Some Signs of Discontent

There are two details Staples Center doesn’t want anyone to overlook: its towering marquees that stand beside the 10 and 110 freeways.

The signs loom over one of the busiest intersections in the world, glowing late into the night with electronic message boards and corporate logos. They have helped the arena attract $31 million a year from companies, the Los Angeles Times among them, desiring high visibility.

But the marquees also have attracted complaints from a neighborhood bordering downtown.

“At night, we can see those lights flashing on the walls inside our home,” said Dr. Mary Ann Hutchison, who lives in one of the historic houses along Alvarado Terrace, a mile or so away. “It’s like living in a cheap motel.”

There have been other points of contention between the arena and nearby residents.

The Pico-Union neighborhood settled its lawsuit against developers, accepting $2.1 million for programs to mitigate what they fear will be increased traffic, noise and crime on their streets.

Other residents said historic buildings that might have been restored or relocated were instead razed to make room for parking lots. Tom Florio, a board member with the West Adams Heritage Assn., said: “They’re penalizing those who stick with their community, people who try to clean up neighborhoods and deal with crime and not flee.”

Arena executives insist they have tried to accommodate residents and will continue to monitor traffic on nearby streets in the coming weeks.

As for the marquees, they stand 135 and 143 feet tall, more than three times taller than allowed by existing municipal code. They were made possible by a special ordinance earlier this year.

Now, after receiving complaints, arena executives say they have dimmed the signs.

But Alvarado Terrace resident Anthony Henderson complains that he still gets a light show in his upstairs bedroom at night.

“Constant blinking and flashing,” Henderson said. “Very annoying.”