Bank of America: Now Serving Pedestrians in Los Feliz!

There are so many Bank of America branches in the area that it is hard to believe that there is a B of A employee who doesn’t live within walking distance of the B of A.

This particular B of A is on a DASH line, a Metro line and is walking distance from the Red Line.

So much for the whole Transit Hub, walkable neighborhood, reduce traffic congestion by getting people out of the car, community development strategy.

In all fairness to the B of A, perhaps Real Estate on a human level isn’t their strong suit.

Perhaps they’re just the tenant, relying on the developer to build out the lot.

Perhaps they’re just as much the victim of bad planning as the customers and the neighborhood!

Apparently there were plans for a door on the Hillhurst side but it was out of ADA compliance and so it was locked and labeled an emergency exit. The walkway was then redone complete with curb. (How that then became ADA compliant is a mystery!)

Complaints from the community resulted in another permit getting pulled, this time to cut a hole and install another door in the Hillhurst side but closer to Franklin.

Leaving us with building of dubious design, an ill-conceived parking lot, an employee parking plan that includes blocking the exit and a tenant that can’t conceive of hiring locally and rewarding those who walk, ride or use mass transit to get to work.

Is it possible that the largest mortgage lender in the United States is so disconnected from the community?

Even more concerning is how the City of Los Angeles can allow such a horrendous and unfortunate development to take place in this neighborhood.

How does a project such as this make it through the Planning Department? How does a project such as this get a Certificate of Occupancy?

Last year the Los Angeles Planning Commission issued an inspirational planning document with 14 principles that spell out "DO REAL PLANNING."

It opens with DEMAND a walkable city, OFFER basic design standards, REQUIRE density around transit and continues all the way through to GIVE feedback early.

But for all the talk, there’s no walk. Literally!

The Director of Planning for LA’s Department of City Planning, Gail Goldberg, recently visited the neighborhood. The B of A building was pointed out to her. She was asked “How does a building such as this get built?”

She said she had no idea “but I’m going to find out!”

Meanwhile the neighborhood is left holding a planning document that instructs them to “DEMAND a walkable city.”

It’s starts here. It starts now. Hillhurst and Franklin.

See you on the Streets!

Westbound on Franklin, peds enjoy a lovely wide sidewalk but no access to the building unless they walk down the driveway with the motor vehicles.

The worn grass indicates that there is a desire or need for pedestrian access to the building.

Southbound on Hillhurst, peds again enjoy wide sidewalks and a hint of intention on the part of the B of A to provide access. The dirt patch behind the curb is where the “emergency only” door sits. The new curb cut to the right is in anticipation of the “newly permitted” ped access!

This was the exit to Hillhurst but is now used as employee parking. Note the “Not an Exit” sign to the right.

The location is serviced by the Los Feliz DASH line and includes luxurious bus bench accommodations and a tree! (note the new curb cuts to the right and the markings of the now-installed ped access)

Not only is the location serviced by the DASH line but employees can enjoy lunch at the Observatory on their break! When mass transit works, it really works!

Peds eastbound on Franklin cross the entrance/exit as they walk toward the Los Feliz Library. (The monthly “Architecture and Beyond” lecture series takes place at the library. If only the B of A reps had taken a stroll across the street…)

And this is the entrance! Excellent! Beautiful! (Note the bike racks to the left and right of the front back door.)