My home is within 500 yards of the proposed Green Hollow Square project.
Having said that my first reaction was negative. Who wants change? After investigating the current plans, I feel everyone should support this project. The Barry building is ugly, and should be torn down. It looks like the cheapest buildings that one can find in lower-to middle class Areas in Southern California.
This is a no-brainer. I am an attorney with extensive development experience (but have no connection with this project). Why should Mr. Munger reduce the size of his project? It is a gift to the homeowners that he has reduced his project size, has provided parking to employees, and so many other compromises. He owes us nothing…LAUSD is greedy asking for money.
I went to the City Council hearing. This project is going forward. In my opinion, people should praise Mr. Munger, not oppose the project.
Munger is making unbelievable concessions. The neighbors should grab before the next guy builds out the maximum of 125,000 without concessions. Opponents are shooting themselves in the foot. That’s how I see it
David Ellis
What a terrific opportunity for Mr. Munger to make a statement and offer some relief to the traffic problem at Bundy and San Vicente. Instead of giving Brentwood School $25 million he could build a bike and walking ramp to connect to a spacious parking structure.
The old building could be moved in back or stay where it is. It could house a state of the art electronic station open to instruct, school children and adults in the area with Starbucks and other iconic retailers around it.
Make it work. It will enhance the area. Underground parking will hopefully allow us to connect with a mass transit system that is still evolving.
Carol Melamed
(Mandeville Canyon)
Thank you for the invitation to respond to your above titled fanciful article. My wife and I have lived a few blocks directly north of the proposed project for 51 years and I am a former Director of the BHA. I would like to use some of my personal opinions to dispel some of your notions as follows:
1. The Barry Building doesn’t belong to the architect or his daughter. It belongs to Charlie Munger through his wife’s family. If I were Charlie, I would never concede its inclusion in the proposed project. That building has always appeared dismal to me and it isn’t deserving of the designation “historic site†or the right to be preserved. From the show of hands (approximately 75%) at the last annual BHA meeting, the large majority of Brentwood homeowners doesn’t care what happens to it. I believe that the project’s opponents are using preservation as a defensive tactic, making it a “red herring.†Although I haven’t confirmed it, an attendee at the last City hearing told me that the architect’s daughter spoke at a community meeting and acknowledged that she had made a “big mistake†in seeking the designation.
2. We shouldn’t be telling Charlie what type of legacy he should leave. He wants a retail center. I want a retail center. He has described himself as “circling the drain.†The alternatives that will survive him are the existing eyesore that is commercially unusable or a project that will be less attractive and less useful than his proposal on many levels.
3. San Vicente is a commercial street, and although its commercial development has made Brentwood less of a village (as I well know), the developments have been regulated, but not eliminated. Most of those opponents that raise the traffic issue forget or conveniently forget that the 405 construction has materially affected the flow and direction of traffic in Brentwood. Many Brentwood streets near my home are not the quiet zones of the past because of various lane and bridge closures and constrictions. Just imagine the completion of both the 405 and Green Hollow Square.
Leonard Kolod
Jeff:
Liked your commentary.
Bob Inadomi
What to do with the Barry Building? Something that would provide an experience similar to that of the Farmer’s Market—but instead of preserving a taste of 1930s-40s L.A., capturing the experience of post-war, 1950s-60s L.A. My personal vision: I think it would be truly marvelous if the Barry Building, probably one of the first examples of intentionally green commercial architecture in Los Angeles, were to become the centerpiece of a contemporary LEED Platinum urban development that incorporates the cutting-edge of the green movement today. Permeable paving, rain chains and rainwater cisterns, recycled and nontoxic materials, water-conserving plumbing, use of today’s energy-efficient design elements to limit the need for heating and central air conditioning, perhaps even rooftop gardens. Such a design would not only be an exciting and valuable addition to the San Vicente Scenic Corridor, but could also raise international awareness of the sustainable commercial possibilities available today.
Move the Barry? Absolutely not. In my opinion, intrinsic to the Barry’s value is that it was so specifically and sensitively designed for its exact site. The courtyard was designed to open onto San Vicente Blvd. and the Coral Trees median. Its louvers were designed to shield south- and west-facing office windows from the sun’s heat and glare. Out of context, these defining features would lose their significance.
Perhaps Charlie Munger’s legacy will turn out to be stubbornness, but let’s hope we’re proven wrong. Many become more set in their ways and stubborn as they age, but there are so many wonderful examples of change and growth. Let’s hope Mr. Munger keeps the Barry Building in situ, and reworks his legacy into one truly visionary and worthy of the generosity and philanthropy he has exhibited in past. He just may be delighted to realize possibilities he never before imagined, and to have the knowledge that he’s left a true and worthy legacy.
Sheri A. Saperstein
I didn’t know whom to direct this to; I spoke with Councilman Rosendahl’s office for the 4th time complaining about Sunset/Barrington gridlock during peak hours. South-bound Barrington traffic trying to cross Sunset or go eastbound on Sunset can take up to 30 minutes with only 3 or 4 cars getting through the green light. All the gridlock stems from Barrington and Barrington Place northbound traffic turning right on to Sunset AGAINST the red light. I told the Councilman office that I would contribute to the cost for two no turn on red light metal signs. Any one else willing to pitch in?
Joe Silverman
Wendell Brown Not Well?
You’ve written about Wendell Brown in the past. This is probably old, old news to you, but I just noticed today that he’s developed some mobility problems and it seems like he has to try to sell his poetry sitting down, which has probably cut down on his sales since he can’t stand and protrude himself into the street and wave the poetry sheets around. Maybe the Brentwood News could do a little piece on that, suggesting that his fans might look for him sitting out there next door to San Vicente Market. Might boost his sales. Just an idea. By the way, I’ve lived here nearly 20 years and I’ve always enjoyed the Brentwood News. The paper gives the neighborhood a nice sense of community.
Joe Garrett
