Monday, March 9, 1998
Developers vie for support of retail projects in Westwood
Residents still skeptical as to how each plan will become
reality
By Rachel Munoz
Daily Bruin Staff
At the the Westside Urban Forum last Friday, a new generation of
Westwood developers tried to sell their plans to a skeptical
audience.
"Westwood is known nationally as a special place," began
mediator Woodie Tescher, the director of Urban Planning and
Design.
Tescher briefly spoke of a time when Westwood Village was one
with UCLA and its residents. The village offered a wide array of
services while supporting the university and the residents. But
times have changed, and he now believes that the village has become
more segregated from the campus.
Fortunately, the times have changed, and the seeds of new
beginnings are starting to grow. In the past few years, over 60
percent of the property in the village has changed ownership.
Tescher explained that the Westside Urban Forum felt this was
the most opportune time to bring together the key players in
Westwood and see the possibilities of Westwood’s future.
Hands jerked up after his talk with questions about the two
projects’ plans, and whether Macy’s department store will stay in
Westwood.
Bob Walsh of the Westwood Community Alliance and board member of
the Business Improvement District for Westwood, explained that the
Westwood program came forward in the early 1990s with three main
goals: moving forward with city-owned parking, creating the
streetscape improvement program, and developing the Business
Improvement District.
Since that program was put into action over two years ago, crime
statistics have improved dramatically and cultural arts has become
a focus for Westwood, with new holiday decorations and summer
concerts.
"Truly, the future of Westwood is ahead of us," said Walsh.
UCLA’s position in Westwood, past and present, was also a key
issue of the panel.
"UCLA has a historic relationship and broad interest here," said
Peter Blackman, UCLA administrative vice chancellor. As a major
tenant in Westwood, UCLA is interested in a village that is
economically viable. He believes that an unsuccessful village will
reflect poorly on UCLA.
Blackman’s short speech was followed by Allen Abshez, the
project counselor for the Village Center Westwood. Abshez filled in
for Ira Smedra, the developer of the project, who could not attend
the forum.
Abshez described the project, noting first the five-acre parcel
of land just south of Macy’s that they expect to build the project
on. Also in the works are 1,650 subterranean parking spaces, which
project leaders believe will address the problem of parking, the
No. 1 complaint about Westwood.
The Village Center Westwood will donate 12,000 square feet of
the project for a public library, accompanied by 150,000 square
feet of retail space and 26,000 square feet for restaurants and
theaters. A supermarket and drug store are also in the plans.
"We want to build an anchor role in the village," Abshez said.
"We want to get people back in the habit of coming to Westwood
again."
The third speaker, Doug Brown, gave the features of Regent
Properties’ project, planned for the east side of the village, on
Gayley.
Though smaller than the Village Center Westwood, the Westwood
Marketplace will provide a few of the same services, including
movie theaters and retail space.
From the 130,000 square-foot project, 60,000 of those square
feet will be designated as an urban village with an outdoor
environment, to be built in a colonial mediterranean style.
Brown mentioned that when developments have been planned for
places like Glendale or Hollywood, the idea is always to build a
Westwood village.
"So where better to build a Westwood Village than in Westwood?"
he asked.
Opposed to both projects is Larry Taylor, the single largest
property owner in the village, after acquiring over $50 million in
property.
"Westwood is not looking to be redeveloped. It is already
developed," he stated at the beginning of his speech.
Now, as Westwood is sandwiched between UCLA to the north and
high rises to the south, he attributes the decline experienced over
the years to a lack of concern, talent and design. Taylor would
like to rehabilitate what is already here, instead of starting over
and building more structures.
"Why don’t we take what is there and restore, rebuild and
revitalize?" he suggested. "The 200,000 square feet of buildings
existing will provide a wonderful catalyst for restoration."
He believes less is more and relayed his disapproval of Smedra’s
Village Center Westwood, calling some of its components stupid,
short-sighted and basically a bad idea.
Jeffrey Lewine, president and CEO of Mann Theaters, is
interested in restoring the Bruin and the Village Theaters and
allowing for an improved Westwood Village experience.
As a newcomer to Westwood, Lewine has detected the passion for
Westwood that so many people possess. He sees that these people
have different visions for Westwood, but believes that all of these
same people have one thing in common: brains.
With this combination the "sea of Westwood should rise and
should rise for all of us," he said.
He finished his speech by ending any rumor that Mann Theaters is
leaving Westwood, insisting that they were not leaving, have never
left, and do not plan to ever leave the village.
Questions ranged over a variety of topics. One attendee
questioned Westwood’s ability to change with the times in order to
preserve its vitality.
He was quickly answered by Jackie Freedman, co-president of the
Holmby Westwood Homeowners’ Association. She insisted that Westwood
has plenty of space to grow and change within the Westwood Specific
Plan. She also suggested that if the plan is going to change then
an overall comprehensive look should be taken.
Suspicions that the university is quietly creeping into the
village surfaced.
Blackman assured him that UCLA’s agenda is currently focused on
retrofitting buildings and not taking over Westwood. UCLA would
like to acquire more office space in Westwood, which is no
different than many other businesses in the area.
One question addressed the 30- foot sunken plaza in the Village
Center Westwood. An example was requested of a sunken plaza that
has worked.
Abshez could not give an example of a lucrative sunken plaza but
believes it will work as an attractive space with a unique
design.
One community member suggested that Smedra consider building the
Nansay Project instead of his Village Center Westwood. The final
entitlement for this project was completely approved in March of
1993 and remains within the requirements of the Westwood Specific
Plan.
This project consists of a hotel, high-end retail space,
commercial and office space and 24 condos.
Unlike the Village Center Westwood, it would not require the
vacation of Glendon Avenue, a big concern for many Westwood
residents.
Finally, Lewine told the forum that Mann Theaters is about to
announce their interest in a Kodak fantasy theater, which would be
an exhibition of new technology.
Outside of all the exciting plans that hope to revitalize
Westwood, Lewine recommends that everyone needs to come together in
a consensus first.
"People are going to stop wanting to hear about it and you’ll
never have a consensus," he said.