn added.

Elise Buik, a LAHSA commissioner and the president and CEO of United Way of Greater L.A., which partnered with the L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce on the Home for Good program, said the city, county and state have spent too much time discussing how to boost a dedi-

cated fund for affordable housing development without actually achieving the goal.

Even when the dollars are acquired, Buik added, neighborhoods across the county need to be willing to accept homeless services. Echoing a sentiment that has been stated for years, she said services should no longer be concentrated in Skid Row. Beyond building affordable housing, the problem is that the city is not building enough new housing whatsoever, Adamson said.

“We need to look at alternate kinds of housing. The kind of money we have to spend even to create permanent supportive housing with new construction is obscene,” he said.

The increase in the homeless population is no surprise to Rev. Andy Bales, CEO of Skid Row’s Union Rescue Mission. The facility’s guest area has been at capacity for “many months,” Bales said, and he does not expect the number of people walking through the doors to fall anytime soon.

When it comes to solving homelessness, Bales believes too much of the focus is put on creating permanent supportive housing. A diversified approach that also emphasizes transitional housing and shelters is needed, he said.

“Permanent supportive housing is not a silver bullet,” Bales said. “You can build a $50 million apartment building and have about 100 units or you can build two missions that help 800 people each every day for the same mon-

T:10.25 in

photo by Donna Evans

The homeless population figure is up 12% across Los Angeles County from 2013 estimates, according to the L.A. Homeless Services Authority.

ey. Until we take a multi-pronged approach and regionalize services throughout the county, homelessness will continue to rise.”

Other LAHSA commissioners talked about the need to raise wages and adopt other income-boosting mechanisms. Commissioner Booker Pearson, from the transitional housing nonprofit Upward Bound House, suggested the passage of a state Earned Income Tax Credit that could help low-income families better cope with economic pressure.

The 2015 homeless count was based on a physical count and demographic surveys that took place in January. While the count has historically been conducted every two years, Lynn said LAHSA is planning to have the next count in 2016. eddie@downtownnews.com

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May 18, 2015

Safety and Spokes Good Samaritan Hospital Holds Its Annual Blessing of the Bicycles

By Heidi Kulicke very May, Good Samaritan Hospital stages a serious event that sounds like it could be the start of a joke: A priest, a rabbi, an imam and other religious leaders all walk over to a hospital driveway. Once there, they… bless bicycles.

The religious leaders showed up at the City West hospital on the morning of Tuesday, May 12, but this time, the tones were more somber than usual: At the 12th annual Blessing of the Bicycles, hospital staff were remembering one of their own: Peri-operative Services Director Lee Craig, who was struck and killed by a distracted driver in November while riding with her husband near Paso Robles.

Dr. Lawrence Chong, Craig’s husband and a retina specialist at two Orange County hospitals, was seriously injured in the crash. He attended the Tuesday event, taking the opportunity to praise the hospital staff and push for cycling safety measures.

“Cycling was her passion, but it also took her life,” Chong said in a Wednesday phone interview. “It was a big personal loss for me but the Good Sam family rallied around me and pulled together. It really touched my heart.”

Craig’s death underscores a danger in cycling that many people overlook. In 2012, 123 bicyclists in California died in collisions with motor vehicles, according to an October report released by the Governors Highway Safety As-

E

sociation. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 726 cyclists died nationwide in traffic-related accidents in 2012, and another 49,000 were injured.

The approximately 150 people at the 90-minute Good Samaritan event honored Craig and other riders killed in traffic collisions with a “Missing Bicyclist” memorial lap around the hospital.

One of the participants was Eric Weinstein of Santa Monica, who spent about 90 minutes biking to the morning event. Weinstein displays an emblem of the Hindu god Ganesh on the front of his bicycle. This was his third time coming to the Downtown event, but only his first getting blessed.

“My bike needed to be blessed. The Ganesh is not enough,” Weinstein said.

Crossing Faiths Blessing of the Bicycles was launched in 2004 to promote cycling and safety, and to urge bicycling as an alternative transportation method. Andrew Leeka, the president and CEO of Good Samaritan Hospital, and an avid cyclist who pedaled 8,000 miles last year, recruited hospital Chaplain Rev. Jerry Anderson to help helm the event.

They brought in the other religious figures in an effort to unite the community. At the Tuesday happening, local leaders from the Catholic, Episcopalian, Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist faiths imparted their blessings of safety and

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About 150 people showed up at Good Samaritan Hospital for the annual Blessing of the Bicycles. At the City West event, hospital staff remembered Lee Craig, a Good Samaritan employee who died in a biking accident last year.

photo by Gary Leonard

protection to cyclists.

“The hospital is full of people from all faiths, cultures and backgrounds,” Anderson said. “This event is an extension of our ministry to the whole community, regardless of personal beliefs.”

In addition to the blessing and the memorial lap, volunteers offered free bike safety checks and T-shirts. Cyclists from the LAPD Rampart Division Bicycle Detail Unit were also in attendance.

The Golden Spoke award, presented annually to an organization that promotes bike safety and advocacy, was given to Aaron Paley, the co-founder and former executive director of CicLAvia. The street events have become one of Los Angeles’ most popular attractions, with tens of thousands of people showing up every time the city cuts off miles of transportation corridors to cars, instead turning them over to cyclists and pedestrians.

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The Blessing of the Bicycles was timed to coincide with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Bike Week L.A. Held May 10-16, it included bike repair workshops, Bike to Work Day and other events.

For Ted Rogers, founder of the blog BikinginLA.com, the Good Samaritan happenings are welcome. He survived a near-fatal cycling accident eight years ago. Since then, he has been attending the Blessing of the Bicycles.

“Since coming to this event,” Rogers said, “I haven’t had a single injury or collision. A little divine intervention can’t hurt on the streets of L.A.” Rogers, however, isn’t relying solely on an annual blessing to keep him safe. He also carries an emblem with him when cycling. It’s a charm necklace with the image of Madonna del Ghisallo, the patron saint of bicycling appointed by Pope Pius XII in 1949. heidi@downtownnews.com

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May 18, 2015

Downtown News 7

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT From Millions to Billions The Latest Updates on 90 Downtown Projects

By Donna Evans, Eddie Kim and Jon Regardie f there is any question that the Downtown development scene has reached the stratosphere, then just glance toward South Park. There, a trio of Chinese companies are working on mega-developments each worth about $1 billion. They will lead to a collective 10 new high-rises. When taken with other South Park projects, more than 5,500 housing units are in construction or in the planning pipeline.

That is just the proverbial start of the action across Downtown Los Angeles. Also in South Park, a 755-room expansion of the J.W. Marriott hotel at L.A. Live has been announced, while the southern end of Broadway is becoming another hub, with multiple housing developments proposed near the Ace Hotel. The Arts District, meanwhile, continues to boom — projects such as the recently announced Soho House show that the action has “jumped” Seventh Street and the community is expanding to the south.

Though it may seem impossible, the activity will only pick up, as a batch of high-profile developments are in the homestretch. Eli Broad’s $140 million art museum is scheduled to open in the fall, as is Carmel Partners’ 700-apartment Eighth and Grand/Whole Foods project in the Financial District.

Nearby, developer Wayne Ratkovich is expected to complete The Bloc, his $180 million transformation of the former Macy’s Plaza, by the end of the year.

In the following pages, Los Angeles Downtown News provides the latest updates on 90 projects.

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NEW PROJECTS These projects were either publicly announced, were revived or gained prominence in the past three months.

537 S. BROADWAY

industries such as tech, media and fashion, he added. The building was originally designed by prominent Los Angeles architects Percy A. Eisen and Albert R. Walker.

BEACON TOWER Equity Residential, which has developed a number of mid-rise apartment buildings throughout Downtown, has announced plans to build a 33-story tower at the northeast corner of Fourth and Hill streets. The project would rise on what is currently a surface parking lot, and would feature 428 apartments (studios and one- and two-bedroom units) and 2,900 square feet of groundfloor retail. The design from the firm TCA features a glass-heavy facade with balconies and a rooftop “beacon” for decorative lighting. The project would have a subsidized housing component, with 22 very-low-income units and 86 workforce residences. Equity is aiming to break ground in spring 2016 and construction would take two years, according to Vice President of Development Dustin Smith.

LUXE HOTEL PROJECT

GIANNINI PLACE A Financial District property that sat vacant under the ownership of New York City-based Chetrit Group has new life, as it was recently acquired by hotel developer Sydell Group. The company plans to create 250 hotel rooms in the 12-story, 1922 Giannini Place. The property at 649 S. Olive St. would also have a restaurant and a bar on the ground floor, and potentially event spaces and a rooftop pool. The yet-unnamed hotel could open in late 2017, according to the company. The building is a city Historic-Cultural Monument that originally served as offices for the Bank of Italy, but has been vacant for more than a decade.

Sydell is also turning the nearby Commercial Exchange Building into a hotel/hostel hybrid project.

HOLLAND PARTNER SOUTH PARK Vancouver, Wash.-based Holland Partner Group is moving forward with plans to build a 28-story, 341-apartment tower at the southeast corner of Ninth and Figueroa streets in South Park.

The project is being reviewed by the City Planning Department, and the developer hopes to break ground this fall, according to Tom Warren, head of Holland Partner’s Southern California division. Construction would take about two and a half years, he added. Designs by Preston Partnership depict a simple glass rectangle with box-shaped clusters of balconies. On street level, almost 11,700 square feet of retail space would curve down the sidewalk along Figueroa and around on Ninth. The tower was originally envisioned as the third part of developer Sonny Astani’s Concerto plan, but a legal battle with a lender during the recession prevented it from moving forward until Hanover acquired the land.

J.W. MARRIOTT EXPANSION

image courtesy Shenzhen Hazens/Gensler

Chinese developer Shenzhen Hazens last August spent $105 million to acquire the Luxe City Center hotel at Figueroa Street and Olympic Boulevard and an adjacent parking lot. It is now securing entitlements to build a three-tower project in two phases. The first phase would create two 30-story buildings along 11th Street, at Figueroa and Flower streets, one with a hotel, the other with condominiums. Another 42-story tower, at Figueroa and Olympic, where the Luxe City Center now stands, would follow. The new hotel would have 250 rooms, and the project would create a total of 650 condominiums. There would also be 80,000 square feet of retail space, most of it fronting Figueroa Street. The first two towers would be connected by an eight-story podium, which would have open-air amenities on top. Hazens hopes to break ground in 2017, with completion of the first phase in 2020. Construction of the second phase would begin immediately after that.

SOHO HOUSE The members-only Soho House will move into a six-story, 100-year-old warehouse on Santa Fe Avenue in the Arts District. Allison Wagner, Soho House’s North American communications director, said that the company is looking to open the project in 2016. The 62,000-square-foot edifice is in an industrial, heavily-trafficked area. The project will include a rooftop pool and artist studio rooms where guests may stay for weeks or months. Soho House is billed as a home-away-from home for people in the film, media and creative industries. Founded in London in 1995, Soho House offers membership prices from $1,000, for those under 27, to $2,800 a year.

photo courtesy King’s Arch

Beverly Hills-based developer King’s Arch bought a six-story Art Deco structure at 537 S. Broadway this year for $7.35 million and plans to convert it into creative office space. The renovation of the 1931 edifice has already begun, with major tasks including a full seismic retrofit, an interior conversion with, among other things, new electrical and plumbing systems, and restoration of the intricately decorated facade. King’s Arch plans to complete construction by the end of the year, according to company partner Richard Shamooilian. The hope is to attract tenants in

brand. The $500 million project will be a 38-story tower, which will rise on a 60,000-square-foot lot at the northeast corner of Olympic Boulevard and Georgia Street. The new building, being designed by architecture firm Gensler, will be connected to the 878-room J.W. Marriott, and there will be two levels of subterranean parking, ground-floor retail and a second-floor deck with a restaurant and a pool with cabanas. The project will also create more than 75,000 square feet of meeting, banquet and conference space. AEG is currently working on securing approvals from the city and hopes to break ground on the hotel by early 2016, with the new rooms coming online in 2018. The project was announced shortly after AEG officials said they would stop pursuing the Farmers Field football stadium proposal.

image courtesy AEG

In March, Anschutz Entertainment Group announced plans to build a 755-room expansion of the J.W. Marriott/Ritz-Carlton hotel at L.A. Live. The new rooms will be part of the J.W. Marriott

SUNCAL/SIXTH AND ALAMEDA Fifteen acres in the Arts District used for decades as produce businesses have been purchased by Irvine-based developer Suncal for $130 million. Suncal’s partner in the acquisition of the property at Sixth and Alameda streets is a fund affiliated with MSD Capital, the private investment firm for Michael Dell. The developer of master-planned communities has said it intends to organize a series of neighborhood meetings Continued on page 8

8 Downtown News

May 18, 2015

Development

PROJECT UPDATES, 7 to obtain input that will help shape the site plan and mix of uses. The project will likely contain live/work residences, as well as creative office space.

RESIDENTIAL 801 S. OLIVE ST. San Francisco-based Carmel Partners began construction in March on its 27-story apartment tower at Eighth and Olive streets, according to Senior Vice President of Development Dan Garibaldi. The development is slated to wrap up in the third quarter of 2017. The tower at 801 S. Olive St. will have 363 units, with studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments and eight penthouses. Amenities will include a fitness center, a rooftop pool and lounge, and a larger pool and recreation area on a fifth-floor deck. There will also be 10,000 square feet of streetfacing retail space as part of a four-story parking podium. Most of the podium would be wrapped in translucent panels, allowing the structure to glow softly at night.

820 S. OLIVE ST. Vancouver, Canada-based developer Onni Group continues to work on plans for a 50-story residential tower between Hill and Olive streets. The project would create 589 housing units on the parcel on the border of South Park and the Financial District. There would also be 600 parking spaces. An adjacent 6,584-square-foot single room occupancy hotel will remain on land owned by the developer. No budget or timeline have been revealed.

920 S. HILL ST. A proposed 32-story high-rise at 920 S. Hill St. is still in the environmental review stage, said project representative Kate Bartolo. The tower from veteran developer Barry Shy would rise on a parking lot behind the Ace Hotel. The concrete, glass and stone structure would create 239 condominiums. There would also be five ground-floor commercial spaces totaling 5,405 square feet. David Takacs Architecture is handling the designs.

Construction is expected to begin in 18 months, Bartolo said. No budget has been revealed.

950 E. THIRD ST. Site clearing continues on the land at 950 E. Third St., where a 472-apartment project will rise, said developer Dilip Bhavnani, a principal at Legendary Developments. The company has partnered with Ohio-based Associated Estates on the Arts District effort that will create a 400,000-square-foot complex with 22,000 square feet of retail and 922 parking spaces. The $160 million development will fill the six-acre site adjacent to the Southern California Institute of Architecture. A public path through the project site would connect Third Street to Merrick Street and Traction Avenue.

1001 S. OLIVE ST.

and Olympic, a large fitness center and a dog run. Plans also call for 228 parking stalls.

home of the American Moving Parts auto factory, would also offer 390 parking spaces.

1133 S. HOPE ST. According to the most recent information available, Vancouver, Canada-based developer Amacon is planning to erect a 28-story residential tower at 1133 S. Hope St. Amacon officials previously stated that the project, which would rise on a current parking lot just east of the Flower Street Lofts, would have 5,029 square feet of restaurant and retail space. Amenities would include a pool, a spa, a fitness room, library, communal kitchen and a media room. Although the project has the approvals necessary to break ground, no timeline has been revealed.

BROADWAY AND OLYMPIC CONDOS Barry Shy’s proposed 15-story condominium complex at 955 S. Broadway continues to wend through the environmental review process, according to project representative Kate Bartolo. She anticipates construction on the 184,705-square-foot structure near the Ace Hotel beginning in the next year and a half. The project would bring 163 housing units and eight commercial spaces to the corner of Broadway and Olympic Boulevard.

Residences would run from 665-1,465 square feet. Plans also call for an outdoor area on the second floor and a rooftop deck with amenities including a pool, barbecue and garden. The rear of the building would house a restaurant. Shy has not disclosed the budget.

