Planning Comission Approves New Pedestrian Plan for Downtown

The Planned New Genesis Apartments Will Comply with New Proposed Pedestrian Standards

The LA Downtown News reports that Downtown Los Angeles will be getting a major pedestrian makeover.  Last week, the Planning Commission approved changes to developers requirements that will bring wide, tree-lined sidewalks, landscaped courtyards, more streetlights and other pedestrian amenities to Downtown Los Angeles.

The Downtown News explains how many of the new amenities will be paid for by developers who are looking to densify and “build-up” the downtown:

The plan is twofold: The Urban Design Standards and Guidelines address
sidewalks and buildings, establishing standards for sustainable design,
setbacks, architectural detail and other elements, while the Downtown
Street Standards would update the area’s street classifications to
better balance car, pedestrian and bicycle traffic and other uses.

The
guidelines would apply to new developments in an approximately
2.8-square-mile area roughly bounded by the 101, 10 and 110 freeways to
the north, south and west, and the Fashion District to the east.

The guidelines still need approval from the City Council and Mayor’s office.  The council is scheduled to vote on them in March.

Image: Killefer Flammang Architechts