Dynamics Blow up
Mr. Nissanis unscheduled entry into what had been a cozy, private little party explodes the dynamics of a project that many critics say never has been very coherent anyway.
The entrepreneur, who is just in his 20s, is in an expansive mood.
How is this for contrast?
Two Directions
In the same week that Albertson Chevrolet, one of Culver Citys venerable car dealerships, at Washington and Sepulveda, is shutting down, Mr. Nissani is traveling some say racing in the opposite direction.
Hooman probably has been planning to go beyond his present location ever since he arrived in Culver City, said one businessman. He is a very exciting visionary.
City Hall is stunned and immensely unhappy with the latest developments.
Breaking News
Until yesterday afternoon, they did not know that it was official that Mr. Nissani, a hard-charging, fast-moving young automobile dealer just outsnookered City Halls guy, the developer Bob Champion, for a prime piece of real estate within the project, as they say.
The coroner is speeding to the scene.
But it still is not clear what he will find when he arrives at 11469 Jefferson Blvd.
A Motivation
Said a Sepulveda Boulevard business owner this afternoon:
Hooman bought the property that covers seven businesses on Jefferson because he does not think the project ever will be built.
Peter Messinger, owner of The Aquarium, and one of the most outspoken business owners opposed to the teardown/rebuild, was a smiling man today.
Good News
He has been grim for months, rallying fellow owners on the west side of South Sepulveda to protest City Halls proposal for knocking down or out 77 businesses.
Mr. Messinger interprets the outslicker move as a major impediment.
This helps us, he said at mid-afternoon from behind a serious grin.
It means that for the project to go through, the city will have to eminent domain one of the most important businessmen in Culver City.
Separate Information?
Hooman must know something that the rest of us dont.
I dont think the city has the will to eminent domain one of the big players.
Alan Goldman is chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee that will hold its fourth meeting on Wednesday night at 7 at El Marino Language School in Sunkist Park to further review the project.
Changing Fast
Mr. Nissanis daredevil move seems to change everything, in Mr. Goldmans view.
He was looking toward City Hall this afternoon for guidance, waiting for a call back to see what Sol Blumenfeld, the new director of the Community Development Dept., is thinking.
I want to know what City Halls game plan is if they have one, Mr. Goldman said.
No Impact
Meanwhile, back in Sunkist Park, resident Chip Netzel said that Mr. Nissanis land acquisition is not a surprise, and he declared it will have no impact on Bob Champion.
Champion wants Phase I, and the land we are talking about is in Phase II.
If Champion has any role in the Sepulveda corridor, it is Phase I. Phase II is off the table.