Seattle Looks to L.A. for Lessons on Creating an Entertainment District From Scratch

Although its inward-facing corporate design may be loathed by architects and planners, L.A. Live's success in helping to draw redevelopment and activity to South Park is indisputable. Can its successes be replicated in Seattle?

1 minute read

April 22, 2013, 12:00 PM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


"Investor Chris Hansen’s proposal for a new basketball and hockey arena in Sodo has been highly publicized and debated," writes Lynn Thompson. "Less well-known are his plans to create a smaller, Seattle version of L.A. Live, a complementary district of restaurants and bars adjacent to the arena that would draw sports fans and other visitors and create a destination that won’t be deserted when the home teams are out of town."

"The Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce recently led a delegation of business and political leaders to Los Angeles. Part of their mission was to experience L.A. Live and consider how such a venture might work in Seattle, a city that Chamber President Maud Daudon characterized as 'more REI than L.A. Live.'”

Sunday, April 21, 2013 in The Seattle 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

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