Also, check out the Downtown Center Business Improvement District’s Twitter feed, an up-to-date resource for bargains, tours and new businesses in Downtown.

the future is twitter

The art show, dubbed “Islands in LA”, features artists from Los Angeles creating original art in real time with the Islands Fold Artist Residency from British Columbia, Canada. Attendees can watch the creative process from 3:00pm to 6:00pm during open studio hours and have Q&A with the artists. The resulting collaborative projects will be displayed at the official exhibit and party from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. That’s art from start to finish in hours!

All original art and handmade artist zines will be for sale starting at $50, and a t-shirt commemorating the event will be available for purchase as well. And to sweeten things up Urth Cafe will be providing coffee and pastries. Yum.

Read more about “Islands in LA” and see an example of a collaborative effort between five different artists at the Poketo Blog.  The event sounds truly unique and not to be missed.

Poketo and Islands Fold Pop Up Art Show
Friday, February 27
Open Studio 3:00pm-6:00pm
Art Show and Party 6:00pm-9:00pm

Poketo Studio
510 South Hewitt Street #506
Los Angeles, CA 90013
 poketo@poketo.com

poketo to host collaborative pop up art show friday

The short and long of it relates to my future career.  As I enter the final leg of my training, that’s been a top priority for me over the past several weeks.  With the economy in its current shape, I cannot spare another delay in my education.

Once that is completed over the next several months, I may be able to pick back up again.  Until that time, sign up for my email newsletter for occasional neighborhood news bits.

Thank you, Downtown, for your input and efforts toward building a better community.

—Rich Alossi

-Please direct specific inquiries to the contact form.
-Twitter feed

the official word

In addition to undergoing some minor cosmetic enhancements — including new flooring, shopping carts and lighting upgrades — the Korean-owned market is going for a more ethnically diverse selection of foodstuffs while maintaining much of the Japanese drinks, snacks and prepared foods.

One manager came up to me and told me matter-of-factly, “American products — for American people — will arrive this week.”  Management is still taking suggestions for items to stock and want to be a destination for the Arts District and Historic Core neighborhoods.

Workers are still installing vegetable sprayers, bakery equipment and signs around the market, so watch your step.  Also, though check-out scanners will occasionally display an incorrect price, cashiers have been trained to double-check each item during the opening phase.

Kalbi lovers: There are no meat or dairy products yet, but that should come later this week.  I know; I was disappointed too.

Little Tokyo Galleria Market
333 S Alameda St, #100
Los Angeles, CA 90013
One hour free parking (Two hours with market receipt)
Hours and phone number to follow

little tokyo galleria market opens

At last check-in one month ago, Yxta was undergoing a light build-out phase — more like a tinkering of sorts — before opening day.

Expect full-sized entree plates and margaritas with freshly squeezed juices. Lunch prices will range from $9-$16; large dinner plates from $11-$21.  Free parking after 5:00pm; $2.00 valet during lunch.

Yxta Cocina Mexicana
601 S Central Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90021
Opening February 25, 2009
 yxta.net

yxta cocina opens february 25

Located at 8th and Broadway, hours will be Monday through Saturday from 7:00am - 8:00pm and Sunday from 12:00pm - 4:00pm.

Services offered:

Dry cleaning - Dry cleaning services will be offered in the store, with prices ranging from $4.00 to $5.00 for most coats, pants, blouses, skirts, and a special $1.75 for laundered shirts. Complimentary pick-up and drop-off can also be arranged on all orders.

Laundry - Full-service fluff and fold is available to accommodate the needs of busy professionals. Monte Carlo uses organic cleaners that don’t cause skin irritation and color separation is provided to maintain color consistency in your garments. $1.50 per pound for in-store drop-off /pick-up or $1.25 Internet specials will be available.

Housekeeping services -Weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly housekeeping services will be offered after March, with prices competitive with Molly Maid.

Monte Carlo Cleaners
225 W 8th St
Los Angeles, CA 90014
213-489-9400
Monday through Saturday 7:00am - 8:00pm
Sunday 12:00pm - 4:00pm

monte carlo cleaners comes to the chapman

While a food menu has not been set yet — expect that on Monday — says one employee on-site: “Everything is vegetarian, except for the tuna.”

Illy coffees, pastries and house-made crepes are also offered on top of the free WiFi.

Infusion Cafe is in the ground floor of the newly opened NCT Lofts.  Hours and phone number to follow.

Have you tried Infusion Cafe yet?  Let us know.

Infusion Cafe
808 S Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Now open for lunch

‘infusion’ vegetarian cafe now open on spring street

Owner Laurie Mulstay confirms the sister location, which took over the shuttered Zita Trattoria at 9th and Figueroa. Though details about the second restaurant are still hazy, expect more information over the next several weeks.

Magnolia is known for its comfortably modern, eclectic interior, as well as a diverse menu of Mediterranean dishes, seafood and updated American comfort food.  Perhaps most exciting is the prospect of Sunday brunch, which would provide a much healthier alternative to the Pantry next door.

The restaurant joins Downtown as new nightlife and concert venues have opened at LA Live and several area residential buildings near completion.

