New angeled parking on Santa Fe Ave
becomes a short-lived parking solution and marks the new property line for the OneSantaFe project.
Arts District Left in Dark?
OneSantaFe Project May Raise Questions for Residents
MTA's One Santa Fe mixed-use development project is in the stages of community approval that could become mixed, according to LARABA founder Drew Lesso, a 30 year resident of the Arts District. Lesso was invited to meet with One Sante Fe when questions arose from the plans for the 400 unit complex that will line Santa Fe from the 1st st Bridge to the Metrolink yards located next the 4th St Bridge.
A closer look at the study may be showing the increase in traffic noise and exhaust, and loss of light, all caused by the northern strip of the complex, says Lesso.
The main section of OneSantaFe is a smartly designed structure that mimics the former freight depot that houses SCI-Arc located across the street. Plans show ground floor retail, plaza green space and parking and many in the Arts District saw the development early renderings carry through a MTA mandate to build housing that can support and preserve the growing culture of SCI-Arc. For future architecture students, heavily considered for the units planned to be live/work rental units, open space and site lines to vistas are featured in the renderings and plans.
North of 3rd St is different, as a concrete strip with parking under several floors of apartments, most around 500 sq ft., are appointed to provide housing for those with a midrange salary, not unlike a MTA employee. The new property line for the MTA land owned project and will contain a 65 foot high wall (approximate height will match the telephone lines seen in the photo) while reducing the street to two lanes.
Traffic on Santa Fe Ave will increase with turnouts dedicated to OneSantaFe, and the street between the 1st St Bridge and 4th St Bridge will be converted from a "Major Highway Class II" to a "Modified Collector Street " to handle traffic flow, including a stop light or sign at 3rd St.
Also a concern is how the increase in traffic may trapped exhaust in this corridor, but isn't seen as having an impact to air quality according to the environmental study compiled and seen by VFaL. Also, according to Lesso, neighboring units may not be allowed proper access to daylight as the study was found to have an error in defining sunlight patterns. Plus, the views of the two historic bridges and the hillside of Boyle Heights, as seen from the upper floors of surrounding units, are not considered a lost vista.
In the study, the area is defined as mostly "abandoned" industrial warehouses with some loft units, and referred to having no aesthetic value. The contrasting point for many in the Arts District is that the industrial look of the area is the aesthetic value as compared to the nearly completed development at 3rd, Rose, 2nd and Traction, that brings in what one resident calls "an generic Orange County aesthetic that has a color wiped on by a used diaper."
It's a tough crowd.
Developers have held several meetings and responded to past community concerns and in fact was these questions that postponed an earlier presentation. Another presentation will be held at the Arts District B.I.D meeting this Wednesday. The B.I.D is requiring an RSVP as well as speaker request cards.
Arts District BID
Board Meeting
1st Wednesday of the month
12:00 Noon
Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society
948 East 2nd Street
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