Long before the Convention Center/Staples, a proposal for a downtown "trade fair" center and arena....from the L.A. Examiner archives, 3/28/51...
Photograph of a diagram. 'How it would look -- Here is a cutaway drawing of the auditorium and trade fair center that would be built downtown if Propositions A and B are passed at Tuesday's primary election. Auditorium seating 19,000 is at right, and indoor exhibition hall with two wings is at upper left. Outdoor exhibit area is planned between 4th and 5th and Figueroa and Flower.' -- Examiner clipping attached to verso, dated 28 March 1951.;'Artist's cutaway conception of new proposed Auditorium and trade fair center, showing how the proposed projects can be of great benefit to citizens of Los Angeles. Main arena building, right of center, show seating arrangement for convention. Plans call for maximum seating of 19,000 persons. Upper left is the cutaway conception of the indoor exhibition hall of 120,000 square feet. Large center building shows a typical trade exhibit in operation. Right wing illustrates how a different, and smaller group can meet, at the same time the trade fair is in progress. Left wing shows how a third exhibit area can be utilized. Center, between 4th and 5th and Figueroa and Flower Streets is planned for 30,000 square feet of outdoor exhibit area with entrances and exits and cutaway of underground parking facilities show. Lower right is main parking area building. This Auditorium, convention, trade fair and sports center will occupy 23 acres between 3rd and 5th Streets and Fremont and Flower Streets. Proposition A for this fine civic improvement will be given to the people for their approval on the April 3 municipal ballot.' -- typed noted attached to verso.Figueroa Street & Flower Street; Los Angeles, California; Auditorium & Trade Fair CenterLos Angeles -- City -- Buildings -- A. (Photo by Los Angeles Examiner/USC Libraries/Corbis via Getty Images)
And an alternative proposal for Chavez Ravine, should the courts reject the pending contract with the Dodgers, 1958...
Photograph of an sketch by Don May of a proposed lake in Chavez Ravine, 1958. 'From: Joe Alvine & Co., 1052 West 6th Street (MA 5-7519), Los Angeles 17, California;For: Don Anderson;For imediate release' -- typed on verso.;'Council hears public lake for Chavez Ravine proposal -- A public lake for Chavez Ravine if courts rule against the Los Angeles Dodgers' contract was proposed before the Los Angeles City Council today by Assemblyman Don Anderson, 45th district. Artist's sketch (above) was presented to Councilmen to show how area would look developed as a lake. Anderson expressed belief state would lend assistance to project, which he said would give people needed recreational facilities and help beautify downtown section.' --