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After seven years of meticulous planning and design contests, the eagerly awaited makeover of Pershing Square, a central gem in Downtown Los Angeles, is finally taking its first strides towards transformation.
Agroundbreaking ceremony held recently marked the commencement of a multimillion dollar revitalization project, primarily focusing on the park’s western perimeter, adjacent to Olive Street, right across from the iconic Biltmore Hotel.
This initial phase of the renovation project will cost $21.6 million and is expected to be completed in Fall 2024. It will involve demolishing the existing cafe structure, which obstructs the view of the park from Olive Street.
The plan includes the creation of a new street-level entry plaza and the installation of two glass elevators to provide access to the underground parking garage beneath the park.
The roots of this project trace back to a public design competition held in 2015, where the city selected a winning concept known as “Radical Flatness.” The vision aimed to open up the park creating a more inviting public space.
Initially estimated at over $110 million, the project has adopted a phased approach due to cost concerns, avoiding alterations to the garage.
The current work on Olive Street, recognized as Phase 1A, is led by Gruen Associates as the architect of record. Phase 1B will follow, focusing on similar upgrades to enhance the park’s edges facing 5th and 6th Streets, estimated at a cost of $16.5 million.
The second phase will extend these improvements to the Hill Street side, further increasing accessibility and engagement. Lastly, the third phase will tackle enhancements to the central area of the park.
Pershing Square boasts a rich history dating back to the 19th century, with original designs by city engineer Fred Eaton and later, a Beaux Arts design by architect John Parkinson in the early 20th century.
The park’s current appearance was established in the early 1990s by architect Ricardo Legorreta, featuring stylized earthquake fault references and nods to the city’s aqueducts. However, it has faced criticism for its labyrinthine walls, which have isolated the park from its surroundings.
While the park’s appearance will evolve, its role as a beloved public open space will persist. Downtown Los Angeles, which has one of the lowest park-per-resident ratios in the city, eagerly anticipates these improvements.
Currently ranking 78th in the nation for park access and amenities, the city aims to bolster its green spaces, providing residents with more opportunities for outdoor leisure.
With improved accessibility and aesthetics, this iconic park is poised to become an even more vibrant centerpiece of our urban landscape. @pershingsquare
The city is abuzz with the sensational return of LA Times Food Bowl events. This year, once again, DTLA is sending in our culinary champions to add to the flair, promising to make this year’s tasty event even more delectable than the last.
Sponsored by Singapore Airlines, the Aster Lemon Grove in Hollywood hosted this year’s Annual Launch Party on September 6 at the Aster in Hollywood, leading the way to a full month of culinary appetizing events.
Hold on to your forks, thousands of food enthusiasts are expected to fill Paramount Pictures Studios Backlot September 22, 23 & 24 for the ultimate foodie adventure – LA Food Bowl Night Market. This isn’t your grandma’s food festival; it’s the full-blown food frenzy that changed the game for crowded, small-bite tasting events, everywhere.
Bring your good teeth, you’re gonna need em’ LA Food Bowl offers unlimited tastings from more than 120 restaurants per session, live cooking demonstrations from world-renowned chefs and culinary personalities, DJs and more.
Turning up the heat with a flavor-filled
“Fiesta Friday” at the Night Market serves up a celebration combining the flavors of Mexico, with the Caribbean and beyond. “Fiesta Friday” September 22nd at 8 p.m.
The all-inclusive celebration of L.A.’s Latin American flavors will feature restaurants, cocktails and more from Mexico, the Caribbean and beyond, with cooking demonstrations from Bricia Lopez (Guelaguetza) and Danny Trejo (Trejo’s Tacos). Friday’s event is strictly for ages 21 and up.
Other downtown LA participants will include Chichén Itzá, LA Cha Cha Chá, Tacos 1986, and Grand Central Market’s Broad Street Oyster Co.
