PCR prepared the EIRs for the STAPLES Center and the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment District, now referred to as L.A. Live, projects totaling 36 acres on eight city blocks located adjacent to the existing Los Angeles Convention Center Complex in downtown Los Angeles. Serving as the home of the Los Angeles Kings, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Los Angeles Lakers, STAPLES Center opened in the fall of 2000 and is anchored by a sports/entertainment arena with maximum capacity of 22,000 seats. These two projects provided for the development of over 1.5 million square feet of retail, hotel, entertainment, restaurant and office uses, 9,000 parking spaces and 800 residential units.
PCR led the preparation effort, directed a number of specialized technical subconsultants and worked directly with the two lead agencies – Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles and the City of Los Angeles Department of City Planning. PCR played an integral role in the communication and coordination between the Staples Center Complex and Los Angeles Convention Center to facilitate planning between the venues for a successful EIR.
In October 2001 a suit was filed to overturn the certification of the controversial L.A. Live. PCR’s meticulous attention to detail, effective communication and solid documentation attributed to the dismissal of the case and the EIR was upheld.