A Delay Not an Escape
Mr. Tiptons statement is unquestionably encouraging news for the six dozen smallish worried and City Hall-fearing shopowners who represent the bulk of the targeted businesses on the west side of the street.
This would be a reprieve for them, but not quite the triumph they have been fantasizing about since last autumn.
A Goose Is Cooking?
Some entrepreneurs believe that if the full rebuildremains intact, the economics of the mass changeover will knock them out of business permanently.
This is the second time that Mr. Tipton has acknowledged the 12 1/2 acres may be too ambitious to tackle at one time.
On top of that, the chosen developer, Bob Champion, does not want to commit to leveling all 77 businesses along the west side of South Sepulveda, from Sawtelle to Jefferson.
The Parcel of Choice
Mr. Champions preference, from the beginning, has been to only raze and raise the southerly end, site of the largest businesses, including national chains.
For City Hall and the developer, decision time on the shape of the project is just over the horizon.
Two Months Away
Out of fairness to everyone, Mr. Tipton said, we will need to make a final determination soon. Within 60 days, I would say.
Before a decision is rendered, we may end up going to the community for input, the director said.
Project leaders tentatively are planning their first public meeting with the much-ballyhooed 9-member Citizens Advisory Committee within 2 weeks.
An Introductory Meeting
We owe them information, Mr. Tipton said of the group that the City Council selected from among 49 applicants with geographical balance in mind.
The lay committees first assignment will be to select a chairperson.
When Mr. Champion, the Wilshire Boulevard developer, submitted his conceptual plans to City Hall 30 days ago, they included 3 sets of designs, one from each of the architects bidding for what will be a significant payday.
How to Qualify
Mr. Tipton explained the philosophical guidelines for choosing the winning architect.
What designs they had drawn, he said, was of secondary importance to their attitude.
The interrogators wanted to know Which of the 3 would, overtly willingly, follow the rules of Culver City zoning regulations and take orders or at least assertive suggestions.