“Saturday Night Flavor” September. 23rd starts at 7pm with more dancing alongside global cuisine that reflects quintessential L.A.
Saturday will feature cooking demonstrations from Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn (Le Du, Bangkok), Justin Pichetrungsi (Anajak Thai), among others.
Downtown participant Girl & the Goat makes a switch to Chef Izard’s second DTLA hotspot, Cabra joined by Salt & Straw, Camphor, Holy Basil and the return of Kato. Other participants include Caviar Kaspia, Chao Krung Thai & Tuk Tuk Thai, Chimmelier, Dulanville Food Truck, and Farmhouse Kitchen among others.
This gigantic weekend of taste bud tours will end mid-afternoon on September 24th with LA Food Bowl’s, “Backlot Brunch” From fingerlicking barbecue to burger dreams, presenters will include cooking demonstrations from Tiffani Thiessen (“Here We Go Again: Recipes and Inspiration to Level Up Your Leftovers”), Timothy Hollingsworth (Otium) and Marcus Samuelsson (Red Rooster, Hav & Mar).
Participating restaurants include downtown’s Prime Pizza, Tulsi Indian Eatery, and De La Nonna among others.
With smaller yet just as extravagant tasting events throughout the month, LA Times serves up more scrumptious plates, from Los Angeles with LA Food Bowl’s Outstanding in the Field Dinner Series, Sept. 3, 8 & 16.
Each event will feature multi-course meals from local chefs while exploring a different element of Southern California’s storied past. The series will take place at iconic locations in Los Angeles and the Central Coast, including Wattles Farm in Hollywood (Sept. 3), the Malibu Pier (Sept. 8) and Coleman Family Farms in Carpinteria (Sept. 16).
Echo Park, represent!
Gold Award Dinner honoring Echo Park’s Park’s BBQ, is happening September 12th.
This sold out soirée in honor of this year’s Gold Award honoree, Park’s BBQ, selected by The Times Food editorial team, Food Bowl will present a ceremony and dinner hosted by Times Food General Manager Laurie Ochoa and chef Jenee Kim. The event will feature passed appetizers and drinks as well as a family-style Korean barbecue dinner highlighting Park’s BBQ’s most iconic dishes.
And for dessert!!
LA Times Restaurant of the Year Award Dinner.
The ticketed event, hosted by Times Food General Manager Laurie Ochoa and Holbox chef Gilberto Cetina, Restaurant of the Year Honorees are chosen by Times Restaurant Critic Bill Addison. The dinner will feature curated dishes highlighting Holbox’s Yucatanstyle seafood specialities, including passed appetizers and welcome drinks followed by a five-course tasting menu. @lafoodbowl
Presented by DTLA Weekly, this annual celebration of local cafes and baristas promises to awaken your senses and bring a fresh new burst of flavor to the city.
From September 23rd through September 30th, DTLA Coffee Week invites coffee enthusiasts and community members to support and acknowledge the incredible cafes that grace Downtown LA.
This year, DTLA Coffee Week features the “Vote for Greatest Cafe in DTLA”.
ONLINE POLLS ARE OPEN with live, real time up to the minute results available to the public beginning Sept. 23rd.
Participation in DTLA Coffee Week is open to all cafes and their patrons in the area including Echo Park, EXPO/USC and Boyle Heights.
To take part, cafes should offer a special during the week, invite influential community members to enjoy and encourage voting.
@dtlaweekly #dtlacoffeeweek
DTLA Coffee Week is more than just a celebration of coffee; it’s a communitybuilding event. It’s a chance to support local businesses, and create connections.
Cafes will vie for this prestigious title, and the cafe with the highest votes across all categories will emerge as the victor.
As DTLA Coffee Week approaches, it’s already generating excitement and buzz throughout the community. DTLA COFFEE WEEK, is more than a local tradition; it’s a citywide celebration.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of Downtown LA’s sweetest victory and help your favorite cafe win the title of
“THE GREATEST CAFE IN DOWNTOWN.”
dtla coffee week is back Get ready to indulge in the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and experience the vibrant cafe culture of Downtown Los Angeles because DTLA Coffee Week is back, and it’s poised to be bigger and better than ever!
