By Daniel Larios
Staff Writer

November 11, 2014 -- The world-famous Third Street Promenade will soon be more attractive and easier to navigate thanks to a pilot program that includes updated map cases, directories and a decorative pylon.

Construction began in late September and is expected to be completed by mid November, city officials said.

The six new map cases will be larger and therefore easier for patrons of the Promenade to find, read and use. The 32-foot way-finding pylon will be built on the Promenade at Wilshire Boulevard. The landmark will welcome visitors to the Promenade and enhance the visual landscape.

The effort is part of a pilot program that will serve as a template for a larger makeover to create a more uniform look for Downtown.

Among the key features are:

• New larger map cases that allow the map and directory to be featured side by side, making it easier for visitors to pinpoint a destination.

• A 32-foot way-finding pylon on the Promenade at Wilshire Boulevard, which serves as a landmark to welcome visitors and give them a sense of place.

• Custom designed news racks that group and organize the array of existing news boxes and provide consistent visual branding.

• Street lights painted and upgraded to accommodate energy-efficient LED lighting in contemporary fixtures, and

• Improved mounting, wiring and data communication systems for security cameras, cables, spotlights and seasonal lighting outlets currently attached to most poles. 

Designed by Suisman Urban Design, the upgrades will give the Promenade a much more modern feel that provides a unified visual identity, Downtown officials said.

Additional funding still needs to be secured for the remainder of the pilot program.