Co-Sponsored by the Office of the Mayor, City of Los Angeles and Of the American Institute of Architects Los Angeles Chapter May 31-June 3,1990 mSSSSSSSSm ii^AMD&GN- wBSkswop &Ma RE Co-Sponsored by the Office of the Mayor, City of Los Angeles and the American Institute of Architects Los Angeles Chapter May 31-June 3,1990 LETTIEE OF TEAMSMHTTAL June 7,1990 TO: Hon. Henry Waxman Hon. David Roberti Hon. Burt Margolin Supervisor Ed Edelman Hon. Al Alexander Hon. Tom Bradley Hon. Abbe Land Councilman John Ferraro Councilman Nate Holden Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky Members of the City Planning Commission Recreation and Parks Commission Cultural Affairs Commission Library Commission Social Service Commission Transportation Commission Board of Public Works Director of Planning General Managers of the Recreation and Parks Department Cultural Affairs Department Library Department Department of Transportation Department of Aging City Engineer, Bureau of Engineering Street Tree Supervisor, Street Tree Division Director, Bureau of Street Lighting Mayor's Westside Coordinator Board of Education, LAUSD Los Angeles County Transportation Commission Los Angeles County Department of Parks & Recreation Los Angeles County Museum of Art Los County Museum of Natural History South Coast Air Quality Management District Southern California Association of Governments Southern California Rapid Transit District Neighborhood, Merchant Social Service & Civic Associations of the Beverly-Fairfax/Miracle Mile Community Real Estate Development Community of the Beverly-Fairfax/ Miracle Mile area Interested Individuals of the Beverly-Fairfax/Miracle Mile Community Dear Friends : It is our privilege to present this report describing some recommendations for the preservation, enhancement and selective intensification of the Beverly- Fairfax/Miracle Mile Community. Our recommendations have evolved from the input received and conclusions reached during our Urban Design Workshop. The study area we investigated is bounded by San Vicente Boulevard, La Brea Avenue and Melrose Avenue. The team felt the most important contribution we could make to the future of this area was to view our task broadly while making our recommendations as clear and specific as possible. As in the past Los Angeles Design Action Planning Team (LA/DAPT) efforts, the recommendations contained in this document are illustrated by a wide variety of conceptual drawings, graphics and photographs. These representations are intended to provide an insight into the potential benefits that can be realized by a commitment to a series of urban design guidelines structured to improve the quality of life in the neighborhood. The vision described herein is based upon several elemental principles: recognize the unique character of the area; recognize the area's concentration of the elderly; create greater open space; minimize traffic impacts of new development; coordinate planning efforts; and increase housing opportunities at all income levels. Over the past four days the professional team, supported by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the Office of the Mayor and assisted by numerous volunteers, technical advisors, business and property owners and residents of the Beverly-Fairfax/Miracle Mile community has worked diligently to clarify and develop ideas and recommendations that are both practical and inspirational. It is our hope that this document will both spark new interest in the urban possibilities for the future and provide a framework for the evaluation of proposed changes already in the pipeline. Sincexelu, I „.-<5k The Beverly-Fairfax/Miracle Mile Urban Design Workshop Team TABLE OF CONTENTS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION: THEFROCESS 2 II. SUMMARY- NOT'AVATLABLE'FOR FIRST'PRINTING 6 III. THE PLACE AND ITS PEOPLE 8 A. A CONSTELLATION OF URBAN NEIGHBORHOODS B. PLACES FOR ELDERS C. ETHNIC IDENTITY AND FAMILIES D. A PLACE OF REGIONAL SIGNIFICANCE IV. FORCES OF CHANGE 20 A. REGIONAL PRESSURE TO GROW B. DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES C. INCREASINGLY CONGESTED TRAFFIC D. THE COST AND TYPE OF HOUSING E. TOURISTS AND SHOPPERS V. GUIDING CHANGE A VISION FOR THE FUTURE 28 A. PLACES FOR PEOPLE-PRESERVING LIABILITY 1. Supporting the Elderly 2. Increasing the Amount and Type of Affordable Housing 3. Conserving Residential Neighborhood Character and Identity 4. Improving Circulation and Parking 5. Increasing Neighborhood Retail and Services 6. Creating a Parks, Landscape and Streetscape System 7. Preserving Historic Landmarks and Symbols B. A SENSE OF PLACE-SPECIAL STREETS AND PLACES 1. Wilshtre (Miracle Mile) 2. Fairfax Avenue, the Farmer's Market Site and Beverly Boulevard 3. Park La Brea 4. Melrose Avenue 5. La Brea Avenue VI. NEXT STEPS 97 APPENDIX 99 1. ANALYTICAL DIAGRAMS OF EXISTING CONDITIONS 2. BEVERLY-FAIRFAX / MIRACLE MILE WORKSHOP TEAM 3. INTERVIEW PARTICIPANTS 4. CREDITS 5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I. ERRATA BEVERLY-FAIRFAX/MIRACLE MILE p. 82 Farmer's Market Site URBAN DESIGN WORKSHOP Recommendations (right TEAM REPORT column, third item) June 8,1990 Text should state, "New retail space should not exceed a total of Corrected text is shown in italics. 