Timothy Rutten of the LA Times, writes an opinion about the revitalization of Broadway. A plan heralded by residents, business owners, stakeholders and just about everyone who lives in LA. His piece is:
"L.A.'s 'Blade Runner' plans"
Will we allow the movie's nightmarish view of downtown to come true?
If you consider his opinion, Broadway would remain the same, because changing it would be a nightmare. He proposes preserving the graffiti, broken windows, flashing strobe lights, bacon wrapped sausage cooking on shopping carts, strip clubs, merchandise spilling out on sidewalks, public urination, trash, a desolate evening scape and dilapidated buildings. In my opinion letting the Historic Core of LA fall into such disrepair is the nightmare. Most cities take care of and receive many benefits from the historic and cultural centers.
No one has proposed changing Olvera street because it truly is a gem and represents Los Angeles well. What is currently on Broadway does not. This kind of resistance to progress has currently put in jeopardy the much anticipated Grand Avenue project. With continued harassment by opponents of the project it has been delayed several times now and we have a giant hole in our civic center to show for that.
I don't disagree about the 14 story light show billboard but to call the collective effort of residents, business, and city leaders to revitalize Broadway "a nightmare" is irresponsible.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention, that the beautiful building where they shot the most memorable scenes in Blade Runner is on Broadway called the Bradbury building. It's a good thing it didn't meet with the wrecking ball like so many other historic buildings along the Broadway corridor. By leaving the status quo we only invite more urban flight and the destruction of our collective history.
Z.
