As the population of Downtown Los Angeles has grown dramatically over the last decade, the need for park space to serve that population has grown along with it. A new pocket park being built along Spring Street helps meet that need.
As redevelopment investment has flowed into downtown Los Angeles over the past decade, with the population of the area increasing by 15,000 residents as a result, the need for functional green space has become much more acute. James Brasuell reports on the design and construction of the 0.7-acre lot, sandwiched between historic high rise buildings, that will become the Spring Street Park.
According to Deborah Weintraub, chief engineer of LA's Bureau of Engineering (BoE), which is leading the project, "This park will announce the maturity of the re-population of this area."
"At the northern end of the site, a grassy ellipse is oriented askew to Spring Street, while to the south a plaza with permeable pavement anchors the L-shaped parcel. Benches and walls are strategically placed among the park's overlapping, curved surfaces, creating zones that will allow visitors to 'be a part of a large public space while still having a private and intimate experience,' according to Michael Lehrer, founder and principal of Lehrer Architects LA," writes Brasuell.
The park is expected to open in fall of 2013.
FULL STORY: Green Carpet

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

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie