Eagle Rock to Become More Walkable?

Update 10-18-10: According to the Boulevard Sentinel chances of retail on this corner are slim… ”The commercial units will not be retail, as the parking requirement would be too big, so the commercial spaces will most  likely be limited to office uses.” My suspicion was that parking would be an issue. It is unfortunate that mixed-use, a means of reducing car dependence, is hindered in Los Angeles because of parking requirements. That said, I remain an optimist for the community despite the likelihod of offices in this development.

It is my confident feeling that Eagle Rock has better days ahead, at least from a walkability standpoint…

With Oxy Lofts nearing completion, it will be a welcomed mix-use building (31 units– condos, lofts, and townhomes– and one retail space). Now, hot off the heels of this project, it seems Eagle Rock may receive similar treatment by Hartwick Street and Colorado Boulevard. When the TERA sent out a newsletter on September 23, one of the featured items was TERA’s endorsement of a proposed mixed use space with 8 residential and 4 retail spots.

Left: picture featured in TERA newsletter. Right: Not the corner in question -this is the south corner of Colorado/Hartwick - but perhaps an indication of scale?

From the TERA newsletter:

“A presentation was made to the TERA Board regarding the new project to be built at Colorado and Hartwick. This mixed use project includes 8 residences and 4 commercial units (see architects’s rendering above). After reviewing the project and its compliance with the Colorado Boulevard Specific Plan, TERA provided a letter of support. It is now being considered by the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council Land Use Committee.

Responding to concerns voiced by some Hartwick Street residents, there will be no changes to the width of Hartwick. The project will represent an improvement in the appearance of this corner.”

My first thought is, if this happens, what would I like to see occupy the four retail spots? Eagle Rock already has a lot of cool places. No longer do I feel Eagle Rock needs a ice cream/frozen yogurt shops, we have Yogurt Haven, Blue Dot, Baskin Robbins, and Cold Stones. A bike shop would be nice, the only one we have, Budget Bicycles, is in an awful location– adjacent to freeway off-ramp, a giant parking lot, and a busy portion of Colorado Boulevard (Note: my feeling of the location does not reflect my feeling of Budget Bicycles, I bought my current bike from there). Colorado by Hartwick is not nearly as intimidating and could better facilitate test rides. So okay, let’s say a bike shop opens in one of the spaces, that still leaves three other spots!  Maybe a record/music+video store? Considering Eagle Rock lost Don’s Music, this might be a nice addition… Those are just a couple of my ideas, does anyone else have a wishlist of what could enter this location?

If more dense, mixed-use spots keep popping up around on our boulevards, maybe we’ll see more people on foot and out of their cars. Maybe we’ll see more people on bikes too… for better or for worse, all major treatment Eagle Rock will receive as part of the LA Bike Plan are to be implemented within the next 5 years. According to 5-year implementation plan for the Plan, Colorado, Figueroa, York, and Eagle Rock  Boulevard will get bike lanes. Even Alumni Avenue is included in the five year implementation, it will be converted to a ‘Bicycle Friendly Street’.