The Developers are trying to push new plans for the Venice Dell Project forward at Coastal Commission’s December hearing, without allowing the project to first go to the Transportation Commission (as the City assured the judge it would do at our court hearing) and with substantially changed plans that have not been approved by City Council or shared with the community. We’re outraged!
We need Coastal Commission to do the right thing and defer the hearing so that the City can follow its regulations correctly and our Councilwoman can represent the best interests of her constituents and Los Angeles at City Council.
If you haven’t already sent our easy one click email asking Coastal Commission to defer the planned December hearing, please go to our website here and scroll down to “HOW YOU CAN HELP IMMEDIATELY” to follow the link.
If you already sent the email, thank you! Please take a moment to email or text the link to our website: safecoastaldevelopment.org to friends and ask them to scroll down to send the email as well!
EVEN MORE REASONS TO BE FIRED UP-
The developer hired a new architect who decided to have fun redesigning the historic Short Line Bridge over the Grand Canal. This bridge was created in 1905 by Abbott Kinney and is protected on both the National and State historic registers. The City’s own consultant in the historic report for the original City approved project states “… a rare remaining example of the original canal system established by founder Abbot Kinney.”
The Library of Congress references National Register of Historic Places NRIS # 82002193 and HAER CA-124 as: “The Venice Canals are a significant early example of community/recreational planning in a coastal marshland area. The canals are the last remaining portion of a system of canals that was the most important feature of Venice, California. The canals were and are unique in Los Angeles and in California.” (Emphasis added).
The revised plans for the project show significant desecration of our historic bridge, created for the intended purpose of bringing visitors to Venice Beach. The new plans will not only destroy the apron of the historic bridge and sandwich it between the two massive structures of the project, but the bridge’s original use would be changed from beach access for autos, pedestrians and bikes, to a mere walkway and design feature connecting the two campuses of the project (note landscaping on part of the historic bridge).
Seriously, WTF? How can they make these significant changes after the City approved the original project?!
Our Councilwoman spoke out loudly for the historic preservation of the Brentwood home where Marilyn Monroe lived for six months before her death in 1962. Traci Park now has the opportunity to show the same diligence in speaking out against this desecration of our historic, Venice Short Line Bridge, which for 120 years and to this day allows all Angelenos safe access to Venice beach.
The Pacific Electric Venice Short Line Bridge back in the day:
The historic bridge as it stands today over Grand Canal:
These significant modifications to this important historic coastal resource and cultural monument have not been reviewed by the City and must return to the office of Historic Resources and Cultural Heritage Commission.
Abbott Kinney would be horrified to see such dramatic changes to this important historic gem, as would all historians and those who want Venice’s historic character and resources protected.
Architect’s new plans for the historic bridge- note the landscaping:
We will only have a chance to comment on this significantly revised project at City Council if the Coastal Commission defers it’s planned December hearing to allow the city to follow the proper City procedures for approval, to which they agreed to abide (with the judge as our witness in our legal case!).
It’s now or never, we must tell Coastal Commission and our City officials- it is not okay to rush this substantially revised project through Coastal in December. We’ve had a great response with over 200 emails sent so far- let’s keep it going!
With appreciation-
The Team at Safe Coastal Development