MacArthur Park has a cult history within the lore of Los Angeles. Immortalized in the classic song by Jimmy Webb, the place was once a luxurious area full of hotels and upmarket eateries. Now it is known for its poor infrastructure and high unemployment rating. Calls have been made to gentrify the park and restore its former glory. Below, we discuss how and why MacArthur Park needs a reinvention.
MacArthur Park’s Past
The Park was built in the 1880s from swampland. This ground was quickly cleared and by the 1890s it was overflowing with luxury hotels. Its local neighborhood even became known as the Champs Elysees of Los Angeles, the go-to place for anyone who was anyone in LA.
Many believe the demise of the area came from Wilshire Boulevard. This thoroughfare had previously run up to the northern lake. As it expanded, it was extended and cut the park in two. The west was the side closest to the Pacific, and it quickly attracted the wealthier clientele. The east was the side that became overcrowded and property prices dropped quickly.
MacArthur Park’s Present
“MacArthur’s Park is melting in the dark” are the opening lyrics from the aforementioned song, and in the case of life imitating art, many would say that is now true.
The park itself and the 2.72 mile radius around it known as Westlake, are no longer the most desirable property spots. It is the most densely populated area in Los Angeles, with 38,214 people living there for every square mile. The infrastructure needs a serious cash injection, and small businesses need assistance to grow there and benefit the area.
The Future of MacArthur Park
If the area is to regain the status it once had, then serious investment is needed. One solution could be a large casino resort, the likes of which exist in Atlantic City and Las Vegas.
This industry has been buoyed by the boom in online casinos, of which California is one of the states with a positive attitude to online gambling. Those interested in casinos can now browse these online options and many like them from the comfort of their home. However, this has not kept people away but contributed to footfall in real casinos. Options found at the link such as Golden Nugget and Borgata have both physical and online offerings. The Borgata in Atlantic City has a concert venue, comedy club, a host of restaurants, and the largest hotel in the city attached. Placing this near MacArthur Park would be a huge boost for the area.
Another solution could be to remove the Wilshire Boulevard that once split the area in two. While this road is vastly popular, rerouting traffic through city planning could thin the reams of traffic. Over time, with investment in the east side, perhaps the likes of which may involve casinos and entertainment venues to attract people there, this boundary could be dismantled physically, economically, and socially.
It is possible to regenerate areas such as this. We have seen the gentrification of many neighborhoods across the US. With the right input, MacArthur Park can regain the allure it once had. The song said, “Spring was never waiting for us, dear it ran one step ahead”. It may finally be time for MacArthur Park to catch up to it and witness a new awakening in its history.
