The document outlines a vision to transform the Figueroa Corridor by linking Downtown Los Angeles and USC through street improvements that encourage walking, community cohesion, public transit, and economic development. It identifies three key criteria to achieve this vision: 1) allocating public space fairly for various modes of transportation; 2) designing the street at a human scale with building edges; and 3) making building facades and hubs of activity more inviting to pedestrians. A series of strategies are proposed, including rezonings to create unique districts, establishing public shared spaces, infilling underutilized areas with parks, and engaging the community.

1. Vision
Figueroa Corridor
Linking Downtown Los Angeles with the University of Southern California by creating a
unique environment on the Figueroa Corridor that encourages pedestrian movement,
neighborhood cohesion, enhanced public transportation, and economic development.
Expo Line
Blue Line
Proposed Street Improvement
Kevin Kohan P. 1

2. Ingredients
Figueroa Corridor
The design and performance of the public right-of-way plays an important role in the
provision of a public realm that actively invites people and contributes positively to
their quality of life. To achieve the vision for Figueroa Street and related public spaces
in the corridor the City must address three key criteria in its transformation.
1. A Fair Balance
Up to 80% of the public right-of-way is
today dominated by roadway for public
vehicles. In the future the public right-
of-way should be a fair allocation of
space for walking, cycling, streetcars,
and motor cyclers.
2. A Human Scale
Only 40% of the length of Figueroa
Street is defined by buildings that line
the back of sidewalks. In the future
the street must be better defined by
coherent building edges defining much
of its length.
3. Inviting Building Edges
Many inactive blank facades of existing
hubs along Figueroa Street hide the
existing vibrancy of cultural and urban
life from passers-by. These existing hubs
of activity need to open to the street to
make this life visible. The street must
create recreational spaces in the public
right-of-way to invite all people to enjoy
this life.
Kevin Kohan P. 2

3. Ingredients
Figueroa Corridor
Better Walking on Figueroa
1 Reduce amount of driveways
cutting up the sidewalks at parking lot
entrances and small service lanes.
Bike Racks
2 More mid-block crossings in all
areas with evident pedestrian crossing Bus Shelters
movement.
Separated Bike
3 Provide frequent places where the Path
old and the young can rest.
Bike Racks
Better Cycling on Figueroa
Existing curb
1 Provide continuous cycle lanes that
start and end in real destinations where
people want to go. Make them connect
Separated Bike
in the most direct way.
Path
2 Physically separate cycle paths from Bike Parking
sidewalks. It will remain an arterial
corridor with high traffic volumes in Buffer Strip: Rain
some areas. Garden
3 Provide frequent dedicated bicycle
parking where needed. Along key Buffer Strip:
cycling routes make cycling the most Parking Lane
convenient way to get around.
Better Public Transport Access
1 Create new transportation hubs on
Figueroa where focus is given to easy
switching of transportation systems.
2 Provide inviting bus shelters and high
quality open spaces for waiting and Mid-block Crossing
display real time information. & Curb Extensions
with benches and
3 Invest in high quality sidewalks planted areas.
and pedestrian crossings along all
streets with walkable areas of key
transportation hubs.
Kevin Kohan P. 3

4. Ingredients
Figueroa Corridor
Existing Section
16’ 63’ 16’
Before: Figueroa Street at 18th Street
Proposed Section
25’ 45’ 25’
After: with enhanced buffer strip, transit furniture, and parkways
Kevin Kohan P. 4

5. Strategy
Figueroa Corridor
1 Rezone uses in order to create districts with unique identities as well
as non-iconic places in between.
Financial Core
11th Street
University Park
Entertainment
USC Campus Edge
Exposition Park
Kevin Kohan P. 5

6. Strategy
Figueroa Corridor
2 Establish land use policies that create public shared spaces
At the intersection of Figueroa and 11th Street there is the opportunity to create a new,
iconic public space destination for Downtown Los Angeles. Drawing on the visiting crowds
frequenting LA Live, the shared space program will create a space for movement of
pedestrians, cyclists and motorists as well as establish areas for recreational activities. A
complimentary new street design suggests that outdoor spaces are not just transportation
space alone.
Shared Space
Reduction to a single lane of one-way traffic
serving single blocks. Urban furniture defines
movement space.
Key downtown public space destination with
recreational space in public right-of-way.
Kevin Kohan P. 6

7. Strategy
Figueroa Corridor
3 Infill underutilized areas with eco-corridors to provide densification
Exposition Boulevard no longer functions as a roadway east of Hope Street West and much
of this route can be transformed into a green eco-corridor. A wonderful local micro-climate
could be created in this park-like environment featuring play areas and community gardens.
Existing view along former Exposition Blvd Proposed green eco-corridor
4 Promote community engagement
Community input is essential to the success of these strategies. It is important to bring
community members and stakeholders together to help decide how their community should
change. This process results in informed and engaged residents that feel better connected
to their communities. While sometimes contentious, but more often productive, community
engagement is an essential ingredient of making the Figueroa Corridor successful.
Community workshops engage all the Presentation stations are helpful to present ideas
stakeholders and provide great feedback to the community.
to the designers and planners.
Kevin Kohan P. 7