On The Boulevards - LA Times series on LA's streets (Los Angeles: hotel, neighborhoods)

[drunk on kool aid]

Christopher Hawthorne, the Los Angeles Times' architecture critic has been authoring a series of articles under the title of "On The Boulevards." Last Saturday, March 23, he presented the sixth in the series, about the history and future of Wilshire Blvd.

Wilshire Boulevard, a Main Street that stands apart - LA Times

I really wanted to cross-post to the Urban Planning forum but since that is verboten, I decided that the LA forum is more directly appropriate. There is some very interesting history of Wilshire and the primary thesis is that the Boulevard has been a petri dish for all sorts of new ideas such as the linear vs centralized downtown.

The series is very interesting but Hawthorne doesn't seem to like LA as LA; he sounds like someone who is drooling to see LA turn into SF or an east coast city (hmm, I see some compatriots in this forum). And for him, the eradication of every drive-thru, auto dealer, repair shop and parking lot can't come soon enough.

I nominate for future inclusion in the series: Central Ave., Broadway, Figueroa, Western, Pico.

While on the topic of roads, LA recently became the first city to achieve synchronization of all its traffic lights. Anyone notice a difference?


Here are direct links to the others in the series:

Los Angeles Times - On The Boulevards

May 13, 2012: Atlantic on the move
July 14, 2012: For Sunset, a new dawn
Sept 15, 2012: Crenshaw Boulevard comes to a crossroads
Nov. 24, 2012: On Harbor Boulevard, a pretense of business as usual
Dec., 22 2012: Lankershim Boulevard rides to prominence in the Valley

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by drunk on kool aid

Christopher Hawthorne, the Los Angeles Times' architecture critic has been authoring a series of articles under the title of "On The Boulevards." Last Saturday, March 23, he presented the sixth in the series, about the history and future of Wilshire Blvd.

Wilshire Boulevard, a Main Street that stands apart - LA Times

I really wanted to cross-post to the Urban Planning forum but since that is verboten, I decided that the LA forum is more directly appropriate. There is some very interesting history of Wilshire and the primary thesis is that the Boulevard has been a petri dish for all sorts of new ideas such as the linear vs centralized downtown.

The series is very interesting but Hawthorne doesn't seem to like LA as LA; he sounds like someone who is drooling to see LA turn into SF or an east coast city (hmm, I see some compatriots in this forum). And for him, the eradication of every drive-thru, auto dealer, repair shop and parking lot can't come soon enough.

I nominate for future inclusion in the series: Central Ave., Broadway, Figueroa, Western, Pico.

While on the topic of roads, LA recently became the first city to achieve synchronization of all its traffic lights. Anyone notice a difference?


Here are direct links to the others in the series:

Los Angeles Times - On The Boulevards

May 13, 2012: Atlantic on the move
July 14, 2012: For Sunset, a new dawn
Sept 15, 2012: Crenshaw Boulevard comes to a crossroads
Nov. 24, 2012: On Harbor Boulevard, a pretense of business as usual
Dec., 22 2012: Lankershim Boulevard rides to prominence in the Valley

thanks, being I have been gone for so many years, but born and raised in L. A. when I have time I will certainly read each one of the series.

Nita

[munchitup]

It's a definitely a cool series, glad to see a new one is up finally.

I find myself both agreeing and disagreeing with Chris Hawthorne all the time. I think in general he should stick to architecture criticism and not land-use / urban planning - he had an article in the LA Times recently talking about LA's transportation future and he had no idea what he was talking about (i.e. prioritizing an underground LAX train station over more important regional projects).

[1200RT]

Very cool, I seem to have missed this series. Thanks for sharing.


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[Mr. Opinionated]

I was also born, raised in Los Angeles and will never wish it emulated anything but itself. I am on my way to reading all of the series as I am very proud of what this thread has presented, contrary to the obsessive/compulsive nature of transportation planning here where I live.

[silverkris]

This is a great series - I read it, and it's interesting to see where there is a street life in various neighborhoods if you look for it - other than seeing it from the window of an automobile.

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by drunk on kool aid

Christopher Hawthorne, the Los Angeles Times' architecture critic has been authoring a series of articles under the title of "On The Boulevards." Last Saturday, March 23, he presented the sixth in the series, about the history and future of Wilshire Blvd.

I loved reading this. I worked on Wilshire Blvd in the early 1980s, as so much of it was changing, when Bullocks Wilshire and the Ambassador Hotel were still there. A fascinating, beautiful area. I'd also like to see him cover Figueroa Street.