1200 FIG

BROADWAY PALACE Construction continues on developer G.H. Palmer Associates’ two-building project at Olympic Boulevard and Broadway. A 10-story, 439-apartment building is rising on a former surface parking lot. A six-story, 247-unit structure is being built on an adjacent lot. The project will be complete in early 2017, company head Geoff Palmer said. He did not reveal a budget for the development, which is a partnership between Palmer and parking lot company L&R Group. Unlike the rest of Palmer’s Italian/ Mediterranean-styled Downtown portfolio, the Broadway Palace will have brick facades that complement the historic look and feel of Broadway. At ghpalmer.com. image courtesy Harley Ellis Devereaux

Work is beginning on 1200 Fig, a pair of 34-story condominium towers across from the Los Angeles Convention Center. Crews began clearing the site this month and a formal groundbreaking is expected soon, said Steve Klausner, project manager at architecture firm Harley Ellis Devereaux. The project, from a consortium of investors including Jamison Services and Hankey Investment Company President W. Scott Dobbins, will rise on a parking lot at 12th and Figueroa streets. The curving steel-andglass towers will hold a combined 648 condominiums that sit above a 100-foot-high podium. The podium will have parking and 40,000 square feet of retail space. The development could finish construction by the end of 2017, Klausner said. No budget has been revealed.

Miami-based developer Lennar Multifamily is ahead of schedule on its seven-story apartment building at the southwest corner of Olympic Boulevard and Olive Street, according to land-use consultant Sheila Gonzaga. The company expects to finish construction in June 2016, she said. The complex will have 201 rental units, including 12 two-story townhomes, with approximately 4,100 square feet of retail and commercial space on the ground floor. The South Park project is slated to offer a third-floor pool deck overlooking Olive Street, a roof deck at the corner of Olive

EIGHTH AND GRAND

1200 S. FLOWER ST. Developer Onni Group continues to work on plans to bring a pair of residential high-rises to 1200 S. Flower St. The Vancouver, Canada-based Onni intends to erect 31- and 40-story buildings that would create a total of 730 housing units; the project would include 843 parking spaces. A five-story, 72,000-square-foot office building on part of the South Park property would remain.

However, a two-floor warehouse would be demolished. Amenities would include a swimming pool and a dog run. The complex would also feature a landscaped podium deck. No budget or timeline have been disclosed.

1400 S. FIGUEROA ST. Developer DHG Family Trust’s seven-story building with 106 residential units at 1400 S. Figueroa St. in South Park is in the plan check phase, said Don Getman, a principal at GMP Architects-LA, which is designing the project. The $25 million residential structure would have 4,750 square feet of street-facing retail space and amenities including a fitness center and a pool deck. There would also be two levels of underground parking. Getman anticipates a groundbreaking in July. No timeline or budget have been revealed.

photo by Gary Leonard

DA VINCI A Dec. 8 arson fire burned down one of the two massive apartment buildings at G.H. Palmer Associates’ 526-unit residential complex at 909 W. Temple St. Company head Geoff Palmer has decided to rebuild the lost structure essentially from scratch.

The second phase had been in the framing stage, and Palmer said that there are no changes to the original plan, which follows Palmer’s frequently employed Italian/Mediterranean style.

An investigation into the blaze continues. Meanwhile, the first phase of the Da Vinci, on the north side of Temple Street along the 110 Freeway, has begun move-ins. At ghpalmer.com.

AMP LOFTS Plans for a $130 million apartment complex from Bolour Associates and Crescenta Capital continue to move forward, said project representative Dana Sayles. The development would bring 320 live/work apartments and 20,000 square feet of retail space to Seventh Street and Santa Fe Avenue. A groundbreaking is slated for the middle of 2016, and construction is expected to last 20 months, said Sayles. The Arts District complex, with designs by the Shimoda Design Group, would be shaped like a “J,” with seven-story buildings at the northern end of the property and fronting Seventh Street. The 311,000-square-foot development would include two- and three-story structures along Imperial Street and Santa Fe Avenue. The property, formerly the

photo by Gary Leonard

Carmel Partners is moving forward on a seven-story, 700-unit apartment complex at Eighth Street and Grand Avenue. Completion is expected in the fall, according to a project representative. While all the residences will be completed at the same time, Carmel is planning to lease around 300 units in the first phase after opening. The apartments will have floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies, and amenities include a top floor “sky lounge” with a bar and private dining area, two pools, landscaped terraces with outdoor eating areas, and a theater-style screening room. It also has a four-level underground parking structure. The ground floor anchor tenant will be a Whole Foods, which is filling 42,000 square feet of space and is slated for a Nov. 4 opening. The project has another 8,000 square feet of retail space, though tenants have not been announced. At carmelapartments.com.

EIGHTH AND SPRING Vancouver, Washington-based Holland Partner Group continues to move forward with plans for a 24-story building with 320 apartments at Eighth and Spring streets, said Tom Warren, head of the company’s Southern California developments. Holland Continued on page 10

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PROJECT UPDATES, 8 Partner acquired the parking lot at 737 S. Spring St. for $12.5 million. The Historic Core project, which would include groundfloor retail, would follow other Downtown developments from Holland Partner. Last year, the company broke ground on a pair of seven-story structures at Sixth and Bixel streets in City West.

ETCO HOMES LITTLE TOKYO Beverly Hills-based developer Etco Homes is planning an eightstory residential complex at 118 Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka St. in Little Tokyo. The 77-unit complex would offer one- and twobedroom lofts, with floor plans up to 1,250 square feet. The project would include a rooftop gym, as well as a pool and spa area with a sundeck. The company hopes to break ground by the end of the year, said project manager Kyle Milano. The architect is BGA Inc. No budget has been revealed.

FOREMAN AND CLARK BUILDING A transformation of the Foreman and Clark Building has not yet begun, as the project remains in the entitlement process, said Victoria Peterson, director of communications for the Elizabeth Peterson Group, a project representative. Kyung Cho, who owns the 13-story building at 701 S. Hill St., intends to turn it into a housing complex with 165 residences. The 1929 edifice’s ground-floor space would be filled by two restaurants and a bar/ lounge, according to documents filed with the City Planning department. The Jewelry District building currently holds office tenants and street-level jewelry businesses. Los Angeles-based architecture firm EWAI is handling designs. No timeline or budget have been revealed.

FOREST CITY/SOUTH PARK Developer Forest City plans to begin construction on a pair of seven-story South Park buildings this summer, according to Vice President of Development Frank Frallicciardi. The $135 million project will bring one building to 1100 S. Hill St. with 177 studio to two-bedroom units and about 7,500 square feet of groundfloor retail space. It would also create a pedestrian paseo in the alley between the apartments and the Herald Examiner Building. Another structure will rise at 1200 S. Broadway with 214 studio to two-bedroom units and 7,500 square feet of retail space. The 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.

FOURTH AND BROADWAY The high-rise planned for Fourth Street and Broadway from veteran developer Izek Shomof is fully entitled, said a project spokesman. The 34-story tower would feature 450 residential units and parking spaces, and there would be 7,000 square feet of retail space. Downtown-based architect HansonLA is designing the 450,000-square-foot structure. Units would be built to condominium specifications, though the project will likely open as apartments. Renderings show a mid-rise portion of the building with a curved segment fronting the southeast corner of Fourth and Broadway. A rectangular tower would rise on top of that. No timeline or budget has been revealed.

GAREY BUILDING

photo by Gary Leonard

Developer Lowe Enterprises has finished the framing and vertical construction at the Garey Building, and interior work continues at the 320-unit apartment complex, said Tom Wulf, senior vice president of Lowe. The developer is partnering on the two-

building project at 905 E. Second St. with Megatoys and institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Asset Management. The Arts District property was long the headquarters for Megatoys, a toy business run by the Woo family. The five-story buildings between First and Second streets flanking Garey Street continue to be on pace to open this December, Wulf said. The $60 million development, with designs by Togawa Smith Martin Architects, will include 15,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space with outdoor dining along a pedestrian-only street connecting First and Second streets. The studio to two-bedroom apartments will average 728 square feet. Residences will have open floor plans with features including gourmet kitchens, quartz countertops, and washers and dryers. The project will contain four courtyards, one dedicated to pets. Another courtyard will offer a pool, spa and sundeck with grilling areas, fire pits and an outdoor lounge. The development is being constructed to LEED certification standards and will include 530 parking spaces for both retail and residential tenants.

G12 Developer Sonny Astani’s 640-unit G12 remains in the planning stage, with Astani still hunting for financing, according to project representative Ross Johnson. The developer is teaming with private equity firm Wolff Company on the complex bounded by 12th and Olive streets, Pico Boulevard and Grand Avenue. The first phase would create a seven-story, 347-unit residential building. The project would also have 42,000 square feet of retail and commercial space. The three-acre site was purchased from parking lot company L&R Group. At astanienterprises.com.

HANOVER GRAND AVENUE Houston developer Hanover Company has finished the frame of a seven-story, 274-apartment complex at Grand Avenue and Olympic Boulevard, and is now working on the interiors.

The project will create studio to two-bedroom apartments, and there will be 12,000 square feet of street-level retail space.

Architecture firm TCA is handling the design, which features a stucco exterior with glass balconies. Amenities will include rooftop decks, a pool and a public paseo. Hanover Grand Avenue is expected to open in January 2016, according to development partner Ryan Hamilton. It is one of three Hanover projects in South Park.

HANOVER OLYMPIC Construction continues on Hanover Company’s seven-story development at Olympic Boulevard and Olive Street, and crews are currently framing the 263-apartment complex, according to Hanover development partner Ryan Hamilton. It is slated to be finished in March 2016. The design from architecture firm TCA features an articulated facade with stucco and a variety of accent materials, as well as glass balconies overlooking the street. There will also be 14,500 square feet of street-level retail space. Amenities will include a rooftop deck, a gym and interior entertainment spaces. The project sits next to the company’s Hanover South Park, which opened in January. A third Hanover rental complex is under construction nearby at Grand Avenue and Olympic Boulevard.

LEVEL DTLA In March, Vancouver-based developer Onni Group announced that its 33-story project at 888 S. Olive St. would open as Level DTLA, with fully furnished luxury living spaces for corporate travelers staying in Downtown for about a month or more. The project will create 303 one- to three-bedroom residences that range from 710-2,035 square feet. The units will have floor-to-ceiling windows as well as Keurig coffee machines, Sub-Zero and Bosch appliances, multiple 40- to 50-inch flat screen TVs, balconies and laundry facilities. The building at the southern edge of the Financial District will also have a 37,000-square-foot, indooroutdoor facility with a fitness center, a rooftop pool, fireplaces and more. Monthly rates will start at $5,000, and reservations are available for bookings starting June 15. It is the first of three Downtown projects that Onni is working on. At stayinglevel. com/los-angeles.

MACFARLANE PARTNERS PROJECT Developer MacFarlane Partners is in the site plan review phase for a project that would create a seven-story building, and, later, a 24-story high-rise, on a plot bounded by Olive, Fifth and Hill streets, said Jeff Berris, the company’s director of development.

The mid-rise on the parcel north of Pershing Square would

have 312 apartments, while the taller building would hold 348 housing units. MacFarlane hopes to break ground on the sevenstory structure within a year and construction is expected to take about two years. Plans call for a roof deck with a pool, a barbeque area and other amenities. No timeline for the high-rise has been revealed.

MACK URBAN SOUTH PARK

photo by Gary Leonard

Developer Mack Urban broke ground in March on a pair of seven-story apartment buildings on a parcel bounded by Pico Boulevard and Olive and Hill streets. Shoring and excavation for the 362-unit complex is now underway, according to the company. It would include 4,000 square feet of retail space.

Next up for Mack Urban is a 38-story tower at Grand Avenue and 12th Street, which would have 530 apartments and about 8,000 square feet of retail. Plans are being reviewed by the city and Mack Urban hopes to break ground in the third quarter. The final component of the project would be a 12-story apartment building at Olive and 12th streets. Plans for the 150-unit tower (with 4,000 square feet of retail space) are under review and Mack Urban aims to break ground in spring 2016. Mack Urban is partnering with AECOM Capital on the entire South Park development, which has an estimated total budget of $750 million.

The designs are from architecture firm AC Martin.

MARIONETTE LOFTS Plans are moving forward to create an apartment structure on the site of the Bob Baker Marionette Theatre at 1345 W. First St. The city Office of Historic Resources has approved a concept that would create 102 one- to three-bedroom apartments in a new-construction building that “arches” over the theater, which is a Historic-Cultural Monument. The theater itself would become the lobby for the complex; recent renderings suggest the ground floor could hold a small performance space and a display honoring Bob Baker’s legacy. The City West project would stand five stories tall, with green space on the roof. The project is now under review in the Department of City Planning, according to architect Steve Albert. The developer and landowner, Eli Melech, plans to begin construction by the end of 2016, he added. The Bob Baker Marionette Theatre continues to operate in its space; it is unclear when its month-to-month lease will be terminated. No budget has been revealed.

ONYX Construction began on the South Park project Onyx the first week of April, according to a spokesman for developer Jade Enterprises. The first of two buildings in the complex at Pico Boulevard at Flower and Hope streets will bring 162 apartments and 13,200 square feet of retail space. The seven-story Onyx is rising on two side-by-side parking lots atop a total of 42,000 square feet of retail and commercial space. This will be the second residential project for the company. The Onyx spokesman said the project is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2017. No budget has been revealed.

SARES-REGIS LITTLE TOKYO Construction is underway and developer Sares-Regis is on schedule with its seven-story development at 232 E. Second St. in Little Tokyo, said company spokeswoman Zoe Solsby. The project is in the framing phase, and Solsby said pre-leasing is expected to begin by early 2016. The complex, next to the Ava apartments, will create 240 rental units including 51 studios, 112 one-bedrooms and 77 two-bedrooms; apartments will be up to 1,220 square feet. Sares-Regis is negotiating with various poContinued on page 12

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PROJECT UPDATES, 10 tential tenants, including restaurants, for 16,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space, Solsby said. At sares-regis.com.

SB OMEGA A proposed 38-story high-rise from developer Barry Shy is in the environmental review stage, said project representative Kate Bartolo. The 452-condominium tower at 601 S. Main St. would rise on what is currently a parking lot. The Historic Core development would have 25,000 square feet of retail space on Sixth and Main streets. The project would include a seven-story parking podium, and in addition to space for cars, there would be 268 spaces for bicycle parking. Construction is expected to begin in 18 months to two years. No budget has been revealed.

SIXTH & BIXEL Excavation on the 606-unit, ground-up portion of Holland Partner Group’s $200 million project in City West has been completed, said Tom Warren, head of the company’s Southern California developments. The Vancouver, Wash.-based developer is now pouring the decks in the underground parking garage for the pair of seven-story structures, he said. The project also includes the conversion of an old medical office building at Sixth Street and Lucas Avenue; that is expected to open in November.

The development will have 25,000 square feet of retail and commercial space, much of it fronting Sixth Street. The designer is Togawa Smith Martin. Amenities will include rooftop decks, a large fitness center and a pool, along with a public plaza and 300 trees. Residences will be studio to three-bedroom apartments with rents ranging from $1,500 to slightly under $4,000.

million high-rise will have 151 luxury condominiums; most will have one or two bedrooms, and there will also be a few one- and two-floor penthouses. Trumark is aiming to finish the project in 2016. Amenities will include a fifth-floor pool deck with cabanas, a fitness center, entertainment rooms and small pockets of green space. Ten50 also will have 5,672 square feet of retail space, with storefronts along Grand Avenue and 11th Street. The design, which features Rubik’s Cube-like glass features protruding from the tower, comes from Downtown-based HansonL.A. The project, long referred to as the Glass Tower, was initially broached before the recession began. Trumark Urban acquired the entitled development in June 2014.

Developer Forest City is erecting the wooden frame for its five-story, $100 million Blossom Plaza complex in Chinatown, according to Vice President of Development Frank Frallicciardi.

The project will create 237 studio to three-bedroom apartments, with 53 units reserved for low-income residents. The development at 900 N. Broadway will also have 19,000 square feet of street-level space for restaurants and retail (Frallicciardi said Forest City is considering creating four eateries). Additionally, Forest City is creating a 17,000-square-foot public plaza with a walkway connecting the Metro Gold Line station to Broadway, allowing rail riders to easily access the heart of Chinatown by foot. The project is slated for completion in spring 2016.

photo by Gary Leonard

TEN50 San Francisco-based developer Trumark Urban broke ground in January on a 25-story tower at 1050 S. Grand Ave. The $100

BLOSSOM PLAZA

photo by Gary Leonard

TOPAZ

Construction continues on a 159-unit apartment complex just north of Sixth and Main streets from Jade Enterprises, according to a company spokesman. The Historic Core effort, dubbed Topaz, broke ground in September 2014 and is expected to be complete by the third quarter of 2016. The six-story building will offer studio and one- to three-bedroom units and will include 23,000 square feet of retail space. The edifice at 550 S. Main St. will stretch between Main and Los Angeles streets. No budget has been revealed.

image by Steinberg/TSK Architects

MIXED USE

TITLE INSURANCE BUILDING Demolition and seismic upgrades for the Historic Core’s Title Insurance Building have begun, said Bill Lindborg of Capital Foresight, which owns the 1928 structure at 433 S. Spring St. The company has completed the abatement and soft demolition work, and Galvic Construction is spearheading the turnaround of the building he said. Plans call for transforming the structure into 215 residential units with 60,000 square feet of ground- and second-floor retail space. The project is expected to take 18 to 24 months, Lindborg said.

