back to Principles page               Posted December 3, 2004 The first series of public outreach sessions were held in October and November in various communities throughout Los Angeles to solicit ideas for the Grand Avenue project. Participants viewed a presentation outlining the ten key design principles for the project. In discussions following the presentation, ideas emerged regarding the activities, uses and vision for the project and are compiled into the four categories listed below: Overall Vision | The Park | The Parcels | The Street Make “Grand Avenue” a Destination Make a Place for Everyone Create an Active Public Realm Provide Diverse Living Options Connect Neighborhoods Make a Big Impact Day One Integrate a Mix of Uses Emphasize Pedestrians and Transit Add Cultural and Entertainment Uses Capitalize on the Climate     Make it truly urban Create something unique to Los Angeles Reflect the diversity and culture of Los Angeles Be bold! Include an icon in the design like the Eiffel Tower or the Barcelona Fish Make it green Include many different types of activities Make it a world class destination Don’t duplicate Hollywood Bring a human scale to Grand Avenue Make it worth a trip, especially with our traffic Don’t make it fake or themed Appeal to families, seniors, and teen-agers Make it pedestrian friendly and transit orientated Link to other Downtown districts and other attractions in Los Angeles Create a 24/7 environment Incorporate high quality design throughout Attract downtown workers to stay after-hours      back to top   Create places to sit, relax, and hang-out Design a large lawn for gatherings Provide good maintenance and security Create shaded areas with large trees Incorporate interesting water features Include well maintained restrooms and drinking fountains Enlarge the park by relocating the existing Hall of Administration and Courts buildings Create an important design feature within the park Include user friendly public art Incorporate native plants and seasonal gardens Include amenities for children Create a beautiful garden Suggested uses for the park include: Sculpture garden Jogging path Community meeting areas A skate park Ice rink Picnic areas Place for pets Chess tables Flexible recreation spaces Space for active recreation Ideas for special events at the Park include: New Year’s Eve celebration July 4th Mardi Gras festivities Cultural festivals Concerts Outdoor theatre Children’s programs Outdoor movies Jazz festivals Art exhibits Holiday celebrations Political protests Official ceremonies Sports championship celebrations Parades      back to top   Create active street fronts Integrate retail with outdoor areas Design buildings that are inviting and accessible from the street Provide affordable parking options Maintain views of City Hall and Disney Concert Hall Have excellent architecture Provide a mix of retail for various income levels Include lounges and restaurants with indoor and outdoor spaces Have stores that are entertaining Use responsible contractors and subcontractors Include cultural venues Provide a mix of housing types for different income groups Include boutiques that feature local fashion designers Make it trendy and stylish Capture views of downtown with rooftop gardens, bars and restaurants Include high-tech stores and theatres   Suggested uses include: Bookstore Farmers markets Grocery store like Whole Foods Local vendors Ethnic eateries Many types of restaurants Bowling alley Movie theatres Sports bar Art studios and galleries Cultural facilities Non-profit community space Local fashion retailers Comedy club Jazz club Hardware Store Hair Salon Fitness Center/Gym Apple Store Sony Store Clubs Day care Lots of Housing      back to top   Connect to the historical shopping and theatre district along Broadway Create a pedestrian friendly streetscape Have a shuttle system to connect with Staples Center and LA Live! Emphasize the metro portal Connect with existing public transportation networks Provide wide sidewalks with plenty of shade Take advantage of the subway Provide better links to the existing housing on Bunker Hill Remove the center median along Grand Avenue Establish important links along First and Second Streets      back to top      back to Principles page

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