Unfortunately, They’re Closed

Just as many enterprises have been opening downtown in recent months, others have been closing--some temporarily, some for good. Here’s a quick look at four erstwhile attractions you shouldn’t expect to see downtown, at least not right away.

For other downtown information, including upcoming events, parking and driving directions, check any of these Web sites: www.downtownla.com, www.downtownnews.com or www.newdowntown.com.

The Angels Flight Railway

The short, historic two-rail-car funicular that climbs Bunker Hill from Hill Street (between 3rd and 4th streets) has been closed since an accident killed one passenger and injured seven others in February 2001. The Angels Flight Railway Assn. has pledged a reopening this year but set no date. (213) 808-2273.

Children’s Museum

of Los Angeles

After more than 20 years at 310 N. Main St., the museum closed in August 2000, planning to reopen later at two new sites. One is downtown, 11/2 acres near the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo (groundbreaking forecast for 2003, opening for 2005). The other is a one-acre site at Hansen Dam in Pacoima (ground-breaking scheduled for this summer, opening forecast for 2004). A spokeswoman said those projects together carry a $100-million price tag, of which the museum has about $20 million in hand. (213) 687-8800, Ext. 124; www.childrensmuseumla.org.

Al’s Bar

Beloved and battered through the 1980s and ‘90s as a watering hole and performance venue for downtown artists and rock musicians, Al’s Bar closed in August after its building on South Hewitt Street, just off Traction Avenue, was sold.

The Los Angeles Times’

Globe Lobby

The newspaper’s Globe Lobby, which faces 1st Street near its intersection with Spring Street, is dominated by a slowly spinning Art Deco planet Earth and has served for decades as the public window onto the newspaper. Heightened security measures since Sept. 11 have caused its closure to the public, though tours of the building are still offered. (213) 237-5757.