SPRING STREET APARTMENTS

Australian developer Joseph Hellen has revived plans for a 40-story residential tower at 525 S. Spring St. The project would rise on what is currently a surface parking lot between the Alexandria Hotel and the Spring Arcade Building. Renderings from Steinberg Architects in collaboration with TSK Architects show a modern white structure with undulating horizontal floor lines that create wavy balconies on upper levels. The 360 units would be one- to three-bedroom residences, built to condominium specs but likely marketed as apartments. The plan also calls for the restoration of the 1910 Arcade, the 1931 Roxie and the 1910 Cameo theaters, small venues that sit behind the proposed tower on Broadway. Hellen had once looked to tear the theaters down, but now wants to revive them as entertainment spaces or potentially convert them for retail use. The developer is aiming to file plans with the city in the summer.

which will include about 4,000 square feet of retail or restaurant space. Warren anticipates construction taking two years, with an opening in early 2017.

VALENCIA Developer Sonny Astani broke ground late last year on Valencia, a roughly $60 million, six-story apartment project at 1501-1521 W. Wilshire Blvd. The 218-apartment City West complex is now ahead of schedule, with completion expected in December, according to project representative Ross Johnson. Amenities will include open courtyards and a fitness center. Most units will have balconies and there will be 4,400 square feet of groundfloor retail and commercial space. The design comes from Killefer Flammang Architects. At astanienterprises.com.

VIBIANA LOFTS Construction on a 179,000-square-foot building with 237 apartments began March 2, and developer Holland Partner Group is in the excavation stage, said Tom Warren, head of the company’s Southern California developments. The Vancouver, Washingtonbased developer paid $15.75 million for the nearly one-acre parcel just south of the former St. Vibiana Cathedral. Current plans call for five stories of wood construction over a concrete podium, with approximately 247 above- and below-ground parking spaces. The building will appear to be eight stories when viewed from Los Angeles Street, and seven stories when eyed from Main. Togawa Smith Martin is designing the project,

CITY MARKET The initial phase of development for the Fashion District megaproject City Market, a proposed $1 billion hub of housing, office space, a hotel and a college campus, began in summer 2014.

During this phase, dubbed City Market South, developer the LENA Group is transforming several aged warehouse buildings on San Pedro and San Julian between 11th and 12th streets into creative office space and dining establishments, said project spokeswoman Talya Mirkin. The overall City Market, from landowner Peter Fleming, would include 945 housing units, 210 hotel rooms, 225,000 square feet of retail and 295,000 square feet of creative office space. Completion of the entire project could take 20 years. At citymarketla2.com.

HERALD EXAMINER RENOVATION The renovation of the 1914 Herald Examiner Building by San Francisco-based Hearst Corporation is in the final design phase, according to property manager Doyle McDonald. The company is aiming to break ground on the project at 1111 S. Broadway in October, he said. The building originally designed by Julia Morgan was formerly the headquarters of William Randolph Hearst’s Los Angeles newspaper. The renovation is expected to take about 18 months and would convert the two-story building into retail space (35,000 square feet on the ground floor) and creative office space (another 35,000 square feet). No budget has been revealed.

LA PLAZA CULTURA VILLAGE The final design for the County of Los Angeles’ La Plaza Cultura Village continues, with Chinatown-based architecture firm Johnson Fain and developer Trammell Crow at the helm. The team hopes to break ground around the third quarter of this year, according to Jim Andersen, senior vice president at Trammell Crow. The massive mixed-use development would rise on a 3.7-acre site near Olvera Street and create 345 residential units in five- and eight-story buildings, with 20% of the apartments set aside for low-income tenants. The 425,000-squarefoot project would also have up to 55,000 square feet of restaurants, cafes and shops, along with nearly 800 parking spaces in subterranean and above-grade structures. La Plaza Cultura Village is fully entitled and the county Board of Supervisors certified its final Environmental Impact Report in October. The development, which would rise on two parking lots on either side of Broadway, would connect El Pueblo to Fort

May 18, 2015

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300-room hotel in The Grand. Equinox, which Related has a financial stake in, would replace an SLS Hotel — Related broke off a partnership with SLS’ parent company, SBE Entertainment, in January. It would be the second Equinox hotel, following a New York Equinox scheduled to open in 2018. Related is also searching for an equity partner for the $850 million development that would rise across the street from the Walt Disney Concert Hall; the company has made presentations to more than 50 potential investors, and expects to announce a partner within a month.

The project being designed by Frank Gehry has been in the works for about a decade, and in addition to the hotel, there would be a residential tower with approximately 380-450 units (20% set aside as affordable housing) and a large retail and restaurant component built around a central plaza that opens to Grand Avenue. Related officials are looking for dining and shopping tenants, though they said the project would contain an Equinox gym and a Soul Cycle studio. Related officials have said they hope to start construction in 2016.

Moore Pioneer Memorial, a small park and monument at 430 N. Hill St. At laplazacultura.wordpress.com.

MEDALLION 2.0 The second phase of developer Saeed Farkhondehpour’s Medallion project is still in the entitlement phase. Farkhondehpour expects to begin construction in the first quarter of 2016. The project would create 500 apartments in three buildings at Third and Main streets, and would take about 30 months. Meanwhile, Farkhondehpour said the unveiling of a ground-floor food complex at Fourth and Main streets has been pushed back to July.

Tenants will include Uzbek restaurant Samarkand Cafe, Bread Bar bakery, casual eatery Dante’s Kitchen, a yet-unnamed Indian restaurant, an oyster bar and Silver Lake Ramen, he said. The eatery Tione’s on Main is now serving in the Medallion space formerly occupied by a vegan restaurant.

METROPOLIS Construction on the first and second phases of the Metropolis mega-project, just north of L.A. Live, is underway. The initial phase, comprising an 18-story hotel and 38-story condominium tower, is expected to be complete by the end of 2016. The foundation work is almost finished and the core and shell will begin rising soon, according to the developer. The second phase, which features 40- and 54-story condominium towers, broke ground in December and is slated for completion in 2018. Designs from architecture firm Gensler show shining glass structures with intricately detailed steel framework. Amenities will include fitness centers, entertainment rooms and outdoor pools and small parks on top of several decks. The towers will sit on parking podiums that have two floors of retail space off the street level along Francisco Street. Metropolis, which is bounded by the 110 Freeway and Eighth, Ninth and Francisco streets, is budgeted at more than $1 billion.

OCEANWIDE PLAZA Beijing-based developer Oceanwide held a groundbreaking ceremony for its roughly $1 billion South Park mega-project in March. The 4.6-acre site across the street from Staples Center

WILSHIRE GRAND REPLACEMENT image courtesy RTKL

will get a 49-story tower and two 40-story buildings. The project, long known as Fig Central but recently renamed Oceanwide Plaza, will have 183 hotel rooms and 504 luxury condominiums.

Most of its amenities, including a park and pools, will sit on a large deck on top of a podium overlooking Figueroa Street; the design also has a 30,000-square-foot ribbon of decorative LED signage winding around the podium. The project will include an open-air shopping galleria with more than 166,000 square feet of retail space spread out over two floors. The design comes from RTKL, which planned and designed the L.A. Live complex.

The project is being built in a single phase and is scheduled for completion in 2018.

THE GRAND Developer Related Cos. last month announced that it has reached an agreement with upscale gym Equinox to operate the

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PROJECT UPDATES, 13 comprises the building’s core, and steel has been erected up to the 26th level, said project spokesman Sean Rossall.

Hanjin International is developing the 73-story tower on the northwest corner of Seventh and Figueroa streets, and Downtown architecture firm AC Martin is handling the designs. The $1 billion project, which will be the tallest structure west of the Mississippi River, will have 900 hotel rooms atop 400,000 square feet of office space, along with retail and restaurant space. The project, which will have a sloped roof, is expected to be completed by the end of 2016, Rossall said.

InterContinental will operate the hotel, which is slated to open in 2017. At wilshiregrandcenter.com.

CIVIC AND NONPROFIT ARTS DISTRICT PARK Construction continues on a $1.6 million, half-acre park at Fifth and Hewitt streets in the Arts District. The facility is expected to open this fall, according to Rick Coca, a spokesman for 14th District City Councilman José Huizar. The project broke ground last December. The park just south of Urth Caffe will feature an eight-foot wall for mural art, outdoor eating areas and plaza space, a playground, shade trees, concrete seating and lighting. The money for the park was secured through Quimby fees, which developers pay for park creation.

BUDOKAN OF LOS ANGELES The Little Tokyo Service Center has completed the entitlement process and has raised $12.7 million for the $23 million development, said project director Scott Ito. A groundbreaking for the site that will hold martial arts events, other athletic competitions and cultural activities is anticipated for fall 2016. LTSC expects to acquire the remaining funding through public sources, foundation grants and individual donors within the next 16-18 months.

Funding so far has come mostly from public-sector sources, said Ito. The Budokan of Los Angeles will be an 88,000-squarefoot facility with a two-court gymnasium, a mezzanine with an outdoor terrace featuring a children’s playground, community garden and a rooftop park. At budokanoflosangeles.com.

CHINATOWN PARK Plans for a park at Ord and Yale streets were presented to the city Cultural Affairs Commission and the Department of Recreation and Parks in April, said Conrado Terrazas, director of communications for First District City Councilman Gil Cedillo.

Last May, the office of then-County Supervisor Gloria Molina contributed $950,000 to the project, bringing the amount secured for the facility to $8.25 million (including $5 million in state Proposition 84 funds). Ahbe Landscape Architects is designing the Chinatown park, and the aim is to break ground in early 2016. Originally slated to open this summer, the project stalled following the discovery of water beneath the hillside.

concrete shear walls. Located at the southwest corner of Broadway and First Street, the Federal Courthouse is slated for completion in fall 2016, according to Traci Madison, a representative of the U.S. General Services Administration. The 600,000-squarefoot building will have 24 district courtrooms and 32 judges’ chambers, as well as offices for the U.S. Marshals Service. The courthouse is designed as a large cube with windows set at angles to create a serrated outer skin. The design from Skidmore, Owings & Merill aims to bring in natural light while also cutting solar heat gain. The Civic Center building is being engineered to achieve LEED Platinum status, according to the GSA. FIGUEROA CORRIDOR BIKEWAY Construction on the three-mile Figueroa Corridor bikeway, officially known as MyFigueroa, was to begin earlier this year, but was pushed back because of planning and legal complications.

The city Department of Transportation is now aiming to finish plans in June and select a contractor, via a bidding process, after that. A groundbreaking could take place by December, according to the LADOT. The bikeway will run from Seventh Street to 41st Street in South L.A. It will slash eight driving lanes to five, and significant segments of the route will feature curbs that protect cyclists from cars. The project will also create bus platforms that extend the sidewalk for transit riders, improve landscaping and install pedestrian-friendly lighting and signage, among other things. The roughly $20 million project must be completed by December 2016 as part of an agreement for funding from the state. At myfigueroa.com.

FIRST AND BROADWAY PARK A design competition is underway for the park proposed for the corner of First Street and Broadway in the Civic Center, said Rick Coca, a spokesman for 14th District City Councilman José Huizar.

The process is in the early stage, and once finalists are secured there will be community meetings to solicit feedback and preferences. The park would rise on the site of a former state office building that was razed after the 1971 Sylmar earthquake. The new facility will lie directly south of Grand Park. The $18 million-$20 million Civic Center project has secured $14 million so far, with more than $10 million of that in Quimby fees (charged to developers for the creation of green space), according to Huizar’s office. The Department of Recreation and Parks anticipates that the remaining funds will come from a combination of future Quimby fees and department allocations.

GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL MEDICAL PAVILION

FEDERAL COURTHOUSE

photo by Gary Leonard

The $80 million Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Pavilion is on pace to open in late 2015, according to hospital spokeswoman Katrina Bada. The 190,000-square-foot development at Wilshire Boulevard and Witmer Street, being designed by Ware Malcolmb, will hold the Frank R. Seaver Ambulatory Surgery Center, with eight operating suites. Additionally, the City West project will hold a pharmacy, outpatient clinics, physician offices and the hospital’s Surgical Specialties Clinic, said Bada. The builder is Millie and Severson.

photo by Gary Leonard

The steel frame for the $323 million Federal Courthouse was finished in March, and construction workers are now putting in

LOS ANGELES STATE HISTORIC PARK The renovation of the 34-acre park on the edge of Chinatown, which began last April, is continuing, with much of the current work focused on the southern half of the property. Walls and roofs have gone up on a visitor welcome center, a park ranger center and restrooms. Irrigation and utility lines are also being installed across the property. The renovation is slated to finish in December, according to state Department of Parks and

Recreation Superintendent Sean Woods. The approximately $20 million project is transforming the park by creating several distinct areas, with new landscaping and features such as a scenic pedestrian bridge and a two-acre wetlands area. Other planned features include a tree-flanked promenade and a paved parking area. At lashp.wordpress.com.

LOS ANGELES STREETCAR Project manager URS Corp. continues to work on the environmental impact report for the proposed Los Angeles Streetcar.

The city expects a draft of the EIR to be ready by the end of the year, according to the office of 14th District City Councilman José Huizar, who is spearheading the project. The 3.8-mile project would run from South Park to the Civic Center with a main spur on Broadway. Meanwhile, officials are still searching for funding. The most recent assessment of the streetcar’s cost, from URS Corp., came in at about $270 million. The streetcar team is currently in the hunt for $75 million in federal grants, and Huizar has also courted private sector partners to help pay for the project. Streetcar officials in January reported that 24 firms from 19 cities responded to a “request for information” on a financial partnership for the project; the city is in the process of securing a financial advisor to help craft a request for proposals on a publicprivate partnership, according to Huizar spokesman Rick Coca.

The project will also have up to $85 million in tax funds, to be collected from Downtown property owners along the streetcar route, which was approved by Downtown voters. Another $10 million has been secured from the former Community Redevelopment Agency. Huizar hopes to have the streetcar open by 2019. At streetcar.la.

MERCED THEATRE AND MASONIC HALL The city Bureau of Engineering remains in the design phase for a renovation of the city-owned Merced Theatre and the attached Masonic Hall, near the Olvera Street plaza. That is expected to be finished this summer, with a groundbreaking taking place in the fall. The $23 million project will be the new home for Channel 35, which airs City Council meetings and other government-related programming. The project will also create a 50-seat theater and meeting space, along with some city offices. The renovation is expected to be finished by late 2017.

METRO DIVISION 13 BUS FACILITY The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is about 95% finished with the Division 13 Bus Maintenance and Operations Facility. The work taking place now mostly involves equipment installation, wiring and getting systems in place. The $120 million project is expected to be complete by late June, and following testing and employee training, it will open in August or September. The project at the northeast corner of Vignes Street and Cesar Chavez Avenue will hold 200 buses and contain a multi-level garage, a fueling depot and areas for washing vehicles. It is being designed to meet Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standards and will have, among other elements, a green roof, solar panels and a storm water reclamation system with an underground 275,000-gallon retention tank. There will also be 397 parking spaces for Division 13 workers. Approximately 500 employees will use the facility. At metro.net.

PARKER CENTER In April, the City Council’s Planning and Land Use Management Committee was supposed to review the city Cultural Heritage Commission’s nomination of the 1954 Parker Center as a Historic-Cultural Monument. The deadline came and went because of a technical mistake, but the hiccup has opened a window to consider exactly what to do with Parker Center and what the Civic Center needs. The city Bureau of Engineering had previously recommended razing Parker Center and replacing it with a $475 million, 27-story office tower that would hold employees from multiple city departments. Preservation groups, including the Los Angeles Conservancy, are pushing the city to renovate and reuse the structure at 150 N. Los Angeles St. rather than demolish it, and 14th District City Councilman José Huizar has submitted a motion asking city staff to assess the Civic Center’s office space needs and an alternative Parker Center redevelopment not discussed in the project’s already complete environmental impact report. Parker Center, designed by Welton Becket, has been empty since the Los Angeles Police Department moved its headquarters to the new Police Administration Building in 2009.

