A Running List of recent annoying developments in LA and surrounding areas (Santa Monica: real estate, tenants)

[LArenter]

I thought it would be interesting to list a few annoying things going on recently in LA and perhaps provide any tips on how to avoid them - Everyone please share your disgruntled thoughts -- I'll start:

1. The new increased fees in parking meters, especially in areas like the Garment/Art District - I understand that parking rates have not been increased since the 90's and the increased rates will encourage less driving; but really, $3-$4 an hour to park in the garment district? I'm pretty sure the demographics shopping in the area already take the bus, but you are hurting not only the usual patrons, but also the store owners with the decrease in customers. I noticed this while eating at Coles (Phillipes is still better IMO).

2. California's Proposed Tax Refunds/IOU - Will the state let me defer my tax payments to them as well? We can call it even.

3. LA Live parking - Why would I pay $25 for parking to eat at ESPN Zone?

4. ...

[KnoxTown]

Whatever is going on on Alvarado... this one lane bs is not helping the traffic down there.

[greggd]

The streets are literally cracking and breaking apart all over the city.

All the pothole repairs have washed away and they are now worse than ever.
The mayor's pothole repair program is a total waste of money due to the inferior methods they use to make the repairs.

405 Frwy expansion. Are they working on this anymore?

405 Frwy/Culver Blvd on ramp. Taking their time to get that open again.

Several years ago they lifted the section of the 405 where it passes over Santa Monica blvd and Ohio. I was hoping they would lower this tabletop as it is a problem at higher speeds.

[BRinSM]

i guess this is more of an aesthetic than anything else, but near my office in century city there are a few giant plots of land that are just fenced off. behind the fences are big dirt lots. you'd think that someone would somehow be able to find some kind of use for this prime real estate, but instead it just sits empty and appears that it will stay this way for the foreseeable future.

[hsw]

LA is mecca for car nuts; has CA's 10% income tax; and many wealthy taxpayers who already feel over-taxed vs peers in Chicago or NYC's CT suburbs

Need to invest bucks to have smoothly-paved fwys and streets, esp in areas where economy is based....can let poor, non-tax-paying areas deteriorate, but not areas where taxpayers live/work/play

Bucks exist; need to be directed to benefit of taxpayers....not toward homeless and welfare recipients, who should be encouraged to leave CA

BTW, visit SF to realize what is a truly poorly-run city....for all its flaws, LA roads, police, parking are far better, more efficiently maintained than the socialist tourist town up North....if not for SiliconValley, City of SF would be about as irrelevant to CA as is SD.....

[AnUnidentifiedMale]

Originally Posted by hsw

if not for SiliconValley, City of SF would be about as irrelevant to CA as is SD.....

Wow. Myopic.

[greggd]

Originally Posted by BRinSM

i guess this is more of an aesthetic than anything else, but near my office in century city there are a few giant plots of land that are just fenced off. behind the fences are big dirt lots. you'd think that someone would somehow be able to find some kind of use for this prime real estate, but instead it just sits empty and appears that it will stay this way for the foreseeable future.

The lot off of santa monica next to Topa is going to be a hi-rise residential building. I think it is still in the approval stage with planning and development.

[greggd]

Originally Posted by hsw

Need to invest bucks to have smoothly-paved fwys and streets, esp in areas where economy is based....can let poor, non-tax-paying areas deteriorate, but not areas where taxpayers live/work/play

Bucks exist; need to be directed to benefit of taxpayers....not toward homeless and welfare recipients, who should be encouraged to leave CA

I agree. We seem to have paving contractors that either do a very poor job or use inferior material or both.

The last re-pave of sunset blvd west of the 405 frwy is sinking and riddled with major sections of potholes. The asphalt seems to be melting away. Standards used look like they support the weight and usage of golf carts at a country club rather than large trucks, suv's and other heavy passenger vehicles.

[SurekRZA]

This tread is would only be found in City-Data.

[slough]

Westwood Village has been turning into an eyesore for many years now. This is unacceptable. Long strings of empty storefronts, 100 cellular stores, empty lots. It should be a special place, but it's not.

1) Lower rents on store tenants
2) Choose the right tenants/stop caving in to "community interests" which only keep the village a non-attraction
3) Clean the sidewalks
4) Restore a sense of place and history

It's not difficult to do, and I have a feeling #2) is the reason it's not happening.