Have you been to Magnolia in Hollywood?  Let us know your thoughts.

Magnolia Downtown
825 James M Wood Blvd (9th Street)
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Opening Spring 2009
magnoliahollywood.com

magnolia restaurant branching into downtown

Despite the sometimes stifling lack of amenities, there are quite a few draws to living in the southern Arts District for those who simply get it: Beauty in the haunting facades of pre-War factories, large spaces conducive to creative expression, and a tight-knit community of locals on the lookout for one another.

Developer, property owner and good-natured seafood magnate Howard Klein, who chairs the Arts District BID, converted one of the first artist-in-residence projects in the area back in 1982.   Now he, along with his son Matt Klein, have pieced together a collection of industrial properties covering a total of seven contiguous acres.

Heavy construction is drawing to an end on what I’m calling Phase I of the project — a collection of five or six buildings, depending on how you slice it, with frontage on both 6th Street and a former railroad right-of-way that bisects the property. A second phase would see the conversion of an adjoining factory building into residences as well.

Factory Place Arts Complex, as the development is now being called, is the missing link in a chain of new residential projects stretching from 3rd and Traction down to 7th Street.   The 180-unit apartment complex is nearing completion and should debut within the next couple months, inspections allowing.

Still, issues invariably crop up when applying modern guidelines to timeworn buildings.  “I would have to be insane to try this again,” said the elder Klein of the maze of city ordinances, building codes and entitlements processes.  Further, a contractor shake-up added a lengthy one-year delay to the construction timeline.

Old Buildings, New Units

The historic 1920s structures were conducive to unique floorplans and large windows, if nothing else.  Steel support beams divide the living spaces neatly into distinct zones and will undoubtedly be a conversation piece for houseguests (just don’t trip on them).

At $2.50 per square foot — units range from 600 to 1,800 square feet — certain high-quality finishes separate the residences from other nearby rentals, including gas stoves and in-unit washer/dryer.  Most second-floor units are outfitted with balconies with views over the complex’s ample shared spaces.

Meet Your Neighbor

About those shared spaces.  Open-air atria were carved out of two of the buildings as a way to allow a pool, new retail and a courtyard, while one untouched structure is being marketed as a community-oriented performance and meeting space — and possibly a basketball court.

Barbecue pits and a sizable dog park — not simply a tiny patch of grass — finish off the list of amenities, which will be open to all residents of the complex.

Both Kleins are excited about the seemingly instant success of the nearby Urth Caffe on Hewitt Street and are willing to work with other retailers to open up in their complex.   With a location in the center of the Arts District, that may be worth serious consideration.

Factory Place Arts Complex
1308 E Factory Pl
Los Angeles, CA 90021
Estimated Opening 2Q 2009
 factoryplacelofts.com

‘factory place arts complex’ a welcome gem east of alameda

The corridor is still bustling with activity, though many of those architecturally significant details have fallen into disrepair, the department stores and theaters converted into swap meets in the decades following a post-World War II suburbanization push.

In recent years, a citywide effort to restore historic properties and convert them to residential uses has gained steam as former commercial buildings have become loft housing. Broadway itself has seen several “adaptive reuse” projects take hold, including the acclaimed Eastern Columbia Building, the Judson Lofts and the Chapman Building.

But in order for Broadway to shine as one of the city’s premier destinations, the public and private sectors have to work together to make it happen. In short, the city needs to fix the street.

That’s where you come in.

Bringing Back Broadway is a partnership between city government and local property owners working to restore the architectural heritage of the district and to include programmatic uses that are conducive to the original intent of the properties.

Under that umbrella, the Broadway Streetscape Plan is a set of projects that will enhance the pedestrian experience with a focus on street furniture, lighting, sidewalk infrastructure and signage.  Public input is needed to identify those improvements most wanted by the community.

On February 17, 2009, the community is invited to the Broadway Walk, a self-guided tour of the corridor.  From the public invitation on Facebook:

This Broadway Walk is the kickoff for the community process that will inform the Streetscape Design — come and share your input! All are welcome!

1. Meet at The Chapman Building * — Get inspired by what other communities are doing to improve their streets.

2. Take a stroll at your own pace along both sides of Broadway — Share your vision for the Broadway Streetscape. Tell us what you think is special about the street and what could be improved or changed.

3. Bring your camera to document what you see! — We will solicit your photos to share with everyone via Flickr after the Walk.

4. Return your completed worksheet to us at The Chapman Building.

* Check-in and receive worksheet forms at The Chapman Building starting at 4:00 PM, then embark on a self-guided walk to observe and compile input. We recommend allowing 60 minutes or more to walk both sides of Broadway, from 2nd Street to Olympic. The Chapman Building base camp will be open from 4:00–7:00 PM.

See you on Broadway!

Broadway Walk
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
4:00pm–7:00pm
Meet at the Chapman Building, 756 S. Broadway (at 8th Street)

Want new sidewalks? Benches? Trees?  Let us know your ideas in the comments!

now’s your chance: public input needed for broadway streetscape plan