May 18, 2015

Downtown News 15

Development

REGIONAL CONNECTOR The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is wrapping up final designs on the $1.42 billion Regional Connector, in conjunction with the build team of Skanska USA and Traylor Bros. Major utility work is also starting in Little Tokyo, where the main underground tunneling will begin later this year. Plans call for the sites of three new rail stations — at Second and Hope streets, Second Street and Broadway, and First Street and Central Avenue — to be excavated in the third quarter of the year. The 1.9-mile Regional Connector will join area light rail lines to streamline crosscounty travel and reduce the need for transfers. It is expected to open in 2020. At metro.net/projects/connector.

SIXTH STREET VIADUCT REPLACEMENT

design team led by HNTB, architect Michael Maltzan and others.

At sixthstreetviaductreplacement.org.

UNION STATION MAKEOVER The Union Station Master Plan earned the blessing of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Board of Directors in October, and is now in the implementation stage. The primary task at hand is the project’s full environmental impact report, and Metro aims to begin the review process this month. The EIR would take about a year to complete, according to Metro Deputy Executive Officer Jenna Hornstock. Metro is also applying for state grants this summer to fund initial improvements along Alameda Street, she said. The Master Plan comprises two main elements: It would build a larger indoor-outdoor passenger concourse to connect travelers to an updated rail yard; and it would demolish the existing Patsaouras Bus Facility near the eastern entrance to Union Station and replace it with an elevated bus terminal between the historic station building (the west entrance) and the new concourse. Other proposed improvements include the conversion of the west parking lot into a public plaza and the creation of a walkway over the rail lines. At metro.net/projects/ la-union-station.

CULTURAL/ENTERTAINMENT

image courtesy City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering

Intersection improvements on the Boyle Heights side of the Sixth Street Viaduct have begun, said Mary Nemick director of communications for the city Bureau of Engineering. The street work is in preparation for the demolition of the 82-year-old bridge, which is slated to start in June. The 1932 bridge, which needs to be replaced because of a chemical condition that has caused its concrete to weaken, connects the Arts District to Boyle Heights. The new Sixth Street Viaduct will have a design that features a “ribbon of arches,” and there will be staircases on one arch and a viewing deck. The new viaduct also will offer improved pedestrian access with 10-foot-wide walkways as well as bike lanes. Work on the $401 million project is expected to last through 2018. The Bureau of Engineering is working with a

ARTS DISTRICT BREwING CO. Construction continues at the former Crazy Gideon’s electronics store where Cedd Moses of 213 Nightlife plans to open a restaurant and brewery. The business at 828 Traction Ave. calls for 258 seats, an outdoor seating area and 27 skeeball lanes. More than half of the 17,320-square-foot business will be dedicated to the brewery and kitchen. Moses’ license would allow 5,000 barrels of beer to be sold off-site annually.

DELIJANI BROADwAY THEATERS The Delijani family continues to restore four historic Broadway theaters, said Kate Bartolo, a consultant to the Delijanis. The theaters are the Los Angeles (615 S. Broadway), Palace (630 S. Broadway), State (703 S. Broadway) and Tower (802 S. Broadway).

The projects do not have a firm completion date, though the Los Angeles, Palace and Tower already host occasional events, such as film screenings or concerts. The plans include the creation of almost a dozen eateries and bars, as well as the upgrade of the interiors, including the theater spaces themselves. There is no budget or timeline.

GLOBE THEATRE RENOVATION Erik Chol is finishing a $5 million renovation of the 101-yearold Globe Theatre at 740 S. Broadway and hopes to open the venue by mid-summer, said project spokeswoman Victoria Peterson. The Globe will serve as an event space and will host dance, music and theater performances. The 24,347-squarefoot venue was originally a theater, but before the renovation it had been used for years as a swap meet. The theater’s marquee was relit last June.

HAUSER wIRTH & SCHIMMEL GALLERY The 100,000-square-foot former flour mill that is being turned into the Hauser, Wirth & Schimmel Gallery at 901 E. Third St. will open in March 2016, said project spokeswoman Andrea Schwan. The Arts District complex will be run by former MOCA Chief Curator Paul Schimmel. The compound is a collection of late 19th and early 20th century buildings with outdoor spaces.

The new arts destination will hold exhibitions as well as public programs. Mostly uninhabited since the 1950s, the site’s seven structures include a Neo-Classical bank building, a five-story mill and three warehouses. There is also a 20,000-square-foot space with an interior courtyard. The project will have covered parking.

ITALIAN AMERICAN MUSEUM A fall opening is expected for the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles, according to museum Executive Director Marianna Gatto. Much of the work has been done, Gatto said, and soon the remodeling of the Main Street entrance will begin, and the final upgrades will be made to the permanent exhibition space and the gallery lighting. The $4.5 million development in the building known as the Italian Hall, at 644 N. Main St., will display Continued on page 16

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Development

PROJECT UPDATES, 15 rare photos, documents, maps and artifacts illustrating the legacy, contributions and influences of Italian Americans in the region. In April, the museum tested a state-of-the-art exhibition system with electronic glass on which content will be projected, Gatto said. At italianhall.org.

THE BROAD

Developer and architect David Gray said he expects his six-story project at 353 S. Broadway to open in six months. The $8.5 million renovation will turn the building into creative office space.

Gray said his David Gray Architects will fill part of the second floor. Additionally, Gray has filed permits for a 4,577-square-foot bar with two patios and 212 seats in the building. The structure was previously known for a ficus tree growing out of the fifth floor. It has been removed.

420 BOYD ST. The $1.5 million renovation of Legendary Developments’ two buildings at 420 Boyd St. is on track to open June 1, said company principal Dilip Bhavnani. The five-story structure at the corner of Boyd and Omar streets in the Toy District will house five tenants, with each occupying a full floor, he said. The adjacent building will hold the microbrewery Mumford Brewing, which also is scheduled to open June 1. The tenants will have access to the roof, which offers views of Downtown.

photo by Gary Leonard

Construction is complete on Eli and Edythe Broad’s $140 million contemporary art museum on Grand Avenue, and the Broad Art Foundation has begun moving its offices and collection into the museum. Over the summer, the team will ready the museum for the Sept. 20 public opening. Outside the museum, the streetscape improvements include widening the sidewalk along Grand Avenue so the expansive pedestrian walkway in front of Walt Disney Concert Hall continues past Second Street. The work will also add a mid-block crosswalk on Grand Avenue between Second and Third streets, connecting The Broad to MOCA and the Colburn School. The Broad will house the 2,000 works of art in the collections of the Broads.

Designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, the museum features a column-free, 35,000-square-foot gallery on the third floor lit by 318 skylights; the entire building measures 120,000 square feet, and in addition to storage and offices there will be space for programming, an outdoor public plaza and a new restaurant in partnership with restaurateur Bill Chait. General admission will be free. At thebroad.org.

BUSINESS 353 S. BROADWAY

photo by Gary Leonard

AT MATEO ASB Real Estate Investments and Century City’s Blatteis & Schnur announced plans last year to create the 130,000-square-foot open-air retail center At Mateo at Palmetto and Mateo streets.

The former warehouse buildings on the Arts District site have been knocked down and the site has been cleared. The developers purchased the property for $32.5 million, and intend to spend another $30 million on the effort that will bring restaurants, shops and service businesses. Plans call for using repurposed brick, concrete and wood throughout the project. The development will include a 400-plus space parking garage. At Mateo is expected to open in fall 2016. At atmateo.com.

CASE HOTEL Developers Channing Henry, Frank Stork and the Kor Group continue to work on a plan to renovate the Case Hotel. The team intends to do a full historic rehab of the 1924 building at 1106 S. Broadway and turn the 107,000-square-foot structure into a four-star boutique hotel with 151 rooms. Downtown architecture firm Omgivning is handling the designs. The team acquired the 13-story property across the street from the Herald Examiner Building for $13.5 million. Though currently empty, the Case Hotel recently housed facilities for the YWCA of Greater Los Angeles.

CLARK HOTEL The opening of the 348-room Clark Hotel at 426 S. Hill St. has been pushed back slightly, and it is now slated to debut in about three months, according to project representative Elizabeth Peterson. The 11-story structure just north of Pershing Square has been renovated and features a lobby with bright marble and chrome accents, guest rooms with lively Mod-style details (including zebra-print wallpaper), a ballroom, a pool deck and multiple dining spaces. The scheduled mid-summer opening will cap a delay-filled renovation from New York-based developer Chetrit Group, who originally acquired the property more than a decade ago. A longstanding conflict between the developer and hospitality workers’ union Unite HERE Local 11, which appealed the hotel’s environmental review, came to an end in October when the Central Area Planning Commission ruled in

LIVE / WORK LOFTS FOR LEASE The Broadway Lofts blends unique historical architecture with modern design elements. Enjoy stunning views from a rooftop that features a lounge/BBQ area and a 24hr. gym. With nationally acclaimed restaurants, nightlife and shopping just outside your door, life on Broadway never looked so good!

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In the beautIfully restored 1906 bumIller buIldIng

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favor of Chetrit Group. The ruling allowed the hotel to secure some permits and move ahead with construction. An operator has not been revealed.

CLIFTON’S CAFETERIA The long-delayed renovation of Clifton’s continues under the hand of owner Andrew Meieran, who now says the landmark restaurant at 648 S. Broadway could open by the end of the summer. Meieran’s renovation will create multiple eating and drinking establishments inside the building, including a version of the classic cafeteria, an old-school steakhouse and a tiki bar.

Although the project was originally described as a $3 million endeavor, Meieran’s most recent price tag for the restoration was $7.5 million. Meieran bought the 1935 Clifton’s Cafeteria in 2010 for $3.6 million and began a major renovation the following year. At cliftonscafeteria.com.

DESMOND BUILDING Developer Lincoln Property Company continues work on the transformation of the 1917 Desmond Building at 11th and Hope streets. Anschutz Entertainment Group plans to move more than 500 employees from around the city into the South Park structure. The move will consolidate workers in the AEG Live and AXS Ticketing divisions into a location close to AEG’s headquarters at L.A. Live. Seismic retrofitting and the creation of a sixth floor, dubbed the “Glass Pavilion,” are some of the anticipated upgrades to the 97-year-old structure. There are also plans to bring a ground-floor cafe to the 82,000-square-foot building. At thedesmondla.com.

EMBASSY HOTEL AND AUDITORIUM Construction on the Embassy Hotel continues, with the most recent work involving the outdoor patio along Ninth Street and the installation of a new elevator. The renovation of the building at 831 S. Grand Ave. will create 183 guest rooms and restore

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May 18, 2015

Downtown News 17

Development

the historic Trinity Auditorium; the work is slated to finish in the winter, according to project representative Elizabeth Peterson.

As with the Clark Hotel, developer Chetrit Group has owned the property for more than a decade and late last year won a case against hospitality workers’ union UNITE Here Local 11, which had appealed the project’s environmental review in a dispute over Chetrit’s hiring practices. The hotel’s finished rooms show off a refined, elegant look.

FORD BUILDING San Francisco-based Shorenstein Properties purchased the 102-year-old Ford Building and two adjacent structures at the southwest corner of Seventh Street and Santa Fe Avenue for $37 million last year, and is refining plans to turn the mammoth structure into creative office space. Andrew Neilly, a spokesman for Shorenstein, expects construction to begin this month. Jim Pierre, senior vice president of Shorenstein, anticipates opening the development in spring 2016. No budget has been revealed.

The building opened in 1912 as Ford Motor Company’s primary Southern California assembly operations for Model T’s and Model A’s. It functioned as the headquarters of the Imperial Toy Company from 1972-2005. Plans call for floor-to-ceiling windows on the ground floor. The four levels above the street also would feature large windows. The rooftop would have a deck with sweeping views.

The DWP’s Energy Efficiency Group is also expected to house its testing and demonstration labs on site. At laincubator.com.

THE BLOC The $180 million transformation of the former Macy’s Plaza is expected to be complete by the end of the year. Developer Wayne Ratkovich is undertaking a complete reinvention of the hulking 42-year-old Financial District complex bounded by Seventh, Eighth, Hope and Flower streets. This month, crews will begin removing the roof over the retail portion of the project, turning it into an open-air attraction. The vast brick facades in the rear of the complex will also be reconfigured. The project includes an upgrade of the Sheraton Hotel, and all 496 rooms have been renovated and are open for business; work on a new hotel lobby will begin in mid-June. The Macy’s in the mall will be reconfigured. The Bloc will include an Alamo Drafthouse with nine screens and 800 seats. At theblocdowntown.com.

OPENED IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS BROADWAY LOFTS

FOURTH & TRACTION Plans to turn the century-old Coca-Cola building in the Arts District into a mixed-use complex with creative office space, retail and restaurants have stalled, said project spokeswoman Jacqueline Lui. She declined to comment further. GPI Companies of Los Angeles and New York-based Atlas Capital acquired the structure last spring for $19 million. It had been dubbed Fourth & Traction, although it sits on the corner of Fourth and Merrick streets. The three-story, 150,000-square-foot red brick building at 963 E. Fourth St. originally opened in 1915 and housed operations for the Cola-Cola company, though it has long been vacant.

FREEHAND HOTEL

photo by Gary Leonard

photo by Gary Leonard

The transformation of the 1924 Commercial Exchange Building into a 200-room Freehand Hotel continues, according to a spokeswoman for the project. The development at 416 W. Eighth St. is a partnership between Ron Burkle’s Yucaipa Company and the Sydell Group. The structure will be a mix of traditional guest rooms and hostel-style rooms with up to six beds. Los Angeles-based Killefer Flammang Architects is redesigning the 13-story Beaux Arts structure, originally designed by the firm Walker & Eisen. Plans call for a rooftop pool and lounge, as well as ground-floor retail and a restaurant. The tall neon sign on the corner of the structure will be preserved. The hotel is slated to open in 2016. Sydell is also transforming Giannini Place on Seventh Street into a hotel.

LA KRETZ INNOVATION CAMPUS The La Kretz Innovation Campus, which will house the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, is on target to open this summer, said Fred Walti, executive director of LACI. The 30,000-squarefoot clean technology project and business incubator at 525 S. Hewitt St. will serve as a home for young companies, and will include conference facilities, research and development labs and other tools. The Arts District’s La Kretz Innovation Campus will include a small park with a water feature, Wi-Fi, grass and tables.

Veteran Downtown player ICO Development opened the Broadway Lofts in March. The 58-unit rental project at 430 S. Broadway is a transformation of the 1906 edifice long known as the Bumiller Building. ICO, which previously opened the Historic Core’s Pacific Electric Lofts and Mercantile Lofts, acquired the Broadway property in 2012. The live/work units in the six-story, Renaissance Revival-style edifice are 355 to almost 1,600 square feet, and rents start at $1,155 and go up to $3,750. Many of the historic elements have been preserved, though a series of steel-and-glass catwalks have been added in the property’s interior courtyard. Downtown-based Omgivning handled the designs. The project includes 3,500 square feet of ground-floor retail space, and ICO is searching for tenants. At broadwayloftsdtla.com.

NEW PERSHING APARTMENTS Move-ins at the Historic Core’s New Pershing Apartments began in late February. Nonprofit developer Skid Row Housing Trust turned a pair of decrepit, century-old buildings into 69 low-income apartments. The $28 million project essentially gutted the interior of the buildings at Fifth and Main streets, while preserving the Victorian facades, complete with massive bay windows. The project will house people formerly living on the streets, though eventually 15 residences will be occupied by non-homeless tenants earning less than $34,200 a year. Killefer Flammang Architects, a veteran of Downtown adaptive reuse projects, handled the designs. Residences are about 360 square feet and come furnished with kitchens, a dining set, a bed and a dresser. There are outdoor communal areas on the fourth and fifth floors. The building contains roughly 3,600 square feet of retail space. At skidrow.org.

18 Downtown News

Downtown ResiDential

May 18, 2015

DOWNTOWN RESIDENTIAL

photo by Gary Leonard

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Downtown News 19

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From angels Flight to the fantastic urban spectacle of California Plaza, daily life in the towers’ neighborhood remains unsurpassed. extraordinary fountains, garden alcove retreats, gourmet dining and first-run entertainment provide the perfect setting for a lifetime of enjoyment. Downtown holds all the essentials to fulfill the most demanding lifestyles.

