Recently, blogdowntown succinctly described some of the complexities of revitalizing the Los Angeles River through downtown Los Angeles, quickly realizing that Nothing is Simple. The blog post highlights outdated land use patterns and various proposed developments in relation to river revitalization efforts, highlighting the PBy Vision as an alternative design for a single use railyard – no matter who the owner. Lewis MacAdams was interviewed, noting specifically that “there’s no space in the central city that’s not contested space” and that the real question is how to work around the existing rail tracks and create river access. Click on the link above to read the whole story.

The Piggyback Yard Conceptual Master Plan has been conceived with the goal of helping to transform Los Angeles for the symbiotic betterment of its community and its ecology, creating a significant opportunity for meaningful interaction between people and nature.

At its core is the specific goal of providing extensive public access to the Los Angeles River, populating, revitalizing its banks, and creating thriving possibilities surrounding its presence, the availability of land, connectivity to multiple transportation modes, and the strategic location of the Piggyback Yard at the heart of the city. (more…)

For most of its history, Los Angeles has suffered from large-scale planning that has been singular in its intention – from water management to highway implementation to neighborhood division. These solutions have consequently had negative effects upon much of our natural environment: wasting resources, destroying habitat, and ultimately separating Angelenos’ connection to place and role within our indigenous ecology and urban situation. (more…)

Our vision for the Piggyback Yards is founded on four major principles; restore the Los Angeles River at the heart of the city while providing access to people and promoting sound water management; create significant public open space with a wealth of activities; connect to adjacent neighborhoods and bridge between east and west while maintaining all major existing railroads; build a diverse, vibrant community where people live, work, learn and play. (more…)