Construction on Sixth Street Viaduct PARC Plugs Along

Gary Leonard

The Sixth Street Viaduct may have gone dark due to copper wire theft, but the 12 acres of promised green space beneath this iconic L.A. River crossing are beginning to take shape.

The Sixth Street Viaduct PARC—short for "Park, Arts, and River Connectivity"—will span seven acres of parkland on the west side of the river in the Arts District, and five acres on the east side in Boyle Heights.

Designed by Hargreaves Jones, this $82-million project will offer distinct features depending on which side of the river you're on. The east side will be more community-focused, with sports fields, courts, picnic areas, and event spaces, while the Arts District side will include a performance lawn, dog park, and fitness equipment.

Also part of the project is Leonard Hill Arts Plaza, located directly beneath the viaduct, named after the late partner at Linear City who made a donation toward its creation.

At the time of the ceremonial groundbreaking in mid-2022, the Bureau of Engineering estimated construction would take about two and a half years to complete.

The viaduct will serve as a key landmark for new developments in the southern Arts District, including a tower complex designed by Bjarke Ingels near Leonard Hill Arts Plaza. It will also connect to planned transportation upgrades along the river, such as an extension of the Los Angeles River bike path and a future Metro stop on the B and D Lines at 6th Street.

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