Angered by Champion, Sunkist Park Residents Organize Alliance to Send Message to City Council

Mr. Netzel added: “Sunkist Park is already under development pressure with five large development projects underway that will impact the neighborhood.”

He cited the $100 million redevelopment of the Fox Hills Mall, a 13-story, 342,409 square foot office tower and parking structure next to the Radisson Hotel, the influx of 1500 employees from the new Symantec headquarters, the 405 freeway construction, and the continued expansion of Playa Vista.

Here Comes Gridlock

“The Champion project is the kind of over- development that will gridlock the area and severely impact this neighborhood with congestion,” stated Mr. Netzel.

As for my opinion, I believe this is only the beginning.

Six other redevelopment projects are planned in Culver City.

If we don’t do something now, our city will be just like West Los Angeles with huge five-story malls along all the streets, congestion and a loss of the small-town feel we’ve come to love in Culver City.

Zoning Problem

The underlying problem, I believe, is that the current zoning codes in effect allow over-building.

A more sensible approach to planning our community will protect the citizens from future over-development of this kind that eradicates our community culture and quality of life.

There is limited time to take action. The City Council is scheduled to vote on the Champion Development project in July, only one month away.

First Time

I believe this is the first time the city has proposed a project of this size without first obtaining citizen, business owner and property owner input.

We feel they need to stop and reevaluate their actions.

The Culver Alliance is organized to mobilize three groups: residents, property owners and businesses.

Seeking New Members

The Residents’ Group, which I am leading as a Sunkist Park homeowner, will gather signatures to petition the City Council to vote down the Champion project and begin anew.

The “Property Owners’ Group” is led by Chris Georges, who represents Harvey Capital , which owns the CompUSA corner. This group will gather signatures from other property owners to let the City Council know that they oppose the forced sale of their properties.

Who Is Doing the Driving?

“We believe community improvement needs to be driven by the community, not forced upon it,” Mr. Georges said.

The “Business Owners’ Group”, is led by Peter Messinger, owner of The Aquarium on Sepulveda Boulevard near Sawtelle. Their mission is to contact local business owners to petition the City Council to consider a local redevelopment plan done on an independent basis.

History Lesson

“The Redevelopment Agency offered funding to businesses along the Sepulveda Corridor 10 years ago and again two years ago,” Mr. Messinger said.

“Many, such as Culver Hardware, redid their buildings. But some did not.

“Given the alternative of having their buildings completely leveled to make way for the Champion Development Project, I’m sure the business owners will want to try and explore different options including a less radical redevelopment.

Why He Stopped

“I started putting money into updating The Aquarium. But I stopped going forward when I heard about the pending Champion project.”

Mr. Messinger said he wanted to take the next step, a $25,000 remodel of The Aquarium. But I have been waiting to start because of this proposed demolition of my building and business.”

Starting Over

The Culver Alliance’s second goal is to start the redevelopment process anew with citizen, business owner and property owner participation and to change current zoning codes that allow overdevelopment.

The third goal of the Culver Alliance is to insist on a Council that supports development that maintains the unique small town community that makes Culver City a great place to live.

How to Sign up

Culver City residents can join the Culver Alliance.