Wednesday, 3/5/97
Visions of the Future
From movie malls to parking lots, village will take on new face
before the year 2000
By Rachel Munoz
Daily Bruin Contributor
The ideas surrounding the future of Westwood continue to plague
the minds of the residents and merchants who live and work in the
village. Many homeowners oppose the upscale movie and retail
developments that others deem necessary for the revitalization of
Westwood.
Exact construction for the village is unplanned, but many
projects can be considered for the future of the village.
Discussion takes place often, but little action has occurred
toward taking those first few land-breaking steps. Only one of the
three proposed projects, the Westwood Village Streetscape, reached
approval to begin work.
Completion of the Streetscape plan occurred in 1991, designed by
Gruen Associates. Scheduled work will begin sometime next month.
The plan has three main goals in its attempt to revitalize
Westwood, according to the Westwood Village Streetscape Status
Report No. 2: making the pedestrian environment more attractive,
enhancing the unique architecture and making it clear that Westwood
is moving in a positive direction.
The components that can make these changes visible are the
addition of new trees, repaired sidewalks and new street furniture.
The finished product debuts sometime this fall.
"The future of Westwood is tied to bringing the village up to
standard," said Bob Walsh, executive director for the Westwood
Community Alliance, a group helping the city bring the plan to
fruition. He believes that the key elements in making the future
Westwood a better place lie in security, marketing, maintenance,
parking and the streetscape.
Rochelle Ventura, a field deputy for city councilman Michael
Feuer, says that the project could be disruptive for a while but
hopes people will see the plan as positively as they do.
"We’re very excited about this," she said, "but this will not
make the village perfect. It’s the first step – a good step."
Another project in the works is Ira Smedra’s Village Center
Westwood. The project consists of movie theaters, an IMAX theater,
a grocery store, a pharmacy and other retail shops.
Smedra, the developer of the project, has been pushing his
project to the city and the residents for over two years. He
recently hired new consultants to help promote the project while
paying special interests to support for the project.
The new consulting group, Carl Terzian & Associates, started
a support group called Westwood 2000 for people who believe the
project is a good thing for Westwood. The group is led by two
co-presidents: Martin Crystal, a Westwood resident; and Frank
Ponder, the manager of Bel Air Camera and Video. Meetings with
supporters and merchants are scheduled to discuss the project.
An additional working group for the project was formed for
Smedra with Feuer as well as other residents and merchants giving
their opinions. The working group sent Smedra back to the drawing
board with 16 concerns. Smedra plans to address the group in about
a month with the new improvements.
Concerns the working group has are focused on the parking,
traffic, number of theater seats and architecture.
"We will make changes we feel viable to the project. We’re not
going to go along with changes that will not work," Smedra said of
the changes.
Ventura mentioned other problems that she found concern with.
Closing down Glendon and a lower height limit for the project are
two of those concerns. She believes that if retailers don’t like
the project they will not be willing to buy spaces there.
"Smedra is trying very hard to create a project that will meet
those needs for the retailer," Ventura said.
Another project Smedra created for himself lies within the Dome
Building. He currently bought the building and in June, the
Wherehouse music store is leaving. Its replacement will be the
upscale, internationally known Mr. Chow’s Restaurant. The
restaurant’s opening will take place in October or November.
The third project that Westwood could see sometime in its future
is a project in conjunction with Mann’s Theatres and Cinamerica.
The plan calls for a somewhat similar entertainment project to that
of Smedra’s, but on the other side of town on Gayley Avenue.
Development of the project has taken place over the past year
and is planned to contain 12 movie screens, retail stores and
restaurants. Both theaters on site, the Regent and the Fourplex,
would be closed to accommodate the new theaters and its 3,000
seats.
The application the project has filed with the city is still
being reviewed to see if its valid. But other problems seem to
concern the city council office. The companies do not have a lease
on the land and the way in which parking will work are two of those
concerns. Ventura further noted that a working group, like the one
assessing Smedra’s project, will be set up to look at this
project.
Though homeowners groups and interest groups might oppose the
two projects, one aspect for Smedra and Mann Theatres that does not
seem to be a problem is competition.
"Everyone wants to see something happen on the Smedra property.
Everyone wants to see something happen in both locations — the
question is what," said Rich Given, the director of marketing and
advertising for Cinamerica. He believes that ultimately the people
will be happy with what will happen on the properties.
The council office agrees with both parties. "Having something
happen on both sides of Westwood is a good thing," Ventura said. "I
hope the future of Westwood is lively and can have people. It’s
unique and should be wonderful."
Currently, Ventura sees an increase in the interest of Westwood.
She says that more investors, domestic and international, have been
calling the council office.
"We hope it results in a vibrant village," Ventura said of the
new possibilities.
In addition to the projects, Feuer would like to see Westwood
become a center of the arts. The city has been working with the Los
Angeles Theater for more live theater in Westwood. The Getty Museum
could also be a new adventure for those visiting Westwood. The
councilman would like to see a system with a shuttle that would
transport people from Westwood to the museum and back again,
according to Ventura.
"We see the village really coming alive in the next few years.
We hope it results in a vibrant village," Ventura said.Though
homeowners groups and interest groups might oppose the two
projects, one aspect for Smedra and Mann Theatres that does not
seem to be a problem is competition.