Thumbs Up for Transit Mall and For the Record

March 10, 2004

Dear Editor,

Despite the drastic predictions of financial ruin that would inevitably result from the transit mall, it is fair to say the project has been a success. (“Transit Mall Gets Mixed Reviews,” March 8, 2004)

Buses navigate more easily through the downtown, the pedestrian experience has been enhanced, and business is humming right along. The Lookout has recently reported Santa Monica retail sales are up strongly, the office market is strengthening, and new restaurants and stores are opening all over the downtown -- all this “despite” the completion of the transit mall.

That said, we cannot ignore some of the access problems that the transit mall has created -- the long stream of cars on Santa Monica Boulevard heading west and bottlenecks on 4th street. Locals can navigate around these problems quite easily (for those who haven’t realized, Colorado, Broadway, Arizona, and Wilshire also run west).

But for the out-of-towners whose dollars generate much-needed sales tax revenue, Wally Marks has it right when he says we need to improve signage into and out of the downtown. Like the Promenade’s so-called competitor, The Grove, we need modern, dynamic signage to effectively guide drivers coming off the freeway to parking structures with available spaces.

So to the courageous council members who gave the green light to the transit mall: Bravo! But let’s complete the work by improving signage from the freeway to the downtown.

Allen Freeman

March 10, 2004

Dear Editor,

Regarding "Ex-Con Gunned Down on Year’s First Homicide 3/9." You failed to acknowledge the homicide of a young man on 2/24 at the hands of the Los Angeles Police Department (LA Police Fatally Shoot Robbery Suspect Near SAMOHI 2/24). That incident was in fact the City's first homicide.

The LAPD is not immune from these types of actions and they should therefore be held accountable.