During the day, you are moments from the business district, minimizing or even eliminating a commute. evenings become immersed in a flood of nightlife, movies and culture beneath the brilliant lights of the city. Day and night, the towers place residents among all the excitement Downtown offers.

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20 Downtown News

May 18, 2015

Downtown ResiDential

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Main st., and is currently assisting with innovative plans for the reimaged Harlem alley in the Historic Core, which will reacti-

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enten wilshire is the ideal place for entrepreneurs and business-minded individuals to live, work and play. Perfect for start-ups and entrepreneurs in industries including high-tech, entertainment, fashion, law, finance, consulting, real estate and advertising, tenten wilshire provides the perfect blend of amenities and necessities to fulfill the 24/7 needs of an entrepreneur.

vate one of the area’s underutilized spaces. as a longtime and passionate advocate for Downtown l.a., willbur and his wife call the south Park district home, and are involved in various community groups and social events. in addition to residential resales, willbur was the lead sales person on the beautiful and award-winning 940 e. second st. project in the arts District.

Both willbur and Portigiani have also been active in Downtown’s social and charitable organizations to help ensure that the community continues to grow and improve for all those who currently call the area home, as well as for those who might consider a transition to city living. Both have worked extensively with first-time buyers, sellers, tenants and landlords, residential and commercial clients. they always take the time to work with their clients in a no-stress, no-pressure environment to ensure their clients find the right fit for their needs. learning what is most important to a buyer or seller and creating a plan to begin the process is a top priority.

For more information call Steve at (323) 997-2152 or Wayne at (213) 500-0254.

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FROM OUR ADVERTISERS You have heard the phrase “live, work and Play” countless times, but nowhere else have all three been combined into a comprehensive, single lifestyle solution. tenten wilshire’s community goal is to offer a space for entrepreneurs, small businesses and young professionals to grow, network and expand across Downtown.

Helping to fuel a rebirth of the area, tenten wilshire houses 227 fully furnished live/work units, and more than 243,000 square feet of space for businesses to rent and expand into as their companies grow. the building is designed to eliminate many of the major barriers to budding entrepreneurs including distribution of capital between living space and office space. By providing a flexible, turn-key environContinued on page 21

May 18, 2015

Downtown News 21

Downtown ResiDential

tenten, 20 ment with equally flexible lease terms, ten ten wilshire has been able to sustain a 90% or higher occupancy rate every year since opening. additionally, due to exceptional zoning regulations, tenten wilshire provides qualified individuals and all companies located on the premises special tax benefits including: live/work tax deductions, hiring credits, sales and work opportunity tax credits, utility cost savings, and expense and interest deductions. tenten wilshire, through its green standards, a coming major expansion and keen focus on inspiring, promoting and helping entrepreneurialism, hopes to be the catalyst for 16,000-plus longterm jobs for los angeles. located within walking distance of the center of Downtown, tenten wilshire is an ideal place for meeting people and networking, providing guests and residents an unparalleled professional and social environment. tenten wilshire, together with its sister communities of Plug and Play technology Center and Hollywood Production Center, are home to more than 600 technology and entertainment entrepreneurs, startups and companies. tenten wilshire is dedicated to fostering community growth amongst its residents through constant contact and the sharing of

resources. with key multi-industry relationships including access to more than 150 venture capital firms, and additional relationships with major corporations, entrepreneurs and startups at tenten wilshire are provided a direct bridge to numerous resources including: n operations (legal, accounting, PR, Banking, etc.) n technology (Microsoft Bizspark, sun startup essentials, etc.) n entertainment (CBs, 20th Century Fox, Bet, BBC, Merv Griffin entertainment, etc.) n Business Development (M&a, investing, licensing) n Corporate Partnership opportunities (Google, Cisco, Best Buy, Yahoo!, ebay, etc.)

At 1010 Wilshire Blvd. For more information call (213) 785-5100 or visit 1010wilshire.com.

Seller Beware How to Avoid 11 Critical Home Inspection Traps Before Listing Your Home in Downtown L.A.

a

ccording to industry experts, there are more than 33 physical problems that will come under scrutiny during a home inspection when your home is for

FROM OUR ADVeRtISeRS sale. a newly released report identifies the 11 most common problems, and what you should know about them before you list your home for sale. whether you own an old home or a new one, there are a number of things that can fall short of requirements during a home inspection. if not identified and dealt with, any of these 11 items could cost you dearly in terms of repair. that’s why it’s critical that you read this report before you list your home. if you wait until the building inspector flags these issues for you, you will almost certainly experience costly delays in the close of your home sale or, worse, turn prospective buyers away altogether. in most cases, you can make a reasonable pre-inspection yourself if you know what you’re looking for; and knowing what you’re looking for can help prevent little problems from growing into costly and unmanageable ones. to help home sellers deal with this issue before their homes are listed, a free report entitled “11 things You need to Know to Pass Your Home inspection” explains the issues involved. to hear a brief recorded mes-

DISTINGUISHED DOWNTOWN Introducing The Emerson, downtown's newest luxury apartment building, ideally located in the heart of the city's cultural core within walking distance to world-class dining, downtown's financial district and the city’s

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sage about how to order your free copy of this report call (800) 879-4210 and enter 1003. You can call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Get your free special report now to learn how to ensure a home inspection doesn’t cost you the sale of your home.

This report is courtesy of Evangelyn Lin (CalBRE#01817694) of Lin Realty. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers.

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22 Downtown News

Luxury at Its Finest

the towers, 19

The Emerson Takes Apartment Living to New Heights With Unparalled Amenities

t

he emerson, Downtown l.a.’s new luxury apartment building developed by Related California, is setting a new benchmark for apartment living in the city’s cultural center. the emerson is ideally located across the street from MoCa, next to the upcom-

FroM oUr ADVertIsers ing Broad museum and steps from walt Disney Concert Hall and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. with stunning interiors by celebrated design firm Marmol Radziner, the 20-story building brings simple elegance to the Downtown l.a. apartment landscape. the emerson offers residences ranging in size from studios to one- and two-bedroom layouts and an unparalleled level of services and amenities. the emerson is further enhancing its prime location in Downtown’s burgeoning arts and culture scene by creating a new culinary destination with a ground floor restaurant by los angeles celebrity chef agostino sciandri. Vespaio, serving classic italian cuisine with a modern flair, will offer in-home delivery and continuous service throughout the day, as well as take-out and catering menus for local businesses. at the emerson, an expansive suite of amenities enhance each resident’s lifestyle. the penthouse lounge is set against a stunning backdrop of sparkling panoramic city views with an outdoor terrace, bar, custom billiards table, and a catering kitchen and dining area for private events. the penthouse terrace has a double-sided fireplace, barbeques with grilling areas, plush outdoor seating and two outdoor tVs. additional amenity

spaces include an outdoor pool and Jacuzzi, a barbecue area for entertaining, a media lounge with an oversized tV, a state-of-the-art library complete with fireplace, wi-Fi, a printer and coffee station, a pet spa, and a fully equipped fitness center with a yoga studio and steam rooms. the emerson continues Related’s commitment to exceptional service, offering residents exclusive benefits through its Relatedstyle services, including an onsite Related service specialist available to field requests and offer move-in coordination services to assist in selecting moving firms and scheduling the Related technology Concierge to help with home technology installation. the emerson also has a 24-hour concierge to facilitate in-home package receiving and dry cleaning services. Pet owners will also have access to a pet spa, with an outdoor dog run, to conveniently meet their pet grooming needs. with its innovative design, sprawling amenity spaces and hotel-inspired services, the emerson redefines Downtown l.a. apartment living and sets the precedent for developments to follow.

For more information, please call The Emerson’s onsite leasing office at (213) 784-3674 or visit TheEmersonLA.com.

with a tranquil indoor waterscape.

Four impressive towers embrace a breathtaking pool, spa and fitness center in an oasis of flowing fountains and immaculate landscaping — a true departure from the ordinary.

Promenade towers’ individual design includes apartments with balconies, contemporary solariums and angular rooms as exciting as the property’s unique exterior styling.

Grand tower’s sensuous granite exterior distinguishes this landmark development as the address that reflects success. the 24-hour manned lobby provides impressive passage to spacious apartment homes with balconies and a rooftop pool, spa and fitness center with beautiful mountain and city views. adjacent to the renowned California Plaza, entertainment can be found virtually at your doorstep.

Museum tower neighbors the beautiful Museum of Contemporary art. this fine collection of apartment homes features expansive floor-toceiling windows. exhibit your most precious belongings amidst the outstanding backdrop of the city skyline. a controlled access lobby, pool, spa and fitness center provide the upscale amenities Downtown residents desire.

Double Assurance of Quality: For

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more than 50 years, shapell industries and Goldrich & Kest industries have established themselves among america’s most successful and most honored residential developers. today, their nationwide reputation for providing exceptional housing is earned through a consistent dedication to quality craftsmanship and design. as a result, many of their joint ventures have been cited as model developments. Marina Park in san Diego, town square in santa ana and the Promenade and Promenade west in the Bunker Hill district of los angeles have all achieved unparalleled success in these prominent urban centers. together, they bring to the towers apartments a vast combination of experience, talent and integrity. each has proven its dedication for a total of more than 90 years. it is that strong combination of experience, innovation and commitment to quality that makes shapell industries and Goldrich & Kest industries a team you can rely on for excellence.

For leasing information at the Promenade Towers, 123 S. Figueroa St., call (213) 617-3777. For leasing information at the Grand Tower, 255 S. Grand Ave., call (213) 2299777. For leasing information at the Museum Tower, 225 S. Olive St., call (213) 626-1500, or visit TowersApartmentsLA.com.

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May 18, 2015

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ROOFTOP DECKS | VIEW HOMESITES SMALL PRIVATE YARDS | GATED COMMUNITY

1641 N. MORTON AVENUE, UNIT 1 LOS ANGELES, CA 90026 (323) 344-6121 Van Daele, Van Daele Homes One Family. One Promise. and You’ll feel good about your new home. are trademarks of Van Daele Development Corporation.

Plan pricing and square footage subject to change. Persons depicted in marketing photographs do not indicate a racial preference. BRE# 00974168

Wayne

Steve

“20+ Active Years in Downtown” Steve Portigiani

Wayne A. Wilbur BRE#: 01716358

Cell: 213.500.0254

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Cell: 323.997.2152

May 18, 2015

Downtown News 23

Downtown ResiDential

Facing Forward While Respecting the Past Pilgrim School’s Diversity, Technology and Academics Prepare Students for Success

i

t is hard to believe the school year is almost over. Pilgrim school seniors are making their final decisions about where they will attend college — every student received multiple acceptances. one hallmark of a Pilgrim education is the individual attention that helps each student to find the perfect college for their unique academic profile and interests.

FROM OUR ADVERTISERS students are finishing classroom projects and looking forward to a new year. Highlights of the year included steaM week, when all students from the youngest in early education to college-bound 12th graders participated in using the tools of science, technology, engineering, art and math to identify and solve real-world problems. Cross-grade groups addressed issues such as poverty and access to quality food, international cooperation and conflict resolution, gender equality, and human environmental impact, using research skills, creative problem solving, design thinking, collaboration and communication — 21st century skills to solve 21st century problems.

Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore!

It’s our business to make you comfortable... at home, downtown. Corporate and long term residency Call Now Fo is accommodated in high style at the Towers Apartments. Contemporary singles, studio, one r bedroom and two bedroom apartment homes provide fortunate residents with a courteous full service lobby attendant, heated pool, spa, complete fitness center, sauna and recreation room Move-In Spec with kitchen. Beautiful views extend from the Towers’ lofty homes in the sky. Mountain vistas and ial slender skyscrapers provide an incredible back drop to complement your decor. Far below are a host of businesses s ready to support your pampered downtown lifestyle. With spectacular cultural events nearby, even the most demanding tastes are satisfied. Downtown, it’s not just big business anymore. Visit the Towers Apartments today.

E

at xci Gr ti A 255 South Grand Avenue an ng sk A dT ow Ne bou Leasing Information er w t O Co 213 229 9777 m Re ur ing n Su ova Apartment Amenities: Community Amenities: m m tio ~ Refrigerator, Stove, ~ 24 Hr. Manned Lobby er Microwave & Dishwasher ~ Concierge 20 n 15 (most units) ~ Pool / Spa / Saunas

Grand Tower

~ Fitness Center ~ Gas BBQ Grills ~ Recreation Room

~ Central Air Conditioning & Heating ~ Balconies (most units)

On-site: ~ Dry Cleaners / Dental Office / Restaurants

Promenade Towers

123 South Figueroa Street Leasing Information 213 617 3777

Pilgrim’s Downtown location and its rich diversity is truly reflective of the complex face of los angeles, and the diversity incorporated into a Pilgrim education prepares students for life in a complex world. the Pilgrim school curriculum embraces both art and technology as well as traditional academics. technology is integrated into and across the curriculum beginning in early education, and the Fab lab is creating a more three-dimensional engineering experience for students, including use of cuttingedge technologies such as 3D printing and laser cutting. the beautiful Brown Family Fine arts Center offers students the opportunity for an extensive experiential education in the fine arts. all students can interact with creative individuals through the Visiting artists and writers Program, through which artists share their experience and creative process with students beginning in early education. Pilgrim is committed to the education of the whole student: traditional academics, state-of-the-art technology, a strong foundation in the arts, and a place in athletics for every student. Pilgrim’s Field of Dreams campaign will add a regulation sports field, underground parking and expansive new classroom space to the campus. a Pilgrim education gives students the skills to succeed and thrive in a changing world — facing forward while respecting the past. Dedicated and innovative faculty, special programs in the Fab lab, access to a professional quality art Center, and creative professionals brought to the school through the Visiting writers and artists program, teach Pilgrim students the 21st century skills of problem-solving, innovation and collaboration from the toddler class through 12th grade. one hundred percent of Pilgrim graduates go on to the best colleges and universities equipped with the skills they will need to create a unique, meaningful life.

To learn more about Pilgrim School or to tour the historic campus, please call (213) 355-5204.

Community Amenities: ~ 24 Hr. Manned Lobby ~ Pool / Spa / BBQ Grills ~ Fitness Center ~ Covered Parking

Apartment Amenities: ~ Refrigerator, Stove & Dishwasher ~ Central Air & Heating ~ Solariums and/or Balconies

On-Site: ~ Convenience Store / Beauty Salon

museum Tower

225 South Olive Street Leasing Information 213 626 1500 Community Amenities: ~ 24 Hr. Manned Lobby ~ Concierge ~ Pool / Spa / Saunas ~ Fitness Center ~ Gas BBQ Grills ~ Recreation Room

Apartment Amenities: ~ Refrigerator, Stove, Microwave & Dish washer (most units) ~ Central Air & Heating ~ Balconies (most units)

8 7 7 - 2 65 - 714 6

TOWERS T H E

A PA RT M E N T S

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24 Downtown News

May 18, 2015

Downtown Residential

The Best of L.A. Living

NEIGHBORHOODS, 18

Morton Village in Echo Park Boasts Grand Rooftop Decks With Stunning Skyline Views

B

eautiful summer-like weather brings attention to the fabulous entertainment possibilities to be enjoyed on a rooftop deck at the new contemporary homes of Morton Village in Echo Park.

These three-story, single-family detached homes boast spectacular rooftop decks with views to the L.A. skyline and the rolling hills of Elysian Park. In addition, each home has a charming private yard and balcony deck for even more outdoor living space.

FROM OUR ADVERTISERS Morton Village is a unique, gated community by Van Daele Homes in partnership with the Fifteen Group. This limited offering of just 18 residences, comprised of 15 contemporary homes and three quaint bungalows, is located in the heart of Echo Park. Residents can enjoy the ease of walking to trendy eateries, shopping and conveniences, and Echo Park is a dog-walker’s or runner’s paradise. For commuting, easy freeway access provides a short drive to employment centers in Downtown, Burbank and Hollywood.

The two- and three-bedroom, three-story contemporary floorplans with rooftop decks feature up to three and one-half baths and 2,044 square feet. The ground floor of each residence features an attached two-car garage with extra space for bikes, storage and a private laundry area (Plans A & B; Plan C has a laundry area on the bedroom floor).

Second-floor living areas offer en suite bedrooms and bath, and each of the 15 modern homes features a spacious rooftop deck creating a great gathering place for entertaining and enjoying views towards the verdant hills of Elysian Park and the Downtown Los Angeles skyline.

