LA's Nightmare Intersection Could Become a Park

A controversial six-way intersection in Los Angeles, known as the "San Vicente Asterisk," is being considered for a significant transformation. The intersection of San Vicente Boulevard, Fairfax Avenue, and Olympic Boulevard frequently causes gridlock and dangerous conditions for pedestrians. A new nonprofit, the San Vicente Park Foundation, has proposed to reimagine this area by reducing San Vicente Boulevard to one lane in each direction and creating a 3.2-mile linear park in its median.

The proposed parkway, stretching from Venice Boulevard to Beverly Boulevard, could feature various amenities based on community input. This initiative aligns with a growing trend in Los Angeles to convert vast areas of pavement into public green spaces, addressing the city's documented deficit in park access. The foundation cites the upcoming K Line metro extension as a catalyst, suggesting that improved public transit makes repurposing wide roadways more feasible.

This concept is not entirely novel in Los Angeles. Similar projects are underway or being studied, such as Destination Crenshaw transforming a section of Crenshaw Boulevard and plans to study capping a portion of Interstate 10 with parks in Santa Monica. The Hollywood Central Park proposal also aims to cap a section of the 101 Freeway. These efforts reflect a broader reevaluation of car dependency in the region.

The San Vicente Park Foundation estimates the project could cost around $200 million and take two to five years to construct after approvals. While still in early fundraising and feasibility study stages, the proposal has gained support from local neighborhood councils. The foundation acknowledges that the conversion may impact vehicular travel times, emphasizing that the community and officials must balance potential traffic increases with the benefits of expanded public amenities.