Grand Avenue Committee Project Overview

Posted April 1, 2005

In February and March, the preliminary plans for the Grand Avenue project were presented in a second round of community meetings held in Downtown LA, South LA, Eastside, the San Fernando Valley, and Westside/Hollywood areas. Incorporating the initial ideas and principles that were discussed in the first round of the outreach meetings held in October and November 2004, the presentation focused on the masterplan for the park, the development parcels and the street.

Community participants generally expressed positive feedback for the fundamentals of the overall plan. Participants favored the project’s overall density, citing that it was both appropriate for the area and would create a critical amount of activity in the first phase. The siting of the buildings, in which the taller buildings were set back from the Walt Disney Concert Hall to maintain views to City Hall, was commended, as were the connections to the historic core and civic center via Hill Street. Community members emphasized that the design of the terraces and stairways should be both inviting and easily accessible given the steep grade change. Creating activity along the street edge was deemed critical. Also highlighted was the need for the project to create a bold presence with an iconic tower. Opposition to any kind of themed style or design was reiterated.

Community participants expressed excitement about the plans for the redesigned park and many suggestions were made regarding possible uses and activities. The idea of creating a large lawn area that could serve as a gathering space for concerts and special events resonated with many participants. Also well received was the creation of a new park adjacent to the front of City Hall between Spring Street and Broadway that could be used for important civic celebrations. The idea of improving the park’s connection to the adjacent streets and surrounding neighborhood by removing existing barriers was deemed critical to the park’s success. Though not included in the project’s scope, recommendations were made to either remove or renovate the existing County Hall of Administration and Courts buildings to enhance visibility and access to the park. Suggested amenities included jogging paths, water features, seasonal gardens and flexible recreation spaces, among other ideas.

In addition to this summary, there were specific comments that have been highlighted below:

Overall Vision | The Park | The Parcels | The Street

Increase pedestrian presence in the area
Make the project safe and secure
Use sustainable building practices throughout project
Ensure that the entire project is easily accessible
"Green" the entire project area
Make the entire project a "wireless community"
Have a plan to deal with the homeless population
Include an apprenticeship and jobs training program

Integrate café and other support pavilions into the design of the park
Make the edges of the park permeable
Close the streets through the park during weekends or special events
Select a unique name for the park
Create places where a wide range of activities can occur
Incorporate native California plants
Weave the different program elements together

Incorporate escalators and elevators to overcome grade change
Ensure that views from Walt Disney Concert Hall and City Hall are maintained
Maintain views to the historic core
Complement the existing uses located along Hill Street and in the historic core
Don't create blank walls along the rear sides of the project
Create a strong focal point in the project
Include many housing units
Include cultural uses
Include a mix of both local and national retailers
Design slender towers to preserve views

Encourage bicycle access, including lanes and paths throughout the project
Create sufficient and affordable parking
Enhance the pedestrian environment by widening the sidewalks along Grand Avenue
Ensure that access to parking works with overall project design
Use the streetscape to connect to the Colburn School, Cal Plaza, and Wells Fargo
Link to existing and future transit systems
Emphasize First Street as an important connective downtown street
Include unique bus stops that are ingrated with the overall design of the project

The participation and input received during the outreach process has been very valuable to the Development Team. If you have further ideas or comments that you would like to provide, please email: info@grandavenuecommittee.org. To view the ideas from the first round of community meetings, please refer to the initial Ideas page.