One or Four?
When our committee was elected last month, the city was saying, One Project, One Dream, One Idea.
Is the city moving away from that plan, changing the rules now in order to get Phase 1 built?
Mr. Goldman said he is concerned that all 12 1/2 acres will be redeveloped, not just one corner.
Champions Call?
Bob Champion, the temporarily designated developer, has declared an abiding interest in Phase 1, the southwesterly corner of Jefferson Boulevard and South Sepulveda.
At the last Citizens Committee meeting, architectural drawings were unveiled portraying that presently bland corner as a glamourous plaza-style destination for locals and tourists.
The Balance
What about the rest of the west side of South Sepulveda, from Jefferson to Sawtelle?
Rumors have been rife for months that Mr. Champion was only truly interested in the first of the four phases.
Two weeks ago, at the second meeting of the Citizens Committee, Mr. Champion scolded those who doubted his resolve to undertake the entire bloc of 77 businesses. The developer said his critics were just plain wrong.
Monolith or Hodge-Podge?
City Hall has stated on numerous occasions that it envisions a monolithic project, a seamless plan engineered by a single developer for aesthetic purposes, among other reasons.
Nevertheless, some persons involved with the South Sepulveda teardown surmise that Mr. Champion is far less feverish about the balance. I believe he is only marginally committed, one person said.
All or Nothing
In my opinion, said Mr. Goldman, if the city is not going to pursue Phases 2, 3 and 4 on a timely basis, they should not even start the project.
Unless the City Council is convinced Mr. Champion is committed to the whole rebuild, they should not award Phase 1 to him, Mr. Goldman said.
Meeting No. 3 for the Citizens Advisory Committee, in a planned series of four, is scheduled for next week, Tuesday, May 22, 7 p.m., at the Senior Center.
Final Session?
The fourth meeting, Wednesday, June 6, also at 7, will mark a return to the Rotunda Room at the Vets Auditorium.
Joe Susca, the citys project manager, said this afternoon he wanted to place the meetings closer to Sunkist Park, at El Rincon School and at El Marino School. But the School District said neither was available.
Flexible Schedule
If the Citizens Committee wants more than four meetings, Mr. Susca said, he will be happy to schedule them.
The City Councils pivotal vote tentatively is planned for July.
