Parks for Recreation

Two parks, one old and one new, have opened, just in time for summer.  The Times reports that Echo Park, with its newly beautified lake and surrounding green spaces, welcomed the public for the first time in nearly two years on Saturday.  Meanwhile, the Downtown News informs us that Spring Street Park, located between 4th and 5th Street, will open its doors early tomorrow morning.

Ziplining Venice

For all of those that thought Venice Beach couldn't possibly get any cooler, think again.  Curbed announced this week that the ocean village will soon install a Zipline between the World Cafe and the beach b-ball courts, that will cost a mere $20 per 'passenger'.  Move over Mickey, and make way for a new magic kingdom.

Parklets for Westwood

According to Curbed, there is a good chance that the Village at Westwood will soon reap the benefits of Downtown's micro-greenspace-because-we-can experiment, and install parklets.  The current proposal calls for multiple spaces that will be scattered throughout the neighborhood.

Baker and Grocer

According to DTLA Rising, Downtown will soon receive two new additions to its retail lineup, aimed squarely at its growing residential population.  Grocer Smart and Final is preparing to move into 25,000 square feet of space on the corner of 8th Place and Figueroa, while Belgian bakery, Le Pain Quotidien, will occupy a smaller 2,100 square foot space within the PacMutual Building at 6th and Grand.

Friendly (and Hip) Neighborhood Grocer(s)

Hipster-Hippie-Indie-Vegan-Raw-Organic-Artistans rejoice!  Whole Foods and Urban Radish are on their way to Silverlake and the Arts District respectively.  The Eastsider brings us news of the health food heavyweight's impending takeover of what is now a Ralph's on Glendale Boulevard, near Fletcher.  And, according to the Downtown News, the much hyped independent grocer, which has been in development for what feels like forever, has finally set an opening date of May 29th.

Eat, Drink, and Open

This last week has been a busy one for food + drink openings in our beloved city.  LA Eater brings us the following:  First up is Village Tavern, a well decorated barbacoa gastropub in the heart of Atwater Village, on Edenhurst and Glendale, which opened last week.  Next in line comes Donut Friend, a gourmet donut shop by former punk rock producer Mark Trombino, springing up on York and Avenue 51.  Then there is Blue C Sushi, the latest addition to the sunset strip--between Vine and Cahuenga, to be specific.  Downtowner indian foodies were no doubt excited on Monday for the grand opening of Badmaash on 2nd and Main.  And lets not forget the Scratch Bar, on the corner of Hollywood and La Brea, which saw its first soft open yesterday.  Rounding out the week is an announcement that Valerie Gordon will be opening another bakery at Lucretia and Echo Park Avenue.  Last, but certainly not least, is news that Cedd Moses will soon open BOTH a 17,000 square foot pizza parlor and brewery on Traction Avenue, near 4th Place, AND a modern speakeasy, christened Honeycut, beneath the O'Hotel at 7th and Flower.

City Park, Hollywood and Wine

According to the Downtown News, the City is in negotiations to purchase the vacant lot just west of City Hall, at 1st and Broadway, and transform it into a park.  Good news for a street that is already rapidly exchanging its decaying buildings for shiny new residential and retail developments.  In other news Los Angeles Magazine reports that the Hollywood Bowl will soon receive a new addition in the form of a Patina Wine Bar, slated to open sometime next month.

City West Again

For those of you curious about the empty office building on Wilshire and Lucas, wonder no further.  The Downtown News announced yesterday the groundbreaking of a new 600 + unit apartment complex by the same developer who brought us 1111 Wilshire.  Some details on the 'Good Samaritan Project', as it is tentatively named, are still unclear.  Purported architect on the project, Nadel, claims that the project will contain 648 residential units, and 40,000 square feet of retail.

Urban Outfitters for Broadway

The Downtown News confirms that Urban Outfitters will indeed be coming to the Rialto Theater, located at 7th and Broadway.  The Philadelphia based retailer will undoubtedly help to revitalize the dilapidated street, alongside several other newly opened businesses including Ross, and Les Noces Du Figaro.  This is fantastic news for downtowners.

Skirball

According to Curbed, construction on the new Skirball Cultural Center, located on 50 acres at Sepulveda Boulevard, just west of the 405, is nearing completion.  Once finished, center will feature over 60,000 square feet of event space.

Museum and Metro

The Times reports today that the Los Angeles County Museum of Art will receive a $690 million dollar remodel to its Wilshire Campus, designed by famed architect Peter Zumthor.  A timeline is still being worked out, and will probably be revealed when the news is 'officially' announced next month.  Additionally, Metro's website, The Source, has published models for the proposed alternative designs to Union Station.  It is anticipated that one of the alternatives, or at least a modification thereto, will be selected to upgrade the existing station.

Airport!

After several contentious months, the City Council has finally approved a massive $4.67 billion dollar expansion to our beloved LAX.  Once completed, the additions will help streamline the airport's sluggish operations, and allow for more efficient and effective takeoffs and landings.

Eater News

Eater has information on a host of new openings for us.  First, The Salon at Heirloom, a ritzy new wine bar and restaurant at York and Verdugo, is finally ready to open its doors to public.  Next in line is Twist, a bakery / cafe on La Brea and 3rd which, we are told, will open later this weekend.  Third is an announcement that G&B Coffee will open a new branch inside Grand Central Market, sandwiched between Broadway and Hill on 3rd Street.  Fourth is information on the opening of Sonny's Hideaway, a gorgeous restaurant and bar, on York and Avenue 52 of all places.  Then there is news that a Chic-Fil-A is coming to Le Conte and Westwood.  And, finally, the super blog sheds light on a mystery restaurant opening inside of Nordstrom at The Grove.  Whew.

Retail and Residential in Eagle Rock

Curbed is reporting on two developments in LA's Eagle Rock community.  First, a small eight home development on Mount Royal Drive is currently undergoing initial government screening by the Neighborhood Council's Land Use Committee.  The project is being developed by Stan Fargeon, and designed by Franklin Studios.  Second, Safeway is in the initial phases of planning a strip mall style annex for its Vons grocer located at the corner of La Loma and Figueroa.

Market and Park

More exciting news for Downtown.  Blogdowntown reports that a large 'etsy' style flea market, featuring finer vintage and modern goods, will open this summer on Spring Street, between 2nd and 3rd.  Additionally, the Downtown News gave us an update on renovations to the Historic Park, which is temporary closed until 2014.

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.