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The new models for Frank Gehry's massive $900 million Grand Avenue project downtown have been unveiled. We're not sure that we dig them completely, but we're not sure that we don't. What do you think? Certainly more interesting than the bland FBI-ish towers he presented in the first round of design.
While the project is progressing rather quickly since that announcement made two years ago by city officials, Gehry, and architect wanna-be Brad Pitt, there have been problems. Many problems. So many problems, in fact, that it seems Gehry has lessened his involvement in the project, allowing an outside firm to handle the final drawings - something the "old" Gehry would never stand for (we've seen the tantrums in Sketches of Frank Gehry.) It also seems that some key Gehry people are now "off the project" - not sure if that means they left, were fired, or what. We expect the plans will change and change and change again before the year is out and it's anyone's guess how long it will all take.
The question on our minds is: is this really what downtown needs? An artsy space, designed by a prima-donna architect, filled with expensive shops? You'd think we could start smaller, smarter. As in: where's our Trader Joe's?
Photo of rendering by Gehry Partners, LLP
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We don't need a Trader Joe's. Actually, I don't even want a Trader Joe's. They totally burned the Downtown community with their shortsightedness (and point-blank rudeness) during previous periods of inquiry from the community.
It's too bad. They could have gained a lot of respect from Downtowners had they gone about things differently.
we have our signature gehry building downtown--we dont need for him to design the WHOLE downtown. but at the rate developers etc are going, everyone who lives downtown will be ex-frat boy douchebags and the women who love them. why cant they plan/build housing downtown for normal people (plain, cheap) with normal habits? downtown is getting boutiqued out of its mind. how many high end flower arrangements and indoor pools and fancy whiskey joints do developers think people need? its so absurd. how bout ONE decent diner? how bout ONE vegan place? how bout ONE MORE decent cheap bar? please help us.
trader joe's?
yes, you're still wanted. and still needed. i'd forgive you and plead with you for more you...
i don't care what's happened in the past.
and by the way, aren't we tax payers actually subsidizing some of that flashy gehry apparition with tax discounts? to the tune of potential millions?
maybe brad and frank could donate an extra school for the neighborhood's homeless kids.
...
I love this stuff...can't we agree that we would rather have an ugly interesting building in place of a non-offensive boring one? Or perhaps we should hire this guy to do the job? www.vimeo.com/clip:207118