In the Works

These projects have funding and are believed to be in active development.

 

Los Angeles State Historic Park (The Cornfields) – This 32 acre open space adjacent to Chinatown has already been converted from a train yard into much-needed open space in downtown. The architectural firm, Hargreaves Associates, won a design competition in 2006 to create a world-class park. Originally budgeted at $55 million for Phase 1, the State Dept of Parks and Recreation has now committed $18 million for a scaled-back plan. A visitor center, a graded 16-foot high berm, parking for 150 cars, and a ranger station remain part of the plan.  Construction could begin in late 2013, and is expected to take about 18 months to complete.  Plans to connect the park to the river, which is currently separated by a block of commercial buildings, are also being discussed. The CRA is hopes to turn the area around the park into a redevelopment project area, and there is an evolving Cornfield Arroyo Seco Specific Plan (CASP)

 

Marsh Park – This three-acre park in Elysian Valley, initially built by the MRCA provides, River access, views of the Verdugo Hills, picnic grounds and children’s play equipment. The park also functions as a specially-designed filtration system to remove trash and pollutants from street runoff before it enters the river. Additional funds are being sought to improve and expand the park.

 

 

 

 

 

Albion Dairy Site - The City of L.A. used $17.6 million in Proposition O funds in 2009 to purchase this 6.3-acre site. The city plants to transform the land, once the site of a dairy, into a public park and water treatment center. The groundbreaking was held in fall of 2010. Additional funding, which has not yet been secured, will be required to turn it into the fully-realized park. 

Glendale Narrows Riverwalk Project has been planned for more than a decade by the city of Glendale.  It has received $1.1 million to provide a half-mile  landscaped recreational trail along the north bank of the Los Angeles River, across from Griffith Park. It will include a small entry park, which will serve as a staging area for hikers and bicyclists, and a separate staging area for equestrians using local trails, as well as additional park space for walking and picnicking, the enhancement of wildlife habitat in the river channel, and educational and interpretive exhibits. Master Planning efforts for the remainder of Phase II and all of Phase III are now under way. AECOM Technical Services is the consultant for this Master Planning effort, which will include linking Phases I and II, as well as exploring the potential for a bridge across the Verdugo Wash. Phase III, for which funding has not yet been secured, will include a multi-user bridge across the Los Angeles River, from the Riverwalk to the Los Angeles Bike Path and on to Griffith Park. The proposed bridge is specifically for non-motorized travel between these recreational facilities.

 

The Headworks Spreading Grounds - DWP, working in conjunction with the Army Corps of Engineers, is in the planning stage on a significant construction project on a 43-acre site adjacent to the LA River, between the city of Burbank and Griffith Park, across the street from Forest Lawn. Construction, which will run from 2012 through 2018, includes two 50-million gallon underground water tanks, a four-megawatt hydroelectric power plant, a flow-regulating station, and a 96-inch trunk line pipe. Once the reservoir project is complete (currently anticipated in 2017), a riparian wetlands in a park-like setting, and open areas with equestrian, cycling and pedestrian access will be built over the reservoir. This second phase is expected to take an additional two years of construction. 

 

Los Angeles River and Aliso Creek Project (Reseda River Loop) – This project, by the Trust for Public Land, will create a 2.5-acre nature park at the confluence of Aliso Creek and the LA River in Reseda.  Construction is planned to begin in early 2012. 

 

 

 

 

 

North Atwater Park Expansion - This project will provide approximately three acres of open space adjacent to the Los Angeles River. It will include a park, and an enhanced greenway to complement ongoing creek restoration efforts. Completion is targeted for March 2013. Funding in the amount of $2 million is coming from the State of California, the California River Parkways Grant Program, and Proposition 50.

North Atwater Park Creek Restoration - This project will add 1.17 acres of new park space, restore a remnant of the natural creek located adjacent to the North Atwater Park, and improve the quality of the water entering and exiting the creek bed. This will be achieved via the removal of exotic vegetation, the installation of native vegetation, the capture of trash, treatment of storm water runoff, and reconstruction of the stream's meander. This project is being implemented in conjunction with the park addition at the same location.

Los Angeles River Ecosystem Restoration Study – Begun in 2006, this is a Congressionally-authorized feasibility study by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The purpose is ecosystem restoration, flood control, recreation, and other aspects of revitalization consistent with the goals of the Los Angeles River Revitalization Master Plan. Under a new 2007 authority, the Corps is also allowed to construct demonstration projects to provide information relevant to the feasibility study. Through a public outreach process, the Corps and the City identified the 18-acre Taylor Yard Bowtie parcel as a demonstration project in 2009, and received a federal funds for the project in 2010. The City is partnering with the Corps on this project by providing in-kind staff resources.

Los Angeles River Parkway, West Valley Phase 1- This project, still in the design phase, will enhance the existing bikeway located between Mason Street and Vanalden Boulevard. It will incorporate habitat landscape, water quality improvements, and interpretive signage to create a two-mile multi-use river parkway. This is part of the Canoga Park Greenway.

LA River Bike Path, Phase 3 – This phase will extend the bike path from Barclay Street to Union Station. From Barclay Street, the path will proceed across the Riverside Drive Bridge, and on to San Fernando Road. There, it becomes dedicated bike lanes along Avenue 19/Avenue 18, and onward to North Spring Street. It will cross the North Spring Street bridge as dedicated bike lanes. This project is in the design phase.

