Pershing Square set to receive $2 million renovation

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Pershing Square is located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, and over the years the 5-acre park has been redesigned several times.

One of the more notable times was in the 1950s when the addition of an underground parking garage resulted in the removal of a lush canopy of trees. Then, in 1992 the square received a more modern redesign that was met with mixed reviews from residents.

Now city and civic leaders say it's time to reclaim Pershing Square's historic heritage and renovate the space one more time.

At a news conference in the square Wednesday morning, City Councilman Jose Huizar announced that $2 million will go toward the park's overhaul.

"We've got to redesign it so that we feel that potential that this park has," Huizar said. "It's not as inviting as it should be. It's got a lot of concrete, it's difficult to get to, [there aren't] a lot of places to sit or talk or communicate."

Huizar said that $1 million in funding will come from MacFarlane Partners, a private developer which plans to build high-rise residential towers near the square. The other $1 million will come from the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, with that money going toward more immediate projects.

"We're hoping to put that money toward a new playground and some other infrastructure improvements that are happening here," said Mike Shull, general manager of the parks department.

Huizar hopes his Pershing Square initiative will make the park much more friendly for residents to use. He said a task force comprising downtown stakeholders will come up with the ideas on how to re-imagine the park.

Still, when a redesign plan this big involves so much input, a lot of ideas will be thrown around and people may not agree.

One downtown resident voiced his dissent with the plan at the press conference. Albert Sabo said the park doesn't do enough for the city's homeless population.

"I have plans myself, which I'm sure they won't listen to, on how to redesign the park," he said.

But Huizar said the city will also gather community input and offer up a design competition in the hopes of making Pershing Square another example of downtown's rebirth.