All homes at Morton Village are appointed with impressive amenities including Quartz kitchen countertops, European style cabinetry with stainless steel hardware, Bosch stainless steel appliances, contemporary baseboards and casings, brushed steel staircase railings and much more. The three charming, vintage-style one-bedroom, one-bath bungalows at Morton Village are a nod to the historic appeal of Echo Park’s history. These approximately 600-square-foot homes

feature modern amenities such as marble countertops, Bosch stainless steel appliances, subway tile backsplashes and shower surrounds coupled with the cabinetry, moldings and craftsman features found in historic residences. The bungalow homes also come with designated parking spaces within the gated neighborhood.

Interested home buyers are encouraged to visit soon as just four of the contemporary homes, priced from the $800,000s, and two of the bungalow homes, priced from the low $500,000s, remain.

Van Daele Homes also includes their Efficient By Design features for building and living environmentally friendly and cost efficiently. Such items include dual glazed Low-E windows, tankless water heater, high efficiency central air conditioning, indoor air quality ventilation fan, gas forced air heating, Energy Star multi-cycle dishwasher and more.

And, the homes are solar access ready.

Van Daele Homes is a privately-held, California-based homebuilder specializing in single-family homes in Northern and Southern California since 1987. The Van Daele family and their team take great pride in the design and construction of every home and have a personal commitment to every home buyer that they “feel good about their new home.”

To visit Morton Village, take the 5 Freeway and exit Stadium Way. Follow to Academy Road and turn right. Turn left on Morton Avenue.

The sales center is open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. except for Sundays and Wednesdays when the community opens at noon.

For more information, please contact Joanna Sanchez at jsanchez@vandaele.com or visit liveatmortonvillage.com.

nightlife, South Park is home to Staples Center, L.A. Live, Nokia Theater and the Los Angeles Convention Center. Find luxury and style at a fraction of most cities’ median prices at Concerto, Elleven, EVO, LUMA, Grand Lofts, Flower St. Lofts, Market Lofts, Ritz Carlton, Sky Lofts and Skyline Residences.

Fashion District: Find your new favorite “hidden gem” in Downtown’s residential conversion of these fine buildings: Eastern Columbia, Cornell, Eckardt, Textile and Tomahawk.

Historic Core: This was once the center of Los Angeles, where trolley cars ran down Broadway past the largest concentration of theaters and buildings built in the Beaux Arts, Art Deco and Baroque styles. The Historic Core now boasts dozens of classic buildings converted into lofts, workspaces, restaurants and boutiques. Historic architecture meets modern lifestyle at the Douglas, Rowan, El Dorado, Pan American and Higgins.

Central City West: West of Downtown and across the 110 Freeway, Central City West was once home to John Parkinson, famed architect of City Hall and Union Station. Central City West showcases some of the most elegant buildings in all of Downtown such as 1100 Wilshire and 1234 Wilshire (VERO).

Whether you’re looking to live in an historic loft or sleek high-rise, DiscoverDTLA.com can help you find your perfect neighborhood.

For more information about downtown living, please call Agnes, at (213) 458-0787 or Jessica at (213) 249-5760 or visit DiscoverDTLA.com.

OWN A PIECE OF THE DTLA LIFESTYLE CALL US NOW, WE’LL SHOW YOU HOW!

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WE’VE BEEN HELPING BUYERS & SELLERS IN THE FOLLOWING BUILDINGS IN DOWNTOWN: ARTS DISTRICT Barker Block 940 E. 2nd Toy Factory Lofts Toy Warehouse Lofts Gallery Lofts Biscuit Lofts Molino Lofts

HISTORIC CORE Douglas Building Lofts Rowan Building Lofts Higgins Building Lofts El Dorado Lofts

LITTLE TOKYO Savoy Mura Little Tokyo Lofts CENTRAL CITY WEST 1100 Wilshire Vero

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May 18, 2015

Downtown News 25

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Featuring the Movie Palaces of Downtown’s Broadway Historic Theatre District and The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

CLASSIC FILMS and LIVE ENTERTAINMENT in HISTORIC VENUES

Million Dollar Theatre

The Theatre at Ace Hotel

INFO & TICKETS AT laconservancy.org

The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

Los Angeles Conservancy Members

16

$

General Public

20

June 2015

Palace Theatre

$

At the Door (IF ANY REMAIN)

20

$

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 8pm

SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 8pm

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 8pm

Psycho (1960)

City Lights (1931)

Bless You) Dios se lo pague (God (Argentina, 1948)

Million Dollar Theatre

Los Angeles Theatre

Palace Theatre

SPONSORED BY

SPONSORED BY

CO-PRESENTED BY

FUNDED IN PART BY L.A. COUNTY ARTS COMMISSION L.A. DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS HOLLYWOOD FOREIGN PRESS ASSOCIATION

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 8pm

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 8pm

SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 2pm & 8pm

How to Marry a Millionaire

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Orpheum Theatre

The Theatre at Ace Hotel

(1953)

The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion SPONSORED BY

SPONSORED BY

CATHY AND STEVE NEEDLEMAN

(1981) SPONSORED BY

LINDA AND JERRY BRUCKHEIMER

Conservancy members at the $500 and above level are invited to the opening night reception and receive a pair of reserved seats on opening night. Please call 213-430-4204 to join or upgrade your membership.

SERIES STAR SPONSOR

HOLLYWOOD FOREIGN PRESS ASSOCIATION ALL PROGRAMS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

SERIES SUPPORTING SPONSOR

SERIES SPONSORS

MEDIA SPONSORS

PHOTOS (LEFT-RIGHT) BY ANNIE LASKEY/L.A. CONSERVANCY (2), FLORA CHOU/L.A. CONSERVANCY, GARY LEONARD

TWITTER: @ DOWNTOWNNEWS

26 Downtown News

Work Starts on Pershing Square Playgrounds

By Donna Evans ver the whir of construction noise, 14th District City Councilman José Huizar told a crowd at Pershing Square last week that building playgrounds will attract more families to Downtown and, ultimately, create a diverse park “ecosystem.”

The crowd showed up at the southern end of the Financial District park on Tuesday, May 12, to break ground on a pair of children’s playgrounds. The price tag for the two brightly colored areas, one for 2- to 5-year-olds and the other for kids ages 5-12, is $500,000. They are expected to open by the end of June.

“Along with good schools, families also need appropriate spaces to recreate,” Huizar said. “Adding a playground to this space adds one more amenity that will make it that much more attractive to move Downtown, and to call this urban environment their home.”

The playgrounds will feature trees, climbing apparatuses and a slide for younger children.

The improvements come amid an overall, albeit still unfunded, effort to upgrade the park at 532 S. Olive St. Although the facility has a programming schedule that includes summer concerts and films and a winter ice rink, Persh-

O

May 18, 2015

The Central City Crime Report A Rundown on Downtown Incidents, Trends and Criminal Oddities

By Heidi Kulicke n the Central City Crime Report, we survey the recent week in public safety. All information is provided by the LAPD’s Central Division.

photo by Gary Leonard

I ing Square is known more for its extensive concrete and outdated color and design scheme, such as the soaring purple tower. Leaders of Pershing Square Renew, the nonprofit organization charged with overseeing changes to the park, have begun an outreach effort to see what people want in a redesigned facility.

Downtown has several small playgrounds, including options at Grand Park, Spring Street Park and Grand Hope Park, adjacent to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. However, Mike Shull, general manager of the city Department of Recreation and Parks, said every child deserves to have a community play area within walking distance

of his or her home.

“You’re going to start to see a playground emerge with color and hopefully families using it on a day-to-day basis,” he said. “Wonderful things are happening here.”

The playground project includes the removal of a wall at the southern end of the park to improve sight lines from Sixth Street. Pershing Square Renew last September secured $2 million for upgrades. The funds include $1 million each from the Department of Recreation and Parks and MacFarlane Partners, a developer building a large project on the block north of the square.

No budget or timeline for a more extensive renovation of Pershing Square has been revealed.

If You Can’t Stand the Heat: An unidentified individual climbed over a fence and entered an unlocked storage room at Vankirk Electric, at 936 S. Olive St., on May 2. The person took $24,150 worth of electrical wiring for residential ovens.

Marijuana + Bike = Theft: A man brought his bike inside a medical marijuana dispensary at 102 E. 12th St. on May 8. Two suspects awaiting their medicinal marijuana stole the road bike from inside the dispensary and fled.

Tenacious Thief: An unidentified man entered the clothing store New Fashion at 1160 Santee St. on May 4 and grabbed some cash from the register.

The owner confronted the suspect, who put the money on the counter, then grabbed a briefcase the owner was holding. The thief ran out of the store.

Repeat Offender: Larry Donnell Earley was arrested on suspicion of taking an unattended wallet at Eighth and Los Angeles streets. The wallet had $1,000 in cash inside. Earley has been arrested more than 20 times.

Shattered Glass: Two police officers arrested a man on suspicion of aggravated assault at Maple Avenue and Seventh Street on May 9. After getting into the back of the patrol car, the suspect kicked out the back window, shattering the glass. The officers were treated for shards of glass in their eyes.

Ugly Scene: Firefighters on May 9 found a body covered with a bloody sleeping bag in the 300 block of North Main Street. Authorities found a bloodstained concrete block 10 feet from the deceased man.

More Bikes Stolen: Six bikes were reported stolen from May 3-9, including a $1,200 business improvement district bike left unattended and unlocked on the sidewalk in the 600 block of South Olive Street.

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Downtown News 27

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

The Business of Getting Caught Up in Traffic Downtown’s JCL Barricade Makes Its Mark, and Its Money, With Street Closures and Yellow Film Signs

By Donna Evans ou don’t have to drive far in Downtown before orange cones demand that you switch lanes. Sometimes it’s a new traffic pattern to accommodate an under-construction building. Other times it’s a film crew. Whatever the case, drivers are probably more focused on getting around the closure than pondering where those cones came from.

It turns out, there’s a good chance they came from Downtown traffic mitigation business JCL Barricade Company. JCL’s warehouse, at 2334 E. Eighth St., just south of the Arts District, provides traffic control services for construction projects, special events and entertainment industry production throughout Southern California.

Jim Morris, who owns the business with his wife, Sue, came up with the idea in 1997 when he was a location manager for a Mira Sorvino film called The Replacement Killers. He realized that all the square, yellow signs pointing to production locations, and the thousands of orange cones blocking off streets, came from only two traffic control companies. One of them charged an outrageously high rate, he recalled, and the other, though more reasonably priced, was unreliable. Morris thought he could do better.

“I figured we’d lose a little money or make a little money,” he said. “Either way, we’d bring down the price of traffic control. Neither of the companies that existed when I started are still in business, and we just grew and grew and grew.”

On a weekday morning, in the parking lot of his 12,000square-foot warehouse, Morris pointed to his 14 traffic control trucks. He also has thousands of orange cones and a rainbow of signs, everything from square “Do Not Enter” pieces to diamondshaped road construction warnings.

Morris and his wife launched JCL — it’s the initials of their three

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daughters, Julie, Christen and Lindsey — in his West Covina backyard. In 2001, they relocated to a space in Downtown at Third and Crocker streets. They expanded and moved to their current location in 2004, where there are now 26 full-time employees. JCL also touts a second, 18,000-square-foot warehouse for storage in Long Beach. Morris estimates his company’s annual revenue is in excess of $3 million.

Rapid Changes As a location manager, one of Morris’ tasks was to prepare a map for the crew, directing them to parking and filming locations. Creating those signs has become a staple of JCL’s business, with Morris’ team preparing signs for commercials, TV shows and films. The yellow squares, which he also sells to the general public (he opened a retail portion of the warehouse last year) cost $10-$16. His services for traffic mitigation run from simple sidewalk closures for special events to 26.2 miles of blocked-off roads to accommodate the OC Marathon.

While blocking off lanes might seem basic, JCL uses a computer program dubbed AutoCad to create specific traffic plans.

When it occurs in Los Angeles, those plans must be approved by the city Department of Transportation, said Morris. One key, he added, is to accommodate the production or construction crew while simultaneously avoiding gridlock.

One aspect of the entertainment business that can be challenging for traffic mitigation, Morris said, is the lightning fast manner in which decisions change. What yesterday had been slated as a closure of one lane of Hope Street today could stretch to Olive along Fourth Street. Excusing his pun, Morris sees traffic mitigation as an industry on wheels.

“You used to do all this filming on back lots. But if you want the realism, you have to go out on the streets and get these shots,” he said. “A film crew will converge on an area, knock

12:33 PM

photo by Donna Evans

Jim Morris has owned JCL Barricade Company with his wife, Sue, since 1997. The company’s 12,000-square-foot warehouse on Eighth Street is filled with thousands of orange cones and traffic signs.

out a scene and vaporize by the end of the day. We go in, set up all the closures, and have everything picked up shortly after they’ve finished.”

Location manager John Rizzi has worked with JCL since the company was founded. He recalled how JCL once helped him close the 105 Freeway from the 405 to where it ends at Sepulveda Boulevard for a shoot that included 15 rain towers. Then, they worked with various agencies to cordon off an area of Imperial Highway beneath the 105, which could have been flooded from the water.

“That was a thing of beauty,” Rizzi marveled.

On a Downtown shoot, for an Auto Zone commercial, JCL orchestrated various lane closures on Flower Street from First Street to Olympic Boulevard. That included intricate lanes running into garages that had to remain open. JCL employees stayed with the production, moving cones as needed. Rizzi called them a very “fluid” company.

Morris credits his past work as a location manager with being able to adjust to the shifting dynamics traffic mitigation requires. That is a critical characteristic, he said, noting that even if he thinks he knows what is happening today, it is impossible to predict what the job will bring tomorrow. donna@downtownnews.com

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28 Downtown News

AROUND TOWN, 2 Aug. 22-23 and a wide array of artists will be playing on multiple stages throughout Exposition Park. The Saturday headliner will be newschool R&B crooner Frank Ocean, and former Smiths frontman Morrissey will have top billing on Sunday. Other highlights include D’Angelo, Bloc Party, The Jesus and Mary Chain, rap duo Run the Jewels, FKA twigs and Scottish folk popsters Belle & Sebastian. In addition to FYF’s outdoor stages, a number of electronically inclined artists will perform in the spacious Los Angeles Sports Arena. Tickets went on sale Friday, May 8. More information is at fyffest.com.

Downtown Loses Chocolate Chicken, But Gains Chicken and Waffles

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he chocolate-infused fried-chicken restaurant Chocochicken never gained traction in South Park, even with a menu change and a pair of new chefs brought on last fall.

The eatery at 403 W. 12th St. quietly shuttered in December with rumors of a potential return, but Chocochicken is now officially done, as the restaurant is listed for sale online; the 2,100-square-foot space, including the kitchen and all fixtures, is going for $270,000.

Fried chicken fans who love mixing savory with sweet do not need to despair, however, as the chicken-and-waffles joint Mabel’s finally began serving last week at 314 W. Olympic Blvd. The South Park restaurant offers a simple menu with a choice of fried chicken, two sides (cole slaw and potato salad) and a handful of salads; the main attraction is the $14 combo

with two pieces of chicken, a waffle, one side and a drink. The restaurant, in the works since 2013, uses only organic free-range chicken and organic produce grown in California. It is currently open from 11 a.m. until the chicken runs out, according to its website.

Handcrafted Goods For Sale at L.A. Live

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he sports and entertainment complex L.A. Live has a lot of places to eat and things to do, but those who want more, and who prefer an indie sheen to the proceedings, are in luck: The free Pop Up Marketplace takes place Wednesday, May 20. The 5-10 p.m. event will feature more than 60 vendors selling their art and handcrafted goods. Additionally, there will be live music and $5 food and drink specials from eateries including Katsuya, Rock’N Fish, The Farm of Beverly Hills, Tom’s Urban and more. Parking is $10 in the West Garage (via gate B). More information is at lalive.com/popup.

Solis Featured in Union Station’s ‘Rosie the Riveter’ Exhibit

May 18, 2015

along with the women’s stories, in the main concourse of the train station, said Kim Upton, a spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which owns Union Station. The works will appear alongside neverbefore-exhibited photos of WWII-era female manufacturing workers. The show is part of the Women Can Build project, which the Jobs to Move America coalition will launch May 21. The “Rosie” exhibit will open Friday, May 22, and remain up through June 21.

