More news about cut-through traffic: Life on West Hollywood's Greenacre Avenue can be an exercise in frustration, writes Michael Poles in an op-ed in the WeHo News. The dead-end street—which runs north from Santa Monica Boulevard, about five blocks west of La Brea—is frequently seen as a cut-through to Fountain, which leads to racing cars and screeching tires when drivers abruptly reach the end of the cul de sac (two huge reflective signs warning drivers about the dead-end are often ignored). On August 12, there was an accident—one of many—and a neighborhood dog was just killed by a speeding truck. Poles calls for additional police presence, more signage, and possibly turning the once-idyllic street into a gated community. [WeHo News]
There's a lot of chatter lately about bringing streetcars back to Downtown LA, specifically a Broadway line that would connect LA Live to Disney Hall. A recent New York Times article proves streetcar-envy is widespread, mainly thanks to Portland's successful model which rehabbed an entire neighborhood and sent property values through the roof. Now, an editorial in the Pasadena Star-News says bringing the old red and yellow cars to the 'Dena would make the prosperous burg even more so. Calling for an L-shaped route from Old Pas before turning south on Lake, the article says these mini-transit lines can go up quickly, get people out of the car and into stores, and make urban living more livable.
· Streetcars? Again? [Pasadena Star-News]
· Streetcar possibilities have Downtowners fired up [Curbed LA]
A reader with a new job and a semi-fearless heart is looking for some bicycling tips from the alternative-transportation bike-aficionados found trolling this site. Get ready for some misdirected motorist anger and righteous indignation from our bicylists in the comments. "I live near Laurel Canyon and recently started a new job on Wilshire in mid-city and was thinking I might attempt to bike the commute. It's pretty much downhill all the way there - just give me a push and I barely have to pedal. But its been awhile since I rode a bike in a city, and never in Los Angeles, so I'd love some tips - what's legal and illegal? What are the best streets to bike down (north/south) with less motorist traffic but still have lights on major intersections? How do I avoid the ire of motorist who want to throw water and curse at me? Also, I read this article in the New York Times this weekend and it said it's legal to ride on sidewalks in LA "unless [I] exhibit 'willful' or 'wanton' behavior." What the hell does that mean? I can't ride to work topless?
· Ask Curbed: Can I Park My Smart Car Sideways? [Curbed LA]
The folks behind California's planned high-speed train—which would travel between Downtown's Union Station and San Francisco in under two and a half hours—are, via email blasts, hitting up folks for money. We're not talking about the $10 billion bond measure that will be on your November ballot, but a few bucks now to help convince other people to vote for the sexy beast. Here's their pitch: almost a half-million new jobs once the train's completed in a decade, increased tourism, increased commerce, and faster movement of people, goods, and services.
· New site for high-speed train [Curbed LA]
High gas prices and choking congestion have finally gotten to one reader, who is considering the itty-bitty, adorably wee Smart car. But wait - just how easy is it to park the maximally mini car (just 9 feet end to end): "I'm thinking of buying a Smart car, and am wondering exactly what the parking rules are for LA? I know parking in the wrong direction on a street will get you a ticket, but what about perpendicularly to the curb? If the car end to end is smaller than the width of an Escalade or Hummer, will I still get a ticket if I park it bumper-to-curb?" [Image by flickr user Sam Felder]
· Ask Curbed: How Can I Find Commercial Foreclosures? [Curbed LA]
Saturday, Damien Goodmon, parents and students turned out to protest the Expo Line and the "environmental racism" they see in having the trains pass at surface level crossings adjacent to two local schools. Once again the rallying cry revolved around "the children," who will likely be mowed over by the trains as they pass by. Think of the children! Via KTLA:
"To have a street level grade train coming through here with the number of people that come through this community is a dangerous situation. It should be re-thought," said resident George McKenna.
The best posts usually originate in our comments. To give appreciation to our amazing (and sometimes angry) commenters we feature their broad strokes of wisdom in a tidy comment roundup.
1) Subway Dreams Back On: Supervisor Changes Vote "Saying that the Subway to the Sea will only benefit a handful of wealthy westsiders is moronic rhetoric. This is the same line of thinking that brought us such winners as 'Then the terrorists have already won.' Millions of people who do not live on the westside--who CANNOT AFFORD to live on the westside--are spending a lot of time and money sitting in traffic and on long bus rides trying to get to their jobs on the Westside. This subway is for them and for all of us. Sadly, most of the westside douchebags won't actually ride the thing and I don't even care, the ridership will still be off the charts."
2) Improving Sunset Junction: Time For A Jamba Juice? "I've always thought of Sunset Junction (and perhaps Silverlake in general) as the perfect example of a neighborhood that has succeeded in spite of its complete lack of planning. The traffic is loud and fast, the sidewalks are narrow, the street wall is broken up, and there is little shade."
3) Million Dollar Listing Recapped "If you are a guy, an agent is what you do as an alternative to being a waiter while waiting for your big break into the industry. a broker is what you do once you have had a bit speaking part and got a SAG card but never worked in the industry again. If you are a woman, an agent is what you do while trying to snag a rich man so you can get implants and never work again. A broker is what she becomes as a bitter exwife when he trades her in on a younger agent.
After the Board of Supervisors voted down putting a half-cent tax on the November ballot that would fund road and transit projects, including the Subway to the Sea, Supervisor Don Knabe has decided to change his vote from 'no' to 'yes,' effectively altering Tuesday's decision, reports the Los Angeles Times' Steve Hymon. This means, if approved by the State Senate, the transit tax will be on the ballot along with all the other propositions, as opposed to a separate ballot which would have cost taxpayers millions. This is good news for transit-supporters, but the finish line is still miles away. The State Senate must approve the tax (they're currently haggling over what district gets what project) and then 2/3 of the County must vote for it.
· Knabe to change vote [LA Times]
· Subway to Sea Dreams Denied [Curbed LA]
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From the studio lots to the downtown lofts. From the beachfront bungalows to the canyon views. From the south bay to the valley, from the westside to the eastside—Curbed LA covers our sense of place, and the neighborhoods we call home. Read more about Curbed LA...
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