West Hollywood has released its quarterly update on major capital improvement projects involving city-owned properties and public parks. The report, which excludes infrastructure-related projects, provides a detailed status and timeline for each project, listed in order of completion priority.
8120 Santa Monica Blvd Interim Parking Lot
8120 Santa Monica Boulevard at Crescent Heights Boulevard is a 40,140 square-foot site purchased by the City in 2015 and is currently vacant. The City has completed environmental remediation on the site and is moving forward with the construction of a highly requested interim surface parking lot and a separate affordable housing RFP. Most of the site will be used for a 62-space surface parking lot until a long-term development plan is implemented. Construction began after the City Council awarded a contract on March 18, 2024, with completion expected in early Q3 2024. A separate RFP for affordable housing is also in progress. The project is managed by the Facilities and Field Services division, with coordination from Property Development and the Urban Design and Architecture Studio. Long-term planning and use for 8120 Santa Monica Boulevard began in December 2022. The city engaged a consultant for a programming exercise to explore potential uses, such as consolidating city services, hosting non-profit spaces, and exploring housing options. This work is complete, and staff will revisit these options at a later date.
8305 Santa Monica Blvd Tenant Improvements
The former Peter’s Magnolia Cleaners site at 8305 Santa Monica Boulevard is being converted into two office suites. One suite will be used by the City’s behavioral health crisis response team, WeHo Cares. The project faced delays due to ADA compliance, remediation, and structural investigations. Construction is set to begin in Q3 2024 and be completed by late Q4 2024. Staff is developing a comprehensive leasing strategy for vacant City-owned commercial spaces to be presented to the City Council in August 2024. This project is managed by Property Development, with support from Facilities and Field Services and the Urban Design and Architecture Studio.
Holloway Interim Housing Program
The city purchased the Holloway Motel at 8465 Santa Monica Boulevard on April 12, 2023, to be converted into a 20-room transitional housing facility with supportive services. The city received a Project Homekey grant for acquisition, renovation, and a 5-year operating subsidy, with a condition for 15 years of transitional housing use. Construction began in Q1 2024 and has included demolition, asbestos removal, and framing changes. Upcoming work includes roofing, HVAC, fire alarm, and drywall installation. Construction is expected to finish by Q4 2024, after which the property will be managed by Ascencia. This project is under the management of Facilities and Field Services, with coordination from Strategic Initiatives, Property Development, and the Urban Design and Architecture Studio.
Plummer Park Dog Park
Plummer Park Dog Park was initially proposed as a pilot off-leash dog area and was later directed to become a permanent dog park with artificial turf and proper drainage. The project faced hurdles during design and plan check, particularly with public right-of-way and park infrastructure interfaces. Plans were approved in June 2024, with bidding and award recommendations expected by Q3 2024. Construction is anticipated to start in late Q3 2024 and be completed by Q4 2024 or early Q1 2025. Facilities and Field Services, with support from the Urban Design and Architecture Studio, are responsible for this project.
STORIES: The AIDS Monument
STORIES: The AIDS Monument, designed by Daniel Tobin and facilitated by The Foundation for the AIDS Monument, will feature bronze “traces” with narrative text and integrated lighting. A re-bid reduced project costs by approximately $7 million. A contract was awarded to PCL, Inc., with pre-construction underway and full-scale mock-up production in progress. On-site construction is expected to start soon. Estimated completion is in late Q2 2025. This project is managed by the Urban Design and Architecture Studio, with coordination from Facilities and Field Services and Arts.
Log Cabin Renovations & Addition
The city purchased the property at 617-621 N. Robertson Ave, which includes a 2,090 square-foot Log Cabin and a 29-space parking lot, in May 2022. Lehrer Architects is engaged for design and construction drawings, following preservation guidelines due to the Log Cabin’s cultural landmark status. A fundraising campaign aims to raise $5 million, supplemented by state and federal funds. The City Council will review the funding strategy once the total available funding is clearer. Construction drawings are scheduled for submission in early October 2024. This project is managed by Property Development, with support from Facilities and Field Services and the Urban Design and Architecture Studio.
City Playhouse
The City Playhouse, located at 8325 Santa Monica Boulevard, will feature a 99-seat, approximately 7,700 square-foot playhouse and rehearsal space. The City Council approved the design development phase and preparation of construction documents on May 20, 2024. An RFQ was issued for a performing arts venue technical consultant, with responses due by July 24, 2024. Job specifications for a Playhouse Coordinator will be developed in FY25, with recruitment planned for FY26. This project is managed by the Urban Design and Architecture Studio, with coordination from Arts and Facilities and Field Services.
