Within the past two weeks, trailers have appeared on the massive dirt lot on Hill street in-between 1st and 2nd.  It appears that groundbreaking on the LA's new (and very controversial) $400 million dollar Federal Courthouse is imminent.


The courthouse is to be designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill.  The site for the courthouse has been vacant for years.  A government office building previously stood on the site, but was later demolished due to damage from the 1995 Northridge earthquake.  Although the final design is not as spectacular as the much larger $1.1 billion building originally envisioned for the site, it's still exciting to see the long-standing eyesore finally developed (but certain locals who used the lot for sunbathing may be disappointed).