Downtown Streetcar a Go

Yesterday, the Los Angeles City Council approved a joint report, submitted by the Department of Transportation and the City Administrative Officer, which commits up to $352 million dollars over the course of the next thirty years to maintaining and operating a street car in downtown.  According to Curbed LA, if all goes according to plan, the streetcar should be operational by early 2016, and, according to Metro.com, it will follow "a 3.5 mile loop that serves the following Downtown districts and destinations/attractions: Historic Broadway, South Park (L.A. LIVE, STAPLES Center, LA Convention Center), Bunker Hill (Music Center, Walt Disney Concert Hall, MOCA, Broad Museum), Civic Center (City Hall, Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angeles) and the Financial Business District (Pershing Square, Central Library)".

Sprinkles!

This morning, at long last, Sprinkles opened the doors to its downtown store, located on Figueroa and 7th.  Hallelujah!

No Football for Los Angeles

According to Yahoo sports writer, Jason Cole, plans to construct a  football stadium in the heart of Downtown have been all but abandoned.  Despite overwhelming support from city authorities, officials within the NFL have determined that the cost of building and maintaining the stadium make such a project unfeasible.  While the NFL remains open to future plans, for now, Angelinos will have to wait.

Fatburger on Figueroa

At long last, burger chains have found their way into downtown.  Yesterday, after over a month of psyching out the public with false starts, Fatburger downtown finally opened its doors.  Located at 888 South Figueroa, the much lauded burger chain will, undoubtedly, help to keep all of that juice cleansing in check.

Stylish Italian Restaurant Opens Downtown

A new addition to Downtown's restaurant scene opened its doors last week.  Black Book reports that Casa Notra, located at 825 West 9th Street, really delivers in both selection and ambience.  Check it out, and leave your thoughts on Yelp.

Three New Parks Announced for South LA, as SCIG Project Moves Ahead

Three new 'pocket parks' have been planned for the south of Los Angeles City, one in Harbor Gateway, and two in Wilmington.  While the Los Angeles Times reports that the chief purpose of the parks is to drive off sex offenders, their construction will no doubt improve the prospects for new residential developments in the area.  In other related news for the area, The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners will meet Thursday to consider certification of the recently published environmental impact report for the Southern California International Gateway Project, which promises to enhance the efficiency of cargo transportation to and from the harbor.  The ambitious project will undoubtedly bring a host of new construction and operation jobs, and do much to improve the local economy.

Boutique Hotel Opens on Sunset

Today, Black Book announced the opening of The Moment Hotel, located on 7370 Sunset Boulevard.  The hotel features luxurious rooms and common areas, and a gorgeous open air bar on the rooftop.  Its central location allows for convenient access to the best that Hollywood has to offer.