Hart Park
Hart Park, located at William S. Hart Park, has been the focus of improvements directed by the city council in March 2018. These improvements aim to enhance accessibility, parking, historical aspects, lighting, security, and the dog park. The city renewed its lease of the property from Los Angeles in 2019, extending it for 35 years. The Hart House is recognized as a designated cultural resource. From 2020 to 2022, staff and a design consultant team engaged in community outreach, including events at WeHo Park, Plummer Park, and the Farmers Market. They presented recommendations to various advisory boards and then to the city council in April 2023. The council approved Phase 1 improvements on April 3, 2023, which include upgrading park-wide accessibility, integrating disability-related improvements to the parking lot, revisiting the existing AIDS Memorial and fountain area, reconfiguring the dog park to accommodate both small and large dogs, and resurfacing the dog park with biodegradable synthetic turf. An ad-hoc subcommittee will evaluate potential Phase 2 improvements.Currently, staff has conducted a formal RFP process and selected a preferred team for design and engineering services. They will also prepare a revised project cost estimate for Phase 1 and develop Phase 2 concepts with the ad-hoc subcommittee. Staff will return to the city council in Q3 2024 for contract approval and design updates. Construction documents are expected to be completed in Q1 2025, with construction anticipated to begin in Q3 2025. This project is managed by the Urban Design and Architecture Studio, with coordination from Facilities and Field Services.
Plummer Park Comprehensive Plan
The Plummer Park Comprehensive Plan involves a revisioning process to be relaunched as a community-based effort in 2024. The city council’s subcommittee met to discuss the plan’s components and provided direction for a $4 million budget to begin initial work, including implementing a dog park along Vista Street, constructing a prefabricated Pro Shop, installing interim community garden locations, upgrading security at the Community Center, and performing essential maintenance on Fiesta Hall and Great Hall/Long Hall. These efforts will maintain the park’s assets until the full comprehensive plan is implemented. Staff has released an RFP for design and outreach services for the visioning effort. These services are included in the 2024 fiscal year budget, and staff will return to the city council in mid-Q3 2024 for contract approval and subcommittee direction confirmation. Key recommendations include vacating the existing Plummer Park Master Plan, phasing the Comprehensive Improvement Plan, forming an advisory committee for Phase 2, and confirming the location of signage kiosks. Preservation architectural work is anticipated to begin towards the end of Q4 2024. This project is managed by the Urban Design and Architecture Studio, with coordination from Facilities and Field Services.
Laurel House and Park
The city-owned property at 1343 N. Laurel Avenue, known as Laurel House and Park, consists of a 30,000 square-foot lot with structures dating back to 1917. In February 2018, the city council considered using the property for artist-in-residency programs. An ad-hoc subcommittee reviewed various improvement scenarios from 2021 to 2022, leading to the city council approving the program and other renovations on October 3, 2022. Features of the renovation include space for city archives, gallery and exhibition space, studio maker space for public use, and maintaining the grounds for public access. Page & Turnbull were engaged for schematic architectural design, and a consultant team led community meetings to develop the Artist Residency Program. Currently, the design team has incorporated community feedback into the final schematic architectural design. A cost estimate for the project has been prepared, and value engineering will assist in updating the design to reduce costs. The Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission approved the program guidelines in January 2024. Staff will provide the city council with a design development and community engagement schedule in FY25-26. This project is managed by Property Development, with coordination from Arts, Facilities and Field Services, and the Urban Design and Architecture Studio.
8301-8315 Santa Monica Blvd
The property at 8301-8315 Santa Monica Boulevard, including Joey’s Cafe and the former Peter’s Magnolia Cleaners, was purchased by the city in early 2020. Crossroads Trading Company will vacate its store in November 2024, while Joey’s Cafe may extend its lease through 2032. The site’s integration with the adjacent City Playhouse project is under evaluation. Environmental remediation efforts are ongoing, with the state expected to approve a final plan this year. Staff continues to evaluate various development options for the site and its integration with the City Playhouse project. This project is managed by Property Development, with coordination from Facilities and Field Services and the Urban Design and Architecture Studio.
Sunset & La Cienega Intersection
The intersection at Sunset and La Cienega is being considered for pedestrian improvements. Staff engaged a consultant to develop conceptual options for expanding public space, reducing crossing distances, and improving the slope within crosswalks. The city council approved engaging Psomas to develop a topographic survey and conceptual design. A final design has not been selected yet. Staff is working with an architectural and urban design firm on placemaking design recommendations. The city council will consider a proposal from KPFF engineers for the intersection’s design work. This project is managed by the Urban Design and Architecture Studio, with coordination from the Engineering Division
Melrose Gathering Place: Weavers Walk
The Melrose Gathering Place, known as Weaver’s Walk, is a new public space on Melrose Avenue at Norwich Drive. It is part of the Design District Streetscape project but will be constructed separately. The space will feature canopy trees, seating, public art, and other amenities. The city council directed staff to expedite construction and incorporate wayfinding signage. The design team is reworking project drawings and specifications for re-bid as a standalone project. Staff anticipates returning to the city council to award a new construction contract in late Q3 2024. An interim condition with temporary asphalt, gravel, and artificial turf has been constructed. Public artwork by Karon Davis is in storage until the site is ready for installation. This project is managed by the Urban Design and Architecture Studio, with coordination from Engineering and Arts.
