LAX's forgotten master plans, AEG to sell stake in L.A. live hotel, and more

Architecture firm HED has relocated is Los Angeles offices to the KPMG Center in Downtown, absconding from a nearby tower on Figueroa Street. The 19,000-square-foot space is centered on "The HUB," and open area extending across a full floor, with HED's "central command," for production processes located at one end, and the reception area and meeting rooms at the other.

Community Corporation of Santa Monica has struck up a partnership with Streetlet to open a new space for local businesses, pop ups, workshops, and other functions at Brunson Terrace, the non-profit developer's new affordable housing complex now rising at located at 1819 Pico Boulevard. Jus' Family Cafe and Coffee Bar will also be setting up at the ground floor of the building.

Here's what we're reading this week:

LAX Alternate Universe "LAX is one of the oldest large-hub airports in the United States. There have been hundreds, if not thousands of planning studies during its lifetime. Some projects came to fruition, some didn’t. Here we are going to look at some of the potential airport futures that could have been." (Flight Path Museum LAX)

AEG to sell stake in L.A. Live hotels as the lodging industry recovers "Money raised by the sale will be used to help pay for a long-planned expansion of the JW Marriott that was stalled by the pandemic, he said, and to invest in several of AEG’s business units, including ticketing and live entertainment such as music festivals and concert tours. The company owns, manages or consults with stadiums, arenas and convention centers in several countries, including China, Germany and Britain. " (LA Times)

Why is L.A.’s iconic skyline far from the beach — unlike Miami, Seattle and other cities? "When the Spanish colonial and ecclesiastical forces arrived in what is now the Los Angeles area, they sought out a freshwater source, as well as Indigenous people....Throughout California’s history, Indigenous rights were consistently and violently undermined via forced labor, religious conversion efforts, displacement and attempts at historical erasure." (LA Times)

Councilmember Raman Making Good on Pledge to Expand Bike Infrastructure On seven corridors, including Riverside Drive and Burbank Boulevard (Streetsblog LA)

Amid housing crunch, officials want Orange County to stay the way it is "The argument is about how many units of new housing each city should be required to accommodate. It is also about the essence of Orange County, which is becoming more racially diverse, more politically liberal — and more crowded." (LA Times)

Reclaiming Taylor Yard: Reshaping 100 acres of railroad property into post-industrial parkland "With the exception of Rio de Los Angeles State Park, much of the property remains barren and sunbaked, with high-voltage power lines crossing overhead and Metrolink and freight trains rumbling past on the remaining railroad tracks. But advocates and planners see a tremendous opportunity for recreation along the L.A. River." (Eastsider)

Metro service reductions, due to labor shortages, could have massive effects in LB and beyond "The reductions are set to begin Sunday, February 20—and while those reductions are being asking to be viewed from an 'equity-centric lens,' there is one thing that is clear: Cuts to one part of the system weaken it as a whole, since life is not a one-line ride everyday." (LongBeachize)