200,000 square feet, should be directed toward tourist, p. 33 Illustrative Plan subregional or neighborhood- (foldout, label on drawing) serving markets and should include not more than one major Wilshire Boulevard is mislabeled department store." as Melrose. The intent of this item is that the p. 39 affordable housing (at top of page) 200,000 square-foot limit be inclusive of all new retail uses on Text should state, "...one the site, except the existing permanently affordable housing Farmer's Market. If a department unit be built or preserved in the store were sited there, it would be neighborhood for every five new part of the 200,000 square feet, and multi-family housing units built would likely be a junior store (20%)." rather than a full-sized major. p. 72 Miracle Mile District p. 92 Park La Brea Parcel D Recommendations (sixth line) May Company Site (left column, eighth line) Text should state, "Wilshire Courtyard is one such case." Text should state, "...developer shall be allowed to construct 6:1 p. 76 Streetscape for Fairfax Avenue FAR times the commercially Recommendations (at bottom of zoned portion of the site. page) Commercial office space is acceptable on the site, as is the Text should state, "A few on- hotel use, at 400,000 square feet street parking spaces are removed (500 rooms)." adjacent to crosswalks (and will be replaced by off-street parking), The intent of this item is that the making way for sidewalk 6:1 FAR apply to all uses at the widening at pedestrian street site, such as office, hotel or retail, crossings and provision of bus exempting only uses within the pullouts." existing May Company building. IA. I SS$SSS$533ttf88SS8S^^ Raymond Gaio, AIA President American Institute of Architects, Los Angeles Chapter The Honorable Tom Bradley Mayor City of Los Angeles ^. I. INTRODUCTION * i A STATEMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR AND THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS/LOS ANGELES CHAPTER The mission of the Beverly- the American Institute of Architects/Los Fairfax/Miracle Mile Urban Design Angeles Chapter. It is part of AIA/LA's Workshop is to objectively evaluate the Neighborhood Assistance Team area's development issues and urban program. The Workshop parallels the design opportunities, and to City Planning Department's successful recommend to city decision-makers Los Angeles Design Action Planning principles and actions to realize the Team workshops (LA/DAPT). area's potential. The Workshop was undertaken on a The study area is defined by San Vicente pro bono basis by a multi-disciplinary Boulevard, and La Brea and Melrose team selected to provide a full range of Avenues. It's unique and vibrant expertise in the social, economic, and tradition of community life is seriously design issues affecting the study area. challenged by the need to accommodate Key team members do not now nor are pressures of regional growth. Beverly- they allowed to work or represent any Fairfax/Miracle Mile is a mixed-use vested interest in the area for a period of urban center with a balance of housing, one year after the completion of the jobs, and cultural and recreational Workshop. facilities. A number of proposed development projects are raising public The Workshop was an intensive four awareness and concern. It is of great day process held between Thursday, May concern that the cumulative effects of 31 and Sunday, June 3,1990. During the the proposed projects be clearly first two days the team interviewed over understood, and that what is finally 200 people including residents, approved benefits the community and community groups, merchants, owners, adds up to something of greater value developers and their consultants, than just the sum of the individual representatives from social, cultural and parts. religious organizations, elected officials and government agency representatives, The Workshop is a variation of the among others. During the final two highly successful regional/urban design days and evenings the team members assistance teams (R/UDAT) developed developed recommendations and by the AIA, and is based upon the produced this final report which will be principles of full participation by all presented to the public and the City interested parties, an open public Planning Commission within three process, and the freedom to put forth days of the conclusion of the Workshop. professional recommendations. The workshop is co-sponsored by the Office of the Mayor, City of Los Angeles and i • IB II I 18 •1 n 11 Summary not available for first printing. b. II 7. II. SUMMARY Our conclusions to preserve, enhance Create "protective zones" where older and selectively intensify the Beverly- persons live or shop: Fairfax/ Miracle Mile are, outlined below, are presented in Section V. • Outdoor seating and pocket parks. Our analysis of the place and its people, Improve pedestrian safety: presented in Section HI and shown on the pullout Page 32 "Urban Design Promote age integration.