At its meeting this week, the CRA/LA Governing Board considered entering into a ground lease with Grand Avenue Project developer Related California for a currently unused space behind the Broad.

Long considered the site of the Grand Avenue Project's Phase IIC, current plans call for softening the concrete expanse with landscaping to function as public open space.  The new plaza would connect to a planned pedestrian bridge across Hope Street that will connect with a new subway station under construction to the west.

Inglewood-based architecture firm (FER) Studio is designing both projects. They will expand upon an existing plaza built at-grade with Grand Avenue to provide park-like space between the Broad and the Emerson apartment tower.

Although the proposed ground leased would last for a term of 99 years, the Grand Avenue Authority intends to access interest from prospective developers on or prior to its seventh anniversary.  Should demand exist, the ground lease with Related Cos. would be terminated and a new lease would be executed with a developer.

While a potential development at the Phase IIC site has been put on ice for the near-term future, other components of the Grand Avenue Project are still moving forward.  Construction is set to commence on the multi-phase developments signature component this fall: a pair of Frank Gehry-designed hotel and residential towers.