Re “The Most Flamboyant Bid Wins Parcel B — A Stairway to the Stars”
[Editor’s Note: A member of the City Council, Mr. Weissman gave the most detailed reasoning last night for choosing Combined Properties Inc./Hudson Pacific, to develop the Parcel B property in Downtown.]
Thank you to the four developers for participating in this exciting process.
Thank you to those in the community who took the time to participate in the public input aspect of this process.
We have worked hard to promote and encourage public participation, and by viewing the proposals, attending the public sessions, commenting personally by letter or email, each of you has had a role in the ultimate outcome.
Each of us has his own opinion about what a development for Parcel B should be.
I will share mine.
It has to be realistic and viable economically. It has to be realistic to build, realistic to tenant, and realistic to operate and maintain.
It has to be iconic.
It must be memorable.
Placemaking in design.
Distinctive and creative.
It has to complement its surroundings.
It needs to integrate with Downtown.
It needs to work with, and not separate it self off from, Town Plaza.
It should be open without being forced or artificial.
It must create public space.
We realize the public demand for pedestrian-oriented space. We have gone to great and expensive lengths to make Downtown more pedestrian friendly. We have a responsibility to see that the development of Parcel B compliments that transformation. The development of Parcel B must continue to bring activity to the public space.
Complying Is Not Sufficient
It must utilize energy saving and sustainable design principles.
It is not enough merely to comply with Culver City’s Green Building requirements and our photovoltaic ordinance. Building to LEED certification standards, utilizing diminishing resources more efficiently, employing design and construction practices that reduce the negative environmental impacts of buildings, and improving occupant and community health and well-being are indispensible criteria for any project.
This is what I am hoping we are able to achieve on Parcel B.
As someone who has been in Downtown since the 1950s, having witnessed the changes that have taken place, realigning streets, widening sidewalks, building parking structures, creating a Town Plaza, transforming Downtown from what once was considered quaint and charming, often in disparaging tones, into a revitalized and bustling destination, I am excited at the prospect of putting the capstone on the Downtown with the development of Parcel B.
For me, it is the Combined proposal that will enable Parcel B to achieve its long-awaited potential.
Through its outward oriented design, it recognizes the importance and meaningfulness of Parcel B and its surroundings. With its unique design, it will create the potential for new active community gathering space, a design that extends our existing public space and incorporates it into new public space.
It s a development that will building upon the existing vibrancy of Downtown while at the same time, both preserving and enhancing the visual and pedestrian connection between Parcel B and the Culver Studios, The Culver Hotel, Main Street and Town Plaza.
Given the development criteria, the economic analysis and the design elements, given what currently exists in Downtown and what I believe the community is looking forward to and will welcome, I am prepared to move forward to an agreement with Combined.
Mr. Weissman may be contacted at andrewweissman@mac.com