On the last Friday of each month, for a single day, anyone, not just those in the fashion industry, can access these dazzling contemporary showrooms as part of LA Fashion District designers and their collaborative effort.
The streets of downtown LA are where every garment's journey begins, from the racks of Macy's to the racks of the corner boutiques. Here, styles are born, trends are set, and fashion finds its voice.
The Intersection of 9th and Los Angeles Streets – is the epicenter of it all, within California Market Center, Cooper Design Space, The Gerry Building, Lady Liberty Building, and New Mart all located within a stitch of one another.
Within these buildings are hives of Downtown's top and mid-level designers taking up shop to create and present their latest designs. Here, you’ll find the origins of garments found in major apparel outlets and magazines like Cosmo, Teen, Vogue, and Elle.
Although designers usually prefer private and more intimate affairs with prominent buyers in the industry, where hundreds, sometimes thousands, of items can be requested for major clothing outlets across the globe, sometimes, getting a design just right takes multiple garments that will never reach the shelves. So for years, these top designers of these buildings have used the allure of Downtown to curate a monthly sample sale, magnetically pulling in discount shoppers and fashion enthusiasts from far and wide.
These sample sales also serve various purposes, from clearing out clothing items used as samples for vendors, manufacturers, or models to including large sales meant to rid a store of overstock and leftovers from previous seasons. In the case of Downtown's monthly sample sale event, merchandise can be priced to move, with 50%-80% off.
Yet, it's not only about shopping; it's about experiencing the very fabric of the LA Fashion District and getting a personal introduction to the designers themselves.
These monthly fashion extravaganzas unfold on the last Friday of every month, starting at 9 AM and winding down at 3 PM. so they can be easy to miss and fill quickly mid-day, with hordes of shoppers ready to celebrate the discounts and of course, the style, culture, and the soul of the LA Fashion District!
@lafashiondistrict
The LA Fashion District isn't just an area; it's a fashion mecca of unparalleled proportions. It proudly holds the title of the largest designated area in the world for manufacturing and sales. It's a cashmere blend of creativity and commerce, where designer dreams come true.PHOTO COURTESY: Cooper Design Center
Alfaro was most recently the associate artistic director of Center Theatre Group at the Music Center
Yet another vibrant lineup of world-class concerts has DTLA gearing up for a weekend of legendary musical performers. From concerts in historic places to enormous outdoor stages, downtown’s bringing musical performances that will rock the world!
Blueface at The Historic Globe Theater, Friday, September 22nd
In a music industry where rising stars are a dime a dozen, Blueface is shining brighter than mostthanks to his West Coast rapper talents, style and swagger that’s become almost impossible to ignore. His hit track “Thotiana” sent shockwaves through the industry, but it was his unexpected collaborations that truly propelled him to stardom. The “Thotiana” remix featuring YG was initially touted as the showstopper, but then
came the remix with none other than Cardi B, and it eclipsed all expectations. Blueface’s unique flow and unapologetic lyrics have garnered attention from fans world-wide, making him a formidable force in hip-hop.
Eric Clapton at Crypto Arena, Saturday, September 23rd, Sunday, September 24th
Prepare for a legendary night as Grammy Award Winner and Music Hall of Famer, Eric Clapton, performs at Crypto Arena on September 23. This guitar virtuoso and master of classic rock guitar and blues is set to take you on a musical journey like no other. Clapton’s legendary talent echoes with timeless classics “Layla” and “White Room,” and continue to resonate across generations.
Fatboy Slim at Pershing Square, Friday, Sept 23rd.