Dance Studio to Open in South Park

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s Downtown grows, so do the exercise options. Construction started recently on a

new dance studio in South Park. Downtown Dance & Movement will cater to professional and non-professional dancers, and offer swing, salsa, hip-hop, ballet and ballroom, as well as yoga classes, said owner and studio director Linda Valentino. The 7,800-square-foot facility, at 1144 S. Hope St., will have four large dance studios, meaning four classes can be offered at once. Valentino, who worked in Downtown 30 years ago, said she has been watching the revitalization and wanted to open her first studio amid the bustling resurgence. “Our building is surrounded by potential clients: People can get out of bed, walk 50 feet and be in an exercise class,” she said. Valentino, who has been dancing for 25 years, anticipates employing 30 instructors. She expects the studio to open by early August.

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photos courtesy of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

May 18, 2015

I t g n i g n i W

CALENDAR

The Natural History Museum Brings Back The Butterfly Pavilion

The Butterfly Pavilion is back for its 17th season at the Natural History Museum. About 300 butterflies are in the Pavilion at any given time.

By Heidi Kulicke n a recent weekday afternoon, squeals of delight rang out as a batch of new butterflies — just emerged from the chrysalis process — took flight, flitting by a gaggle of second graders. Children laughed as Mexican Blue Wings landed on some flowers. The squeals turned to near screams as one winged creature settled on the front of a boy’s shirt.

Despite the fervor, it was a remarkably common occurrence. Butterflies emerge practically every day at the Butterfly Pavilion, now in its 17th year on the front lawn of the Natural History Museum. It opened last month and will be up until Sept. 7.

Dr. Karen Wise, vice president for education and exhibits at the Natural History Museum, said the Pavilion is one of the Exposition

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Park attraction’s more popular exhibits. She said it draws about 54,000 people each year, many of them tourists and schoolchildren on field trips.

Each day offers a new combination of butterflies going through the different stages of metamorphosis, Wise said.

“There’s no typical day at the Pavilion,” Wise said. “These are live creatures that are unpredictable. You never know what you’ll find. It’s just like being out in nature.”

Although the exhibit always follows the same basic format in terms of having dozens of varieties of butterflies in a single outdoor space, Wise said changes are made each year.

This year, she said, there are about 30 butterfly species on display, up from roughly 25 last year.

Additionally, 2015 has brought the introduction of chalkboard educational signs and a butterfly identification guide.

On any given day there are roughly 300 butterflies occupying the Pavilion, Wise said. They are all native to North America, and California species include the Monarch, Buckeye and the Mourning Cloak, named for its resemblance to a traditional cloak worn during a time of mourning. There are also 10 species from Southern Texas and Florida, including the bright green-and-black Malachite and the Grey Cracker.

The Pavilion is set up to allow visitors to see the entire stage of butterfly development, from eggs becoming pupae, to a caterpillar, and finally emerging as a butterfly.

Lise Havel, a Washington state resident who was visiting the Pavilion during a trip to

see her daughter, marveled at the colorful creatures.

“Who would think this exhibit would be hidden away in a great metropolis?” Havel said.

Help the Monarchs One highlight this year is a showcase on Monarchs. Through urban development and pesticides, much of the Monarchs’ natural habitat has been destroyed. The museum is hoping to reverse this by helping people establish “Monarch Waystations” at their own homes.

The museum’s website details how individuals can plant a small garden with plants known to attract butterflies. Monarchs love milkweed and nectar plants like yarrow, lilac verbena, butterfly bush and coast aster. Wise said having these plants is the key to preserving the species.

The museum is also conducting what it calls the L.A. Butterfly Survey. It is asking members of the public to submit photos of butterflies and milkweed plants seen in the L.A. area. This will help researchers better understand the biodiversity of the urban environment.

The museum’s research efforts include butterfly experts tracking and monitoring butterfly populations in the Santa Monica Mountains, said Wise.

“The research helps us understand what environmental factors might lead to butterfly survival, rather than demise,” Wise said.

The exhibit makes people happy, said Wise.

That was evident in a group of students from West Hollywood Elementary School on a field trip. Among the most enthused was second grader Ryder Pollack. He was thrilled to see the

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different kinds of butterflies, although he admitted to a bit of disappointment as well.

“Someone said last week there was a huge plant with a million caterpillars on it, and now this week the plant was really small and there was only one caterpillar on it because they had eaten most of it,” Pollack said.

His mother, Christine Pollack, was there as a parent chaperone. The Pollacks have attended the exhibit for the past five years, and it’s something they look forward to, Christine Pollack said. She said this year is even better than past installments.

“I feel like I saw more butterflies this year than I have in the past,” Christine Pollack said.

“They were just everywhere fluttering around and it was really cool to watch them land.”

Also impressed was James Barry of San Francisco, who was there on vacation with his wife and two children, ages 4 and 6. He described the pavilion as “relaxing.”

“It was nice to sit down and have them fly around,” Barry said. “It was magical.”

The Butterfly Pavilion runs through Sept. 7 at the Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., (213) 763-3466 or nhm.org. heidi@downtownnews.com

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30 Downtown News

May 18, 2015

A Brothers-and-Sisters Act Taper’s Sharp Comedy Spins off ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’

By Jeff Favre he just-opened Mark Taper Forum play Immediate Family kicks off with some fiery, rousing lines concerning the lack of respect for black men. It may sound similar to the recent TV news clips covering civil unrest in various American cities.

Don’t expect, however, that playwright Paul Oakley Stovall is commenting on current events. Instead, he’s examining longstanding, deep-rooted prejudices within the black community — and he’s doing it with a raucous sense of humor.

Stovall’s fast-paced, entertaining comedy, sharply directed by Phylicia Rashad, has been around in some incarnation or another for a decade, though it “officially” premiered in Chicago in 2012. The 90-minute one-act that takes place in a 24-hour period is running in Downtown Los Angeles through June 7.

Immediate Family joins the popular Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner genre, which has been spun in dozens of directions since the groundbreaking 1967 movie. In this case, the dinner guest is a white, gay Swede, and his presence lifts the self-imposed veil on the Bryant family’s unspoken issues.

It’s a by-the-numbers dramedy, without a lot of surprises, but the fun and energy more than compensate for the lack of originality.

Rashad’s cast hits the stage at full speed and expects viewers to keep up. Bits of exposition whisk about in a hyper brother-sister

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exchange. Older sister Evy (Shanésia Davis) is prepping for a class she’s teaching while also overseeing the wedding of her youngest brother, the seemingly carefree, athletic Tony (Kamal Angelo Bolden).

The wedding spurs a rare family reunion.

While Evy and Tony have remained in the expansive Chicago family home owned by their deceased parents, brother Jesse (Bryan Terrell Clark) is visiting from Minneapolis, and harddrinking half sister Ronnie (Cynda Williams) has flown in from Brussels. The other “family member” is next-door-neighbor Nina (J. Nicole Brooks), whose choreographed greeting with Jesse speaks volumes about their close bond.

Perhaps their closeness stems from the fact that Nina is a lesbian and Jesse is gay. She is out in her family and public life, while Jesse has never openly declared his sexual orientation with his family. The thing is, though, Jesse’s boyfriend of three years, Kristian (Mark Jude Sullivan), is arriving in a few hours. He is photographing the wedding. He is also unaware that Jesse has kept their relationship a secret from his family.

Rashad opts not to have her cast pause for laughs, and there are many, so some lines are lost. But missing a few quips is worth maintaining the pace. She also injects loads of physicality, in particular an in-your-face celebration during a card game called bid whist (similar to spades).

Stovall’s humor springs from family familiar-

(l to r) Ronnie (played

by Cynda Williams), Jesse (Bryan Terrell Clark) and Evy (Shanésia Davis) have plenty of deep-seated issues to work out in Immediate Family. It plays at the Mark Taper Forum through June 7.

photo by Craig Schwartz

ity, which includes one of the most enjoyable “coming out” moments in recent memory. The laughs also have the benefit of contrasting with the simple dramatic moments, giving them more impact.

Stovall refrains from easy answers, and there are deliberate holes left in the family dynamic, in particular about the dead parents. He doesn’t fear leaving some messes unresolved, which adds a sense of realism.

Stovall has said he considers the protagonist to be Evy, even though most of the action revolves around Jesse. It makes sense, because she’s the protector of the family and its legacy. It’s a role that requires quiet desperation, and Davis delivers. As Evy, her display of exhaustion and barely restrained anger hang in the air, in contrast to the scene-stealing Brooks as Nina, whose verbose, way over-the-top performance provides as much fun as she appears to be having.

Also interesting is Williams’ portrayal of Ronnie. She gets funnier as she grows progressively drunker in each scene, but shows cracks in Ronnie’s tough exterior, uncovering the outsider who wants to be a more integral part of the family.

John Iacovelli’s set design, an attractive tworoom downstairs brownstone with an exterior walkway, allows for simultaneous action in all three areas and gives ample space for private conversations.

The best fit is Rashad’s forceful direction with Stovall’s freewheeling dialogue. Both are stage actors, and they seem to know instinctively how to stretch the story and characters to the breaking point without ever resorting to shtick.

Immediate Family runs through June 7 at the Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 9724444 or centertheatregroup.org.

May 18, 2015

Downtown News 31

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

The Power of Pico Looking Back at an Early Leader, and the Man Who Built L.A.’s First Three-Story Building

A PIECE OF THE PAST Pico was born at Mission San Gabriel Arcangel in 1801. He lived in Los Angeles and other parts of Southern California during the Spanish foundation, the Mexican period and well into the American era. He married Doña Maria Ignacia Alvarado in 1834 at the Church of Our Lady, Queen of the Angels, near today’s Olvera Street Plaza. Governor José Figueroa served as his best man. The reception was held at the home of Pico’s brother-in-law, Don José Antonio Carrillo, across the street from the church.

As governor, Don Pío moved the capital of Alta California from Monterey to Los Angeles.

This happened just prior to the Mexican-American War. L.A. was then the largest town in the state, home to several hundred people.

After the war, in 1850, Los Angeles was incorporated as an American town. At the conclusion of the war, Don Pío and his brother, General Andres Pico, owned almost all of the 60,000 acres in the San Fernando Valley. The dividing line was about where Roscoe Boulevard is today. Don Pío owned the lands south of Roscoe and General

photo by Gary Leonard

les. Unfortunately, the bank only stayed open several weeks before it closed for good, a victim of poor record keeping and an even poorer track record on lending.

Stagecoach and trolley service assured that the hotel was an important place. Since it was sited literally at the center of town, it was a popular gathering point.

As Los Angeles grew and the center of town shifted south toward Temple and Main streets, Pico House became less fashionable. The Nadeau House hotel at First and Spring streets, where the Los Angeles Times is today, and the Hollenbeck Hotel at Second and Spring streets, now a parking lot, drew the better clientele from Pico House.

The hotel suffered a long, slow decline. Its time had passed. Its name was changed and it became second rate. Like the Plaza itself, the hotel never recovered its former glory at

the town center. Like the hotel’s founder and namesake, time was not kind to Pico House.

The hotel is now a public property, the home of occasional special and cultural events and meetings of the citizen’s panel that oversees the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument. It anchors a corner of the Plaza, a nod to a bygone era of travel by train, hoop skirts and unpaved streets.

Pico House made a contribution to the city that can’t be denied. The same can be said for Don Pio, who died in 1894.

Pico Boulevard, by the way, was once known as Don Pío Pico Street. It was the first named street south of Temple Street in the Downtown area, sandwiched between 12th and 14th streets. Now you know why there is no 13th Street in L.A. Greg Fischer is a Downtown resident and amateur historian.

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Andres owned the property to the north.

In 1869, Pico sold his interest in the Valley lands to a Bavarian, Isaac Lankesheim. Lankesheim, whose name we now recognize as Lankershim, needed a ranch foreman and hired a Dutch migrant from New York, Isaac Newton Van Nuys, who later married Lankesheim’s daughter, Susanna (who, ironically, became Susanna Lankesheim Van Nuys).

Shortly after the sale of this property, Pico went to the plaza at the center of town. He acquired the town lot and the home of his brother-in-law, Carrillo, where Pico’s wedding reception had been held decades earlier. Pico hired architect Ezra Kysor (who was also the architect of the Cathedral of St. Vibiana) and had him design a Victorian hotel. It was the first three-story building in Los Angeles.

The hotel opened in 1869 and was the grandest building in town. It boasted a bathroom on each and every floor. The center contained a wonderful interior courtyard. It was the site of many banquets and fiestas in late 19th century Los Angeles.

A notable feast was held here in the mid1870s. The financial panic of 1875 caught Los Angeles in its grip. There were two banks here, Farmers and Merchants, and Temple and Workman. The latter quickly became insolvent during the panic. A loan was arranged with Elias Jackson “Lucky” Baldwin for $210,000 and the bank reopened. A celebration for the event at the Pico House drew the notables of Los Ange-

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By Greg Fischer veryone in Los Angeles knows Pico Boulevard. Few are familiar with the man for whom the street is named.

Don Pío de Jesus Pico was the final Mexican governor of Alta California. He was also one of the few Angelenos descended from an original settler of the pueblo in 1781.

Don Pío de Jesus Pico, the final Mexican governor of Alta California, opened the Pico House in 1869. It began life as a hotel and, after it opened, was the grandest building in town.

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photo by Paul Kolnik

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Everyone loves dinosaurs, and if you doubt that, just consider the fact that more than 8 million people worldwide have watched the live production Walking With Dinosaurs. No wonder: Audiences get to ogle 20 life-size dinosaur re-creations in a show that explores their origins and lives. The arena-sized spectacular, which lands at Staples Center Sept. 11-14, also depicts environmental changes and the way the dinosaurs reacted. The creatures include the Stegosaurus, the feared Tyrannosaurus Rex and the Garcettiosaurus (one of those is made up). The highlight is 56-foot-long Brachiosaurus. Basically, the $20 million production is as close as you’ll get to trekking back in time to see the real thing.

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Nisei Week

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The first Nisei Week took place in 1934, and 80 years later, the annual celebration of Japanese and Japanese American life is the highlight of the cultural calendar in Little Tokyo.

The festival is many-splendored, events including the Grand Parade with though the streets of the tight-knit community (August 10, shown here), a gyoza-eating competition (August 16) and a huge ondo street dancing party in which everyone participates (August 17). The neighbor hood will be full of culinary, sports and cultural displays. Park and make a day of it.

Throughout Little Tokyo or niseiweek .org.

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photo by Gary Leonard

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This is the era in which big bands spur musicals — think Abba’s Mamma Mia and Green Day’s American Idiot. So it makes perfect sense that a show would be built around Queen, which thanks to the late Freddy Mercury and some forward-thinking songcraft was one of the most theatrical rock bands ever. We Will Rock You, which is on a national tour, has a slim plot concerning a couple young renegades — Galileo and Scaramouche — looking for a long-buried electric guitar.

Of course, you’re there for the rock, not the plot, and the set list includes 24 Queen songs, among them “Another One Bites the Dust,” “Somebody to Love” and, yes, “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

FYI, Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor were musical supervisors in the show written by Ben Elton.

At 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-4400 or centertheatregroup.org.

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Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, July 10-13

213-481-1448

photo courtesy Bruce Ziner

The National Ballet of Canada puts a terpsichorean twist on William Shakespeare’s classic tale of love and tragedy. The company first mounted Romeo and Juliet in 1964, and three years ago it celebrated its 60th birthday by commissioning choreographer Alexei Ratmansky to create a new production to accompany the Prokofiev score. The Toronto Post hailed it as a “new modern classic,” and it’s landing at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion July 10-13 as part of the Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center series. There will be five performances, including two weekend matinees.

At 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-0711 or musiccenter.org.

Flip through the DT News print edition on your mobile device, with 6 plus years of past issues available!

213-228-8999 | farmerboysla.com 726 Alameda St. (Bay & Alameda)

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DT

The Don´T Miss LisT

CALENDAR LISTINGS

Music From Around the World, a Movie Shot in Downtown, Some Business Talk and More

1

SPONSORED LISTINGS

calendar@downtownnews.com

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he pensive solitude of the poet’s life doesn’t lend itself well to mixing metaphors with arena rock, but had Jane Hirshfield been drawn to the Fender Strat rather than the pen, we would likely be covering her show at Staples Center. Instead, she’s at the Central Library on Tuesday, May 19, as part of the Aloud series. At the 7:15 p.m. event, Hirshfield joins Aloud head honcho Louise Steinman to discuss the poet’s words and their function in the age of advertising, ADD and apathy.

The former Guggenheim fellow and author of six collections of poetry will also take some audience questions. At 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7500 or lfla.org.

photo by Ben Baker

rom humble roots as a chemical engineer to his current mantle as a guru of fiscal growth, Jack Welch is best known for his time as the CEO of GE. On Monday, May 18, Welch will appear at the headquarters of the architecture firm Gensler for a morning event staged by the Live Talks Business Forum.

