DOWNTOWN | Development News

[pesto]

The problems of running a big city. If you leave a downtown park open and someone is killed you are sued on the theory that you knew that violent groups hold protests there and there has been violence and murder in other cities; that drug and alcohol abuse takes place there; that mentally troubled people are there, but yet you did nothing to protect the deceased. 20M judgement and your name in the papers for months.

[Mojeda101]

Came back from the site of the Courtyard marriott. They removed some of the blue coverings. Don't tell me it's turning into another LA Central.

[soup or man]

[ErnCas]

It's a good concept. However, ever since that highly speculative article about building a baseball stadium instead, I can't help but think how much better it would be for downtown to have that magnitude of vibrancy 81 times, not 8, a year.

To be on the verrrry speculative side, and speaking as a Dodger fan and admirer of Dodger stadium, wouldn't it be great for the Dodgers to move to this site and rebuild Chavez Ravine with massive T.O.D.'s/mixed-use projects? It doesn't hurt to dream!

Assuming some form of mass transit system was built of course...

[PotatoGuy]

That would be epic beyond proportion, a dream come true for us all I believe

[pesto]

Dodger Stadium was discussed by each of the bidders and as far as I know, they all decided that it would be a PR disaster to even talk about moving out.

In any event, why build TOD where there is no transit?

[Mojeda101]

Originally Posted by ErnCas

It's a good concept. However, ever since that highly speculative article about building a baseball stadium instead, I can't help but think how much better it would be for downtown to have that magnitude of vibrancy 81 times, not 8, a year.

Think of it outside of just football. It could possibly host other events such as Soccer friendlies of other international teams just like how San Diego does it. Possibly the World Cup in 2026 as well. It would be more than just a football stadium. Concert events, etc...

[pesto]

Originally Posted by Mojeda101

Think of it outside of just football. It could possibly host other events such as Soccer friendlies of other international teams just like how San Diego does it. Possibly the World Cup in 2026 as well. It would be more than just a football stadium. Concert events, etc...

True to some extent, but there are about 20 other stadiums (completed, proposed or under construction) that also argue that they make sense becaue they will attract the World Cup, Super Bowl, etc. This week both Santa Clara and Minneapolis said the same about their new stadiums. My guess is that the US gets the World Cup about every 30 years, and no stadium gets more than 3 matches.

As for concerts, there is already the Rose Bowl, Dodger Stadium, the Coliseum and more amphitheaters and theaters than I can begin to name. Not to mention a dozen unused historic theaters and auditoriums in DT LA.

I think any stadium has to make sense on the basis of football alone or baseball alone. And football is a very tough sell, with only 10 games a year.

[slipperydog]

The World Cup is not the only time the sport of soccer is played.

[PinkFloyd]

Smart & Final Extra concept store opening at 845 S. Figueroa St. in first quarter of 2013



http://www.ladowntownnews.com/news/s...a4bcf887a.html

[Mojeda101]

Originally Posted by slipperydog

The World Cup is not the only time the sport of soccer is played.

Like I said, friendlies. Not to mention the Gold Cup.

[slipperydog]

Originally Posted by Mojeda101

Like I said, friendlies. Not to mention the Gold Cup.

Exactly. And I completely agree with you. But it's like people are looking for reasons to bash this downtown stadium. I'll tell you this. The football stadium is going to be far busier and produce much more economic spinoff activity than the old West Hall ever could have with such a small amount of acreage wedged between Staples Center and the 110. Perhaps the perfect fit would have been a baseball stadium. But Farmers Field is not a bad compromise.

[Mojeda101]

Originally Posted by slipperydog

Exactly. And I completely agree with you. But it's like people are looking for reasons to bash this downtown stadium. I'll tell you this. The football stadium is going to be far busier and produce much more economic spinoff activity than the old West Hall ever could have with such a small amount of acreage wedged between Staples Center and the 110. Perhaps the perfect fit would have been a baseball stadium. But Farmers Field is not a bad compromise.

It's one of those things like "Why fix something that isn't broken."

We have dodger stadium. Now of course we have the Colosseum and Rose Bowl, but they aren't in the heart of the city. Farmers field will cause a domino effect in downtown. We have a baseball team. We have a soccer team. We have a basketball team. What are we missing?

[croyboy]

the coliseum is close enough and still on a grid and not on a remote hill or in pasadena. plus 2 train stops

[Mojeda101]

Originally Posted by croyboy

the coliseum is close enough and still on a grid and not on a remote hill or in pasadena. plus 2 train stops

Pasadena isn't Los Angeles city is it? AEG is thinking of the city, not the county. I am fully for this. It's the best the city will get. This stadium will possibly give the downtown 11 new towers. That puts the cherry on top.

[soup or man]

Originally Posted by Mojeda101

It's one of those things like "Why fix something that isn't broken."

We have dodger stadium. Now of course we have the Colosseum and Rose Bowl, but they aren't in the heart of the city. Farmers field will cause a domino effect in downtown. We have a baseball team. We have a soccer team. We have a basketball team. What are we missing?

The Coliseum is very much in the heart of the city and the area around USC is going to continue to change. Especially with the Expo Line opening.

Anyway, the Marriott is at the starting line. Here is a picture I took last night.

[croyboy]

Originally Posted by Mojeda101

Pasadena isn't Los Angeles city is it? AEG is thinking of the city, not the county. I am fully for this. It's the best the city will get. This stadium will possibly give the downtown 11 new towers. That puts the cherry on top.

the coliseum is not in pasadena, it's 1.75 miles south-east of the staples center and it's even on the same street. the grid on the way there is also in perfect alignment. especially with the development going on there, it would be unreasonable not to think of the whole area as a continuous downtown within 50 years. already, the campus is included on downtown maps.

[pesto]

Originally Posted by slipperydog

The World Cup is not the only time the sport of soccer is played.

Well, sorry. But then again the Coliseum and Rose Bowl are more than adequate for soccer and there's already a new made for soccer stadium in LA.

[pesto]

Originally Posted by Mojeda101

It's one of those things like "Why fix something that isn't broken."

We have dodger stadium. Now of course we have the Colosseum and Rose Bowl, but they aren't in the heart of the city. Farmers field will cause a domino effect in downtown. We have a baseball team. We have a soccer team. We have a basketball team. What are we missing?

This is getting repetitive, but NOT being in the center of town is an advantage as every large city in the country and Europe has shown. NY, SF, SJ, Dallas, Boston, DC, London, Paris, Madrid, Rome, Istanbul, who puts football (or soccer) stadiums in the heart of downtown highrises? It diverts traffic away and allows the city to develop consistent and mid-sized streetlife.

Even the suggestion of putting a stadium in these cities would bring laughter or anger in these cities.

[PinkFloyd]

Originally Posted by pesto

who puts football (or soccer) stadiums in the heart of downtown highrises?

Not that I oppose the stadium (I don't), but I think Mojeda's been here long enough for us to know what he cares about the most.

Originally Posted by Mojeda101

This stadium will possibly give the downtown 11 new towers.