The City of West Hollywood is considering buying two pieces of property, the acquisition of which will be on the agenda for the City Council’s closed session meeting on Monday.
One is the property at 8301-8315 Santa Monica Blvd., on the northwest corner of Sweetzer Avenue and directly across Santa Monica from City Hall. The property currently is home to Joey’s Cafe, a popular local diner, Peter’s Magnolia Cleaners, and Crossroads Trading Company. It is owned by Broudy Alexrood LLC.
In response to a question from WEHOville, Steve Campbell, the city’s director of facilities and recreation services, said “the property became available recently and could be a unique opportunity for the city. While there is no project already planned for the site, the potential to enhance the adjacent Coast Playhouse and establish a stronger arts presence in the area would likely be considered as part of any future development. If acquired, any project would involve input from a variety of sources and include a strong public outreach component.”
The city in 2016 purchased the Coast Playhouse for $2.5 million from its owners Mary Sweeney and Vickie Shemaria, who own the Basix and Marix restaurants nearby. The goal of the purchase, according to a city staff report, was to ” anchor a potential Center City Arts District in the city…”
The other property, at 621 N. Robertson Blvd. just north of Melrose is the location of the West Hollywood Lion’s Club. That building is a small log cabin that was erected in 1936 as Boy Scouts of America clubhouse in celebration of BSA’s 26th anniversary. The building got a makeover decades later and eventually became a meeting place for recovering addicts. It is owned by the City of Beverly Hills.
I do not understand why anybody would be more upset about the city acquiring these properties than a private developer. If the city purchases them, there’s a better chance they will be used for better (public) use. What do people think a private developer would do with these properties? Keep a recovery center open, on Robertson? It would be sad to see those private businesses on SMB go under, no matter who purchases the property. But I’d rather the city own them than a private developer, as I believe a private developer will be more inclined to raise their rent,… Read more »
A final thought about people commenting about homelessness, which is a fear I’ve had myself. Ultimately people need to find the therapist and process that works for them and it’s often not the govt sponsored programs. And even if it were, it’s your responsibility to get the help and not expect everyone to finance it. (I was severely abused as a kid, lots of depression, suicide attempts. Went to about 10 therapist until I found the right one for me. Gambled the entire time, lost my savings multiple times. And at no time did I expect anyone to pay for… Read more »
The whole SMB section west of LaCienga is more than fancy enough. Do we really need another overpriced Lisa VanderPump bar or restaurant? Does the whole city need to look like that? Granted, we don’t want parts of the city to look like a ghetto but I would hate to see the entire city of WeHo become just like Bev Hills. The residents would all become generally the same and I’m seeing more and more of that. The elderly population can’t afford to rent here anymore and young gay kids who want to live in a neighborhood w/ a lot… Read more »
My bigger issue with the city is that some projects take up to a decade to even get started. I’m surprised developers have any patience with this city. I sure wouldn’t build here. It’s nothing but a headache.
These rants are from an outdated, bitter group of people who probably need to get some help themselves. The city is changing and evolving with the times. I’m for anything that encourages arts. I think the city is smart to buy that lot across from city hall and secure that area for theatrical productions, maybe even a larger, nicer theatre. Restaurants can always be incorporated later, there’s plenty of them in the area and almost none of them meet my high standards for quality, organic, sustainable ingredients so I make my own meals. Any of these places can return later… Read more »
I guess it would be helpful to know why the City wants to acquire these parcels.
I would certainly rather have the Log Cabin purchased by the City than a developer.
But the City should articulate the need and vision for the acquisition of the Joey’s Cafe property. This is a thriving retail area that enhances the walkability of the City; it would be nice to know the City’s goals for the proposed purchase.
If the city has so much liquid cash then how about dropping the price of parking meters, parking tickets, residential parking fees, etc, instead of buying up private property? That’s not the function of local government.
Buying such a property WITHOUT PLANS FOR ITS Use is either incompetent Or plan are definitely in mind but not being disclosed.
All I know, the building was used extensively for AA meetings. I don’t know if that is still the case or where AA local meets.
The things that have made West Hollywood great for so long, local businesses and independence, are disappearing thanks in large part to the city’s developer-corrupt council members. Unyielding development isn’t improving West Hollywood, it’s destroying the soul of the city.
The City Council is not the architect of the city outlook.
Look higher.
Where was the city when Irv’s Burgers needed help and they said that they couldn’t get involved. An actual cultural landmark and not something that Duran see’s as his pet project, because gosh it’s important to him. I know the property was attached to the much flipped over property, but it seems that the city has their own agenda of acquiring property. With all this money that the city has, how is our addressing homelessness? Asking for my friends without a place to live.
Save the Lions Club. I’m a recovering Addict. Saved my life .
I go to Joey’s Cafe every day for breakfast! It is one of the pleasures in my life. I love the food and the very friendly staff! I will curse the City of West Hollywood until my
dying day if they ever close Joey’s!
Magnolias Cleaners…the best Cleaners in WH. A independent business does not have a chance in West Hollywood. A sad commentary.