The copper wire is gone, the lights are out, and graffiti is everywhere, but the grass is also in the ground for the new L.A. River-adjacent park space below the Sixth Street Viaduct.

The Sixth Street Viaduct PARC - a name which is short for "Park, Arts, and River Connectivity," includes 12 acres of total green space, including seven acres on the west bank of the river in the Arts District and an additional five acres on the east bank in Boyle Heights.

Aerial view looking west toward DowntownHunter Kerhart Architectural Photography

Hargreaves Jones designed the more than $82-million project, which includes community-oriented spaces with sports fields and courts, picnic areas, and event space on the east side of the river, with a performance lawn, a dog park, and fitness equipment on the west side in the Arts District.

The open space on the west side of the bridge includes a space to be known as Leonard Hill Arts Plaza, which is named for the late partner at development firm Linear City who donated money for the project.

View looking east from the Arts DistrictHunter Kerhart Architectural Photography

The viaduct could serve as an anchor to new developments taking shape in the southern Arts District, including a Bjarke Ingels-designed tower complex which would rise near Leonard Hill Art Plaza. It would also connect to planned transportation improvements along the river corridor, including a proposed extension of the Los Angeles River bike path and a future stop on Metro's B and D Lines at 6th Street.

All photography courtesy of Hunter Kerhart Architectural Photography - visit www.HunterKerhart.com for more architectural imagery.

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