ICONS

During his nearly 50 years of wandering around Los Angeles, photographer William Reagh, 79, has seen our city transform itself more than a time or two--hence his acclaimed black-and-white exhibit, “The Changing Face Of Los Angeles,” which has been shown nationally and in Berlin, L.A.’s sister city. Which transformations does the world-renowned photographer think are for better and which for worse?

WORSE

Pershing Square--It used to be like Hyde Park in London. Now it’s just blah.

Hollywood Boulevard--In the ‘30s and ‘40s, there were nice stores--Stanley Rose’s bookstore, a lot of intellectual people hung out there; Musso and Frank’s, where all the motion-picture people used to go. Now it’s a travesty.

Miracle Mile--It was the class shopping part of the city. Now nobody thinks of it as a place you’d really want to go.

The Red Car--We once had a great public-transportation system. When I first came here, I lived in San Pedro, and I used to ride it every day.

BETTER

The Spanish Steps at First Interstate Tower--It’s very nice, although I’m sure a lot of architects say it stinks.

Melrose Avenue--In the ‘50s, it was just a couple of nothing stores. Now it’s trendy and kind of kitschy. I like it.

3rd Street From Figueroa to the Tunnel--It was sort of a Skid Row. Maybe it doesn’t have much character now, but at least it’s clean.

The Blue Line--It’s a step in the right direction. Definitely.