Dodger Stadium Gondola gets a legislative assist, R.I.P. Cole's, and more

Slowly but surely, the City of Los Angeles' new Sidewalk and Transit Amenities Program (or "STAP") is starting to deliver new street furniture.

Designworks, which is working on the project alongside SOM, Studio One Eleven, and Trazito Vector, announced this week that 150 new bus shelters have been installed across the city - the first batch of 3,000 that are ultimately planned, alongside 450 shade structures.

Per a news release, the design of the structures are inspired by California Modernism, using steel frames and perforated aluminum components which are colored agave green.

More can be seen at http://labusstop.com.

Governor Newsom announced this week that the California Department of Housing and Community Development has released $101 million for the rebuilding of affordable rental housing near parts of Los Angeles devastated by the January wildfires.  

“Los Angeles has taken significant steps to rebuild after January’s fires, but the devastation is significant and there remains a long road ahead. Thousands of families – from Pacific Palisades to Altadena to Malibu – are still displaced and we owe it to them to help. The funding we’re announcing today will accelerate the development of affordable multifamily rental housing so that those rebuilding their lives after this tragedy have access to a safe, affordable place to come home to,” said Governor Newsom in a news release. 

The Multifamily Finance Super Notice of Funding Availability (or "NOFA") will allow developers to apply for multiple programs in a single application. This money is in addition to $382 million made available statewide in February.

Application materials for MFSN-LA Disaster will be available July 21, 2025. Applicants applying for the first phase of funding must upload all required application documents to the HCD website no later than August 21, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. PDT. 

Applications will be made available on July 21, and all required application documents must be submitted to HCD by August 21, 2025 at 4:00 pm. More information can be found on HCD’s Multifamily Finance Super NOFA webpage.

Here's what we're reading this week: 

Hollywood soundstage operators are reeling. Will state tax credits help? "Between 2016 and 2022, Los Angeles’ soundstages were nearly filled to capacity, boasting average occupancy rates of 90%, according to data from the nonprofit organization FilmLA, which tracks on-location shoot days in the Greater L.A. area. That rate plummeted to 69% in 2023, as dual writers’ and actors’ strikes brought the industry to a halt. Once the strikes were over, production never came back to what it was. In fact, last year the average occupancy rate dropped even further to 63%, according to a FilmLA report released in April." (LA Times)

Give Input on Metro Sepulveda Rail Plan to connect Valley and Westside "Metro is still deciding between some low-performing monorail alternatives and some high-performing heavy rail alternatives. What do you want to see?" (Streetsblog LA)

For Downtown Los Angeles, a Pleasant Plot Twist "Renewed investor interest, and a focus on fighting crime and cleaning encampments ahead of the 2028 Olympics, could help the beleaguered area finally turn a post-COVID corner" (Commercial Observer)

Cole’s French Dip, the historic downtown LA eatery, is closing after 117 years "Originally known as Cole's P.E. Buffet, it served as a public house on the Pacific Railway system, beginning operations in 1908 and making it L.A.’s oldest continuously running restaurant and bar, as well as a significant landmark in downtown’s historic district." (LAist)

Dodger Stadium gondola closer to reality? Sacramento might help Team McCourt "On Monday, state legislators are scheduled to consider a bill designed in part to put a 12-month limit on court proceedings related to environmental challenges to certain transit projects. The current challenge to the gondola project is 16 months old and counting." (LA Times)

L.A. County’s charter reform accidentally repealed anti-incarceration ballot measure "The mistake appears to stem from a failure by the county’s executive office to update the county charter with Measure J after it passed in 2020. County lawyers then failed to include the Measure J language when they drafted the 2024 ballot measure." (LA Times)

Silver Creek Development Salvages Distressed Sunset Strip Project With $71M Loan "The developer had reportedly defaulted on nearly $70 million in debt tied to the mixed-use project earlier this year" (Commercial Observer)

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