Rule 20B Overhead to Underground Conversion La Peer Dr. & Almont Dr.
Phase II of the Rule 20B Overhead to Underground Conversion involves removing utility poles and aerial power/telephone lines on Almont Drive and La Peer Drive. This work is part of the West Hollywood Design District Streetscape Master Plan to improve the commercial district’s aesthetics and mobility. Phase I of the project was completed in 2023. On April 15, 2024, the city council approved a construction agreement for the remaining undergrounding project. A notice to proceed was issued on May 22, 2024, with completion anticipated in Q2 2025. This project is managed by the Engineering Division.
Sky Sanctuaries: San Vicente Streetscape Plaza
Sky Sanctuaries: San Vicente Streetscape Plaza is a project to create an eco-responsive public gathering space on San Vicente Boulevard. The city council committed up to $2 million and directed staff to conduct community outreach and update the design. Staff returned to the council with updated project details in February 2024, and technical studies were approved in March 2024. A new ad-hoc subcommittee has been formed to refine the design and support staff. Technical Assistance Program studies are underway, with local funding paused until 2025. Staff will update the subcommittee on funding cycles, identify additional funding sources, and discuss design revisions. This project is managed by the Urban Design and Architecture Studio, with coordination from Public Works/Engineering, Facilities and Field Services, Parking, and Long Range Planning.
Fountain Avenue Streetscape
The Fountain Avenue Streetscape improvement project aims to transform Fountain Avenue into a vibrant, accessible, and sustainable space. The project involves widening sidewalks, installing protected bike lanes, reducing travel lanes, removing on-street parking, and relocating utilities. Staff and the steering committee have met to address design elements, and the consultant team is drafting the Design Concept Report. The draft report findings will be presented to the Transportation and Mobility Commission and the Public Facilities Commission in October and the city council in November/December. A public workshop is scheduled for September/October. This project is led by Community Development/Long Range Planning, with coordination from Facilities and Field Services, Engineering, Parking, and the Urban Design and Architecture Studio.
Does anyone have an update on the Plummer Park Dog Park construction?
A LOT of NOTHING!!!!!
While ignoring the gapping, massive lots on Sunset and CH, Robertson & SM.
Whatever happened to the earthquake retrofitting program? No news about it lately.
Brandon, nice article. Any updates on the planned city art space that is being considered for the Sterling building (that has been sitting empty for at least 20 years) at Sunset & La Cienega?
The “community outreach” used to justify the conversion of the Hart Dog Park from the wood chips that are currently there to artificial turf did not inform the community of the many very real downsides of artificial turf, including but not limited to: PFAS – forever chemicals that can cause reproductive effects, developmental delays, and risks of some cancers. and leach into and pollute the water table, These chemicals were categorized by the EPA in April 2024 as “hazardous substances, dangerous to human health.” That would be after the time of your outreach, and as such, is significant new information which would… Read more »
I still can’t wrap my head around the insanity of the Fountain Avenue project; reducing travel lanes and removing on-street parking.
It is interesting that the City will be conducting “public work shops” in September and October, which is a bit late if the input by the public will be meaningful, particularly as the plans is set to go to City Council in October/November. You can be sure that means City Council won’t vote on this BEFORE the November, City Council election. This whole concept has been the pet project of a couple of Council members in thrall of the Bike Coalition and Streets for All, cyclist special interest groups. I wonder if the carbon foot print of that will allegedly… Read more »
Please remind me who those couple of City Council members are and give me more info on those cyclist special interest groups. How did they get so much power that they can so completely affect the convenience of commuters and take away parking, not only for Fountain residents but for the residents of cross streets off Fountain where these Fountain people are going to spill over to, thereby greatly reducing available space for those of us who live north and south of Fountain? A lot of lives are going to change big-time because of this!
The effort is being lead by John Erickson and Chelsea (“I don’t care if motorist are inconvenienced”) Byers. The LA Bicycle Coalition has been around a long time and has a lot of WeHo members and in my experience are generally pretty reasonable people. Streets for All is a larger organization centered in LA that has become very influential in Democratic “progressive” circles and have pushed for a number of street re-designs that have often been removed once installed (as in downtown Culver City). As our Council members jockey to move up the political ladder, they want to cultivate relationships… Read more »
Brandon, this is a well written artcle.