Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Pershing Square Redesign Expected To Start At The End Of 2020
A rendering of the Pershing Square redesign Courtesy Agence Ter and Team
()
In 2016, city officials announced the selection of a redesign for downtown’s Pershing Square. According to the announcement at the time, the winning design firm, Agence TER, planned to flatten the now-elevated area and incorporate a great lawn, a shade canopy, a water feature for kids and vibrant lighting.
A rendering of the Pershing Square redesign (Courtesy Agence Ter and Team)
()
Since that time, the city has been relatively mum about moving forward. That changed Monday, however, when Los Angeles City Councilmember José Huizar, Agence Ter’s principal and lead designer Henri Bava and several other officials and designers publicly released a timeline for the renovation.
The design will be rolled out in several phases:
- Phase One, which is expected to begin at the end of 2020 and be completed by the end of 2022, will include removing walls on Olive Street, adding shade trees and replacing the elevators and signage.
- Phase Two is expected to begin at the end of 2022 and be completed by early to mid-2024. That round of renovation will include the removal of more walls and the addition of a pedestrian walkway, a pet-care area, and more trees.
A rendering of the Pershing Square redesign (Courtesy Agence Ter and Team)
()
Support for LAist comes from
The next stage of renovations is still up for debate, and it may be broken into two more phases. By the end of the project, the park will be greener, much more pedestrian and family-friendly, and incorporate trees that will provide shade throughout the day.
“With the new design, Pershing Square will be reenergized,” said Huizar in a statement. “It will once again affirm its standing as the preeminent public space; the town square of Downtown Los Angeles.”
Officials said they expect that the entire redesign will take 10 years to complete and cost an estimated $110 Million.
GO DEEPER:
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist