Thursday, 4/17/97 Coalition presents Village Commons plan
Alternate revitalization project focuses on arts, culture
By Rachel Munoz Daily Bruin Contributor The crowded Garden Room
at Macy’s hushed to whispers as Councilman Michael Feuer took his
place in front of the microphone. Many Westwood residents, anxious
for change, waited with open ears and minds as yet another
suggestion joined the ranks of ideas for the revitalization of
Westwood. Tuesday evening, Laura Lake, president of Friends of
Westwood and a member of the Westwood Coalition, presented an
alternative plan to Ira Smedra’s Village Center Westwood. The plan,
titled Westwood Village Commons, made its debut to the city
councilman as well as the working-group that has been working with
Smedra on his project. Smedra’s project has been on the drawing
boards for two years. It would be built on the five-acre parcel of
land across the street from Macy’s on Weyburn Avenue. He has
proposed a large open air plaza which would include movie theatres,
a supermarket and retail space. The major difference between the
two plans is the lack of movie theaters in the Commons plan. The
cultural aspects are more of a focus in the Commons. "We’ve been
asked many times, ‘What do you want?’" Lake simply explained. This
plan is composed of what many Westwood residents would like to see
in their village, she said. Mike Metcalfe, designer of the Westwood
Village Commons, explained how he came up with the design of the
plan. "I took the list of uses suggested and that became the
program. I looked at the character of the village and took the plan
to respond to the character." The plan for the Commons, although
only three weeks old, has a wide array of differences when compared
with Smedra’s project. The preliminary plans include a
European-style grand food market inspired by the legendary Les
Halles in Paris; a Tavern-On-The-Green style restaurant; an upscale
garden hotel; offices; a live theatre and retail shops. The plan
includes a branch library – the first to be established in Westwood
– located on the outer east side edge of the plan. Also integrated
into the plan is a palm court surrounding the Geffen Playhouse, a
large central plaza connecting to Westwood Boulevard and a park
with a childrens play area. Macy’s would be redesigned to a more
modern look which would ultimately allow more area to be developed
around the department store. The sketch for the Commons includes
metered parking near the food market and 2 1/2 levels of
subterranean parking in response to the lack of current parking in
the village. Teri Tegnezian, member of the Westwood Coalition,
explained that the development of the Commons was anchored by arts
and culture. These aspects bring UCLA into the picture. "We want to
capitalize on the university’s culture," Metcalfe said. "Westwood
is a logical venue of UCLA’s presentation of culture." But UCLA
would not stand as the sole provider of art and culture for the
Commons, he said. "We want other local art institutions to have a
presence," Metcalfe added. UCLA could also have another role on the
plan. "We would want UCLA to come in as a long term tenant as they
did at (Universal) Citywalk," Metcalfe suggested. Another goal
embedded in the Commons is to tie all of Westwood together. The
planned concept hopes to reach out to all of the village, according
to Metcalfe. "The object is to integrate," he explained, "We want
to maintain circulation." One way the plan intends to integrate the
village is by keeping Glendon Avenue open. Smedra’s Village Center
project proposes to close the street from vehicles and make it into
an open air walkway. Lake and others insist that as a public
street, Glendon is "theirs." "We do own Glendon Avenue," Lake
stated. Although Smedra owns the property surrounding the avenue,
Lake feels that Smedra does not have the authority to alter a
public thoroughfare. Westwood resident Richard Tell agreed with
Lake. "I want to re-emphasize that we own Glendon Avenue. Glendon
is not owned by the developer," he said. Though Smedra did not
attend Tuesday’s meeting, a working-group meeting will be held with
Councilman Feuer, Lake and Smedra on May 5 to look at the
possibilities for the area. After the appeal of the art and culture
had sunk in to the members of the working group and audience,
concern centered on the economic impact of the Commons. Tegnezian
explained that the plan is only three weeks old and no analyses
have been completed, but she did have an idea about relating the
cost of the plan. "The project is likely to cost less than Smedra’s
project because of less subterranean parking," she said. She
further explained that the bed tax from the planned garden hotel
would generate over a million dollars a year, in addition to the
other taxes that would be collected through retail and office
spaces. "I think the project is excellent in concept but obviously
we need some economic data," commented Bill Wagner, a working-group
member. Lake is anxious for the plan to bring more business to
Westwood, but recognizes the struggles that lie ahead. "It will
take extra effort from the community to make it happen." JAMIE
SCANLON-JACOBS/Daily Bruin Mike Metcafe, architect of proposed
project, explains what would be done to the Macy’s store and
Glendon Ave. under the new Westwood Commons plan. UCLA Admissions
and Orientation Page Office of Residential Life