Wave Wire Services
LOS ANGELES — Digital signs have been installed at the three public parking garages in Hollywood to show drivers their current occupancy levels, Councilman Mitch O’Farrell said Sept. 17.
The project was an effort between the councilman’s office and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, and is part of a series of plans under the HEART of Hollywood initiative.
“Hollywood is well-served by off-street public parking, but that’s not always clear to drivers,” O’Farrell said. “The concept for the HEART of Hollywood initiative and its signature project, the Walk of Fame Master Plan, envisions a better overall experience for local residents and visitors to Hollywood.”
Hollywood’s three municipal parking garages are Lot 670, at 1710 N. Cherokee Ave., Lot 702, at 1627 N. Vine St., and Lot 745, at 6801 Hollywood Blvd.
Together, the garages offer about 4,000 public parking spaces. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the garages had an average vacancy rate of 44%. Since the pandemic began, the vacancy rate is 80%, O’Farrell said.
“People come from all over the world to visit Hollywood. Once they get here, we want to make sure they feel welcomed and at home,” said Seleta Reynolds, general manager of the Department of Transportation. “This new signage will guide residents and visitors alike, part of a series of improvements to make Hollywood streets more inviting for all.”
Many of the new digital occupancy signs are designed in an Art Deco style, consistent with pedestrian signage installed in 2019 and other improvements conceived in the Walk of Fame Master Plan, O’Farrell said.
The Department of Transportation is now working to complete the second and third phases of the digital wayfinding in Hollywood, which includes upgrades to six existing digital signs.
The department will also install five digital messaging signs around the perimeter of Hollywood to alert drivers about upcoming events, street closures and more.
“As Hollywood looks to emerge from COVID-19, this infrastructure will be welcomed by the business community,” said Rana Ghadban, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. “These timely investments will literally welcome people back to Hollywood and help our neighborhood recover from the pandemic.”
“In addition to the practical benefits of these signs, they are also important in terms of placemaking,” said Kristopher Larson, president and CEO of the Hollywood Partnership. “The Art Deco motif is closely associated with Hollywood, and we look forward to seeing this aesthetic revived over the coming months and years, as more improvements come to Hollywood.”
More information on the HEART of Hollywood initiative, the Walk of Fame Master Plan and other updates is available at heartofhollywood.la.
