click tab for "Uncommon
Ground" paper
May 17, 2003
Dear Angeleno's:
On Sunday, March 23, LARABA (Los Angeles
River Artists and Business Association) sponsored an all
day urban planning charette for stakeholders in the Downtown
Arts District. Over 30 residents, developers and planners
attended the Downtown Playhouse location in an event designed
by Dr. Kevin Seymour and the board of LARABA. This report
outlines the history, process and results of that workshop.
We came close to archiving consensus on
most matters, with the boundaries of the district being
defined as First Street to Seventh Street and Alameda
Ave. to the Los Angeles River. It was surprising that
we all evolved into common ground by stressing the need
to maintain the historical architectural heritage of a
turn of the century village that is both pedestrian friendly,
with needed additions to greenery, street trees and park
space, while protecting the long term art residents from
gentrification and displacement. We all agreed we want
access to the LA River, with better tie-ins to public
transit, primarily the DASH bus system.
We imagined an urban neighborhood of artist-in-residence
(A.I.R) buildings that reach a critical mass of population
density, to attract new commercial services, galleries,
theaters and restaurants. We need a community art center
with gallery and theater space. We saw the need for additional
parking by adding parallel parking to streetscapes along
with street trees and urban planting. We imagine this
neighborhood reaching to achieve its potential for creative
urban living options that retain Artists while attracting
new neighbors.
I would synopsize the day by giving LARABA
a direction, an action plan that includes striving for
river access, greening, park space, transit options and
parking, while retaining the pedestrian charm and scale.
Ultimately, maintaining the neighborhood as an artistic
incubator, a resource to the city of Los Angeles, is our
goal.
Please feel free to download this report
for your information, as to where we, the long term resident
Artists, wish to see our neighborhood go.
Thanks,
Tim Keating, President, LARABA
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