Problems With 'Prestige' Infill Development

Prestige developments may make for good plans, but they are "hell" for surrounding neighborhoods.

1 minute read

August 29, 2005, 9:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"Prestige developments such as the [Los Angeles, Hollywood] Kodak Theatre may create an illusion of grandiose urban renewal, but they are hell on surrounding neighborhoods, inflating traffic pressures and inflicting a variety of hidden costs on local residents and businesses.

...When plans were unveiled for the Grove on 3rd Street, between the Farmers Market and Pan Pacific Park, the artists' renditions showed an idyllic shopping mall on what had been a scruffy baseball field. The impact on traffic was glossed over, and no one seemed to have anticipated the way the high fortress wall on the Grove's southern boundary turns its back on 3rd Street west of Fairfax, robs it of pedestrian life and compounds the bleakness of the parking expanse that serves the aging strip mall across the street."

Thanks to Ashwani Vasishth

Sunday, August 28, 2005 in The Los Angeles Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

3 hours ago - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

May 1, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Bike Commute

The Rippling Effects of Bike-to-Work Subsidies

A European movement to incentivize people to commute by bicycle is changing travel patterns and making mobility more sustainable.

9 minutes ago - Momentum Magazine

Senior couple driving car.

Preparing Transportation Systems for the ‘Silver Tsunami’

More Americans than ever will age beyond their safe ability to drive. How will they meet their mobility needs in a car-centric society?

1 hour ago - Streetsblog USA

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

2 hours ago - Inc.

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.