Welch will be joined by wife, author and TV commenta-tor Suzy Welch,, and they’ll be in conversation with former Sony Pictures boss and current Mandalay Entertainment Chairman and CEO Peter Guber.

The Welches, by the way, have a new book, The Real-Life MBA.. Doors open at 7:45 a.m. and the proceedings start at 8:15 a.m. Will a Continental breakfast be served? But of course. At 500 S. Figueroa St. or livetalksbusiness.com.

TuESDay, May 19 Jane Hirshfield at Aloud Central Library’s Mark Taper Auditorium, 630 W. Fifth St., (213) 228-7500 or lfla.org.

7:15 p.m.: A contemporary poet of prodigious and prolific talent joins Aloud curator Louise Steinman to discuss her work.

RuPaul’s Drag Race Reunion 842 Broadway, (877) 677-4386 or laorpheum.com.

5 p.m.: No, they won’t be talking about revving up their Chevies down in the dry riverbed. This is a whole ’nother sort of drag.

WEDNESDay, May 20 Temple Grandin and Friends Club Nokia, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-7000 or clubnokia.com.

8 p.m.: The famous autism activist and therapeutic theorist headlines a benefit for, you guessed it, autism research.

ROCK, POP & JAZZ

T photo by Robert Kozek

photo by Maria Luna Huerta

hether or not the recent profusion of tapasinspired small-plate options in Downtown inspires Gustavo Dudamel is a matter of conjecture, but this week the L.A. Phil music director is going all in on Andalusian culture. In four shows on ThursdaySunday, May 21-24, at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Dudamel will supervise the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a program dubbed “Flamenco & Falla.” Guitarists Angel Romano and Jose Luis Rodriguez join the Suidy Garrido Flamenco Dance Company for appearances that lend a little flavor of the old world to the modern symphony. Performances are Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. At 111 S. Grand Ave., (323) 850-2000 or laphil.com.

Sounds of LA 333 S. Grand Ave. or artsbrookfield.com/event/ soundsofla_wfc Arts Brookfield presents the free lunchtime concert series Sounds of LA at the Wells Fargo Center. The shows feature J Mosley, May 20; Quetzal Guerrero, May 27; Moonchild, June 3 and Iliana, June 10.

Mariachi Under the Stars 501 N. Main St., (213) 542-6278 or lapca.org Enjoy an evening of exploring the history and vibrancy of mariachi music on May 30 at 7:30 p.m. at LA Plaza. Mariachi Under the Stars is a spectacular outdoor event that brings together a large format multimedia presentation by art expert Gregorio Luke.

Tickets are $20.

Belasco 1050 S. Hill St., (213) 746-5670 or thebelascotheater.com.

May 21, 9 p.m.: The Old School Festival’s lineup features Zapp and Trinere.

Blue Whale 123 Astronaut E. S. Onizuka St., (213) 620-0908 or bluewhalemusic.com.

May 18: Motoko Honda and Friends. Why is it that all these performers are always with “friends”?

May 19: Brian Havey Solo/Trio.

May 20: Denise Donatelli Group.

May 21: David Torn Solo.

May 22: Danny Janklow Group.

May 23-24: John Patitucci Electric Quartet.

Bootleg Bar 2220 Beverly Blvd., (213) 389-3856 or bootlegtheater.org.

May 18, 8:30 p.m.: I’ll wager a month’s salary that Golden Coast owns the entire Wham! catalog in one form or another.

Joke’s on you! I’m not salaried!

May 20, 7:45 p.m.: A smarter manager would have booked the Herbert Bail Orchestra at a venue closer to the Twin Towers Correctional Facility.

May 22, 9 p.m.: A triple bill featuring Roses, Dunes and Vats emphasizes the age-old adage that three syllables is one too many.

Club Nokia 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-7000 or clubnokia.com.

May 18, 7 p.m.: Jessie J is here. Get used to it.

Escondite 410 Boyd St., (213) 626-1800 or theescondite.com.

May 24, 10 p.m.: RT N the 44s are immune to most forms of pesticide, poison and black magic.

By Dan Johnson

he musician Rocky Dawuni has been heralded as the second coming of Fela Kuti. Those are mighty big shoes to fill, but Dawuni has some interesting credentials: The reggae artist left his native Ghana to reside in Los Angeles, where his sound took a polished high production flair while also enveloping the essential rhythmic roots of West Africa. Dawuni meanders into The Regent on Friday, May 22, supporting the release of his album Branches of the Same Tree.

At 448 S. Main St. or theregenttheatre.com.

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photo by Michael Lionstar

EVENTS

MONDay, May 18 Jack Welch at Live Talks Business Forum Gensler, 500 S. Figueroa St. or livetalksbusiness.com 8:15 a.m.: Former GE CEO Jack Welch and his wife Suzy discuss their latest management how-to book, The Real-Life MBA. They’ll be in conversation with entertainment bigwig Peter Guber.

May 18, 2015

5 photo by Chuck Zlotnick

32 Downtown News

S

ome argue that the offbeat 2009 indie comedy (500) Days of Summer brought the possibilities of a new Downtown Los Angeles to the cultural forefront, with Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zoey Deschanel bouncing through Central City locations such as the (now fenced off) Angels Knoll park. Experience the movie on the big screen this week, as it will be shown at Exposition Park on Saturday, May 23, at 8:30 p.m. as part of the Street Food Cinema series. As always, the movie is only part of the fun.

Food trucks on the scene will include India Jones, Tha Lobsta Truck and the amazingly named Pudding Truck. The band Act As If performs at 6:30 p.m.

At 700 Exposition Park Drive, (323) 254-5068 or streetfoodcinema.com.

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

May 18, 2015

Downtown News 33

DOWNTOWNNEWS.COM

Exchange LA 618 S. Spring St., (213) 627-8070 or exchangela.com.

May 21: 3Lay. May 22: Jack Beats.

Grammy Museum 800 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 765-6800 or grammymuseum.org.

May 18, 8 p.m.: The Milk Carton Kids will be dropping their new album tonight. Careful with the dairy.

May 19, 8 p.m.: Dave Grohl once said Dead Sara should be the biggest rock band in the world.

Orpheum Theatre 842 Broadway, (877) 677-4386 or laorpheum.com.

May 20, 8:30 p.m.: Notoriously outspoken and volatile music man Noel Gallagher would probably be upset if he found out we were pitching you his band Flying Birds as a mere reaction to his time in Oasis.

Redwood Bar and Grill 316 W. Second St., (213) 652-4444 or theredwoodbar.com.

May 21: Two Tens, Brainspoon and Beard.

May 22: Hairball Burlesque.

May 23, 3 p.m.: Maxies, Undercover Monsters and Pushback.

May 23: Caskitt.

May 24: Lost in Lights.

The Regent 448 S. Main St. or theregenttheatre.com.

May 21, 7 p.m.: JJ Grey and Mofro are still trying to remove the permanent stain Fred Durst left on Jacksonville, Florida’s musical reputation.

May 22, 8 p.m.: Rocky Duwani brings a little West Africa to Downtown L.A. Seven Grand 515 W. Seventh St., (213) 614-0737 or sevengrand.la.

May 18: The Bruce Foreman Trio will not be grilling despite all the subliminal messages advertising has planted in your mind.

May 19: What more can we say about The Makers except that we will all die someday and there’s a special place in hell for those who talk loudly during the band’s improvised jazz sets.

May 20: Where does Rick Taub’s Midnight Blues Review find all their band leader’s fingerless gloves? #jazzsecrets.

May 21: Dan Weinstein and the Two Tones: band name or reference to a styling ’70s tuxedo?

The Smell 247 S. Main St. in the alley between Spring and Main or thesmell.org.

May 22: Gem & Leo, WASI, Kid Cadaver and Statues of Cats.

May 24: Upsilon Acrux, Sleeping People and Roland.

Continued on next page

Los Angeles Downtown News

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34 Downtown News Continued from previous page

FILM Downtown Independent 251 S. Main St., (213) 617-1033 or downtownindependent.com.

See website for listings.

IMAX California Science Center, 700 State Drive, (213) 744-2019 or californiasciencecenter.org.

Galapagos 3D. If it was good enough to blow Charles Darwin’s mind, it’s probably good enough for you!

Forces of Nature promises a panoply of nature’s worst destruction.

Experience the gripping story full of hope, crushing disappointment and triumph in Hubble 3D.

LAST WEEKS ANSWERS

CROSSWORD

Japanese American National Museum 100 N. Central Ave., (213) 625-0414 or janm.org.

7 p.m.: The Curse of Quon Gwon: When the Far East Mingles With the West has the distinction of being one of scant few films produced in 1916 to have been directed by an Asian-American woman.

Regal Cinemas LA Live 1000 W. Olympic Blvd., (213) 763-6070 or lalive.com/movies.

See website for listings.

Street Food Cinema Exposition Park, (323) 254-5068 or streetfoodcinema.com.

May 23, 8 p.m.: Live music and food trucks galore will precede tonight’s feature (500) Days of Summer.

THEATER, OPERA & DANCE Andre & Dorine The Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., (213) 489-0994 or thelatc.org.

May 21-23, 8 p.m. and May 24, 3 p.m.: Fair warning: When we say that this show from Basque Spanish theater troupe Kulukna Teatro is iconic, we mean that all the characters wear masks that make them look like the anonymous automatons in Pink Floyd’s The Wall and that the subject is Alzheimer’s disease. Through June 7.

Bob Baker’s Something to Crow About Bob Baker Marionette Theater, 1345 W. First St., (213) 250-9995 or bobbakermarionettes.com.

May 23-24, 2:30 p.m.: The puppets are getting downright agrarian as Bob Baker’s marionettes sojourn into the American heartland in Something to Crow About.

Immediate Family Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., (213) 972-7211 or musiccenter.org.

May 19-22, 8 p.m., May 23, 2:30 and 8 p.m. and May 24, 1 and 6:30 p.m.: Phylicia Rashad directs playwright Paul Oakley Stovall's 90-minute dramedy. The show examines longstanding, deep-rooted prejudices within the black community with a raucous sense of humor. Yes, it’s a bit by-the-numbers, but the fun and energy more than compensate for the lack of originality. Through June 7. See review p. 30.

May 18, 2015 Sleepaway Camp Downtown Independent, 251 S. Main St., (213) 617-1033 or downtownindependent.com.

May 19, 9 p.m.: Every Tuesday this irreverent stand-up comedy cavalcade takes up residence at the Downtown Independent.

UAC ETA TBD REDCAT, 631 W. Second St., (213) 237-2800 or redcat.org.

May 22-23, 7:30 p.m.: The Plaza de la Raza youth theater company takes the stage at REDCAT to showcase its take on exploratory theatre.

The Who’s Tommy East West Players, 120 Judge John Aiso St., (213) 625-7000 or eastwestplayers.org.

May 20-23, 8 p.m. and May 24, 2 p.m.: Ragamuffin deaf, dumb and blind kid Tommy is a pinball wizard in this iconic rock opera from The Who. East West Players employs a multicultural, 17-person cast, a live band and plenty of raucous energy. Through June 7.

MORE LISTINGS Hundreds of listings of fun and interesting things to do in Downtown Los Angeles can also be found online at ladowntownnews.com/calendar: Rock, Pop & Jazz; Bars & Clubs; Farmers Markets; Events; Film; Sports; Art Spaces; Theater, Dance and Opera; Classical Music; Museums; and Tours.

2

EASY WAYS TO SUBMIT YOUR

EVENT INFO

4 WEB: LADowntownNews.com/calendar 4 EMAIL: Calendar@DowntownNews.com

Email: Send a brief description, street address and public phone number. Submissions must be received 10 days prior to publication date to be considered for print.

May 18, 2015

DT

CLASSIFIEDS

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SERVICES accoUnting/Bookkeeping PaPerless Offices / BOOkkeePing utilizing the revolutionary software, Quickbooks and Bill.com. PaperlessOffice.LA 213-448-567

LEGAL name change SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME nO. Bs153448 Petitioner (name of each) stephanie Joanne Miller, 13930 edgewater Drive, Norwalk, CA, 90650, filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present name: sTePHanie JOanne Miller Proposed name: sTePHanie JOanne kOlOkOTrOni JOnes

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 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, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, familial status, source of income or physical or mental disability. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

THe cOUrT OrDers that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. if no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. nOTice Of Hearing Date: 11/19/2015 Time: n/a Dept.: n/a The address of the court is 111 north Hill street, los angeles, ca, 90012. a copy of this Order to show cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in la DOWnTOWn neWs, 1264 West 1st street, los angeles, ca 90026 of general circulation, printed in this county.

Prepared by: sherri r. carter, Executive Office/Clerk. stanley Mosk courthouse 111 north Hill street los angeles, ca 90012

Date: January 29, 2015 Hon. kevin c. Brazille Judge of the superior court Pub. 05/18, 05/25, 06/01, and 06/08/2015 legal notice

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES TREASURER AND TAX COLLECTOR NOTICE OF DIVIDED PUBLICATION Made pursuant to revenue and Taxation code section 3381 Pursuant to revenue and Taxation code sections 3381 through 3385, the notice of Power to sell TaxDefaulted Property in and for the county of los angeles, state of california, has been divided and distributed to various newspapers of general circulation published in the county. a portion of the list appears in each of such newspapers.

NOTICE OF IMPENDING POWER TO SELL TAX-DEFAULTED PROPERTY Made pursuant to revenue and Taxation code section 3361 notice is hereby given that real

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information concerning payment in full or initiating an installment plan of redemption. requests must be made to Joseph kelly, Treasurer and Tax collector, county of los angeles, 225 north Hill street, first floor lobby, los angeles, california 90012. for more information, please visit our website at ttc.lacounty.gov.

The amount to redeem, in dollars and cents, is set forth opposite its parcel number. This amount includes all defaulted taxes, penalties, and fees that have accrued from the date of tax-default to the date of June 30, 2015. i certify, under penalty of perjury, that the foregoing is true and correct. Dated this 30th day of april, 2015.

JOsePH kellY TreasUrer anD TaX cOllecTOr cOUnTY Of lOs angeles sTaTe Of califOrnia PARCEL NUMBERING SYSTEM EXPLANATION The assessor’s identification number, when used to describe property in this list, refers to the assessor’s map book, the map page, the block on the map, if applicable, and the individual parcel on

the map page or in the block. The assessor’s maps and further explanation of the parcel numbering system are available in the assessor’s Office, 500 West Temple street, room 225, los angeles, california 90012.

The real property that is the subject of this notice is situated in the county of los angeles, state of california, and is described as follows: PrOPerTY TaX DefaUlTeD in Year 2010 fOr TaXes, assessMenT, anD OTHer cHarges fOr fiscal Year 2009-2010 2885 $13,224.98 MilOseVski,BarBara Tr BarBara MilOseVski TrUsT anD PaZieWska,iZaBelia siTUs:5352 leXingTOn aVe lOs angeles ca 90029-1112 ain: 5537-007-002 2886 $67,017.58 BOlOUri,eBraHiM a anD MOrTeZaVi,seTareH J siTUs:1187 n arDMOre aVe lOs angeles ca 90029-1409 ain: 5537-014-016 2887 $11,653.56 DerDerian,HagOP anD eMMa siTUs:743 n eDgeMOnT sT lOs angeles ca 90029-2505 ain: 5538-015-020 2888 $42,380.01 crUZ,lUis e siTUs:515 n cOMMOnWealTH aVe lOs angeles ca 90004-2302 ain: 5539-029-012

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property taxes and assessments on the parcels described below will have been defaulted five or more years, or, in the case of nonresidential commercial property, property on which a nuisance abatement lien has been recorded, or that can serve the public benefit by providing housing or services directly related to low-income persons when three or more years have elapsed, and a request has been made by a city, county, city and county, or nonprofit organization that property, will become subject to the Tax collector’s power to sell.

The parcels listed will become subject to the Tax collector’s power to sell on July 1, 2015, at 12:01 a.m., by operation of law. The Tax collector will record a power to sell unless the property taxes are paid in full or an installment plan of redemption is initiated, as provided by law prior to 5:00 p.m., on June 30, 2015. The right to initiate an installment plan terminates on June 30, 2015. Thereafter, the only option to prevent the sale of the property at public auction is by paying the taxes in full.

The right of redemption survives the property becoming subject to the power to sell, but it terminates at 5:00 p.m. on the last business day before the scheduled auction of the property by the Tax collector.

The Treasurer and Tax collector’s Office will furnish, upon request,

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Downtown News 35

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