Does tactical urbanism include showing up with with a trash bag and a bucket of water?

I can't possibly be the only one who notices this.  I do not understand why, if Metro is ignoring this mess, the adjacent businesses and property owners do not take it upon themselves to fix it. I've asked this question before. How does a person who cares go about fixing this? Does tactical urbanism include showing up with a trash bag and a bucket of water?

Does Family Dollar really need all this parking?

The zoning code probably says so, but the reality is that parking codes are usually outdated and based on poor assumptions. I walked past again on Saturday afternoon and there were even fewer cars and I observed six different people walking home from the store rather than driving. This property is on a corner and kills the otherwise pleasant walkability of the neighborhood. Nothing to look at as you walk by. Not even some softening with decent landscaping. Just barren asphalt. Can you imagine what that experience must be like in the dead of August? 

The developer chose to highlight the abundant free parking rather than take advantage of the prominent corner location by placing the building at the street where it can be seen and easily accessed by pedestrians. In the developer's defense, it's possible the zoning code REQUIRES this.

Developments like this are deadly to the urbanism and contribute to making neighborhoods places that are not worth caring about.

Related

Utterly Biege

I reviewed plans last week for the renovation of a commercial development that included the color "Utterly Biege." I've never seen that sort of honesty on a set of plans. It reminded me of the signs certain homeless men carry that say, "I need money for beer."

Utility Lines in the Valley

 

I used a filter on this to highlight the utility lines.  Crazy. And depressing. And sort of embarrassing.

Utility Lines

This picture was taken on a rainy day so if that affects how you feel about the picture imagine it is a bright sunny day. This is Sepulveda at Santa Monica Boulevard in West LA.  Should these power lines be placed underground? Would placing the utility lines underground make this area a place worth caring about? It's a relatively inhospitable place for for anything besides automobiles, but it might be a good place to start. Maybe replace each utility pole with a tree.

Billboard

This billboard towers over the charming cottage apartment. At its base it is painted to match the building. I guess it could be worse. It could be an electronic billboard.  I wonder if they get cheaper rent.