It seems like a new restaurant comes to Downtown Los Angeles every week.
This week, it’s Le Petit Paris, an extra fancy French restaurant that finally opened in the incredibly ornate El Dorado building after a long construction with lots of detailed touches in one of the most dramatic spaces in the #historiccore of #dtla.
https://vimeo.com/139185613
Once the hangout of Charlie Chaplin in the Roaring 20’s, the El Dorado building fell into disrepair by the 1980’s, as did much of Spring Street.
Today, the El Dorado and its neighbor Rowan Lofts are also home to upscale live-work residences for sale and for lease.
The SP-DTLA did an excellent job at the last Neighborhood council meeting. We sent Trammel Crow back to the drawing board. They will be presenting revised plans at the next DLANC meeting. We focused on one item – they are not following the Historic Core guidelines – they are building a 30 story building in the Historic Core which goes against the guidelines and they are planning to have a 6 story parking podium that encompasses the entire corner of 9th and Hill – the guidelines only allow a maximum of 3 floors. We still need voices and bodies to support our cause.
Several of you have asked how you can help with SP-DTLA’s efforts to prevent the historic Eastern Columbia clock tower from being block by the Alexan project.
There are two things you can do today that would help (in addition to the information I sent below):
Mail a letter to Huizar – attached is a sample you can copy and paste
Attend and/or speak at the next DLANC Planning and Land Use meeting on December 15th:
Tuesday, December 15, 2015 – 6:30pm
City National Plaza Underground Food Court, 505 S. Flower St. Suite B53, Los Angeles, CA 90071
You don’t have to speak… just showing up has a very big effect. We had the largest gathering of people in opposition to a building ever recorded by the DLANC at the last meeting… we want to DOUBLE that because we know Trammel Crow will try to bring more people to this one. So, please consider attending and bring a friend or two… go out for drinks afterwards. Your presence is very important as they count who is there and more importantly they want to see non-Eastern Columbia residents.
Thank you for supporting this effort. And please pass this on to anyone else who may be able to support us.
Bill Cooper, President
Subject: Preserving Downtown’s Historic Core
I am writing today to ask you a favor, something I hope you will do for me, for yourself and for Downtown’s Historic Core. Please take a moment to read this:
I am a member and on the board of SP-DTLA. The Society for the Preservation of Downtown Los Angeles is dedicated to enforcing the highest standards in architecture and urban planning, inspiring best practices to serve the overall public good, promoting green space, and preserving physical and visual access to historic districts and landmarks. We strive to preserve the unique and protected architectural gems of Downtown Los Angeles, define a zone of respect for its iconic buildings and landmarks, promote sensible urban planning, and to protect its exceptional culture and history. We call for a thoughtful balance between the past and the present, between the iconic buildings of yesterday and the bold hi-rises of tomorrow. We welcome the kind of development that brings density and prosperity to downtown Los Angeles, while preserving the integrity of its historic landscape.
SP-DTLA GOALS:
1. CREATE A ZONE OF RESPECT FOR HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND MONUMENTS
Like many of the great cities of the world, who have enacted specific regulations in the form of a “Zone of Respect” and a “View Shed” around historic structures and the like, we propose something similar for the Arts District and Historic Core. These would specifically govern height, character, setbacks and the like for all structures going in and around historic buildings.
2. SUPPORT REDESIGN OF PERSHING SQUARE
We see Pershing Square as the heart of DTLA. It is the bridge between the Historic Areas and the Civic Center. We are at a crossroads in its development. It is essential that our voices be heard on the intention, design and execution.
3. SP-DTLA GREEN INITIATIVE
DTLA needs green spaces and innovative ideas to create them. The SP-DTLA wants to introduce a Bond Issue Ballot Measure, backed by a hotel occupancy tax to construct SIX green spaces built on top of underground parking structures which can sustain their maintenance and solve some density/parking issues facing DTLA. We want to get enough signatures on the ballot to make this a part of our future.
4. RED TAPE REVIEW
For all those developers doing it right in DTLA, our goal is to sponsor discussions that will lead to streamlining the process of permitting. As an organization we will demand:
How can we better support and encourage their efforts? What are the city regulations that are particularly challenging that could be reconsidered? How do we loosen the red tape?
The SP-DTLA’s first action is to protect a very special building in downtown Los Angeles–The Eastern Columbia Building. We have THREE SIMPLE STEPS for you to follow to get the attention of city officials and planners regarding the current project planned at Hill and 9th Streets:
Please visit http://www.sp-dtla.org/takeaction/ and sign our petition. While online you can also download an email script that you can copy and paste and send to city officials.
You can be a part of these changes which will define Downtown LA for the future. Please lend your hand and your voice.
Thank you for taking the time to help!
Bill Cooper President, Downtown Real Estate Association Treasurer, Pershing Square Park Advisory Board REALTOR, Keller Williams Realty DTLA 310.721.2455
P.S. Please forward this to others who may be interested in helping us.
Historic Core | For Sale | For Lease
