Revitalization of Pershing Square Takes A Big Step Forward
The Los Angeles Board of Public Works approved $1.5 million in funding Monday for a feasibility analysis of a firm's winning design to revitalize Pershing Square.
"Today's vote represents a critical step forward in our effort to remake Pershing Square into a dynamic and accessible downtown Los Angeles centerpiece for all Angelenos and visitors to enjoy," said Councilman Jose Huizar, whose 14th Council District includes the square.
"In the days and months ahead, this analysis will give us the details we need to meet our Pershing Square Renew goals," he said.
The contract will allow Paris-based Agence Ter and its L.A. contractor, Gruen Associates, to conduct an analysis on the implementation of their concept for the square, which seeks to bring all four sides of the park level to the street.
The five-acre park has sat on top of a parking garage since the 1950s, leaving it slightly elevated and separated from the neighborhood by a series of walls and staircases. The new design calls for removing the top of the garage and lowering the roof in order to integrate it more fluidly with its surroundings.
"We believe Agence Ter's design is an elegantly simple solution to host the community's expressed programs and activities of interest," said Eduardo Santana, executive director of Pershing Square Renew, a nonprofit created to work with the city and Huizar on the redesign of the park.
"We are excited by the city's commitment to advance the project, which is sure to result in Pershing Square reclaiming its place as a prominent destination, and we're grateful to council member Huizar for his leadership," he said.
The city has committed to funding all of the redesign costs, which will be determined after Agence Ter completes its analysis. A total of $3.5 million will be available for the design stage, Huizar's office said, including the just-approved $1.5 million.
"The Department of Recreation and Parks is eager to begin moving forward with this revitalization project that will breathe new life into Pershing Square, one of our oldest green spaces in the heart of downtown Los Angeles," said Michael Shull, general manager of the Department of Recreation and Parks.
As part of the effort to remake the park, an international design competition was created which resulted in more than 80 letters of interest from design firms and more than 50 submissions of qualifications.
From the submissions, 10 semifinalists were selected in October 2015 and four finalists in December 2015. The winner was selected in May 2016 based on the votes of 1,355 members of the public.
See renderings of the revitalized Pershing Square below.
