Crews Begin Removing Scaffolding Used by Trespassers
City crews in Los Angeles have initiated efforts to secure an unfinished complex of downtown high-rise towers that have fallen victim to vandalism and dangerous activities. Workers have started the process by dismantling scaffolding that had been protecting a temporary walkway, which had been used by trespassers to access the property. Police Sergeant Gordon Helper expressed concerns about individuals tearing holes in the fence to gain entry, with fears escalating after incidents like BASE jumping from the towers were documented in social media videos.
Development Project Left Unfinished Due to Lack of Funds
The high-rise towers, originally intended to house a hotel and luxury condominiums, were left unfinished in 2019 when the developer, based in Beijing, faced financial constraints. The escalating levels of graffiti and vandalism have become a public concern, creating an eyesore in a prominent area that includes notable landmarks like Crypto.com Arena and the Los Angeles Convention Center. City Councilmember Kevin de León has emphasized the necessity of finding a new developer to complete the project, estimating a cost of $500 million to acquire the property and $1.5 billion for its completion.