Progress on the South Grand Ave SuperBlock!

After weeks of silence from Councilman Kevin DeLeon’s office on the SPNA’s South Park Superblock concept (which proposes to permanently shut down Grand Avenue between 11th Street and 12th Street and transform the street into a badly needed public park), Christopher Antonelli, Downtown Area Director of Council District 14, has conveyed that Nate Hayward, Los Angeles City traffic specialist, has made the following motion to the Los Angeles City Department of Transportation:

MOTION

Grand Avenue is a thoroughfare in Downtown Los Angeles that extends from the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels all the way down through South Park. While the northern section includes a variety of civic and commercial uses, the portion that extends through South Park runs next to many new residential high rises.

Residents of South Park have approached the city to evaluate the feasibility of closing Grand Avenue between 11th Street and 12th Street to vehicles and creating a pedestrian street that can be actively programmed in order to enhance the livability of the neighborhood.

Due to the existence of driveways and the need to maintain emergency access, an engineering solution has to be developed that will maintain access to residential buildings for residents and first responders while at the same time maximizing the amount of space that can be utilized by the public.

The Department of Transportation should evaluate the feasibility of closing this block and creating a street that will serve the South Park community.

I THEREFORE MOVE that the Department of Transportation be INSTRUCTED to evaluate the feasibility of closing Grand Avenue between 11th Street and 12th Street to vehicular traffic.  

I FURTHER MOVE that the Department of Transportation be INSTRUCTED to include in its analysis how to maintain access to residential driveways and provide uninterrupted access for emergency vehicles.

I FURTHER MOVE that the Department of Transportation be INSTRUCTED to outreach to affected stakeholders including but not limited to South Park businesses and residents, the Los Angeles Fire Department and Los Angeles Police Department, in order to develop a design solution that works for all parties.

I FURTHER MOVE that the Department of Transportation be INSTRUCTED to report back in 90 days with the results of this analysis and next steps on how this project can proceed.

PRESENTED BY:                                                             SECONDED BY:   

______________________                                   _____________________                                        

KEVIN DE LEÓN                                                                    

Councilmember, 14th District   

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We at SPNA view this motion as a big and positive step toward the realization of this community dream for more green space that would enrich our neighborhood. Hopefully we will have more positive news to report on this issue in 90 days.

By John Nilsson