Makeover Proposed for Hollywood Boulevard's 'Walk of Fame'

Laura J. Nelson and Priscella Vega report on a proposal to totally makeover Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles—a popular location for tourists and sight to numerous entertainment industry events, like the Academy Awards.

Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch O’Farrell unveiled a 90-page concept Thursday aimed at creating a less gritty, more welcoming atmosphere for the millions of tourists who visit the Walk of Fame each year.

The initial proposal draws inspiration from world-class streets across the world, including the Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris. That could be achieved in Hollywood, too, the plan says, with wider sidewalks, more shade trees, more space for sidewalk dining — and far less space for drivers.

The article also includes the details of the vehicle lanes reduction proposed in the plan:

If approved, the proposal would narrow Hollywood Boulevard to a center turn lane and one travel lane in each direction roughly between La Brea Avenue and Vine Street. The changes would be among the biggest yet for a major street in Los Angeles, where taking space from drivers has sparked outcry.

Eliminating a vehicle travel lane and a parking lane in each direction would create enough space to widen the sidewalks along the Walk of Fame to 25 feet on each side. The city could also add a protected lane for bicyclists and scooters, the proposal said.

As noted in the article, street redesigns that remove vehicles lanes, also known as road diets, have proven controversial and unpopular in Los Angeles. The article provides a lot more information about the outreach effort that will be necessary to effect the proposed changes, and the initials reactions of some of the stakeholders in the area to the idea.