Placemaking Confronts Entertainment Initiative in a Downtown L.A. Alleyway

A quaint downtown L.A. alleyway celebrated for its Old World charm has been cleared of its outdoor dining facilities to ease access to a rehabilitated theater's loading dock. Can an equitable compromise be found?

1 minute read

April 8, 2013, 2:00 PM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


St. Vincent's Court is a California historical landmark, and until recently served as an oasis "from the bustle and roar of Broadway's Jewelry District" in downtown Los Angeles. But a crackdown on outdoor seating, prompted by a complaint from a local theater owner, has spoiled a long-time detente, reports .

"For years, city officials looked the other way as merchants in St. Vincent's Court placed their tables in the street — a violation of the public right of way and a persistent hindrance to trucks trying to reach the Los Angeles Theatre's loading docks at the end of the alley."

But theater owner Shahram Delijani complained to the city when the tables became an obstacle to the historic theater's comeback, which is "critical to Councilman Jose Huizar's initiative to revive Broadway as an entertainment destination."

Norayir Oz, co-owner of the alley's oldest restaurant, "doesn't understand why the community celebrates new parklets jutting into Spring Street as triumphs of urban design, but in St. Vincent's Court, outdoor seating is a nuisance. (His application for permitted seating was rejected.)"

"'It doesn't make sense,' said Oz, who has cut his employees' hours and now washes dishes himself."

Sunday, April 7, 2013 in 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

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

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.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

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.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

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.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

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.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

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.

July 17 - San José Spotlight