LA Curbed says that the LA City Council has organized and launched on Tuesday the design contest. The purpose of which is not only "to reimagine the space-which has been around since the 1860s with several makeovers over the years," but also "to oversee project management and fundraising for the endeavor."
The renovation is called "Pershing Square Renew." This endeavor is facilitated by Council member Jose Huizar, who also help create PSR organization. According to the Huizar, the competition costs the city nothing. However, the Department of Recreation and Parks and MacFarlane Partners have "kicked in $1 million toward redevelopment last year, and the developers of LA-Live-adjacent megaproject Metropolis contributed $250,000."
While there are renovations and improvements made to other landmarks in downtown Los Angeles, Pershing Square has been left with its unpopular look despite that it has been renovated in the 90s, with architect Ricardo Legorreta leading the makeover project. The architect was the one who put in the " purple bell tower structure, red spheres, and that fountain." The post-modern renovation that had been done was despised even more.
To avoid the committing the same mistake, PSR has initiated several public workshops so that the city council would be aware of what the public wants to see or even "don't want to see" at Pershing Square. Most of the public wanted to see live music and other cultural events.
As for the contest, there will be three phases before the winner will be announced in February 2015. The first phase has started this month. "Phase I: An open invitation "to all interested design teams" to submit their qualifications and a portfolio showing they're up to the task. Phase II: In November, 10 or 12 semifinalists will move on and "be asked to prepare a vision idea for Pershing Square to demonstrate their understanding of project aspirations and their innovative approach in creating the desired experience."
Phase III: In February, four teams will be picked to receive a stipend for work on actual designs for the park."
In a separate report of L.A. Curbed, it says that the renovation project is expected to finish in 2020, and would be opened to the public as "a platform for civic engagement, a place of rest, play and leisure for residents, local community stakeholders, and visitors alike" as described by LA City Council member Jose Huizar.
