Prof. Joe Meyer's Poli. Sci. 1
Downtown LA Day Self Guided Tour
Be prepared to walk anywhere between two miles to as many as five miles, depending upon your choices. But remember – you have all day to do it so pace yourself and take your time. You don't have to “do it all,” just complete the assignment. WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES. Bring water and a hat (and sun screen). Bring a note pad and a camera. HAVE FUN.
FIRST – Plan Ahead . Get a GOOD MAP.
PLAN your day so you can see and do the most possible number of activities. Bring friends and family – anything to make it more meaningful and enjoyable to you. Go during the week and you will see a different downtown. Or you can go on the weekend. You can go with friends or classmates or family or alone! Take public transportation to and from downtown and earn five extra points! (include verification).
Read the Downtown Day Check List carefully – decide what you are going to do BEFORE you begin your self guided field trip exploring downtown LA.
YOU CAN go to any or all the of the sites on the checklist - YOU DO NOT have to follow my suggestions below - make up your own tour!!!!
To experience the most from downtown and to develop a position on the revitalization of downtown, there are two basic plans you can follow:
Starting from LA City College: Take the Redline to to Union Station (or drive and park at Union Station across from the Olvera Street area). Walk south past the Music Center and Disney Hall. (Or to Little Tokyo and the Japanese American National Museum). Turn west-southwest and walk past the court houses, the Children's Museum, and the Civic Center Plaza. Turn south to the California Plaza, Angel's Flight, Pershing Square and the Jewelry District. From there, you can walk to the Flower District and past the Theater District to the Fashion District. From there you can walk back to Pershing Square (the nearest Red Line stop - about ½ a mile) and take the Red Line back to Union Station or walk south to Washington Blvd. and take the Blue Line to Metro Center and the Red Line to Union Station.
Southern Starting Point:
Start on the Blue Line, or park at LATT, or The Fashion District. Walk north through the Fashion District. (Or you can exit Metro Center and begin there.) Walk north on Broadway between 9th & 6th to see the Theater District. Walk on Maple between 8th & 7th and visit the Flower District. Walk through the Jewelry District to Pershing Square, Angel's Flight and the California Plaza. Continue north to the Civic Center Plaza and City Hall. Walk past the court houses and the Children's Museum, northeast to Little Tokyo and the Japanese American National Museum. Then go northwest, past the Music Center and Disney Hall to Olvera Street and Union Station. Catch the Red Line to Metro Center and the Blue Line home or to LATT. If you parked in the Fashion District, you can take the Red Line and exit at Pershing Square and walk back to the Fashion District (about six blocks.)
Northern Starting Point:
Take the MetroLink (or drive) to Union Station and follow above directions
GET A GOOD MAP! (and use it)!
Things to Think About for the Project:
I want YOUR OPINION. Make a strong argument for your position. Say something of value. Contribute to the public discussion about the role downtown LA has in our lives, our community, our economy, etc. Write about what interests you. You do not have to answer all these questions. Write a cogent essay with a THESIS STATEMENT and sub points. These are only examples of the many topics you can choose to discuss.
What does downtown LA mean to you? What does “revitalize downtown LA” mean to you? Who should lead the effort to revitalize downtown LA? Who should pay the cost? Who would reap the benefits?
What will the effect of the completed Disney Hall have on downtown and greater LA? Is it worth it? The same questions can be asked about the Staples Center.
What are the major problems for downtown? What are some solutions? Do you have any specific ideas of your own? Or any from other's with whom you agree?
What was your general reaction to riding the Red Line, or Blue Line or both? Are they worth the cost? Should the proposed expansions be completed? How do they compare to the bus system?
Who lives downtown? You'll see many poor people and homeless, but look up. There are many, many “high end” condos and apartments through out downtown. Look up and see if you can find them. For a listing of expensive housing downtown visit this web site: http://www.downtownla.com/1_3.htm
Who should live downtown? Should we try to attract one class of people more than another? What can be done to attract a “better class of people?”
What can be done to rebuild the Theater District? Who would benefit? Who should pay for it? Is it worth the cost?
Look for “transition zones” where one district (area or neighborhood) changes into another. How does this happen? What should be done? Can the various districts be “brought together” better than they are now? Be creative.
What should be done to make LA more “tourist friendly”? Give some specific examples. Who benefits? Who should pay?
Other web sites you may want to visit in preparing for your field trip:
The most comprehensive walking tour of downtown LA is compiled by two USC Geography Professors (Curtis C., Roseman & Geoffrey DeVertueil) at this site:
http://www.usc.edu/dept/geography/lawalk/dtb.html
For General information on things to do, places to see, etc.
www.ladowntownnews.com
www.downtownla.com
For a list of public artworks in the LA Civic Center and LA Mall:
http://www.usc.edu/isd/archives/la/pubart/CivicCenter/
The Fashion District: www.dpoa.com
The Red Line: www.wgn.net/~elson/larail/red.html
The Blue Line: www.wgn.net/larail/blue/html
Metro Link: http://www.metrolinktrains.com/