 Taylor Yard Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge - This project, by the MTA and City of Los Angeles, will provide a safe and convenient bicycle and pedestrian link between the Los Angeles River Bikeway on west bank, and the Taylor Yard on east bank. This phase of the proposed bikeway improvement will consist of a minimum 15-foot wide bridge over the LA River, and a minimum 12-foot wide connection to the Union Pacific's Taylor Yard property. The project’s scope may be expanded to include bike lanes along the Taylor Yard access road, to San Fernando Road, and link to the bike trails now under development by Taylor Yard State Park. This project is presently on hold due to obstacles related to clearances required by the Public Utilities Commission. As a result, funding from the MTA has been withdrawn. The city will reapply in 2011.

 Installation Of 34,000 Catch Basins, Phase III – This project is designed to reduce trash entering the LA River and Ballona Creek by adding additional catch basins with screen covers that open. The retrofit will encompass all remaining city-owned catch basins, as well as all state and county catch basins located within the LA’s city limits.                  

Downtown Los Angeles Low-Flow Diversion - This project consists of the design, construction, and construction management of a low-flow diversion, which will redirect runoff from the LA River via a 97-inch wide storm drain line. It will run from 7th Street to a nearby sanitary sewer line on Santa Fe Avenue, located south of Seventh Street, for conveyance to the Hyperion Treatment Plant.

 The Sunnynook River Park – This project will create a greenway filtration park in a five-acre area along the existing bike path, located on the west side of the Los Angeles River in the Griffith Park area. Park amenities will include picnic areas, benches, educational signage, and art. The Sunnynook River Park will be constructed on DWP-owned land. The Department of Recreation and Parks continues to work with DWP to finalize the necessary legal documents for this arrangement.  BOE has been told by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (SMMC) that the Conservancy is now able to proceed with funding for the Sunnynook River Park Project.

Los Angeles Riverfront Park, Phase II  - This project involves the development of a new multi-purpose pedestrian/bike path, predominantly along the south bank of the LA River from Sepulveda Basin to Universal City. Improvements adjacent to the river include irrigation, planting, paving, ramps, signage, and fencing, as well as a small community "greenway" park. This phase focuses on three LA River reaches located between Sepulveda and Koster Avenues (South bank), Coldwater Canyon and Whisett Avenues (North bank), and Van Nuys Boulevard to Cedros Avenue (South Bank). This project is in the design phase.

 Tampa Ave. Bridge -This seismic retrofit project will rehabilitate and widen the existing bridge deck by 38 feet, and provide a curb-to-curb width of 80 feet. It will include construction of new architectural barriers, and improvements to the bridge approach and transition guardrails. A bicycle underpass is included to accommodate the River Bike Path.         

 Vanowen St. Bridge - This project proposes to replace and widen the existing bridge deck by 24 feet. Construction of new architectural barriers and improvements to the bridge approach and transition guardrail are also proposed. Portions of the two-mile riverfront bike path, including a bicycle underpass, are included in the project scope.

Winnetka Ave Bridge - This project proposes to rehabilitate and widen the existing bridge deck by 15 feet on each side. Construction of new architectural barriers and improvements to the bridge approach and transition guardrail are also proposed. A portion of the two-mile riverfront bike path including a bicycle underpass is included.        

 Riverside Dr. Bridge - The existing historical bridge, near Zoo Drive, an LA city landmark, will be rehabilitated and widened by 24 feet The widening will involve replicating the original ornate barrier, light poles and fixtures. As part of this project, a bike underpass will be constructed, which will allow the LA River bike path network to continue westward along the 134 Freeway.                         

 Los Angeles River Greenway And Tampa This is a multi-component project, funded by American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds. The river-related component involves enhancement of a segment of the West Valley River Parkway between Vanaldan and Corbin Avenues. It will include the percolation of storm water runoff via strategically placed bio-swales, and various amenities to enhance the river greenway.

 Riverside Drive Over Los Angeles River - This project involves the demolition of the existing Riverside Drive bridge and viaduct structures, to be replaced with a standard single-curve bridge/grade separation, approximately 900 feet in length. The replacement structure will cross the Los Angeles River, Avenue 19, and the Metrolink tracks, and will be striped as a two-lane bridge which flares to 4 lanes at the new roundabout. The replacement structure will also accommodate a 12-foot wide Class 1 bike path, which will allow a continuous bike connection from the LA River Phase 1C segment to downtown.

 Los Angeles River Greenway And Winnetka Ave. Resurfacing - This is a multi-component project funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The river-related component involves enhancement of a segment of the West Valley River Parkway between Certain Avenue and Winnetka Avenue. It includes the percolation of storm water runoff via strategically placed bio-swales, and various amenities to enhance the river bikeway.

 Hansen Dam Recreation Development Project – The Army Corps of Engineers is looking into a project to enhance flood capacity, and pursue recreation amenities and environmental restoration consistent with the Master Plan.

Bull Creek Channel Ecosystem Restoration Project, Sepulveda Basin  - The Bull Creek Channel is located within the Sepulveda Flood Control Basin. The proposed Army Corps project would develop 27.9 acres of aquatic, riparian and native habitat to enhance and restore wildlife resources in and adjacent to Bull Creek Channel. The site contains a mix of native and exotic species. The proposed project would restore scarce, high-value wildlife habitat to an area that has been heavily affected by urbanization.

Arroyo Seco Ecosystem Restoration Study - The Army Corps study is located within the cities of La Canada-Flintridge, Pasadena, South Pasadena and Los Angeles, and encompasses the watershed for the Arroyo Seco. The study will evaluate the potential for watershed management, and environmental opportunities within the Arroyo Seco watershed. Possible recommendations will include structural and non-structural solutions for projects focused on ecosystem restoration.