landscapelifescape: A massive proposal is on the...

A massive proposal is on the table to create a half mile-long urban park above a section of Highway 101 in downtown Los Angeles. Dubbed Park 101, the proposal would create a roof and park over the 101, which currently cuts a trench through the downtown area and restricts pedestrian access to many important sites in the city. A central downtown park would stitch together the downtown section, increase pedestrian access and invigorate the area. CalTrans is starting to seriously consider the idea — they’re having a community meeting next month to discuss it!

LA Considering Massive Central Park Above Highway 101 | Inhabitat - Green Design Will Save the World

I’ve read about this before and I like it — I like any proposal dealing with green spaces and alternatives to using my car — but I’d like it more if the shops along the park would be zoned for locally-owned businesses ONLY. Or locally-owned with one or two anchor shops for those who absolutely cannot live without a Starbucks.

Otherwise, I fear this will turn into yet another generic SoCal outdoor mall, complete with Gap, Banana, Anthropologie, P.F. Chang’s, etc. Blech!

Let me, humble citizen, propose an alternative: make it like San Francisco’s Ferry Building, or Boston’s Faneuil Hall - full of culinary specialty shops and boutiques. Give us a reason to buy some delicious, well-made food and picnic on the lawn. And maybe put in a small, 4-screen movie theatre like some of the smaller venues in Westwood and Santa Monica.

Please please please, make this an opportunity to give Los Angeles the urban walkable neighborhoods it so desperately needs!