Norman Quentin Cook, better known as Fatboy Slim, played a pivotal role in popularizing the electronic scene in the 1990s. Count on Fat Boy Slim to pack Pershing Square’s summer festival series as he continues to make waves in music with projects like Freak Power, Pizzaman, and the Mighty Dub Katz.
When a stranger stumbles in with a gunshot wound, he is nursed by the brothers of the 936-year-old Carthusian Order — even as the Archdiocese is cutting financial support, casting a shadow. Funny and heartfelt, filled with ritual and absurd touches, The Travelers explores the brothers’ struggles against poverty and the complexities of human connection.
A Chicano playwright born and raised in L.A., Alfaro is the son of farm workers from the San Joaquin Valley.
and is currently an associate professor at the University of Southern California.
Demonstrated expertise and exceptional creativity in their respective fields, his plays include Electricidad, Oedipus El Rey, and Mojada and have all been seen at regional theaters throughout the United States and Europe. Luis spent two decades in the Los Angeles poetry and performance art communities.
The Los Angeles Theatre Center is located at 514 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90013.
@latinotheaterco
Humorous and poignant, The Travelers takes place in a monastery alongside Highway 99 in Grangeville, California, population 496 and home to migrant workers.TRAVELERS BY LUIS ALFARO - COURTESY LATC LUIS ALFARO - COURTESY LATC L-R FAT BOY SLIM - ERIC CLAPTON - BLUEFACE
This week, two tragic incidents have cast a shadow over our community, leaving downtown in a state of sorrow and uncertainty.
The deaths of two women, Nichole Coats and Maleesa Mooney, found in their downtown apartments could have investigators stumped so; it’s crucial that we stand together to ensure our safety. Disturbing patterns between the two victims have led many to believe the killer may be the same person.
The first incident unfolded when 32-year-old Nichole Coats, affectionately known as Nikki, was found lifeless inside her apartment on Eighth Street and Grand Avenue on September 10th.
According to her family, Nikki had not been in touch for several days, leading to the grim discovery. Nichole’s father, Guy Edward Coats Jr., shared the heartwrenching moment when he found his daughter alone and deceased. “I touched her arm, and she was just like stone,” he recalled.
Family members revealed that Nikki had gone on a date just two days before, marking her last known contact.
Sharon Coats, Nikki’s mother, expressed the profound pain of losing her daughter. “I miss her so much. She was my only one,” she said. “I’m not gonna ever be able to tell her that I love her or touch her again. It hurts.”
In a deeply unsettling turn of events, another tragedy occurred when 31-yearold Maleesa Mooney was found dead inside her Bunker Hill apartment on September 12, just two days after Nikki’s passing.
Eerily, both lives shared striking similarities: they were models, lived in close proximity, and were of the same age bracket. Yet, although serial killers have been known to target “particular types” of victims, despite these unsettling coincidences, authorities have not confirmed any connection between the two cases.
The Coats family however, strongly believes that these incidents are related, and fear foul play.
May Stevens, one of Nikki’s aunts, voiced her concerns: “I just feel in my heart that there’s some foul play somewhere. Somebody’s not saying something. Somebody’s not talking.”
Isolated incidents or not, Downtown community members have to prioritize safety measures to protect themselves and the community, remain vigilant and be aware of our surroundings.
Using The Buddy System especially during nighttime outings and sharing plans and whereabouts with loved ones, especially when embarking on latenight dates or excursions.
Downtown LA has a dozen groups such as DTLA UNCENSORED, DTLA and BLK DTLA on social media that allow for some-what open communication and community engagement.
The elephant in the room is unless the parties were high tech spies callable if scaling the outside walls, someone saw something, a security camera and guard, perhaps someone where they dated, a neighbor?
As a community beckoning for the outside world to inhabit, we must extend our support to the grieving families, and honor the memories of Nichole Coats and Maleesa Mooney with a solid dedication to community safety and an all out effort to help catch a killer.
CAN DOWNTOWN LA HELP STOP A KILLER?
